General
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for General. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a military title. The commander of an army. In the United States a general outranks a brigadier-general, a lientenant-general, and a major-general. The rank was created by Congress in 1799 and conferred on George Washington as a mark of honor after his retirement from the presidency. After his death the office remained vacant until 1802, when it was abolished. At the close of the Civil War the rank was revived and conferred on Grant as a reward for his military services. On Grant's accession to the presidency the office passed to General Sherman. It lapsed with his retirement in 1883, but was revived in 1888 for Sheridan. With Sheridan's death the office became extinct. The highest officer in the United States army is known as the general commanding or chief of staff . See Army
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
the office of varying importance in different countries. In the United States this office was created by Congress for General Grant and that of lieutenant-general for General Sherman. After the death of General Grant the office was conferred on General Sherman and General Sheridan was promoted to lieutenant-general, and on the death of General Sherman the office was revived for General Sheridan, and in 1917 for John Joseph Pershing. That of lieutenantgeneral was revived in 1895 for Maj.- Gen. John M. Schofield, and again in 1901, when Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles was appointed its incumbent. When the office of lieutenantgeneral has expired by law the senior major-general becomes the commanding officer of the army, under direction of the President. There are over 200 generals of different grades on the retired list.