All Union Army officers during the Civil War were required to wear shoulder boards/straps on each shoulder whenever the epaulette was not worn. Length of strap, 4 inches length and 1 3/8 inches width. The width of the embroidery is 1/4 inch. 2nd Ltn. - No Bar 1st Ltn. - 1 Gold Bar Captain - 2 Gold Bar, Major - Gold Oak Leaf on either sides, Ltn. Coln. - Silver Oak Leaf on either sides, Coln. - Silver eagle in the center, Brig. gen - 1 Silver Star in the center, Maj. Gen. - 2 Silver Stars in the center, Gen. in Chief - 3 Silver Stars in the center, $ Star Shoulder Boards are also available in Black Background for Staff. Embroidery is with metallic thread on velvet with a wool backing.