7th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Company B., Inc, Company Regulations

7th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Co. B., Inc.

COMPANY REGULATIONS

A. Camp Duties

Before an event a brief outline of the schedule will be published to the company via newsletter, web page, etc. Everyone in the company is expected to share in required duties. The First Sergeant will ensure that the duties are fairly divided. The company will provide details at an event when necessary for:

1. Pickets and Camp Guards
2. Details and Patrols
3. Fatigues
4. Any other duties necessary

Officers and NCOs are expected to be familiar procedures for Guard Mount, and general duties of sentinels. (Such may be found in Dom Dal Bello's Instructions for Guards and Pickets.)
B. Camp Life

1. Reveille will be sounded at the time designated by the battalion commander or event sponsor. The company will form in their company streets/areas for roll call.
2. There may be as many as 3 roll calls per day: Reveille, Retreat and Tattoo - as determined by the officer and/or First Sergeant.
3. From Kautz:
427. If the company is forming without arms, the men fall in and take the position of parade rest,
428. They should fall in in two ranks, whether with or without arms. With arms they fall in at a shoulder arms... The company is formed between the musician's call and the last note of the assembly [Reveille].
429. When the music has ceased, the first sergeant commands, "Attention!" ...and if with arms... "Support Arms." The roll is then called... As each name is called, they answer, "Here," and if at a support, they come to a "shoulder," and finally to "order arms, " immediately after answering.

4. The First Sergeant prepares his Morning Report, has the company commander sign it, and turns it in to the Adjutant. Other reports will be submitted as required.
5. Quiet will be observed in the camp at the time determined by the event sponsor.
6. On all duties, except fatigues, troops will appear with trousers unbloused, and all buttons buttoned, unless directed or permitted otherwise. The Regulations say that the coat is to be "hooked and buttoned", which means more than just the top button.
7. In general, troops and company officers will be housed in shelter halves, while field grade and staff officers occupy common-tents of flies. At times other tentage may be appropriate.
8. Say "Hurrah!" when cheering. Research indicates that "Hurrah" was used rather than the word "Huzzah." ("Our Union forever, Hurrah, boys, Hurrah!") The word "huzzah", according to the dictionary is the written form used when referencing the word "hurrah".

C. Drill

1. Drill shall conform to the 1861 United States Infantry and Rifle Tactics (a.k.a Hardee's) and Casey's 1862
. Such battalion manuals are summarized in Dal Bello's PIE.
2. All men shall be drilled in loading and firing their weapons at every event.

a. First pour the powder, then lift the hammer and replace the cap. Safety IS written into the tactics - if you remove the cap first, air allowed into the vent keeps sparks in the barrel alive.
b. Do not place paper in the muzzle when expecting to be in a battle scenario.
c. Half cock is safer than letting the hammer down on the cap.

3. When counting off ("In each rank count - TWOS) the men state their number in a firm voice, without yelling.
4. Arms will be stacked per the “Musket Stack” described in Scott’s 1835
(School of the Soldier, para 415) and Casey’s Infantry Tactics (School of the Soldier, para 425). Ellsworth’s “Kentucky Swing” was used by some Federal units, however only the Musket Stack was authorized for use by the central authority.
5. Parade Rest will conform to Hardee’s and Casey’s manuals, with the piece set across the body. Parade Rest as described in the U.S. Army regulations will not be used.
6. The company will come on line for parade with bayonets fixed.
7. When making a charge (closing with the enemy), the battalion will first come to Arms – Port. The front rank will not go to Charge Bayonet; nor will the rear rank go to Right Shoulder – Shift. For reasons of safety, the front rank will remain at Arms Port if contact is made with the enemy during a battle scenario. Historically, the front rank came to Charge Bayonet when closing with the foe, while the rear rank remained at Port Arms.
8. It is important for Company commanders to be thoroughly familiar with these maneuvers.

a. Forming the battalion,
b. Breaking from line into column of companies (By Company into Line); Wheeling (and where to place the guide); Marching by the flank,
c. Forming column doubled on the center; column of divisions,
d. Maneuvering in column,
e. Maneuvering in line of battle; Forward (including moving colors or general guides to the front if the company is the color company or a flank company respectively); Changing Front (Forward or to the Rear); clearing terrain obstacles in the line of march,
f. By the Right of Companies to the Rear (or Front),
g. Skirmishing; Flankers; advanced and rearguard duties.

D. Customs of Service

1. No gesturing of officers’ swords is necessary or desired. Field officers may use gestures to maneuver and align the battalion (to indicate objectives, etc.). Company officers will not use their swords to signal marching movements or arms movements. Officers are to carry their swords at the Carry Arms (the back of the blade resting upon the right shoulder) while at drill or on the march, or at their pleasure (i.e. in the scabbard) while at the route step. At the double quick, the sword should be angled to the left with the blade tip in front of the left shoulder, not resting on the shoulder. (cf., Geoff Walden, “A Manual of the Sword for Foot Officers,” Camp Chase Gazette, Vol. 24, No. 1 October 1996, pp 34-39)
2. File closers need not remain constantly at Shoulder Arms. File closers, including the First Sergeant, should follow the commands for arms movements the same as the men in the ranks.
3. There will be no echoing of commands. If the battalion commander can be heard, there is no reason to echo him and step on his next command. According to Hardee’s and Casey’s School of the Battalion, the only commands that are repeated are those of March and Halt (by company commanders) and only in a column of companies, so that they move and halt at the same time (to preserve wheeling distance). Of course it becomes necessary to repeat commands that are not heard over the noise and distance in battle and on the skirmish line. At times the company commander must give preparatory commands to his own company, or caution it to make some movement. In general, do not echo commands. (This is especially true for NCOs and privates in the ranks.)
4. Regarding battle casualties: “…Files having been formed, as often as a front…rank man falls or steps out of his rank, he will immediately be replaced, for the time, by his coverer in the next (rear) rank” (Scott 1835, Vol. I, School of the Soldier, para. 16). Thus, if there is a casualty, step up. Doing so (1) keeps the front rank men from crossing in front of the rear rank, as safety consideration; (2) retains the numbers in the front rank and length of the battle line, (a fortuitous result as doubling was not in Scott’s), thus keeping the distance between battalions. Company officers and file closers should see to it that any gaps in the ranks are filled.
5. The level or number of casualties taken is to reflect the level of the opponent’s fire – regardless of the battle scenario. Direct fire of enemy artillery will usually inflict numerous casualties.
6. Only elected officers and NCOs (or personnel so designated for a particular event) will occupy positions within the chain of command. Other personnel, including commissary and ordinance sergeants, will serve as privates. However, no one will be asked to remove signs of rank from their uniforms if asked to serve as a different rank.

E. Safety

1. All men shall be thoroughly drilled before each scheduled battle scenario, during every reenactment.

a. Re-Loading Procedure - Pour powder down the muzzle first, then pull the hammer back to half cock and replace the spent percussion cap. If the cap is removed first after firing, air is admitted into the vent (nipple), which can fan any remaining powder embers and explode the powder while it is being poured down the barrel (chimney effect).
b. Do not ram cartridge paper down the barrel before or during a battle scenario.
c. Remember that half cock is the “safety” position of the musket’s hammer. Do not rest the hammer on the percussion cap, as jarring the weapon may cause it to accidentally discharge.

2. In drilling, attention will be paid to proper foot position and movement, rear rank musket position, and oblique firings. Troops are to be admonished to never aim directly at an opponent and never discharge their weapons when the enemy is within 10 yards or if it is otherwise unsafe to fire.
3. Everyone should be encouraged to have ear protection and full canteens before every battle scenario or before drill.
4. All muskets are to be kept clean and in good repair. Muskets will be inspected prior to battles, and their ability to fire safely must be demonstrated. A dirty, non-firing weapon or one that has a defective half cock (safety) must be cleaned by the bearer or repaired and released for service by the ordinance sergeant.
5. Attendance at company level drills where loading and firing the musket is reviewed, or where muskets are inspected is mandatory for any troops intending to take part in battle scenarios.
_____________________
(7th Michigan Co. B, Company regulations; 1/9/03, updated 1/15/06)

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS (NCO) GUIDE

A. General Instructions

1. Notebook: The NCO should provide himself with an authentic style pencil and notebook in which to enter the names of the men in rank and forming details. Orders and instructions given to him verbally should at once be reduced to writing, and not trusted to memory.
2. Parroting (Echoing) Commands: NCOs should never repeat commands in formation. If the battalion commander can be heard, then no one (not even officers) needs to parrot the command. If he cannot be heard, then the wing commanders parrot it. If they cannot be heard, then the company commanders parrot it, and he should be easily heard among the company.

B. Corporals

1. General: The corporal should be able to teach the “School of the Soldier” and have a good grasp of the “School of the Skirmisher”. He is the closest NCO to the private in the ranks. His first and primary concern is the welfare of the men in his care.
2. Duties: The duties of a corporal are simple and depend for their successful performance mainly upon his capacity to control and direct soldiers in the performance of their duty. In the absence of the sergeant, the corporal may be required to perform his duties, and, therefore should be familiar with them. Corporals need to have as much direct contact with the men as possible. While the sergeants may mess together, and even share quarters or camp area together, the corporals need to camp and eat with the men in their sections.
3. Roll Call: Corporals should be the first to fall into ranks at roll call or assembly.
4. Drill: Corporals should be thoroughly with Casey’s “School of the Soldier” and capable of instructing the men in the ranks both in the “School of the Soldier” and in the “Drill of the Skirmisher” and the elementary principles of tactics. The section corporal will be in charge of assuring that his section can perform the “School of the Soldier” drill and will drill his section at assigned times.
5. Information: Keep your men informed. Know what is happening and going to happen. Call your men together and explain delays and changes as soon as possible. You should be the source of much of their knowledge.
6. Health: Know symptoms of heat and cold injuries. Check your men’s health frequently. Ensure that they are eating and drinking sufficient water to ward off heat injuries in hot weather. Make sure your men have full canteens before going out for a battle or a drill.
7. Conduct: Correcting bad conduct begins with the corporal. Being loud after taps, profane language around women and children, abuse (other than the good-natured kind) in word and deed is not acceptable. Make an effort to stay in first person during an event and work with your men to do so also.
8. Weapons: The corporal is responsible for ensuring that every man in his section cleans his weapon, and that he takes proper care of his weapon in the field. If a weapon needs further maintenance, the section corporal is to take charge of it and either repair it himself or find someone who can (Ordnance Sergeant).

C. Sergeants

1. Knowledge: All Sergeants should be able to teach “School of the Soldier” and “Drill for Skirmisher”, and have a good working knowledge of “School of the Company”. They should be able to take over as First Sergeant in case of his absence or incapacity.
2. General: It is difficult to draw the line between the duties of the corporal and those of the sergeant. Sergeants generally have larger details under their charge, and have corporals under their direction to assist them. Sergeants are usually entrusted with more responsibility and duties, and they are supposed to have greater experience, and to approach nearer the commissioned officer in knowledge of all military matters. Sergeants generally have more supervision of the men.
3. File Closer: Posted in the rear of the company when paraded, it is his duty to see that the men pay attention to their duty, preserve order, march properly, and keep intervals closed. In time of battle, it is his duty to keep the men in ranks, not allow them to fall out on any pretext, and to prevent them from misbehaving before the enemy. During the war they were even required to shoot men down if they attempted to run away in times of danger.
4. Other Duties: He must see that the men fill their canteens with water before drill or marching out of camp, and that each man has taken care of his weapon, has cartridges, rations, ear protection, etc.

D. First Sergeant

1. Knowledge: The First Sergeant or Orderly Sergeant must thoroughly understand and be able to teach the “School of the Soldier”, “Drill for Skirmishers”, and “School of the Company” and be able to command the company in the absence of an officer. His duty is to the welfare of the men in the company and to ensure that all the NCOs are kept informed of daily duties required of them.
2. Responsibility: The First Sergeant is in charge of the company, and answers only to the company commander. In reality, it is his company more than anyone else’s. A company commander sometimes will let the First Sergeant run the company in its daily routine and details, but only if the First Sergeant is capable of performing these tasks. If he cannot, then he is not doing his job as top soldier of the company.
3. Duties:

a. The duties of the First Sergeant are peculiar to his position, and require capacity and knowledge superior to those of other sergeants.
b. He has immediate supervision of the company. He gets his orders from the Captain or officer commanding the company, and sees that they are carried out. He communicates and superintends the details of the work, which the captain has directed to be executed.
c. The First Sergeant is in charge of training and drilling the company in the “School of the Soldier and Company”. He oversees and supervises the company drill, and ensures that the covering sergeants and section corporals properly drill the men.
d. He keeps rosters and makes all details; he superintends the company clerk if there is one, or if not, he makes out the required paper work for the company.
e. At roll calls, the First Sergeant takes his place six or eight paces accordingly, as the company is small or large, in front of, and opposite the center of his company, facing towards it. If the company is formed without arms, the men fall in and take the position or Parade Rest, and the First Sergeant takes the same position.
f. When the First Sergeant commands, “Attention!” the company, if at Parade Rest, takes the position of the soldier, and if with arms, the Sergeant adds, “Support - Arms!” The roll call is then called commencing with the sergeants, in the order of rank, until all are called; then corporals, and finally privates. The privates’ names should be called in alphabetical order of last names. As each man is called, they answer, “Here!” and move from Support Arms to Shoulder Arms and finally to Order Arms immediately on answering to their names. If the men fall in for roll call without arms, they should come to the attention. Once their name is called, they answer “Here!” and go immediately to Parade Rest.
g. After the roll call has been called, the First Sergeant turns to the officer superintending the roll call, and reports the absentees by name. If none are absent including those absent under proper authority, he reports, “All present or accounted for…” If the officer should then take command of the company, the First Sergeant takes his post on the right of the company in the captain’s interval or file, and he acts as the right guide.
h. The First Sergeant makes out the morning report and signs it, then submits it to the commanding officer of the company for his signature. It is then handed to the Sergeant Major of the battalion. If there is no Sergeant Major for the event, the report is given to the Adjutant. If there is no Adjutant, the report is given to the regimental commander.
i. The First Sergeant makes all the work or guard details from the company, and sees that a record is kept on the roster so as to spread the work around within the company. He parades the details, inspects them, and sees that they are properly equipped for the duty they are to perform, and then turns them over to a non-commissioned officer who is in charge and to be marched to their posts.

E. Commissioned Officers

Commissioned officers should be thoroughly familiar with both Casey’s and Hardee’s manuals and the differences between them since both are used depending on the event attended. This familiarity should include; “School of the Soldier”, “School of the Company”, “Drill of the Skirmisher”, and “School of the Battalion”, as well as Kautz’s “Customs of Service”. Officers must be as familiar as possible with all aspects of military life and regimen for soldiers during the Civil War. The commissioned officer caries the weight of responsibility for proper behavior of his troops in all the various aspects of military life in the 1860s. As the military leader of the 7th Michigan Vol. Inf. Co. B, the soldiers look to the officer for guidance and as a roll model. As roll model, the officer should strive to accurately portray an officer during the Civil War both in conduct and in appearance.

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