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General Order #1 - 2010
General Orders No 1
Headquarters, 21st Michigan Infantry
February 21, 2010
The following are standing orders for the soldiers of the 21st Michigan Infantry, Company H, to be followed at all events --
(For the purpose of these orders, "Soldiers" refers to all military members of the unit. "Officers" refers to all those portraying a company commissioned officer at an event or activity. "NCOs" refers to all unit Sergeants and Corporals.)
1. Golden Rule -- All soldiers of the 21st Michigan will conduct themselves at all times as would a soldier in the same rank, regiment, time, and place of the Civil War. If they did it, so should we. If they didn't do it, we shouldn't either.
2. Who We Are --
a. This unit will portray the 21st Michigan Infantry, an infantry regiment of the Civil War, formed in western Michigan in the summer of 1862, and fought in the Western Theatre of the war. Whenever possible, we will portray our original unit, with regard to uniforming, camp style, and deportment.
b. Exception -- as required by the scenario, we may portray other units, other theatres, and other times of the Civil War.
3. Unit Command Structure --
a. The unit will be commanded by the Unit Military Commander, who will carry the rank of Captain.
b. Standing NCO ranks will be Sergeant and Corporal. These ranks will be appointed by the Military Commander.
c. Additional ranks may be appointed, or standing ranks may be modified, by the Military Commander as needed in order to accurately portray the scenario. Soldiers, including those with standing ranks, may be asked to step up or down in rank as needed.
4. Duties of Officers, NCOs, and Privates --
a. Each soldier will perform the duties normally expected of someone holding his rank during the Civil War. Each soldier is expected to research, study, and practice his role, so that he is fully able to execute his duties at events.
b The Company Commander leads the unit in all drills, battles, and in camp. He is expected to represent the unit at all meetings involving other units and commanders. He will be responsible for all activities of everyone in the unit while in military camp or on the drill or battlefield.
c. The 1st Sergeant will be responsible for conducting morning roll, completing morning report, and forming the company when ordered by the Company Commander. The 1st Sergeant will form the guard detail when needed. He will ensure that all men in the company know their duties, and when and where to be somewhere. The 1st Sergeant will be responsible for training new recruits.
d. The Sergeant will perform the duties of 2nd Sergeant or file closer in line, as needed, and assist the 1st Sergeant as needed.
e. All Sergeants acting as file closers will watch over the men in front of them, ensuring that everyone is in the right position, and following safety guidelines.
f. The Corporals will assist the Sergeants in camp, help maintain order in line, and help ensure that all men of the company are fully informed of their expected duties.
g. All unit officers and NCOs are highly encouraged to be in camp for the duration of an event. Officers and NCOs can't properly lead if they're not with their men.
h. At least one officer or NCO is expected to be in the 21st Michigan camp at all off duty times. Unit leaders are expected to coordinate with each other when they will be absent from camp.
i. Each soldier in the 21st Michigan is expected to be where he needs to be, when he needs to be there, prepared for what he needs to do.
j. It is the ongoing duty of all soldiers in the 21st Michigan to take responsibility for their own actions, and ensure that their actions reflect favorably on the unit.
k. Pursuant to orders from higher commands, any woman discovered in the ranks will be removed from line.
5. Command Structure Above the Unit Level --
a. At events where other units are also present, we will follow the command structure as ordered by the event commander. This may mean we will combine with other units, and possibly have officers and NCOs of other units placed over us.
b. Soldiers of the 21st Michigan will follow all orders given by higher authority at each event.
c. Members of the 21st Michigan who are called upon to serve in a staff position (above company level) will report directly to the appropriate commander, and will not be under the command of the company commander during that event.
6. Authenticity --
a. All soldiers will portray a personal role that is accurate to the time and place of the scheduled scenario.
b. All soldiers will visually present themselves in an authentic manner. Men are required to be in authentic uniform during all program hours open to the public or other reenacting activity.
c. All soldiers are HIGHLY encouraged to maintain an authentic appearance during evening and off-hours.
d. All soldiers will conduct their behavior in an authentic manner.
e. All soldiers will research their roles, and constantly strive to better their interpretation.
7. Uniforms, Armament, and Basic Equipment --
a. All uniforms, armament, and equipment must be correct to the period and the scenario, and to each man’s rank and role.
b. The standard uniform of the 21st Michigan will reflect our historic counterparts - hat (either kepi, slouch hat, or other period headwear), sack coat or frock coat, shirt, vest (optional), trowsers, woolen socks, and Jefferson bootees (brogans). Original photographs of the 21st Michigan show a wide variety of uniform parts - nearly every period style is acceptable, as long as we portray the 21st Michigan.
c. The scenario may call for us to be more limited in our uniforming. All soldiers are suggested to have both a slouch hat and a kepi, and both a frock coat and a sack coat, if possible, so that we may accurately portray the required role.
d. Enlisted men of the 21st Michigan are expected to take the field with a period muzzle-loading, cap-lock, 3-band musket. Each enlisted man will have a bayonet matched to his musket.
e. Officers are expected to arm themselves with a period revolver and appropriate sword.
f. Each enlisted man of the 21st Michigan will accoutre himself with a period regulation cartridge box and sling, waist belt, cap pouch, and bayonet scabbard appropriate to his musket.
g. Each soldier in the 21st Michigan will carry a full canteen whenever he is in battle, at drill, on guard duty, or anytime he is out of camp.
h. The men of the original 21st Michigan camped primarily under dog tents, and we will do the same.
i. All soldiers are encouraged to use authentic camp equipment whenever possible. If unauthentic equipment must be used, it MUST remain out of sight at all times.
j. All soldiers are encouraged to prepare and eat period food. Modern food and/or food containers must be kept out of sight at all times.
8. Camp Life --
a. All soldiers are expected to be in camp prior to required formation times, dressed and equipped and ready to participate. It is each soldier's responsibility to know when to be in camp. Each soldier will bear in mind that first call is typically at least 15 minutes prior to drill, and sometimes up to an hour or more before a battle. Morning formations may occur soon after reveille.
b. Most of a Civil War soldier's time was spent in camp. All military members of the 21st Michigan are HIGHLY encouraged to spend off-duty program hours in the company street.
c. Period activities are encouraged when in camp.
d. All soldiers are encouraged to cook, eat, sleep, socialize, relax, and otherwise live in military camp as much as possible. Soldiers who sleep in civilian camp or off-site are still expected to be in the company street in time for all formations, and are expected to spend as much off-duty program time as possible in the company street.
e. If anyone leaves camp during the day during off-duty hours, they must report to their NCO where they are going and their expected time of return.
f. At least one officer or NCO is expected to be in the 21st Michigan camp at all off duty times. Unit leaders are expected to coordinate with each other when they will be absent from camp.
9. Drills and Battles --
a. All members of the company are expected to drill. New recruits must be approved by the drill team before they may take part in a battle. Veterans are highly encouraged to attend as many drills as possible. The unit drill team reserves the right to deny permission to take part in a battle to any soldier that is deemed to be unready.
b. All drills at events are MANDATORY. IF YOU DON'T DRILL, YOU DON'T TAKE PART IN THE BATTLE THAT DAY. (This is a standing order for all Cumberland Guard units.)
c. When on the battlefield or during drill, quiet must be maintained in the ranks at all times. No one can do their job if they can't hear orders.
10. Guard Duty --
a. Periodically, we will be asked to take our turn at guard duty. All soldiers are expected to contribute their fair share to this duty.
b. Those standing a post must be fully uniformed, with all buttons buttoned.
c. Sentries must be aware of all that happens within sight and sound of their post.
d. Sentries may carry their arms at will, as long as their musket butt never touches anything beneath it.
e. Sentries may never sit, lie down, lean against a support, or otherwise rest on anything other than their own two feet.
f. Sentries must NEVER give up their musket to ANYONE - including commanding officers. Even a General can't take a sentry's musket.
g. Sentries will follow all other orders and duties normally performed by sentries during the Civil War.
h. Guards in Reserve must stay in the reserve area, wearing their accoutrements, and keeping their musket within easy reach.
11. Minors --
a. The minimum age to carry a musket in drill or battle is 16. This requirement may be modified by the event organizers or by the unit commanding officer on a per-event basis.
b. Minors under the age of 16 may participate in non-combatant roles, with the permission of the company commander.
c. All minors under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult.
12. Safety --
a. Safety is our foremost concern. If it's not safe, don't do it.
b. We work around muskets, bayonets, swords, fires, gunpowder, ropes, knives, and other dangerous equipment. All soldiers will conduct themselves in a safe manner at all times.
c. No one may fire a musket or pistol without orders.
d. On the battlefield and in drill, each soldier will ensure that his musket is in a safe position before firing. Muzzles should never be close to another person. Rear rank men must ensure that their muzzles and caps are in a safe area around ALL men in front of them (not just their file partner). If the enemy is close, each soldier will elevate his musket over the head of any opposing soldier. IF IT'S NOT SAFE, DON'T FIRE.
e. Each soldier must have a full canteen when falling into line for drill, battle, or guard duty. If your canteen isn't full, you may NOT fall into line.
f. Each soldier is responsible for evaluating his own physical condition. If any man is not physically capable of continuing the activity, he must sit down or otherwise absent himself.
g. Each soldier is encouraged to check on his pards regularly, and ascertain his pards' condition. Each soldier is to encourage his pards to drink water, and rest when needed.
h. Each soldier is encouraged to clean his musket at the end of each day. A dirty musket will foul when needed most in battle.
By Order of Capt J.R. Schroeder, Military Commander