joseph broke the seal and began reading aloud : in congress , january the tenth , 1845 an act , for the establishment of the rank of lieutenant-general in the united states army , and the commissioning of officers thereunto , whereas , the u.s. statute at large dated may 8 , 1792 established the rank of major general as the supreme rank in the united states army , and , whereas , president john adams commissioned general george washington a lieutenant general and commander-in-chief of said army on july the third , 1798 , thereby contravening the provisions of the statute of 1792 , be it known therefore , that the statute of may 8 , 1792 is hereby amended to include the following language : the supreme line officers rank of the united states army shall be that of lieutenant general , said rank to be bestowed at the pleasure of congress at such times and places as necessity shall dictate .