WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Adjutant and Inspector General’s Office, 
Richmond, May 17, 1862- 
GENERAL ORDERS, \ 
No. 36. $ . 
I. All applications for discharge, made by persons over 35 years of 
age, who may have been drafted since the 10th March 1862, under the 
Virginia laws, and assigned to military organizations serving under au- 
thority of the Confederate States, will be granted by Brigade Com- 
manders, Regimental «and Company Commanders causing to be made 
out, and signing, the “Soldiers Discharge,” and “Final Statements,” 
required in all cases of discharge: said papers to indicate cause for the 
discharge. 
11. In all cases where promotion is due from seniority, and the com- 
petency of the parties entitled by position to promotion is questionable, 
a Board of Examiners shall be convened by Brigade Commanders to 
determine the candidates’ capabilities of instructing and controlling the 
commands commensurate with the grade to which promotion is expected, 
as also their efficiency and perfect sobriety. All newly elected Officers 
will be examined before similar Boards of Examiners, to determine their 
competency and the confirmation of their election. 
command of the Secretary of War. 
Adjutant and Inspector General. 
S. COOPER,