Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office, 
Richmond, August 1.5, 1863. 
GENERAL ORDERS, \ 
No. 112. i 
I. A Court of Enquiry having been convened at Richmond on the 29th 
of July 1863, pursuant to paragraph XVII, Special Orders, No. 176, Ad- 
jutant and Inspector General’s Office, current series, to examine into 
certain charges preferred against Major William Norris, Chief of the 
Signal Corps, and having made the required examination, the report of 
facts proven, with the opinion of the Court thereon, is published for the 
information of all concerned. 
REPORT OF FACTS. 
1. Major Norris was not intoxicated on the 31st of May 1863. 
2. He did not reveal the alphabet of the signal corps on the 31st of 
May 1863. 
3. The enemy knew or had opportunity to know the Ideality of the 
signal stations between City Point and Clairmont before the 31st of May 
1863, none of which were disclosed to him by Major Norris on that day. 
4. The,dispatch shown to Captain Mulford by Major Norris was a pri- 
vate dispatch, conveying a report of successes at Vicksburg. 
5. There was no improper intercourse between Major Norris and any 
officers or persons in the service of the enemy, on the 31st of May 1863. 
OPINION. 
The Court is of opinion that the charges in this case have been loosely 
made, and without due care and investigation, and should not be further 
entertained. The Court is also of opinion that tho private and official 
character of Major Norris remains unaffected by this proceeding. 
11. The charges, of which Major Norris has been thus fully exonerated 
by the Court, yrere made without that consideration which their serious 
character demanded, and in a manner that subjects the prosecutor, Lieut. 
R. A. Forbes, 2d Company Independent Signal Corps, to the grave cen- 
sure of the department. The personal and official character of an officer 
is not to bo lightly assailed. The accuser will be held to support his 
charges by evidence—and in an especial manner is he required to avoid 
creating the impression that tho loose, unofficial statements of others aro facts within his own knowledge. The greatest care and consideration 
should be manifested by those preferring charges, particularly when the 
reputation, personal and professional, of a superior, is called in question. 
111. The Court of Enquiry, of which Lieut. Col. George Deas, Adju- 
tant General’s department, was president, is hereby dissolved. 
order. 
S. COOPER, 
Adjutant and Inspector General.