From an Imperial Order dated 30th July 1805 decreed by Emperor Franz II

"At the suggestion fo My War Minister, Archduke Charles, I have decided to abolish the previous hairstyle in my whole army and instead to authorise that hair should be worn short i.e. cut to a length of 1 Zoll (about an inch), so that it falls naturally.

The hair length must be the same all over the head; the troops to wear it unoiled and unpowdered, all Staff and high-ranking officers however oiled and powdered. This is moreover meant most seriouslythat they keep precisely to the above order; thus any fashion, of whatever type it may be, should be completely avaoided, such that the offending person would be viewed with severe harshness for not so doing.

It is obvious that the hair be cut from time to time, so that its length never exceeds the above prescribed measure by more than a quarter Zoll. The men are also to be encouraged and obliged to wash their heads more often with fresh, pure water, since the health, cleanliness and ease of life of My loyal and brave troops, and at the same time the consequent saving of a not inconsiderable cost of their pay, are the main reasons, which have given rise to the Archduke War Minister's suggestion and My agreement thereto.

All My generals have the choice whether to wear their hair as before or in the new way, however they must in any event keep precisely to this order."