Page "Brevet (military)" Paragraph 5

Brevet rank in the Union Army, whether in the Regular Army or the United States Volunteers, during and at the conclusion of the American Civil War may be regarded as an honorary title which conferred none of the authority, precedence or pay of real or full rank.

The vast majority of the Union Army brevet ranks were awarded posthumously or on or as of March 13, 1865 as the war was coming to a close.

U. S. Army regulations concerning brevet rank provided that brevet rank could be claimed " in courts-martial and on detachments, when composed of different corps " and when the officer served with provisional formations made up of different regiments or companies, or " on other occasions.

" These regulation were vague enough to support the positions of some brevet generals who caused controversies by claiming supposed priorities or privileges of brevet ranks that had been awarded to them at earlier dates during the war.