What was a Brevet General?
In the absence of other ways of rewarding high levels of service (such as medals or citations) the US Army had a policy in place for many years of awarding promotions by brevet to deserving officers. A promotion by brevet offered no extra pay, but it did entitle the officer to be known by the title of the higher rank (during the term of the brevet promotion) and some officers wore the insignia of the higher rank. Brevet promotions were not limited to General grades – there were many brevet lieutenants, captains, majors and so on. The Confederate Army did not promote its officers by brevet, but there are accounts of Confederate NCOs receiving brevet promotions.
