Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-01-02

The highest rank in our army is
that of the Lieutenant General, and
was conferred by Congress for merit
on Winfield Scott, General-in-Chicf,
who is the only one who has ever
held this rank in the United States.
The principal of Distinguishing marks
Of uniform are three stars on the
of epaulette-a large
one in the middle aanked by two small
Ter ones--a double row of nine buttons
on the coat disposed in threes, and
buff sash, a straight sword, and a
sword knot terminating in acorns.
A Major General is the same, but
with only two stars on the shoulder.
A Brigadicr General has one star, and
the buttons on his coat number but
eight i'm each row, disposed in twos.
The Colonel is the highest in rank in
a regiment, and wears an eagle on
his strap, the buttons on his coat in
double lines, numbering eight, at tequal
distances. When this officer is placed
in charge of brigade he is called a
Colonel commanding.
A Lieut.. Colonel is second in COM
mand of 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 as aid-dc-camp of the Colo.
mel, and in the event of his two supe-
rior officers being disabled or absent,
he takes command of the Regiment
these three constitute the field officers
of Regiment, and are mounted. The
Adiutant, whose position is the same
to a Regiment as that Of Orderly Ser.
geant to company, and generally
ranks as a Lieutenant. .......
Captains arc commandants Of com
panies, and are distinguished by two
bars Of gold on the shoulderstrap,
and eight buttons at regular distan.
ces in single row on the coat the
lst Lieutenant the same, but with one
bar on the strap, the second Lieuten-
ant having plain strap without
marks. These last are called line Of
ficers all Regimental officers wear q
sash.
The Surgeon ranks as First Licuten
ant in the volunteer service, and as
Major in the regulars, and has the let
tcrs NJ. S.-Medical Staff-embroider
ed on his straps, which otherwise il
the same as First Lieutenant alsc
wears q green sash. The Quarter
master also takes Lieutenant's rank
and has the letters g. D.-Commissary
Department. "
These constitute with the Chaplain
who wears no marks, only plain clothes
of uniform cut the Regimental staff
and are all allowed to have horses
The non-commissioned officers are Hos
pital Stewards, whose business it is
to attend to the hospital stores and
the details Of the Hospital Depart.
ment, under the order of the Surgeon
His insignia is a green band on tho
upper arm, with serpent entwined
round winged staff embroidered on
it,
The Sergeant Major is Second Ser
geant in the regiment and acts as as
sistant to the Adjutant He wears a
chevron (V) of three stripes, connect
ed at the top by half circular con
tinuation. The Quartermaster's bust
ness is the management of the details
of that department his cheyron il
straight across the top.
The Orderly Sergeant is first Ser
geant of company, and commands
in the absence of commissioned Off
GERS the chevron is of three stripes
without connection above, with dia
mond or star above.
The Second Sergeant takes charge
of half n company, called a platoon
and has the same cheyron as the first
but without diamond.
The Corporals are in charge of sec
tions or quarters of company, and
are distinguished by but two bars il
the chevron.
Of the swords the Cavalry sabre il
the longest, and has steel scabbard
being of chocolate enamel with gill
trimmings. The line officers palmer
and shorter, with sheath of black
leather. A general officers weapoI
is straight, with gilt scabbard
Regimental staff is straight and short
Musicians and non-commissioned offi
GERS being shorter still, more for show
than use
The color of the shoulder-straps de
notes the arm Of the service-lnfant
ry being blue Artillery red Caval
ry, orange and Rifles, green.