The king would be the commander but he might appoint a Captain General to command in his name. As a military term General started as an adjective, as in Captain General indicating the Captain who had overall or 'general' command of the army.īefore the Sixteenth Century armies were usually formed only when needed for a war or campaign. His title comes from the Latin word generalis that meant something pertaining to a whole unit of anything rather than just to a part. Information borrowed Naval Historical CenterĪ General usually has overall command of a whole army. Uniform regulations of the military services (title varies).įrom: Why is the Colonel Called 'Kernal'? The Origin of the Ranks and Rank Insignia Now Used by the United States Armed Forces 'Three Stars and Up.' The Infantry Journal, June, July, September and October 1945. An Etymological Dictionary of Modern English, London: J.

Authorized by the Secretary of War and Prepared and Published by the Quartermaster General. Uniforms of the Army of the United States (Illustrated) From 1774 to 1889, 1898 to 1907. A discussion of the ranks of General of the Armies and General of the Army. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1977. The Horse Soldier: The United States Cavalryman-His Uniforms, Arms, Accoutrements, and Equipments, 1776-1943. 'The Early Naval Lieutenant.' Mariner's Mirror, Dec. 'American Epaulettes, 1775-1820.' Military Collector & Historian, June 1950 and March 1951. 'Vice-Vice-Admiral and Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom.' Mariner's Mirror 14, no. Origins: A Short Entymological Dictionary of Modern English. Oxford, Eng.: Oxford University Press, 1971. Oxford English Dictionary: Compact Edition. The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. Washington, D.C.: Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. United States Marine Corps Ranks and Grades, 1775-1969. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 1980. Naval Ceremonies, Customs and Traditions. Annapolis, Md.:Naval Institute Press, 1939. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 1943. Army Insignia of Rank.' Fact sheet of the Army Center of Military History, 7 August 1973. This is the journal of the Company of Military Historians, must reading for anyone interested in uniforms or insignia.įinke, Detmar H.

'Insignia of Rank in the Continental Army.' Military Collector & Historian, Fall l956. New York: Harper & Row, 1977.įinke, Detmar H. San Rafael, Ca.: Presidio Press, 1977.ĭupuy, R. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, 1975.Įlting, John R., ed. Westport, Ct.: Greenwood Press, 1976.Ĭarman, W.Y.

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