The War Department sought to settle the simmering debate, especially between Major General Benjamin Butler and Major General John C. Fremont, over who held precedence of rank in the Union Army. The Secretary of War had earlier assembled a high ranking board to investigate the matter and they gave their report, namely that all four major generals, George B. McClellan, John C. Fremont, John A. Dix, and Nathaniel Banks had precedence of rank above Butler. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
"General Orders 203," War Department, Thomas M. O"Brien, Oliver Diefendorf (eds), General Orders of the War Department, Embracing the years 1861, 1862, 1863 ... (New York: Derby and Miller, 1864), II:232-233.
Record Data
Date Certainty
Exact
Type
Lawmaking/Litigating
