Confederate units had three Lts, a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. The 3rd was at times called a Jr. 2nd Lt. and also Brevet 2nd Lt.

I've never been able to determine the relationship between the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Duty Sergeants. My interpretation was that the designation was based on which of the four sections of the company they led and their position in the company formation.

The sketch I have of the Company formation is as follows:

Taking the company in formation facing forward, right to left is the First Platoon with the 5th Sgt. to the right, and 4th Sgt. to the left. To the left of the First Platoon is the Second Platoon with the 3rd Sgt. on the right and 2nd Sgt. on the left. They line up in a 3rd rank behind the two ranks of enlisted men.

The Company Capt. formed up at the very right of the first rank in the first platoon.

The First/Orderly Sgt. in the second rank behind the Captain.

The 1st & 3rd Lt. formed behind the second platoon and the 2nd Lt. behind the first platoon, all in a third rank along with the four duty sergeants.

The four corporals lined up in the front rank at the right and left ends of their platoons.

George Martin