The West Augusta Guard
Home of the 5th Virginia Infantry Company "L"
BY-LAWS
OF THE
“
CO. L, 5TH
CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY
Ratified by the membership on August 16, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1 UNIT DESIGNATION
ARTICLE 2 UNIT OBJECTIVES
ARTICLE 3 MEMBERSHIPS
ARTICLE 4 VOTING
ARTICLE 5 DUES
ARTICLE 6 OFFICERS
ARTICLE 7 RULES FOR MEMBERS
ARTICLE 8 SUSPENSIONS OR EXPULSIONS
ARTICLE 9 AMENDEMENTS
APPENDIX A UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT
APPENDIX B MILITIA UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
APPENDIX C INDIVIDUAL SAFETY
ARTICLE 1: UNIT DESIGNATION
A.) This unit will be known as Company L, 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment, CSA commonly known as the “
B.) The unit is a reactivated company of the “Stonewall Brigade” of the Army of Northern Virginia. The company is based in
ARTICLE 2: UNIT OBJECTIVES
A.) The purpose of the company is to portray, as accurately as possible, the confederate soldier of The 5th Virginia Infantry in an effort to educate the public, and ourselves, on the history and the achievements of these men and their cause.
B.) This will be accomplished through living history, battle reenactments, lectures, or other demonstrations.
ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP
A.) Any male interested in adhering to the objectives and by-laws, may present himself for membership upon request to any member of the company. Probationary membership will be extended upon the leadership receiving a verbal acknowledgement of intent
B.) All candidates being accepted will be on probation for a period of six company events and six months. This is to include 6 weekend overnight events. At the end of the probationary period, the candidate will either be voted upon.
C.) Only male members will be allowed to soldier and/or carry a rifle. There is no written proof of a woman on the 5th Va. Roster. This applies to membership status, not other units with females falling in with us at an event.
D.) Rights of members are:
1) Members in good standing and have all dues and debts to the company paid in full will have the right to vote on:
a. New members
b. Event calendar
c. Expenditures
2) Only male members who soldier (including musicians), will nominate and vote on officers.
3) All members and civilians have the privilege to discuss company business prior to the voting process.
ARTICLE 4: VOTING
A.) To vote a member must have all dues and fees paid in full
B.) There must be a two-thirds vote of acceptance by the membership present to pass company business at company meetings.
C.) Proxy voting shall be permitted if written and signed by the member who will be absent at the meeting where there will be business that the member wishes to vote on.
D.) Electronic proxy by electronic means is permitted from members e-mail as listed on the company roster.
E.) There must be a plurality of vote (51% or greater) for the election of officers and NCOs.
ARTICLE 5: DUES
A.) All members will pay dues. The amount will be decided at the first company meeting of the New Year.
B.) Company dues will be used for company expenditures (mail, phone, equipment, etc.) unless otherwise approved by a vote from company membership.
C.) Company dues must be paid by the last day of February.
ARTICLE 6: OFFICERS
A.) The company will be run as a Militia unit of 1858 as was the original. This will include the election of Company Officers and NCO’s. Elections will be held at the organizational meeting of each year. (As voted by members of the company)
B.) The term of office will run from the first day of January to the last day of December for each elected office and rank.
C.) The Primary officers will be:
1) Commander/President: Shall preside at all company meeting, shall be the ranking member at events, shall be responsible for training of members in the military drill of the 1860’s, shall ensure that members uniforms and equipment meet proper standards and manage the duties of the NCOs.
2) Company Clerk/Secretary: Shall conduct all correspondence of the company, shall keep a record of attendance of all members, and shall keep a record of all meetings.
3) Treasurer: Shall have charge of all funds of the company and place the same in such Bank as approved by the membership. Such money shall only be withdrawn by a check signed by the treasurer or co-signer or by electronic transfer. He shall keep accurate account of all transactions and render a report to the membership at any meeting requested. He shall be responsible for collection of all dues and fees for events.
D.) The process of nominating shall be:
1.) The existing commander will set the number of military positions for the next year.
2.) The commander has the power to brevet NCOs
3.) Nominations will open on September 1, and close on September 30, and a meeting will be held after November 1, of each year.
4.) Only members in good standing for more than two years may be nominated to positions in the company.
ARTICLE 7: RULES FOR MEMBERS
A.) When at events, proper military conduct will be observed, i.e. salute officers, address NCO’s and soldiers by rank. Privates may address each other by first names.
B.) Soldiers will remain in the military camp during duty hours unless authorized to leave by one of the members in the chain of command.
C.) Anachronisms will not be tolerated at events, i.e. wrist watches, earrings worn by men, drink cans, coolers being seen, etc. If they did not have it in the 1860’s, we don’t want to see it!!! It is the responsibility of the soldier to police his dependents.
ARTICLE 8: SUSPENSIONS OR EXPULSIONS
A.) Reasons for removal are:
1) Substance abuse
2) Physical violence
3) Theft
4) Willful destruction of property
5) Repeated safety violations
6) Other misconduct
B.) Charges may be brought against a member by any member upon notification to one of the company officers.
C.) Only active members in good standing can bring charges.
D.) The accused shall be notified of the charges against him no less than two weeks before the next meeting.
E.) The accused shall have the right to address the charges against him at the meeting before the membership.
F.) There must be a three-fourths vote in favor of removal to pass such action.
ARTICLE 9: AMENDMENTS
A.) Amendments to these by-laws must be passed by a three-fourths vote of the total membership of the company in good standing, who has paid their dues for that year.
APPENDIX A
UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT
A.) The following should be used as uniform standards:
1) Headgear – various styles of kepi, slouch, and bummer cap.
2) Coat – Any period style of sack coat, frock coat, or shell jacket appropriate to the time period.
3) Shirt – Any period shirt.
4) Trousers – Any period style or color
5) Suspenders – Any period type
6) Socks – Wool or cotton.
7) Shoes –
B.) The following should be used as equipment standards:
1) Haversack – Any period haversack.
2) Waist belt – Black leather with brass keeper.
3) Belt buckle – Brass clip corner.
4) Cap box – US type M 1850, black
5) Cartridge box –
6) Canteen – Any period military issue
7) Musket – 3-banded 1853
8) Bayonet and scabbard – To fit above rifle
9) Mess gear – Period cup, plate, knife, fork, and spoon
10) Bedding – Wool blankets or quilts
C.) Other useful items to have:
1) Gum blanket –
2) Shelter half or “A” tent
3) Lantern – Any period type
4) Wool gloves - Any period type
5) Scarf – Any period type
6) Musket nipple wrench
7) Great coat – Gray or sky blue
APPENDIX B
MILITIA UNIFORM REQUIREMENT
Sec 1. The Uniform shall consist of a Frock Coat of dark blue cloth, trimmed in blue cord, as prescribed by the regulations of the U.S. Army.
Sec II. Pants of light blue cloth, with a blue cord down the outer seam. Pants to fit closely, but not tight.
Sec III. Boots, or high black leather shoes, worn under the pants.
Sec IV. Military Hat, as prescribed by the regulations of the United States Army, with the letters W.A.G. in the centre.
Sec V. Buff Vests, with small military buttons when worn. White cotton gloves.
Sec VI. Black patent leather Waist Belt, fastened in front with a brass eagle plate, to which is attached the bayonet scabbard on the left and the cartridge-box on the right side.
Sec VII. Gun-sling of black leather.
Sec VIII. Uniforms of Corporals.- Corporals shall wear the same uniforms as privates, with the addition of an acute angle of blue lace on the sleeve, between the cuff and the elbow, the point of the angle turned downward.
Sec IX. Uniforms of Sergeants.- Sergeants as privates, with an acute angle three rows of blue lace on the sleeve above the elbow, pointing downward. The first sergeant shall in addition have a lozenge in the angular space; they shall carry muskets, and a short sword suspended from a waist belt, by a loop or strap suspended from a waist-belt of patent leather. The first sergeant and ensign shall bear a sash of red worsted.
Sec X. Commissioned Officers and Staff. - The commissioned officers and staff shall uniform according to the regulations of the U.S. Army as now prescribed.
APPENDIX C
INDIVIDUAL SAFETY
1) When possible, officers and NCO’s will inspect the field of battle where the unit is to be involved and identify as many hazards as possible.
2) Inspection of arms shall be made by the ranking officer or NCO present unless directed by the overall commander of the event or host unit.
3) All rounds/cartridges will be of rolled paper, without wax or staples, no penny wrappers. Powder loads should be 50 to 70 grains of 2F or 3F powder.
4) Individual unit members will follow scripted battle plans with no ad-libbing within the unit
5) There shall be no hand-to-hand combat unless previously rehearsed and approved by the overall commander of the event.
6) Muskets and revolvers will not be discharged within thirty (30) yards of the enemy. Fire at this distance will not be aimed but elevated. No direct aiming permitted at close quarters.
7) Members of the company shall maintain a safe distance from the public during battle re-enactments and firing demonstrations. Elevated fire will be used for parades and no heavy loads permitted.
8) Casualties shall be checked by officers and NCO’s to ensure there is no real injury.
9) All scabbards and sheaths shall be checked to ensure no points or sharp edges are exposed.
10) Each man is responsible for seeing that there are no objects that have sharp or pointed edges or glass containers within his haversack or on his body
11) No tampions shall be placed in the muzzle after loading.
12) Ramrods may be carried unless restricted by the event. If carried, ramrods may not be drawn unless the order is given by the senior or overall commander. Infractions of this regulation will result in stern disciplinary action and may result in dismissal.
13) Misfires shall be reported to the senior NCO and cleared only under his supervision.
14) Bayonets shall not be fixed during field operations and shall remain in their scabbards.
15) Soldiers must carry cartridges in an authentic leather cartridge box, worn well around the right hip. Care must be taken to keep the flap down on the box, except when withdrawing the cartridge. Senior NCO’s must watch to be certain this is done.
16) Individual soldiers are required to keep ammunition secured and out of reach of non-military, children, and the public. Cartridges will not be given away to the public.
17) When loading and firing, period manuals will be followed; NCO’s will see that individuals follow the correct procedures.
18) All Combatants should maintain an awareness of others when firing.
19) Alcoholic beverages will not be consumed at any time prior to using firearms.
