Virtually at the same time the opening phases of the Siege of Petersburg changed Colonel Dearing's service branch again. On April 29, 1864, he was slated for promotion to brigadier general; and though his promotion was not approved by the Congress of the Confederate States he served with that rank as commander of a cavalry brigade.
At the same time as the beginning of the Siege of Petersburg, Colonel Dearing's military branch was changed again. On April 29, 1864, he was scheduled for promotion to brigadier general; though his promotion was not approved by the Congress of the Confederate States, he served with that rank as commander of a cavalry brigade.