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This article is from the U.S. Civil War FAQ, by Justin M. Sanders jsanders@jaguar1.usouthal.edu with numerous contributions by others.

11 Who were the first C.S. Generals appointed? (U.S. Civil War: Battles and fighting forces)

[31 Aug 1861 will be the cut-off date for this answer.]
Generals in the CS Army (all were appointed on 31 Aug 1861, to date
from the date given below):
Samuel Cooper 16 May 1861 (Adjt & Insp. Gen)
Albert Sidney Johnston 30 May 1861
Robert Edward Lee 14 Jun 1861
Joseph Eggleston Johnston 4 Jul 1861
Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard 21 Jul 1861

Prior to 16 May 1861, the highest rank in the CS Regular Army was
Brigadier General (5 were authorized):
Samuel Cooper 16 Mar 1861 (Adjt & Insp. Gen)
Robert Edward Lee 14 May 1861
Joseph Eggleston Johnston 14 May 1861

In addition to the CS Regular Army, there was the Provisional Army (PACS).
Which had the ranks of Brigadier and Major General.
Major Generals (PACS):
David Emanuel Twiggs 22 May 1861
Leonidas Polk 25 Jun 1861
The first Brigadier General (PACS) was
Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard 1 Mar 1861
at least 35 others appointed between Mar and Aug 1861

The rank of Lieutenant General was authorized for the PACS on 18 Sep 1862.

Continue to:

• prev: 10 Who were the U.S. Generals at the out-break of the war, and who were the first Generals appointed after the war began? (U.S. Civil War: Battles and fighting forces)
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• next: 12 What were the naval ranks during the Civil War? (U.S. Civil War: Battles and fighting forces)