GENERAL ORDERS, 
No. 172. 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Adjutant General's Office, 
Washington, December 20, 1865. 
The following regulation is hereby announced relative to the ex- 
amination of meritorious non-commissioned officers of the Regular 
Army for appointment to the grade of brevet 2d Lieutenant, in connec- 
tion with those promulgated in General Orders, No. 17, Adjutant Gen- 
eral's Office, of October 4, 1854, issued in accordance with the pro- 
visions of the act of August 4, 1854. 
No application to be examined will hereafter be considered from a 
candidate for promotion under this act who has not served at least two 
years in the Regular Army. 
order of the Secretary of War: 
E. D. TOWNSEND, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 
Official: 
Assistant Adjutant General.