THE 140th NYVI
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Rank Structure and Insignia


Composition of a Regiment
Ten companies, designated A-K. (J was skipped because the letters I and J look too similar and could be mistaken in handwriting of the day.)

Each company is commanded by a Captain, who is assisted by a First Lieutenant and a Second Lieutenant. These three are called "Line Officers" or "Company Officers".

Companies also have non-commissioned officers, or NCOs. Every Company has five Sergeants and eight Corporals. The "First Sergeant" is also called the "orderly Sergeant". The eight corporals serve in the ranks, while the sergeants (other than the First) and the two Lieutenants serve as "File Closers" behind the line of battle. A company might also have up to two Musicians, as well as a Wagoner (aka Teamster) to attend to the company wagon. The remainder of the company are Privates.

A company was split into two platoons, each supervised by one of the two Lieutenants.

Overall command of the regiment rested in the hands of the Colonel. He is assisted by the Lieutenant Colonel and Major. These three officers are known as "Field Grade" officers.

The regiment also had a number of staff positions. These included the Adjutant (rank of 2nd Lt.), the Quartermaster (2nd lt.), a Surgeon and two Assistant Surgeons. Regiments were also allowed to have a Chaplain who carried the acting rank of major.

Non-commission officers also served in staff positions. The Sergeant Major assisted the Adjutant in overseeing the company records and paper work; the Quartermaster Sergeant and Commissary Sergeant assisted the Quartermaster in handling the regiment's equipment and rations. The Hospital Steward assisted the surgeons.

The total paper strength of a regiment was approximately 1,000 men. There were very few times that regiment went into battle anywhere near that strength. After a couple of months in the field, even without seeing any combat, a regiment would be down to 600-700 men due to sickness. By mid-war, most regiments operated with an effective strength of between 250 and 500 men.

​Army Organization
  • 4 regiments constituted a Brigade (per regulations, commanded by a Brigadier General)
  • 3-4 brigades constituted a Division (commanded by a Major General)
  • 3 divisions constituted an Army Corp (commanded by a Major General)
  • 3-7 corps constituted an Army (also commanded by a Major General)

These are again, per regulations. Later in the war, considerably more than four regiments were needed to have a brigade of normal size (2,000-3000 men). A division usually numbered between 5,000-8,000. Army Corps varied in size - at Gettysburg, the Army of the Potomac had seven corps, each between 10,000-15,000. In the winter of 1863-64, the Army was consolidated into three corps of about 25,000-30,000 men apiece.
​
A regiment would be known by its number and state, as well as its brigade, division, corps and army placement. For example, at Gettysburg, the 140th NY was part of the Third Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Corps of the Army of the Potomac.

Company Roster

Regimental Roster

1 Captian
1 First Lieutenant
1 Second Lieutenant
1 First (Orderly) Sergeant
4 Sergeants
8 Corporals
2 Musicians
1 Wagoner
82 Privates
TOTAL: 101
1 Colonel
1 Lieutenant Colonel
1 Major
1 Adjutant (2nd Lt.)
1 Surgeon
2 Assistant Surgeons
1 Chaplain
1 Sergeant Major
1 Quartermaster Sergeant
1 Commissary Sergeant
​Plus Company Staffing
1 Hospital Steward
2 Principal Musicians
10 Captains
10 First Lieutenants
10 First Sergeants
40 Sergeants
80 Corporals
20 Musicians
10 Wagoners
820 Privates

​TOTAL: 1,025
Picture

140th NY VI

1335 Jefferson Road
Box 92494
​Rochester, NY 14692

Copyright 2017. 140th NY VI
  • HOME
  • Modern
    • Civilians
    • Military
    • In Memoriam
  • Historical
    • Patrick O'Rorke
    • Veteran Research
  • Members
    • Meeting Minutes
    • Treasurer's Report
    • Events
    • Addresses
    • Bylaws
    • Military Fresh Fish Package >
      • Policies
      • Price List
      • Rations for the Reenactor
      • Crackers
      • Frying Pans Get Panned
      • The Manual of Arms
      • Rolling Your Own Cartridges
      • Building Your Own Cartridges
      • Field Cleaning
      • Taking Care of Your Traps
      • Rank Structure
      • Inspection Layout
      • Guard Duty
      • Soldier's Courtesy
      • First Person Impressions
      • What a Reenactor Ought to Know
      • Life on the Homefront
      • Slang
      • Civil War Etiquette
    • Guidelines for Military Participation
    • Policies
    • Guidelines for Civilian Participation
    • Civilian Training Package
    • Forms
  • Events
  • Gallery
    • July 4, 2017
    • Garden Party
    • Sap, Syrup Sugar
    • Elmira
    • High Tide
    • 4th of July
  • CONTACT
    • Become a Member
  • Military Drill and Civilian Seminar