Acolyte's Cross

The Acolyte's Cross was considered to be the highest award that could be earned by military and paramilitary personnel of the during the.

The Acolyte's Cross was awarded for a wide range of reasons and across all ranks, from a senior for skilled leadership of his troops in battle to a low-ranking soldier for a single act of extreme battlefield bravery. Those eligible to earn it included members of the regular ( and ), military forces of the Confederacy's allies (such as the, , and others) as well as local militias (such as the , , and others).

The Acolyte's Cross was awarded in three grades: Silver Merit Cross, Golden Merit Cross, and Grand Knight Cross. It was named for the s of, a group of s serving as the Confederate 's elite agents. The idea behind the naming was that non- using soldiers who proved themselves worthy could become "honorary Acolytes" by being awarded this decoration.