General Order No. 28

May 15, 1862 - During the Civil War, the Union Army occupied New Orleans under the command of Major General Benjamin Franklin Butler. It was on this day that he issued the infamous, General Order No. 28.

Here's the decree:

As the officers and soldiers of the United States have been subject to repeated insults from the women (calling themselves ladies) of New Orleans in return for the most scrupulous non-interference and courtesy on our part, it is ordered that hereafter when any female shall by word, gesture, or movement insult or show contempt for any officer or soldier of the United States she shall be regarded and held liable to be treated as a woman of the town plying her avocation.

Basically it said that if any of the women of New Orleans gave the Union soldiers any attitude, they would be treated like prostitutes.

This didn't go over well with the people of New Orleans, nor did it please the top brass in the Union Army. It was one of the biggest reasons that Butler was relieved of his command before the year ended.