7. General Orders Regarding Badges of Rank

Washington, George. George Washington Papers, Series 3, Varick Transcripts, -1785, Subseries 3G, General Orders, -1783, Letterbook 1: July 3,- Sept. 30, 1776. July 23, 1775, 1775. Manuscript/Mixed Material. Library of Congress.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Washington in 1775. The period of his taking command of the army. From the original by Alonzo Chappel, in the possession of the Publishers. ” New York Public Library Digital Collections.

Halberd with wooden haft c. 1750-1780. Sergeants often carried a halberd to distinguish their rank by sight. Object ID P-10. Courtesy of The Fort Ticonderoga Museum Collection.

Washington authorized his officers and non-commissioned officers to wear colored badges so all soldiers could visually identify their ranks.

"As the Continental Army have unfortunately no Uniforms, and consequently many inconveniencies must arise, from not being able always to distinguish the Commissioned Officers, from the non Commissioned, and the Non Commissioned from the private; it is desired that some Badges of Distinction may be immediately provided, for Instance, the Field Officers may have red or pink colour’d Cockades in their Hatts: the Captains yellow or buff; and the Subalterns green. They are to furnish themselves accordingly—The Serjeants may be distinguished by an Epaulette, or stripe of red Cloth, sewed upon the right shoulder; the Corporals by one of green."

George Washington, General Orders, 23 July 1775

Sources

founders.archives.gov
https://history.army.mil/Publications/Publications-Catalog/The-Canadian-Campaign/

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