provost guard

[ proh-voh ]

/ ˈproʊ voʊ /

a detachment of soldiers assigned to police duties under the provost marshal.

Compare military police.

Origin of provost guard

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80

I proposed to our little party that they should remain while I rode back to the army for a detachment of the provost-guard.

Nurse and Spy in the Union Army |S. Emma E. Edmonds
The Provost-Guard was at the old place; I was bound to pass them squarely.

Red-Tape and Pigeon-Hole Generals |William H. Armstrong
The provost-guard made some show of fight, but were soon induced to surrender.

History of Morgan's Cavalry |Basil W. Duke
He was awakened in the morning at Jeffersonville, by the provost-guard shaking him and demanding his pass.

Si Klegg, Book 5 (of 6) |John McElroy

He was picked up at the hospital by the provost-guard, and sent to the regiment in its advanced position.

Miss Ravenel's conversion from secession to loyalty |J. W. de Forest

provost guard

/ (prəˈvəʊ) /

(esp in the US) a detachment under command of the provost marshal