The size of the Nephite defensive army is suggested by its organizational need for multiple chief captains, each of whom, logically, would have commanded subordinate captains. Coordinating the efforts of these chief captains was a general officer, Gidgiddoni, even though he is also designated by same title of chief captain. Obviously, however, he is the “chiefest” chief captain.
Variant: The description “chief captain” was added in 1981 to reflect the printer’s manuscript. Even though “chief” was in the printer’s manuscript, it was missing from the 1830 edition and all subsequent editions.