The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-01-23
eN AD JevBNA WEEaX PeT AND GENT

THE ONIILD cIAIbss ~ Weu hho"h aes
rank and position in the army Of the United
States are designated by the uniform and shoul-
der straps. The following description will
enable any one to ascertain the rank OF an
officer in uniform:
"The higest rank in our army is that OF
Lieutenant General. and was conferred by
Congress for merit on Winfield Scott, General
in Chief. who is the only one who has ever
held this rank in the United States. The
principal distinguishing marks Of uniform
are three stars on the shoulder strap or epau.
lrtte--a large one in the middle fanked by
two smaller ones-a double row Of nine but.
tons on the coat disposed in threes, q buff
sash, a straight sword, and sword knot ter.
minating in acorns. A Major General Is the
same, bu, with'only two stars on the shoulders.
A Brigadier General has one star, and the
buttons on his coat number hut eight in each
row, disposed in twos. The Colonel is the
highest in rank in regiment, and wears an
eagle on his strap, the buttons on his coat in
double lines numbering eight at equal dis.
tances. When this officer is placed in charge
of brigade he is called Colonel Command
ing.
A lieutenant colonel is second in command
of regiment, and is known by the leaf on his
straps, which is ofsilver. otherwise his uniform
is the same as colonel's. The majors Is also
the same, the leaf being Of gold. His duty is
to net as 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; these three constitutes the field
officers OF a regiment. and are mounted. The
adjutant, whose position is the same to the
regiment as that of the orderly sergeant to a
company. generally ranks as lieutenant.
Captains are commandants Of companies,
and are distinguished by two bars Of gold on
the shoulderstrap. and eight buttons at regular
distances in single row on tho coat the first
lieutenant the same. but with one bar on the
strap. the second lieutenant having plain
strap without marks. These last are called
line officers; all regimental officers wear a red
sash.
The surgeon ranks as first lieutenant in the
volunteer service, and as major in the regu.
lars, and has the letters NJ. S.-.medical staff
embroidered on his strap, which otherwise is
the same us first lieutenant; also wears a
green sash. The quartermaster also takes
lieutenant's rank, and has the letters @. D.
quartermaster's Department. embroidered on
his strap; the paymaster the same, with the
lat,ers P. D.-paymas,er's department-and
the commissary with the letters c. Doom
missary department.
These constitute with the chaplain, who
wears no marks, only plain clothes Of uniform
cuD the regimental staff, and are all allowed
to have horses. The non.commissioned Off
GERS are hospital stewards, whose business it
is to attend to the hospital stores, and oil the
details of the hospital department. under the
orders of the surgeon. His insignia is a green
band on the upper arm, with aserpent entwin.
ed round winged staff embroidered on 1t.
The sergeant major is second sergeant in the
regiment, and acts as assistant to the adjutant.
He wears chevron(V) of three stripes, con.
nec,ed a, tho top by half circular continue.
tons. The quartermaster's business is the
management Of the details Of that department.;
his chevron is straight across the top.
The orderly sergeant is first sergeant in the
company, and commands it in the absence Of
commissioned officers the chevron is of three
stripes. without connection at the top, and a
diamond or star above.
The second sergeant takes charge OF halfa
company, called platoon. and has the same
chevron as the first. but without diamond
The corporals are in charge of sections or
quarters of company, and are distinguished
by but two bars IN the chevron. Of the
swords the cavalry sabre is longest, and has
a steel. scabbard. The field officers come
next the scabbard being of chocolate ena-
mel, with gilt trimmings. The line officers,
palmer and shorter. with sheath Of black
leather. A general officers weapon is
straight. with a gilt scabbard regimental
taft is straight and short; musicians and non
officers being shorter still, and
more for show than use.
The color of the shoulder straps denotes the
lrm of ssrvice-iniantry being blue artillery,
ed; cavalry, orange and rifles, green"