Officers and Non-Commissioned officers are entitled to implicit obedience from the soldiers, and they
should be obeyed and respected by the men.
Confidence and energy are the progressive traits of officers and NCO's who will be successful. Let him first
feel he is right, and acting in obedience to orders and instructions, and then do his duty with decision and firmness;
and success will be more certain, and failure much less discreditable.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
"The utmost attention will be paid by commanders of companies to the cleanliness of their men, as you their
persons, clothing, arms, accouterments, and equipments, and also as to their quarters or tents." Regulations for the
Army of the Confederate States, 1863.
The Captain-
" Captains or commanders of companies fill one of the most important stations in the service, when they are viewed
in relation to the direct influence they exercise upon the soldiery; to them attaches the high responsibility of the
instruction, good order, efficiency, and discipline of their companies; and no one should be willing to accept the
post who is not qualified, or ready to qualify himself, for a faithful discharge of all the duties of the office." -Manual
for Volunteers and Militia, 1861.
For purposes of a re-enacting company, the Captain is the man in charge of the tactical implementation of his
company. He will attend officer's call, develop a plan based on the available information, and give verbal and
written commands to his lieutenants and NCO's to make sure that his plan is accomplished. The Captain is the head
of the company and ultimately, it is his responsibility to make sure that the company is where it needs to be, and is
doing what needs to be done. , He must maintain a neat appearance, and maintain his composure in front of the
men because he serves as an example to the rest of the soldiers. A good Captain will communicate with his NCO's
and keep them informed as to what is going on.The Captain will preside over all business meetings. The Captain is
not only the person in charge of the company on the field, he is in charge of his company at all times. From the time
setup of camp begins, to the time the last tent comes down, the Captain is the one is command. When in column
formation, he will march at the head of the column and one step out to the left. All soldiers will show the Captain
proper respect during the hours that the camp is open to the public. This includes the use of the word "sir" and
saluting when speaking to the Captain. The Captain should be obeyed and respected, and possess the confidence in
the company that he commands.
The Lieutenant-Adjutant
"Each subaltern officer will be charged with a squad for the supervision of its order and cleanliness; and Captains
will require their Lieutenants to assist them in the performance of ALL Company duties." - Paragraph 83,
Regulations for the Army of the Confederate States, 1863.
Lieutenants have many of the same job duties as the Captain of the company. They are required to take over for the
Captain in his absence and therefore must be involved in the running of the company. Lieutenants will march to the
right side of the company when in column formation and will post himself to the left rear of the company when in a
line of battle. The Lieutenant should assist the Captain in the running of the company on the field as much as
possible including the relaying of commands from senior officers and adjusting the line if necessary. He should not
parrot commands unless the commands can not be heard by the soldiers. The adjutant will provide the
coordination of events. He will maintain company records. He will ensure that communications flow in a timely and
orderly manner. He will record information during meetings,produce after action reports as well as prepare maps
for field use and AARs.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
"The Choice of non-commissioned officers is an object of the greatest importance: The order and discipline of a
regiment depend so much on their behavior, that too much care cannot be taken in preferring none to that trust but
those who by their merit and good conduct are entitled to it. Honesty, sobriety, and a remarkable attention to every
point of duty, with a neatness in their dress, are indispensable requisites…" - Baron Von Stubem, Regulations for the
Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States, 1794
The First Sergeant-
"The duties of the First Sergeant are peculiar to his position, and require capacity and knowledge superior to those
of the other NCO's. His position is one of the most responsible and honorable that a non-commissioned officer can
occupy. He has the immediate supervision of the company. He gets his orders from the Captain or officer
commanding the company, and sees that they are performed in the company. He is, in fact, the foreman; and the
men are the artisans. He lays out and superintends the details of work which the Captain has directed to be
executed." - Customs of Service, August V. Katz, 1864.
The First Sergeant must be prepared to take over command of the company should the Captain or other officers
become unavailable. The First Sergeant is in charge of the entire company and it's compliment of NCO's. He is the
TOP soldier of the company and answers to the commanding officer of the company. A good company commander
will let the First Sergeant run the company in its daily routine and details.The First Sergeant is in charge of
maintaining accurate records on attendance at drills and at events in the company book. He will keep this book on
him at all times, and in his absence, the next senior NCO will be responsible for recording attendance.
At roll call, the First Sergeant takes his place six to eight paces in front of the company facing towards it. He calls
the company to attention and orders the men to "shoulder arms." He then orders the men to "support arms." The
First Sergeant will then call the roll, beginning with the Sergeants, then to the Corporals, and finally to the Privates
who will be called in alphabetical order. As each name is called, the soldier will reply, "Here First Sergeant" and
move their weapons to "shoulder arms" and then to "order arms" immediately upon answering to their names.
After roll has been called, the First Sergeant turns to the commanding officer and reports the absentees by name. If
none are absent without proper authority, he reports all present and accounted for. If the officer then takes charge
of the company, the First Sergeant takes his post on the right of the company and acts as the right guide of the
company in a line. In column formation, the First Sergeant will march at the head of the column in the first file on
the left. He should NOT march in any other position then at the front left of the company when in column
Other duties of the First Sergeant include filling out the morning report, supervising the Quartermaster Sergeant,
the Company Clerk, and Commissary Sergeant in their duties, and supervising the other NCO's in their duties.
"The most important task of the first sergeant relates to the government of the company and the preservation of
good order and military discipline. This depending on chiefly on innate qualifications, definite rules, cannot be
easily given. A complete control of temper, good judgment, and a strong sense of justice are essential; whilst a due
application to duty and attention to the necessities of the men are also of the highest importance." August V. Katz,
Customs of Service, 1864.
COLOR SERGENT
The color sergent reports to GVB Colonel and is a member of the Battalion Staff. All needs of the Color Sergent in
his effort to field a color guard are to be met by the Company. It is an honor that the present GVB Color Sergent is a
member of the 26th Georgia Company "A". If you are on the color guard for an event YOU are being honored.
The Sergeant-
"It is difficult to draw the line between the duties of the Corporal and the duties of the Sergeant. There is really no
great difference in their duties. Sergeants generally have larger details under their charge, and have corporals under
their direction to assist them. They are usually interested with more responsible duties, and they are suppose to
have greater experience, and to approach nearer the commissioned officer in a knowledge of all military matters."
August V. Katz, Customs of Service, 1864.
The most important duty for a Sergeant is that of a file closer in line. Posted to the rear of the company when it is
paraded, it is his duty to see that the men pay attention to their duty, preserve order, march properly, and keep the
files closed up. In time of battle, it is his duty to keep men in ranks and not allow them to fall out for any reason. It is
his duty to shoot down men if they attempt to run in times of danger. He must prevent the men from falling out to
help wounded comrades. The battle must be won first, and then the wounded men can properly be cared for.
Additional duties of the Sergeant include making sure the men have full canteens of water, supervise the corporals
in their duties, act as Sergeant of the guard when called upon, lead a skirmish squad, act as color sergeant of the
regiment or battalion, and lead a scouting patrol into enemy territory. He should be able to take over for the First
Sergeant in his absence.
The Corporal-
"The appointment to Corporal is the first step to promotion in the army, and may lead to the highest distinction in
the military service. The sergeants are appointed from the corporals and they should therefore look upon their
position as one of probation, and should seek to perform well their part, in order that they may be advanced."
August V. Katz, Customs of Service, 1864.
The Corporal is the closest NCO to the private in the ranks and his first and primary concern is the welfare of the
men in his care. He should be familiar with the Sergeant and First Sergeant positions as he may need to perform
those duties in the absence of a Sergeant. Off the field, the Corporal is responsible for calling all the members in his
squad or section and informing them of upcoming events and activities.
The field duties of the Corporal are very simple. They must have the capacity to control and direct the soldiers in
the performance of their duties. Corporals need to have as much direct contact as possible with the men. He needs
to camp and eat with the men in his section or squad.
Corporals should be a living example for the soldiers in the neatness and cleanliness of their clothing, arms, and
accouterments. They should always be the first to fall into ranks for roll call, and should always have their tent or
campsite in order.
The Corporal needs to keep the men in his section informed. He should have an idea of what is happening and what
is going to happen. He needs to explain to the men any changes in their orders as soon as possible and be the source
of knowledge for their section.
He needs to know the symptoms of heat and cold injuries and check the health of the men at regular intervals.
Ensure that they are drinking enough to ward off hot weather injuries and that they have sufficient clothing to
protect themselves from cold weather injuries. A good rule to follow is to have your men drink a canteen of water
before going out on the field.
Finally, the corporal is responsible for ensuring that every man in his section cleans his weapon immediately
following the battle and they he takes proper care of his weapon on the field. If a weapon in your section needs
maintenance, the corporal needs to take charge of the weapon and make the repair himself or find someone that can
repair it. After a firing demonstration or battle, you need to ensure that there is enough hot water and cleaning
materials to clean the mess gear and the weapons. No man in your section should be allowed out of camp
without first cleaning his musket! It is your responsibility to inspect each man in your section before
allowing him to leave the camp.
Lastly, all members of the 26th Georgia Company "A" will provide utmost
attention to manners and duties while in view of the public. The company
will strive for authenticity and professionalism in all its actions.
- Duties and Responsibilities of
Commissioned and Non-Commissioned
officers
in the 26th Georgia Volunteers
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