What is Fourth Corporal?

[Pr Palmer]

Records indicate that my gr-gr-gr uncle, who served in the 11th Iowa Infantry, finished his service as "Fourth Corporal". I have never heard of this kind of enlisted rank. I've heard of corporal, lance corporal. What is Fourth Corporal??

 

[thomas aagaard]

It simply tell you that he is the 4th ranking Corporal in the company.

 

[Pr Palmer]

It simply tell you that he is the 4th ranking Corporal in the company.

So, the corporals in the company are equally ranked, but he (in this case) was one of four? Or was there a "pecking order" among the corporals?

 

[rpkennedy]

So, the corporals in the company are equally ranked, but he (in this case) was one of four? Or was there a "pecking order" among the corporals?

They are ranked by seniority. The 1st Corporal is the most senior corporal, 2nd next, etc.

Ryan