drumhead court-martial

American  

noun

1. a court-martial held, usually on a battlefield, for the summary trial of charges of offenses committed during military operations.

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drumhead court-martial British  

noun

1. a military court convened to hear urgent charges of offences committed in action

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Etymology

Origin of drumhead court-martial

First recorded in 1825–35; so called from the use of a drumhead as a table during the court-martial

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

drumhead court-martial

He was at once made a prisoner and marched as such to Walmer forest, when the commanding officer applied for a drumhead court-martial.

From A Soldier's Life Being the Personal Reminiscences of Edwin G. Rundle by Woodside, Henry J.

A drumhead court-martial is a hurried trial held in camp.

From The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 25, April 29, 1897 A Weekly Magazine for Boys and Girls by Various

Even th' rookies, what had seen a lot o' service, knowed that he was makin' himself liable—an' him a general—t' be called up on a drumhead court-martial.

From Injun and Whitey to the Rescue by Hart, William S.

So they give Afiola a sort of drumhead court-martial, and bounced him unanimous, and all the pent-up deviltry of the man came out of him at one lick, like touching off a dynamite cartridge.

From Wild Justice: Stories of the South Seas by Osbourne, Lloyd

The next day Gen. Ward organized a drumhead court-martial and tried those captured who were not wounded.

From Uncle Daniel's Story Of "Tom" Anderson And Twenty Great Battles by McElroy, John