Historical clue formulations

• – — 2026-08-05
• Octet on a chessboard — 2025-09-13
• Captain and lieutenant — 2022-12-23
• Puts in order — 2022-12-04
• Orders — 2019-12-14
• Places in order of preference — 2019-02-04
• Orders — 2017-11-19
• Gives an order — 2017-02-12
• Counterparts of files — 2016-08-14
• Captain and others — 2014-09-24
• See 9-Across — 2011-01-06
• They're often closed in an emergency — 2010-09-11
• Admiral and others — 2010-02-24
• Major and captain, e.g. — 2006-05-15
• Enlisted personnel — 2004-04-02
• They may be broken in the military — 2001-11-01
• Puts first or second, say — 2001-10-31
• Officers' command — 2000-06-09
• They may be closed — 1999-06-11
• Puts in order — 1994-01-09