4 Confederate Veterans

[TinCan]

Ranks ascribed to Confederate veterans are very dicey, for a couple of reasons. First, there was a tendency use military rank as a title of respect for prominent or older men with any military service, regardless of the nature of that service or the rank held at the time. Second, there were ranks associated with holding office within the UCV. "General" Harry Rene Lee, for example, eventually became Commander-in-Chief of the UCV in 1935-36. He died in March 1938, at the age of 92. Even his Tennessee death certificate gives his title as "General," although his wartime rank in Co. K. of the 34th Mississippi was Sergeant.

I have an ancestor which was very active in UCV and Hood's Brigade Association activities in his later years, and known universally as "Colonel." His wartime rank, start to finish, was Private.

Almost a hundred years ago, an old Texas veteran with the improbable name of Valerius Cincinnatus Giles passed away, leaving a sprawling, fragmentary memoir of his Civil War service. A half-century and a lot of editing later, it was finally compiled and published as Rags and Hope, a volume that has since become a classic among Civil War enlisted soldiers' autobiographies. In closing Giles wrote:

It is over, and we are all officers now!​

It's General That and Colonel This​

And Captain So and So.​

There's not a private in the list​

No matter where you go.​

​

The men who fought the battles then,​

Who burned the powder and lead,​

And lived on hardtack made of beans​

Are promoted now—or dead.​

I imagine that the GAR had a similar problem, though I know less about them than the UCV.

It has been 42 years since I left the Navy. I must be an Admiral by now. Besides, Admiral has a much nicer ring to it than Radarman 3rd class, don't you think!

 

[Zuzah]

It has been 42 years since I left the Navy. I must be an Admiral by now. Besides, Admiral has a much nicer ring to it than Radarman 3rd class, don't you think!

Indeed Admiral of the Fleet Lord Tincan. Anything you say.

 

[wilber6150]

I think this is one of your best

 

[Zuzah]

I think this is one of your best

Thanks Wilber, much appreciated.

How're you doing yourself with this whole business?

 

[wilber6150]

Thanks Wilber, much appreciated.

How're you doing yourself with this whole business?

Been branching off to do some different forms of photographic art, ..Needed to take a break and try something different with my reenactment pics ...And some reenacting units wanted recruiting posters so I've been helping them out as well.. It allows me to try to different methods, so right now I'm just an observer enjoying your work

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[civilwarincolor]

It has been 42 years since I left the Navy. I must be an Admiral by now. Besides, Admiral has a much nicer ring to it than Radarman 3rd class, don't you think!

I left the Navy as a 2nd class, but that was only 25 years ago, does that put me ahead or behind you???

Regardless of the result, I suspect the Navy will not honor it

 

[JerseyBart]

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Impressive as always!!!

 

[TerryB]

These guys held rank in the veterans organizations, so I often see men who were of lesser rank during the war being referred to as "colonel" or "general" because of their status in some organization. No big woop.