Commissioned Officers
“The utmost attention will be paid by commanders of companies to the cleanliness of their men, as you their persons, clothing, arms, accouterments, and equipments, and also as to their quarters or tents." Regulations for the Army of the Confederate States, 1863
Colonel
A Colonel In the United States Army is a field grade officer rank. A colonel ranks above lieutenant colonel and below brigadier general. Colonel is equivalent to the rank of captain in the other uniformed services.
The rank of Colonel was relatively rare in the early 19th century, due in part that the United States Army was very small in size and the rank of Colonel was usually obtained only after long years of service. During the War of 1812, many temporary Colonels were appointed but these commissions were either considered brevet ranks or the commissions were canceled at the war’s conclusion.
Shoulder Strap from an infantry Colonel in the Union Army.
A Colonel of the Confederate Army wearing the three star insignia.
The American Civil War saw a large influx of Colonels as the rank was commonly held in both the Confederate Army and Union Army by those who commanded a regiment. Since most regiments were state formations and were quickly raised, the Colonels in command were known by the title “Colonel of Volunteers”, in contrast to Regular Army Colonels who held ranks from the “old school” of the professional army before the Civil War.
During the Civil War, the Confederate Army maintained a unique insignia for Colonel being that of three stars worn on the collar of a uniform. Robert E. Lee wore this insignia in respect to his former rank in the United States Army. Lee refused to wear the insignia of a Confederate General, stating that he would only accept permanent promotion when the South had achieved independence.
After the Civil War, the rank of Colonel again became rare as the forces of the United States Army became extremely small in number. Many Brevet Colonels also appeared during the Spanish American War, chief among them Theodore Roosevelt.
Lt Colonel
The rank of lieutenant colonel was first created during the Revolutionary War, when the position was held by aides to Regiment Colonels, and was sometimes known as "Lieutenant to the Colonel." The rank of Lieutenant Colonel had existed in the British Army since at least the 16th century.
During the 19th century, lieutenant colonel was often a terminal rank for many officers, since the rank of "full colonel" was considered extremely prestigious reserved only for the most successful of officers. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, the rank of Lieutenant Colonel became much more common and was used as a "stepping stone" for officers who commanded small regiments or battalions and were expected, by default, to be promoted to full Colonel once the manpower of a regiment grew in strength. Such was the case of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, who commanded a Maine Regiment as both a lieutenant colonel and later as a colonel.
After the Civil War ended, those officers remaining in the U.S. armed forces found lieutenant colonel to again be a terminal rank, although many lieutenant colonels were raised to higher positions in a brevet status. Such was the case with George A. Custer, who was a lieutenant colonel in the regular army, but held the brevet rank of major general.
The 20th century saw lieutenant colonel in its present day status although, during the 1930s, many officers again found the rank to be terminal as the rank of colonel was reserved for only a select few officers. Such was not the case during World War II, when lieutenant colonel became one of the most commonly held officer ranks in the U.S. Army.
Major
A major in the U.S. Army typically serves as a battalion executive officer or as the battalion operations officer. A major can also serve as a primary staff officer for a brigade in the areas concerning personnel, logistical and operations. In addition, majors command augmented companies in Combat Service and Service Support units. U.S. Army majors also command U.S. Army Special Operations companies such as a Special Forces Operational Detachment Bravo (ODB), Civil Affairs (CA) company or Psychological Operations company.
American Civil War (Union)
During the American Civil War the Union forces continued to use the same rank structure previously established for the Army and Marine Corps.
American Civil War (Confederate)
Prior to the American Civil War the rank structure for the military forces of the United States were modeled after the British rank insignia. After the southern states seceded and became the Confederate States of America, the Confederate Army developed their own system of rank identification for its officers.
The new confederate rank of Major was to be indicated on the collar and in rows of gold lace forming an Austrian knot on each sleeve. Previously, the United States military at that time indicated rank by systems using epaulettes, chevrons, or shoulder straps so this new style differed greatly from the system used by Union forces.
Aide-de-Camp
Aides-de-camps are specifically appointed to general-grade officers only. For those general officers with more than one aide, the senior-ranking aide is usually considered to be the senior aide and serves in the capacity of coordinating the other aides and the others of the general's personal staff such as his driver, orderlies, et cetera.
The following is a listing of the accepted number of aides allotted a general officer:
· Brigadier General: 1 First Lieutenant
· Major General: 1 Captain; 1 Lieutenant
· Lieutenant General: 1 Major; 1 Captain
· General: 1 Lieutenant Colonel, 1 Major, 1 Captain
· General of the Army: 1 Colonel, 1 Lieutenant Colonel, 1 Major
Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels commanding units do not have aides, but it is generally accepted that the unit's adjutant also serves the commanding officer as an aide.
The Aide-de-Camp handles brigade paperwork, including making required reports to Brigade Headquarters, and letters and reports as required. Receives company morning reports at events where consolidated morning reports are required. Produces or oversees production of a daily consolidated brigade morning report for Brigade headquarters as required in the field. Signs for orders received from higher headquarters and passes them on to the Brigadier. Produces daily schedule and posts it on battalion bulletin board. Attends meetings at higher headquarters as required. Stands in for field-grade brigade officers at meetings at higher headquarters as needed. Reviews guard mount when formal guards are required. Places company markers for formal reviews as directed by reviewing officer. Attends to the Brigadier in the field, doing duty at his pleasure as brigade marker, messenger, and overall assistant. Refers to Regulations and General Orders to resolve potential problems as they arise. Takes primary responsibility for the brigade colours.
In some circles of the military, an Aide-de-Camp is known as a dog-robber, because the aide is expected to rob anyone including the family dog, to get his general what he wants.
Ordinance Officer
Oversees weapons inspections as assigned by higher headquarters. Inspects weapons within the brigade as required. Makes field repairs on weapons or suggests needed repairs as needed. Produces report to higher headquarters at events on condition of weapons inspected as needed. He instructs brigade personnel on use and care of weapons as needed. Liaisons with chief ordnance officer at higher headquarters at each event to learn specific needs.
Engineer
Receives word from the Aide-de-Camp about number of men and tents scheduled to appear at upcoming events. Arrives early at event sites and lays out camp area as directed by higher headquarters, applying numbers received. When required, produces requisitions for material supplied by higher headquarters such as wood and straw and assigns it to companies as needed. Oversees stockpiling of wood and straw in situations where such is required as needed. Liaisons with chief quartermaster officer at higher headquarters at each event to learn specific needs. Supervises any enlisted personnel assigned as needed. Maps battlefield and reports details of enemy strength and movement to the Brigadier. Oversees the building of rifle pits when necessary.
Surgeon
Attends to injured personnel as needed and legally or otherwise possible. Makes suggestions to colonel involving health and welfare of battalion personnel. Supervises battalion hospital and/or medical area and personnel.
Chaplain
Attends to spiritual needs of battalion personnel. Holds Sunday and other services as required and possible. Makes suggestions involving the spiritual welfare of brigade personnel.
Captain
" Captains or commanders of companies fill one of the most important stations in the service, when they are viewed in relation to the direct influence they exercise upon the soldiery; to them attaches the high responsibility of the instruction, good order, efficiency, and discipline of their companies; and no one should be willing to accept the post who is not qualified, or ready to qualify himself, for a faithful discharge of all the duties of the office." -Manual for Volunteers and Militia, 1861.
The rank of Captain is an officer rank historically corresponding to command of a company of soldiers. Today a captain is typically in command, of a company or squadron.
Captain is one rank above a lieutenant (or first lieutenant) and one below a major (or commandant). The rank of captain should not be confused with the naval rank of captain or with the commonwealth air force rank of Group Captain, both of which are more senior.
For purposes of a re-enacting company, the Captain is the man in charge of the tactical implementation of his company. He will attend officer's call, develop a plan based on the available information, and give verbal and written commands to his lieutenants and NCOs to make sure that his plan is accomplished. The Captain is the head of the company and ultimately, it is his responsibility to make sure that the company is where it needs to be, and is doing what needs to be done. The Captain must know and be able to teach the School of the Soldier, the School of the Company, and have some working knowledge of the School of the Battalion or Regiment. He should be prepared to assume command of a wing of the brigade if called upon to do so by the brigade commander. He must maintain a neat appearance, and maintain his composure in front of the men because he serves as an example to the rest of the soldiers. A good Captain will communicate with his NCOs and keep them informed as to what is going on. The Captain is the point of contact for events. The Captain is not only the person in charge of the company on the field; he is in charge of his company at all times. From the time setup of camp begins, to the time the last tent comes down, the Captain is the one is command. When in column formation, he will march at the head of the column and one step out to the left. All soldiers will show the Captain proper respect during the hours that the camp is open to the public. This includes the use of the word "sir" and saluting when speaking to the Captain. The Captain should be obeyed and respected, and possess the confidence in the company that he commands.
Lieutenant
"Each subaltern officer will be charged with a squad for the supervision of its order and cleanliness; and Captains will require their Lieutenants to assist them in the performance of ALL Company duties." - Paragraph 83, Regulations for the Army of the Confederate States, 1863
The first lieutenant is the second-lowest ranking commissioned officer. It is one grade above the rank of second lieutenant and one grade below a captain. Second lieutenants are usually promoted to first lieutenant between 18 months to 24 months of commissioned service.
The difference between the two ranks of Lieutenant is slight, primarily being experience and higher pay. It is not uncommon to see officers moved to positions requiring more experience sometime after promotion to first lieutenant. For example, in the Army these positions can include leading a specialty platoon, or assignment as the executive officer for a company-sized unit (65-150 soldiers). Lieutenants have many of the same job duties as the Captain of the company. They must be able to take over for the Captain in his absence and therefore must be involved in the running of the company. They must be able to teach the School of the Soldier, the Drill for Skirmishers, and the School of the Company. The Lieutenant will post himself to the left rear of the company when in a line of battle. The Lieutenant should assist the Captain in the running of the company on the field as much as possible including the relaying of commands from senior officers and adjusting the line if necessary. He should not parrot commands unless the soldiers cannot hear the commands.