Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-02-11
Rank and its insignia in the Army
of the United States.

1t is well known that rank and position
in the army of the United States, are de
signated by the uniform and shoulder
straps. The following description viii
enable any one to ascertain the rank o
an officer in uniform:
The highest rank i'll our army, IS that
of lieutenant general, and was conferred
by Congress. for merit, on Winfield Scott
generai-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 epaulette-a large one
in the middle fanked by two smaller
ones-a double row of nine buttons on
the coat, disposed in threes, buff sash
a straight sword, and a sword knot ter
minating in acorns. A major general Is
the same, but with only two stars on the
shoulder. A brigadier-general has one
star, and the buttons on his coat number
but 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 distances
When this officer is placed in charge OF
a brigade he is called a colonel-command
ing.
a lieutenant-colonel is second in com
mand of regiment, and is known by the
leaf on his strap, which is OF silver, other
wise his uniform is the same as colonel S
The majors is also the same, the leaf be
ing of gold His duty is to act as ald-de
camp of the colonel, and in the event o.
his two superior officers being disabled ol
absent. he takes command of the req
ment: these three constitute the field
officers of a regiment, and are mounted
The adiutant, whose position Is the same
to the regiment as that OF the orderly
sergeant 10 a company, generally ranks
as a lieutenant.
CaDtains are commandants of compa
nies. and are distinguished by two bars o
gold on the shoulder-strap, and eighi
buttons at regular distances in a single
row on the coat; the first lieutenant the
same. but with one bar on the strap, the
second lieutenant having plain straI
without marks. These last are calleC
line officers; all regimental officers veal
a red sash. .....
The surgeon ranks as first lieutenan
in the volunteer service, and as major II
the regulars, and has the letters NJ. 5
medical embroidered on his strap
which otherwise is the same as hrs
lieutenant; also wears a green sash. Ih'
ouartermaster also takes lieutenant
rank, and has the letters Q. D.-quarter
masters Observation-Disclosures OF
his strap; the paymaster the same, viii
The letters P. D.-paymaster's depart
ment-and the commissary with the let
tiers C. commissary department.
These constitute with the Chaplain
who wears no marks, only plain clothes o
uniform cut) the regimental staff, and arr
all allowed to have horses. The non-com
missioned officers are hospital stewards
whose business it is to attend to the hos
pital stores, and all the details of the hos
pital department, under the orders of th'
surgeon. His insignia is green band oI
the upper arm, with serpent entwinet
round winged staff embroidered on it.
The sergeant-maior is second sergean
in the regiment, and acts as assistant t.
the adiutant. He wears a eheyron v J o
three stripes. connected at the top by hal
combinations. The Quartermaster Ser
geant's business is the management o
the details of that department; his ehev
ron is straight across the top
The orderly sergeant is first sergeant II
the company, and commands it in the alb
sence of commissioned officers; the chev
ron is of three stripes, without connection
at the top, and diamond or star above
The second sergeant takes charge o
half company, called a platoon, and ha
the same chevron as the first, but with
out diamond. The corporals are il
charge of sections or quarters of compa
ny, and are distinguished by but two bar
in the chevron. Of the swords the caval
nv saber is the longest, and has stee
scabbard. The field officers come next
the scabbard being of chocolate enamel
with gilt trimmings. The line officers
palmer and shorter, with a sheath o
black leather. A general officers weapor
is straight, with gilt scabbard; regimen
tai staff is straight and short; musicians
and non-commissioned officers being
shorter still, and more for show than use
The color of the shoulder straps de
notes the arm of service-infantry beini
blue; artillery, red, cavalry. orange; anC
rifles, green.