From the Richmond Dispatch, 4/22/1863, p. 1, c. 5

Punishing Soldiers by Stripes – The President having signed the bill prohibiting the punishment of soldiers by stripes, it is now a law. By it no Court-Martial or Military Court can order the inflection of stripes on the person of C. S. soldiers – In lieu of the punishment so prohibited, all officers and soldiers of the army who have received pay, or been duly enlisted, who shall desert and be convicted thereof, shall suffer death or confinement in a penitentiary, with or without hard labor, for a term of not less than one nor more than five years or such either punishment (save stripes) as the Court Martial or Military Court having cognizance of the case shall adjudge best.

Go to top