Union and West End Cemetery

Using the 'Army of the Potomac' as an example, the structure of the Union Army during "The War Between the States", was as follows:



Corps - averaged about 10,000 men.

Division - usually numbered between 3,000 and 6,000 men each.

Brigade - numbered about 1,000 to 2,000 men each.

Regiment - Each brigade contained four or more reigments. Unlike the Confederate Army, the Union Army put regiments in brigades without regard to their state of origin. Thus, it was common for a Pennsylvania regiment to serve in a brigade with two or three other regiments from different states.

Company - Each Regiment contained anywhere from five to ten companies. A company generally contained about 200 men.

At the regimental level, Field and Staff officers would consist of the following:

Colonel - One.
Lt. Colonel - usually two.
Major - one or more.
Adjutants - at least one.
Quarter Master - one or two.
Surgeon - one or more.
Asst. Surgeon - two or more.
Chaplain - at least one.
Sgt. Major - One
Quarter Master - One.
Commissary Sergeant - generally only one.
Hospital Steward - generally only one.
Musician - As many as a dozen or more.

Typical company structure:

Captain
1st Lieutenant
1st Sergeant
Sergeant - three or more.
Corporal - ten or more
Private - the vast majoriity of the men in the ranks are Privates when they enter service and privates when muster out.