The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-12-24
The Insignia Of Rank In the United States
Army.

1
The Insignia Of Rank In the United States
Army.
The highest rank in our Army is that Of
Lieutenant General, and was conferred by
Congress, for merit, on Winfield Scott Gen.
eral in Chief, who is the only one who has
ever held this rank in the U. S. The princi
pal Distinguishing marks of uniform are three
stars on the shoulder strap or epauIette-a
large one in the middle, fanked by Two smal
Ter ones-a double row Of nine buttons on the
coat disposed in threes, and buff sash, a
straight sword and sword knot terminating
in acorns. A Major General is the same, but
with only two stars on the shoulder. A
Brigade General has one star, and the but.
tono on his coat number but eight in each
row, disposed in twos. The Colonel is the
highest in rank in Regiment, and WARS an
eagle on bis strap, the buttons on bis coat are
in double lines numbering eight at equal
distance. When this officer is placed in
charge Of Brigade, he s called q Colonel
commanding.
A Lieut.. Colonel is second in command of
a Regiment, and is known by the leaf on his
strap, which is silver, otherwise his uniform
is the same as the Colonel's. The Majors
is also the same, the leaf being gold. His
duty is TO act rs aid de-camp of the Colonel,
and in the event Of his two superior officers
being disabled or absent, he takes command
Of the Regiment, hese three constitute ths |
fold officers Of Regiment, and are mounted.
The Adjutant, whose position is the same to
the Regiment as that Of Orderly Sergeant to
a company and generally ranks as Lieutenant
Captains are com mandants Of companies,
and are distinguished by two bars of gold on
the shoulder strap, and eight buttons at regu.
lar distance in n single row on the coat, the
First Lieutenant the same, but with one bar
Dn the strap, the Second Lieutenant having a
plain strap without marks. These last are
called line officers; all Rcgi mental officers
wear red sash.
The Surgeon ranks as First Lieutenant in
he Volunteer service, and "a Msjot in the
Regulars, and has the letters M. S.-Medical
Stah-embroidered on his strap, which other
wise is the same as a First Lieutenant; also
wears green sash. The Qusrtermaster also
axes Lieutenant's rank, and has the letters
J. D.-Quartermasters Depsrtment--and the
Jonmissary with the letters q. D.--Com,nis.
ary Department.
These constitute with Chaplain, who wears
10 marks only plsIs clothes of uniform cu,)
he Rcglnenlal staff, and are all allowed to
ave hor,es. The non-corumissioned officers
re Hospital Stewards, whose business it is
o attend TO the hospital stores aud all the
etsils Of the Hospital Department., under
be orders of the Surgeon. His insignia is q
reen band on the upper arm, with a serpent
ntwned round u wnged staff embroidered
n IL.
The Sergeant Major is Second Sergeant
D ibe Regiment, and scls rs assistant TO The
Idjutaut. He wears a cbevon w Of three :
trips, connected at the top 10y bsIf circular |,
the QuaIteIipaster's bust
ess is the management Of tie details Of that /.
epaItnent; bis cLevron is straight across the :,
)p. =
The Or erly Sergeant is fist Serg, aut in :,
be company, and c. mmands II in the absence
commissioned officers; the chevrou is Of I
,ree stripes. without connection at the top, q
nj diamond or star above. .'a na -
The Second Sergeant takes charges of half =
company, called n platoon, and has the
tine chevrou as the inst, but will out q da-
iond. The Ccrp@sls are 10 charge Of see Y
ons or quarters Of Company, aud are disiin. +.
uishui by but two bars in the cheyron.--
4 the sword the Cavalry saber is longest,
I'd has n steel scabbard. The field officers Y
,me next; the scabbsrd beng of chocolate .e
'amol, with gilt Trimmings. The line off Z
RS, plslner aud sboter, with sheath Of
ack leat,er. A General officers weapon
raight. with guilt scabbard; Rcgimentsi n
af ]. straight aud short. Musicians, aud non Of
'mnissi"ned officers, beiug shorter still ,uore /,