The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-10-28
WhyWe Have But Five Generals

IT, in these days OF streets thronged
with soldiers, you see an officer with
four stars on each shoulder he's a
general. Furthermore, you will have
seen either General Tasker II. Bliss
or General John J. Pershing. \ recent
act of congress revived the rank that
has been held hitherto by only three
officers of the United States army
L. S. Grant, W. r. sherman and Phil
ip II. Sheridan.
The amendment also provided the
rank of lieutenant general for corps
commanders. These changes were
made when Secretary Baker say that
Major General Pershing would be han
dicapped by the fact that he would
be brought into contact with allied
commanders who, while holding infe-
rior positions. would outrank him.
Pershing can be considered as subor-
dinate only 10 General Petain and
Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig. hut
each OF these leaders has under him
officers of higher rank than the Amer
lean commander held.
The statement is sometimes MADE
that there have been four generals OF
the United states army. adding George
Washington. The United States army
was organized September 20. 1888, put
1t was not until nine years later. jury
3. 1875, that Washington was appointed
lieutenant general and commander OF
the army. which rank he held until mas
death, December IA. 1893. That was
| the highest rank Washington ever held
in the United States army. The rank
of general and commander. in chief "ot
nll the forces raised or to be raised
(otherwise the Continental army was
held by him from 1875 to 1888. but
that was in the Continental army.
! In times past the government OF the
United States has tried TO subordinate
| the army's Importance. \ CIVILIAN
| the president. was made commander
! in chief of the army and navy by the
| constitution. 1t is significant that
, the rank of general recently conferred
on Pershing and the chief of staff Is
only for the period OF the war;
In February. 1864. congress created
and conferred upon Grant the rank
| of lieutenant general in recognition OF
his victory over General Bragg at
| Chattanooga. 4 month later he as
| SuUlGu NOUiiilduO VI WAC a. W 49,
United States and moved against Lee.
| At the close of the civil war he was
the chief citizen OF the republic. As
q reward for hts ilinstrious services In
the field congress in 1856 awarded him
the grade of general. higher rank
than before had existed in the army.
Conflict with President Johnson over
reconstruction of the southern states
had begun before this. At first the
president was very bitter against all
who had fought against the union.
Johnson became estranged when Grant
opposed the prosecution Of Lee as vto-
. lating the terms Of the parole at Ap.
pomattox. Finding Grant opposed to
his assuming the powers of congress,
Johnson ordered him out Of the coun-
try on a special mission to Mexico.
General Grant refused, saying that
this was not military service. but q.
diplomatic mission. and claimed the
right Of any citizen to refuse a civil
ian appointment. An effort was later
made to send him west.
In 1867 congress provided that all
orders relating to military operations
should be ISSUED by the general OF the
| army. and that ne should not he re-
moved or sssigned elsewhere tsaaa