The first colonels from pioneer settlers like Colonel Daniel Boone could be any of those from 1776-1793 or perhaps until 1895 when the title officially became honorary, there were different types of colonels in early Kentucky: there were colonels that were the heads of colonies; there were colonels in charge of companies; a colonel could be the head of a militia installation like a fort; a colonel in charge of an infantry command; retired Revolutionary War colonels; those with large land warrants; there were colonels everywhere. Calling someone colonel in early Kentucky was an honorable and respectful way to demonstrate their authority. In 1802, the United States Military formally adopted the rank of colonel in a similar position to those in the British Army, the incorporation of colonelcy in the U.S. Army redefined and distinguished the colonel from the civilian head of a colony, company or militia apart to become the head of a column of soldiers (brigade) with one lieutenant and four majors.