Most popular union civil war ranks

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Officer Ranks

General (G) - The highest rank in the Union Army, often used for commanding armies.
- Major General (MG) - A senior officer, often in command of divisions or larger formations.
  - Notable figures: Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman.
- Brigadier General (BG) - Typically in command of brigades.
Colonel (Col) - Commanded regiments and played a crucial role in the organization of the army.
Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) - Second-in-command of a regiment, acted in place of the Colonel when needed.
Major (Maj) - Often the third-in-command within a regiment, with administrative responsibilities.
Captain (Cpt) - Typically commanded a company, which was a fundamental unit of the regiment.
First Lieutenant (1st Lt) - Assisted the captain and was often in charge of a platoon within the company.
Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) - The entry-level officer rank, often assigned to lead individual squads.

Enlisted Ranks

Sergeant Major - Senior enlisted soldier responsible for discipline and organization within a regiment.
First Sergeant - The senior non-commissioned officer of a company, directly responsible for the soldiers.
Sergeant (Sgt) - Often in charge of a squad of soldiers and responsible for their training and welfare.
Corporal (Cpl) - A lower rank than sergeant, often leading small groups of soldiers.
Private First Class (PFC) - The rank above private, often a more experienced soldier.
Private (Pvt) - The basic enlistment rank for soldiers.

These ranks were essential in maintaining order and efficiency in military operations throughout the Civil War. The prominence of certain ranks and the individuals who held them contributed significantly to the Union's efforts and successes during the conflict.