Item description: Handwritten copy of General Orders No. 3, concerning the forbidden practice of enlisted men wearing the uniforms and badges of commissioned officers.

[Transcription available below images.]

Item citation: From folder 19 of the William Nelson Pendleton Papers, #1466, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Hd. Qrs. Dept. Northern Virginia
January 4th, 1862

General Orders  }
No. 3

It has been reported to the General Commanding that there are many persons within our lines who are in the habit of wearing the uniform and badges of Commissioned Officers, who are not entitled thereto. Such persons are positively prohibited from wearing such marks of military rank or military dress of any kind, and will if caught be placed under guard and tried for the offence by a military court.

Officers of all grades are called upon to assist in putting down such gross violations of all military usage and in bringing to punishment those who under a military garb obtain and furnish through the newspapers and other channels information to our enemies which could not otherwise be obtained.

By command of General Johnston

Thos. G. Rhett
A.A. General

Col. W.A. Pendleton  }
Chief Artillery