NEWS: The Alleghanian; 18 Jun 1863; Ebensburg, Cambria Cnty., PA. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ _________________________________________ The Alleghanian Ebensburg, Pa. Thursday, 18 Jun 1863 Volume 4, Number 38 **[Only first and last pages in the paper.] How to Read Shoulder Straps The ranks and arm of the military officers are designated as follows: The shoulder straps of a Major General bear two silver embroidered stars, one on each end of the strap. A Brigadier General has one silver star only. A Colonel has a silver embroidered spread eagle; a Lieutenant Colonel has two silver embroidered leaves, one at each end of the strap; a Major has two embroidered gold leaves similarly placed. A Captain has two gold bars at each end of the strap; a First Lieutenant one gold bar at each end; and a Second Lieutenant no bar at all. The cloth of the strap, by its color, distinguishes the arm of the service. For general and staff officers, it is dark blue; for artillery, scarlet, for infantry, sky blue; for riflemen, green; and for cavalry, orange color. Non-commissioned officers are indicated by "chevrons" or stripes on the coat sleeves in the form of a letter V. Corporals wear two stripes; Sergeants, three; Orderly sergeants have a lozenge or diamond shaped figure within the angle of the chevrons. Sergeant Majors have the three stripes of a sergeant completed into a triangle, base uppermost.