Rank in the U. S. and C. S. Armies. 369
good feeling of the old slave habitation remains unbroken, a sacred relic of those times the " Northern fanatic is wont to term a barba- rous age."
While slavery in the abstract is repugnant to every conception of liberty and equality, and its restoration would meet the earnest op- position of its former advocates, I nevertheless feel there are bright spots in its past upon which the memory will ever love to linger with pride, pleasure and affection.
RANK, RESPECTIVELY, IN THE UNITED STATES AND CONFEDERATE STATES ARMIES.
The following succinct retrospect will be of interest to some. But, for definite information as to who were "full Generals" C. S. A.,
and who "Lieutenant-Generals," see ante, p. 190.
The Nashville Banner of February, 1904, says:
The Confederacy was lavish in the bestowal of military commis- sions of high rank. It had more than twice as many full generals as the United States army has ever had in its entire existence. Only three men have held that rank in the United States service. Even Washington never held it. The Continental Congress commissioned him General and Commander-in-Chief of " the army of the United colonies." He was commissioned Lieutenant-General, July 4, 1798, and never held a higher rank. An act of Congress, March 3, 1799, created the office of " General of the armies of the United States," but it was never filled. Knox, St. Clair, Hamilton, Wayne, Dear- born, Brown, Macomb, McClelland, and Halleck held only the rank of Major-General, although each of them commanded the army of the United States.
James Wilkinson, who commanded it from 1800 to 1812, was only a Brigadier-General; Josiah Harmer, who was in command from 1784 to 1791, was only a Lieutenant-Colonel and a Brigadier by brevet. The first full general in the history of the United States army was U. S. Grant. He was first given the rank in 1864, and was succeeded by Sherman in 1869, who was succeeded by Sheridan in 1883. These three are the only officers who ever attained the rank of General. Schofield, who succeeded Sheridan in 1883, was given the rank of Lieutenant-General by Congress previous to his
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