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Army Ensign The rank of Ensign was originally the lowest ranking officer of the army and it referred to a specific duty; that of carrying the flag or 'ensign' into battle. The rank was officially abolished in the US Army in 1800 and replaced with the rank of Second Lieutenant, but regimental lists often continue to list officers as Ensigns . . . even for officers that were created in 1812, after the rank was abolished. It appears that although the rank no longer existed, Second Lieutenants who had the duty to carry the flag were still referred to as Ensigns in company records.
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