The généraux en chef wore four stars on their shoulders boards opposed to the three of a général de division.

The position of "general-in-chief," not the commanding general of the United States Army, was abolished with the creation of the title of chief of staff in 1903 — the Chief of Staff of the United States Army is the modern-day equivalent, although the current position is not responsible for commanding military forces in the field, as the generals-in-chief did in the 19th century.

General Robert E. Lee was appointed to the position on February 6 and served until the end of the American Civil War.

[1] During the entire time, Lee retained command of the Army of Northern Virginia, serving in both positions until he was paroled as a prisoner of war on April 12.

Since the age of the independence war in Venezuela, the most senior officer is designated as general-in-chief (general en jefe).