|)tab Quarters ('Hfstmi §cprtmtnf, 
Coh’plffi fBib. 1862. 
&ENR.v4'I, ''RDSRSd 
I- lo do full justice to the private soldier, who is seldom accorded 
,ls meed of praise, and who rarely receives full credit for his gallant 
' a;'^s > an<3 to place him, in this respect, more nearly on an equality 
‘■vith the commissioned officer, the Commander of the Forces has de- 
termined to distribute a badge of merit, in person, in presence of the 
tioops, to every officer and every private soldier who shall greatly dis- 
tinguish himself in any engagement with the enemy% 
. 1 hls badge will have inscribed upon it the name of the battle 
h'eh it was won. During the war it will he a proud testimonial 
° the wearer’s heroism, and will place his name upon the list of those 
entitled to promotion in the army : when the invader is driven back, 
and our independence seemed, it will gloriously prove his title to the 
©ratitude oi his countrymen, and to the highest of civic honors. 
hll. Commanders of Corps, Divisions, Brigades, Regiments and 
din panics will, immediately after each engagement, carefully report 
lLlr bravest men to a military commission, to be appointed for the 
Pll'pose, upon whose report that their conduct has been pre-eminently 
rave> they will receive this reward of patriotism and courage from the 
hands of their General, 
‘ -QtFiCiAL _ 
G. T. BEAUREGARD, 
General Commanding,