'di)-M4^. 
 
 [House o:-' R«presicntativks No. 288.] 
 
 II0U8K OF RKPRESEXTATIVES, December 24, 1864— Read 
 first and secon<i times, and referred to Committee on Military Af- 
 fairs. January 5. 1865 — Made special order after existing special 
 order, and ordered to be printed. 
 
 [J3j Mr. Wk.k'ham.I 
 
 A BILL 
 
 To be ontuiei An Act authorizing the promotion of officers, non- 
 commissioned oEScers and privates, for distinguished valor 
 and skill or for peculiar competency and general 
 merit. 
 
 1 The Congrfus of tke. Confeierafe States of America do enact, 
 
 2 That the President is hereby authorized, upon the recommenda- 
 5 tion of the General officer commanding a department or sep- 
 
 4 erate army in the field, to fill any vacancy in the commissioned 
 
 5 officers of a regiment, battalion or company, by the promotion 
 
 6 to tiie same by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 
 
 7 of any officer. noD-commis?ioned officer or private, who may 
 
 8 have distinguished himself by exhibiting peculiar valor or skill 
 
 9 on the battle field, or who is possessed of peculiar competency, 
 
 10 efficiency and general merit : but tlie p«r.son8 so recommended 
 
 11 for promotion, shall belong to the regiment or battalion in 
 
 12 which the vacancy shall exist. 
 
 1 Sec. 2. Such persons shall, as soon as the recommendation is 
 
 2 forwarded by auch Generl officer, be assigned to duty in the 
 
 3 office to which he is recommended to be promoted. 
 
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