Did Lee and Grant Have the Same Rank at the End of the War?

The question about whether General William Tecumseh Sherman and General Ulysses S. Grant had the same rank during the final months of the American Civil War is a complex one, with differing interpretations based on the Confederate and Union rank structures.

Union Army Rank Structure

The Union was more conservative in its rank structure, with the following hierarchy:

Brigadier General for commanding a brigade Major General for commanding a division, corps, or army

Seniority among Major Generals usually determined overall command, but disputes could arise. One notable example is the dispute between Mathew C. Sheridan and George G. Meade at Gettysburg in July 1863.

Confederate Army Rank Structure

The Confederacy had a standard rank structure, with the following hierarchy:

Brigadier General (for Brigades) Major General (for Divisions) Lieutenant General (for Corps) General (for Armies)

Any exceptions to this structure were due to emergencies, casualties, or relief from command.

Rank at the End of the War

Both Lee and Grant held the title of General for their respective armies, but they achieved this title at different points in the war, and for different circumstances.

Ulysses S. Grant’s Promotion

Grant was promoted to Lieutenant General on March 2, 1864, becoming the highest-ranking Union officer. Before this promotion, he was a Major General and commanded the Army of the Potomac. The promotion was a recognition of his significant contributions to the Union cause, particularly at Vicksburg and Chattanooga.

Robert E. Lee’s Promotion

Lee was promoted to the rank of Full General on June 14, 1861, a rank above Lieutenant General. This promotion occurred early in the war and was a recognition of his leadership skills. Throughout the war, Lee commanded the Army of Northern Virginia but did not attain the rank of Lieutenant General until the summer of 1866, shortly after the war ended.

Impact on Their Ranks

Even with the hierarchy differences, the final titles held by both commanders during the end of the war were seemingly the same: General. However, it is important to note that the legitimacy of Confederate ranks is subject to debate. Lee, as a Confederate general, continued to hold his position for the duration of the war, but he did not receive the same high-level promotion as Grant within the Union's command structure.

These rank structures and promotions highlight the differences in how the Union and Confederate armies recognized their senior leadership. Despite the complexity, it is clear that both commanders were recognized as the highest-ranking generals in their respective armies, albeit at different points in the conflict.

Conclusion

While the ranks may appear to be the same in titles, the actual promotions and recognition of leadership positions were distinct between the Union and Confederate armies. Understanding these nuances is crucial for a complete analysis of military leadership during the American Civil War.