GENERAL ORDERS, 
No. 101. 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Adjutant General’s Office, 
Washington, November 20, 1861. 
The intention of the Government, in reserving the original vacan- 
cies of Second Lieutenants for the most deserving among the non- 
commissioned officers of the new regular regiments, was two-fold— 
to secure the services of brave, intelligent, and energetic officers, by 
appointing only those who had fully proved themselves to be such, 
after a fair competition with all who chose to enter the lists against 
them—and to give to the young men of the country—those especially 
who were poor, unknown, and without any social or political influ- 
ence—an equal opportunity with the most favored. In General 
Orders No. 16, of May 4, 1861, this intention was publicly announced. 
It is now reaffirmed ; and commanding officers of the new regiments 
will see that it is carried out in good faith. 
order: 
L. THOMAS, 
Adjutant General. 
Official : 
Assistant Adjutant General.