History of North America

What was rank in the Civil War?

The following were the military ranks of the Union and Confederate armies during the American Civil War:

Union Army

- Generals

- General (4-star)

- Lieutenant General (3-star)

- Major General (2-star)

- Brigadier General (1-star)

- Field Officers

- Colonel

- Lieutenant Colonel

- Major

- Company Grade Officers

- Captain

- First Lieutenant

- Second Lieutenant

- Enlisted Men

- First Sergeant

- Sergeant

- Corporal

- Private

Confederate Army

- Generals

- General (4-star)

- Full General (3-star)

- Lieutenant General (3-star)

- Major General (2-star)

- Brigadier General (1-star)

- Field Officers

- Colonel

- Lieutenant Colonel

- Major

- Company Grade Officers

- Captain

- First Lieutenant

- Second Lieutenant

- Enlisted Men

- First Sergeant

- Sergeant

- Corporal

- Private

Notes:

- The rank of General of the Armies was created for Ulysses S. Grant in 1864, making him the highest-ranking officer in the Union Army.

- The rank of General was the highest rank in the Confederate Army, and was held by Robert E. Lee.

- The rank of Full General was created for Confederate generals who were considered to be equal in rank to Union major generals.

- The rank of Brigadier General was the lowest general officer rank in both armies.

- The rank of First Sergeant was the highest non-commissioned officer rank in both armies.