United States Army enlisted rank insignia 1851–1901
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On June 12, 1851, the United States Army issued new uniform regulations.[1] The new regulations set out a system of chevrons to show enlisted rank.
Chevrons had been used to show rank in the 1820s and sergeants and corporals of dragoons had worn them to show rank since 1833. A system of chevrons was devised in 1847 to show rank on fatigue jackets of all branches that were being worn during the Mexican-American War. Chevrons were also used from 1832 to 1851 to show length of service.
The 1851 regulations ended the system of different colored buttons and trim to denote branch used since 1780. Now each branch would have a colored cloth trim. The colors were light blue for infantry, red for artillery, green for mounted riflemen, orange for dragoons, crimson for ordnancemen and yellow for engineers.
The chevron system would carry on from the 1847 system with sergeants major wearing three chevrons and three arcs, quartermaster sergeants three chevrons and three ties, first sergeants threes chevrons and a lozenge, sergeants three chevrons and corporals two chevrons, with the addition of ordnance sergeants wearing three chevrons and a star. The 1847 chevrons pointed up but the 1851 chevrons pointed down. Length of service was now shown by hashmarks worn on the lower sleeve.
US Army Chevrons 1851-1854[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Principal or Chief Musician | Chief Bugler | Ordnance Sergeant | First Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Bugler | Musician | Farrier and Blacksmith | Artificer | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | Enlisted Man of Ordnance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corps of Engineers |  |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||
| Ordnance Department |  | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||
| Dragoons |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia |  |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||
| Mounted Riflemen |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia |  |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||
| Artillery |  |  | No Insignia |  |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||
| Infantry |  |  | No Insignia |  |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia |
On March 3, 1855, two regiments of cavalry were added to the army.[2] Yellow chevrons were used.[3]
US Army Chevrons 1855[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Principal or Chief Musician | Chief Bugler | Ordnance Sergeant | First Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Bugler | Musician | Farrier and Blacksmith | Artificer | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | Enlisted Man of Ordnance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corps of Engineers | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||
| Cavalry |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||
| Dragoons | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||
| Mounted Riflemen | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||
| Artillery | | | No Insignia | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||
| Infantry | | | No Insignia | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia |
On August 16, 1856, enlisted hospital stewards were added to the Medical Department.[4] Insignia had been prescribed on October 31, 1851.[5] Instead of chevrons a green hashmark with a yellow caduceus was used.
US Army Chevrons 1856-1860[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Principal or Chief Musician | Chief Bugler | Hospital Steward | Ordnance Sergeant | First Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Bugler | Musician | Farrier and Blacksmith | Artificer | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | Enlisted Man of Ordnance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Department |  | ||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||
| Dragoons | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||
| Mounted Riflemen | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||
| Artillery | | | No Insignia | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||
| Infantry | | | No Insignia | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia |
The army was reorganized for the Civil War.
On July 29, 1861[6] the ranks of commissary sergeant, saddler sergeant, veterinary sergeant, hospital steward, company quartermaster sergeant and wagoner were added to the cavalry. The ranks of commissary sergeant, drum major and leader of the band and hospital steward were added to the infantry. The ranks of commissary sergeant, hospital steward and battery quartermaster sergeant were added to the artillery.
Regimental hospital stewards wore the same insignia as those in the Medical Department. No insignia was ever prescribed for the other new ranks. Photographic evidence shows that company or battery quartermaster sergeants wore three chevrons and one tie.
On August 3, 1861[7] the enlisted ranks of master wagoner and wagoner were added to the Quartermaster's Department. Medical cadets were added to the Medical Department. This rank is included in the total for enlisted men on the 1863 table of organization,[8] therefore this was an enlisted rank. The Corps of Topographical Engineers gained a company of enlisted men. The regiments of dragoons and mounted riflemen were converted to cavalry regiments.
An infantry regiment was designated sharpshooters and given green chevrons. The topographic engineer company may have not been organized or was organized as a regular engineer company, making yellow chevrons a safe assumption.
Medical cadets wore officer's undress uniforms with a green shoulder strap with a strip of gold lace.[9]
US Army Chevrons 1861[edit]
Medical Cadet | Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Commissary Sergeant | Drum Major or Leader of the Band | Principal Musician | Chief Bugler | Veterinary Sergeant | Saddler Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Ordnance Sergeant | First Sergeant | Company/Battery Quartermaster Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Bugler | Musician | Farrier and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | Enlisted Man of Ordnance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department |  | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Topographical Engineers | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia Prescribed | | | No Insignia Prescribed, Three Chevrons and one Tie Worn | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||
| Artillery | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | No Insignia Prescribed, Three Chevrons and one Tie Worn | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||
| Infantry | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||
| Sharpshooters | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | On July 5, 1862 |
On July 5, 1862,[10] enlisted men of ordnance were given the ranks of sergeant, corporal, private first class and private second class.
On July 29, 1862,[11] Veterinary sergeants and principal musicians were eliminated from the cavalry. Chief buglers were changed to chief trumpeters, chief farriers and blacksmiths and teamsters were added.
US Army Chevrons 1862[edit]
Medical Cadet | Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Commissary Sergeant | Drum Major or Leader of the Band | Principal Musician | Chief Trumpeter | Saddler Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Ordnance Sergeant | First Sergeant | Company/Battery/ TroopQuartermaster Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Bugler | Musician | Chief Farrier and Blacksmith | Farrier and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Teamster | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Topographical Engineers | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | No Insignia Prescribed | | | No Insignia Prescribed, Three Chevrons and one Tie Worn | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||
| Artillery | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | No Insignia Prescribed, Three Chevrons and one Tie Worn | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||
| Infantry | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||
| Sharpshooters | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia |
On March 3, 1863 the Corps of Topographical Engineers was merged into the Corps of Engineers.[12] The cavalry lost its teamsters and chief farriers and blacksmiths and buglers became trumpeters.[13] The Signal Corps was organized with the enlisted ranks of sergeant, private first class and private second class.[14]
Sergeants of the Signal Corps wore yellow chevrons with crossed signal flags and privates just the flags.[15]
On April 28, 1863, an Invalid Corps was added to the army.[16]
On May 15, 1863, the Invalid Corps was given light blue uniforms with dark blue trimming and therefore dark blue chevrons.[17]
US Army Chevrons 1863[edit]
Medical Cadet | Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Commissary Sergeant | Drum Major or Leader of the Band | Principal Musician | Chief Trumpeter | Saddler Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Ordnance Sergeant | First Sergeant | Company/Battery/ TroopQuartermaster Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Trumpeter | Musician | Farrier and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||
| Signal Corps |  |  | | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia Prescribed | | | No Insignia Prescribed, Three Chevrons and one Tie Worn | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||
| Artillery | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | No Insignia Prescribed, Three Chevrons and one Tie Worn | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||
| Infantry | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||
| Sharpshooters | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||
| Invalid Corps |  |  | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | |  |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia |
On March 18, 1864, the Invalid Corps was renamed the Veteran Reserve Corps.[18]
On June 20, 1864, the Corps of Engineers was allowed a sergeant major and a quartermaster sergeant.[19]
US Army Chevrons 1864-1865[edit]
| Medical Cadet | Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Commissary Sergeant | Drum Major or Leader of the Band | Principal Musician | Chief Trumpeter | Saddler Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Ordnance Sergeant | First Sergeant | Company/Battery/ TroopQuartermaster Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Trumpeter | Musician | Farrier and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||
| Signal Corps | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia Prescribed | | | No Insignia Prescribed, Three Chevrons and one Tie Worn | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||
| Artillery | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | No Insignia Prescribed, Three Chevrons and one Tie Worn | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||
| Infantry | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||
| Sharpshooters | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||
| Veteran Reserve Corps | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia |
The army was given a postwar reorganization on July 28, 1866.[20]
Medical Cadets, drum majors and leaders of the band, artificers of engineers and enlisted men in the Signal Corps were eliminated (men could be detailed from the Corps of Engineers for signal duties). Company quartermaster sergeants, artificers and wagoners were added to the infantry and Veteran Reserve Corps. Bands were added to brigades and posts.
The three chevrons and one tie for company level quartermaster sergeants was made official on December 31, 1866.[21]
US Army Chevrons 1866[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Commissary Sergeant | Principal Musician | Saddler Sergeant | Chief Trumpeter | Ordnance Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Regimental Hospital Steward | Battalion Sergeant Major | Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant | First Sergeant | Company Quartermaster Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Trumpeter | Musician | Farriers and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | |  | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||
| Artillery | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | |  | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Infantry | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | |  | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Veteran Reserve Corps | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | |  | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Brigade or Post Bands | No Insignia |
On April 9, 1867, commissary sergeants were prescribed three chevrons and three more point up chevrons and regimental hospital stewards were prescribed three chevrons and a oval with a dark blue caduceus.[22]
US Army Chevrons 1867[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Commissary Sergeant | Principal Musician | Saddler Sergeant | Chief Trumpeter | Ordnance Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Regimental Hospital Steward | Battalion Sergeant Major | Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant | First Sergeant | Company Quartermaster Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Trumpeter | Musician | Farriers and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | |  | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia |  | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||
| Artillery | | |  | No Insignia |  | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Infantry | | |  | No Insignia |  | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Veteran Reserve Corps | | |  | No Insignia |  | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Brigade or Post Bands | No Insignia |
On October 22, 1868, enlisted men of the Corps of Engineers that were detailed to signal duty were allowed to wear signal flags.[23]
US Army Chevrons 1868[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Commissary Sergeant | Principal Musician | Saddler Sergeant | Chief Trumpeter | Ordnance Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Regimental Hospital Steward | Battalion Sergeant Major | Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant | First Sergeant | Company Quartermaster Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Trumpeter | Musician | Farriers and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||
| Artillery | | | | No Insignia | | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Infantry | | | | No Insignia | | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Veteran Reserve Corps | | | | No Insignia | | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Brigade or Post Bands | No Insignia |
On March 3, 1869,[24] the rank of chief musician was added to the infantry, cavalry and artillery. Brigade and post bands and the Veteran Reserve Corps were eliminated. The only non-regimental band was now at the academy.
US Army Chevrons 1869[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Commissary Sergeant | Chief Musician | Principal Musician | Saddler Sergeant | Chief Trumpeter | Ordnance Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Regimental Hospital Steward | Battalion Sergeant Major | Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant | First Sergeant | Company Quartermaster Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Trumpeter | Musician | Farriers and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||
| Engineers detailed to signal duty | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||
| Artillery | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Infantry | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Military Academy Band | No Insignia |
On July 15, 1870, regimental commissary sergeants and regimental hospital stewards were abolished.[25]
US Army Chevrons 1870-1871[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Chief Musician | Principal Musician | Saddler Sergeant | Chief Trumpeter | Ordnance Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Battalion Sergeant Major | Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant | First Sergeant | Company Quartermaster Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Trumpeter | Musician | Farriers and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||
| Engineers detailed to signal duty | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||
| Artillery | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Infantry | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Military Academy Band | No Insignia |
On May 15, 1872 promotions to company level quartermaster sergeant were ceased.[26]
On July 29, 1872,[27] the army issued new uniform regulations. The construction of chevrons was changed. The designs were now cut from a single piece of cloth of the color of the appropriate branch. The chevrons were then laid out in stitching of heavy black thread. The Corps of Engineers switched from cavalry yellow to artillery red with the stitching done in white thread. Orange was assigned to the signal detachment. Principal musicians were given three chevrons and a bugle.
US Army Chevrons 1872[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Chief Musician | Principal Musician | Saddler Sergeant | Chief Trumpeter | Ordnance Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Battalion Sergeant Major | Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant | First Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Trumpeter | Musician | Farriers and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department | | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers |  |  |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department |  |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||
| Signal Detachment |  | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry |  |  | No Insignia Prescribed | No Insignia |  |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||
| Artillery |  |  | No Insignia |  |  |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Infantry |  |  | No Insignia |  |  |  |  | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Military Academy Band | No Insignia |
On March 3, 1873, the rank of commissary sergeant was added to the army's Subsistence Department.[28]
Insignia was prescribed on March 20, 1873. Commissary Sergeants were to wear three gray chevrons and a gray crescent.[29]
On June 25, 1873, saddler sergeants were given three chevrons and a saddle knife and chief trumpeters were given three chevrons, one arc and a bugle.[30]
US Army Chevrons 1873-1875[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Chief Musician | Principal Musician | Saddler Sergeant | Chief Trumpeter | Ordnance Sergeant | Commissary Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Battalion Sergeant Major | Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant | First Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Trumpeter | Musician | Farriers and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsistence Department |  | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||
| Signal Detachment | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | |  |  | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Artillery | | | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||
| Infantry | | | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||
| Military Academy Band | No Insignia |
On March 20, 1876 the chevrons for overcoats of the infantry were changed to dark blue.[31]
On July 24, 1876, Indian scouts were classified as privates by law.[32]
US Army Chevrons 1876-1877[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Chief Musician | Principal Musician | Saddler Sergeant | Chief Trumpeter | Ordnance Sergeant | Commissary Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Battalion Sergeant Major | Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant | First Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Trumpeter | Musician | Farriers and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsistence Department | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||
| Signal Detachment | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | | | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Artillery | | | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||
| Infantry | | | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||
| Military Academy Band | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indian Scouts | No Insignia |
On June 20, 1878, the Signal Corps was officially made part of the army, and it included corporals.[33]
US Army Chevrons 1878[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Chief Musician | Principal Musician | Saddler Sergeant | Chief Trumpeter | Ordnance Sergeant | Commissary Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Battalion Sergeant Major | Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant | First Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Trumpeter | Musician | Farriers and Blacksmith | Artificer | Saddler | Master Wagoner | Wagoner | Private First Class | Private Second Class | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsistence Department | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quartermaster's Department | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Medical Department | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corps of Engineers | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||
| Ordnance Department | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||
| Signal Corps | |  | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cavalry | | | | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Artillery | | | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||
| Infantry | | | No Insignia | | | | | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | No Insignia | |||||||||||||
| Military Academy Band | No Insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indian Scouts | No Insignia |
By 1879 there were no longer wagoners and master wagoners in the Quartermaster's Department.
US Army Chevrons 1879-1882[edit]
Sergeant Major | Quartermaster Sergeant | Chief Musician | Principal Musician | Saddler Sergeant | Chief Trumpeter | Ordnance Sergeant | Commissary Sergeant | Hospital Steward | Battalion Sergean
|
|---|