Arrangement of Rank of Colonels and Majors

"No particular rules were laid down for the government of the colonels and majors in the arrangement of rank as it was supposed that they would naturally take into consideration all circumstances which, in a military point of view, give one man the preference to another. Former service is certainly to have weight and, where there is no material difference of character, is to govern the decision. Officers of a subsequent [appointment] will rank after those of a prior appointment. The majors are all of one grade. There will be however between them a priority of rank and this priority will be determined by the principles of rank heretofore [promulgated] when they come to be applied to particular cases."