“The rank of lieutenant general remained inactive until Winfield Scott received a brevet promotion to the rank in 1855.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_officers_in_the_United_States
“A year prior to his death, Washington was appointed by President John Adams to the rank of lieutenant general in the United States Army during the Quasi-War with France. Washington never exercised active authority under his new rank, however, and Adams made the appointment to frighten the French, with whom war seemed certain.”
Sacre Bleu! Ne pas Washington! C’est terrible!
Washington was ‘The Man’!
Brevet promotion is not permanent rank. Scott’s permanent rank was Major General. Grant’s promotion however was to Lieutenant General in the Regular Army. That is what he would retire as when retired from the Army.
Yep. Our second president fought an undeclared ware with France, and our third president fought one with the Muslim pirates. Guess they didn’t know they needed a DOW.