question on the ranks in the military back then during the revolution?

Question

Is saying someone is an officer the same as saying someone is a captain? Or are they different?

Answer 1

Hello Tony:

During the time period of the US revolution, our military was loosely based on the British model.

a basic soldier is a private
a corporal may have been in charge of a group of privates, perhaps up to 15 men.
A Sargent would have been in charge of 2 to 4 corporals.
A lieutenant (junior grade officer) would have been the commander of the Sargent. During a battle, the lieutenant would be in the front, privates behind him, and the corporals & sargents to the rear with a sword to kill any man that tried to turn and run when the bullets started flying.
On a hill, overlooking the battle would have been the captain, to direct the lieutenant.
Further back in a tent surrounded by majors would be the Colonel, studying maps, updating the plan, and issuing orders to the captains.
In the far rear would be the General, directing strategy for the Colonels to implement.

A Captain is also a navy term; the commander of a vessel is referred to as "captain," even if the ship only has 20 men. A group of ships would be under the command of a Commodore or Admiral, depending on the number of ships.

Answer 2

A captain is an officer. An officer may not necessarily be a Captain. A Captain is just one rank in the officer rank structure.