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Artillery Hierarchical Structures /
Corporate Artillery / Military Structures
(In Descending Order)

Foot Artillery                                                                                                     Field Artillery
(or Heavy or Siege Artillery)                                                             (comprised of Harnessed, or Horse,                   
                                                                                                                or Light, or Mounted Artillery)

Army                                                                                                                     Army
(two or more Corps)                                                                                              (two or more Corps)
Corps                                                                                                                    Corps
(two or more Divisions)                                                                                           (two or more Divisions)
Division                                                                                                                 Division
(two or more Brigades)                                                                                            (two or more Brigades)
Brigade                                                                                                                   Brigade
(two or more Battalions)                                                                                            (two or more Battalions)
Battalion                                                                                                                   Battalion
(three or more Regiments or Companies)                                                                     (three or more Regiments/Companies)
Regiment                                                                                                                  Regiment
(three or more Companies)                                                                                          (three or more Companies)
Company /Battery                                                                                                   Company / Battery
(four to six Pieces)                                                                                                      (four to six Pieces)
Piece                                                                                                                         Piece
(one Gun)                                                                                                                   (one Gun)

Both the Confederate and Federal forces had several armies in the field in different parts of the country. The armies were typically composed in the following manner:

1 Company consisted of 100 men led by a Captain
1 Regiment consisted of 10 Companies led by a Colonel
1 Brigade consisted of 3 Regiments led by a Brigadier General
1 Division consisted of 3 Brigades led by a Major General
1 Corps consisted of 3 Divisions led by a Lt. General
1 Army consisted of 3 to 7 Divisions led by a Full General

Divisions had additional units assigned to them. Units included designations such as a Field Hospital, Butchers, Drovers, Bakers, Field Kitchens, Millers, Quartermasters, Wheelwrights, Wagonwrights, Teamsters, Blacksmiths, Provost Guards, and Laborers.

The wagon trains traveling with a division carried all the essential field equipment needed to service the Division. The wagon train was protected by Cavalry that rode alongside, scouted in front of, and protected the flanks and rear of the train. Wagon trains stretched out for miles. Wagon trains, like flags and artillery pieces, were considered prizes when captured by the opposing force.

 

Footnote: It is entirely possible that, at some point during the War, an artillery regiment functioned as a complete entity, but it is highly unlikely that was the case more than twice in the War. While the infantry regiment was a basic combative unit of the infantry, artillery companies were most commonly separated from their higher structural forms and used independent of one another without regard or reference to logistical concerns, the command structure, or effective firepower.

Footnote: The term "battery" was used occasionally among the Confederate artillery units, and most especially was a local or state designation. Its use among the Federal artillery units was also relatively uncommon. Also, Confederate artillery companies were almost always four-piece units, while Federal artillery companies were based on a standard of six pieces per company until 1864, when Grant reduced their standard from six-piece companies to four-piece companies.

Individual Rank Structure

Full General
Lieutenant General
Major General
Brigadier General
Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Major
Captain
First Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Quartermaster Sergeant
Sergeant Major
First Sergeant
Sergeant
Corporal
Private

 

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