[xzins]

There was a standing Federal Army at least prior to the Civil War....I remember stories of Robert E. Lee being assigned in different places. Once he was assigned as commander of a force to deal with John Brown who had raided Harper's Ferry.

The Congress early on established West Point to provide military officers to the standing Federal Army. That was pretty early, I think. Maybe as early as the 1820's.

[Carry_Okie]

I agree with you about the general staff of the officer corps, but ny understanding is that said army was manned with State militias, especially during the Civil War.