Recruit     Information


Welcome to the 26th Georgia. Company "A". On this page is located information and guidelines that
will help one on his way to becoming a full member on the company.As a new recruit you will need
to become familiar with the command structure, the school of the soldier, as well as safety
guidelines for reenactors. Below you will find information to help you on your transition from a
twenty first century civilian to that of a soldier of the Confederate States of America in 1861-65.

Primary duties of the Company

The company provides the Color Guard for the Georgia Volunteer Battalion. This is our primary
mission. Once that need is filled then the company forms as a component of infantry in line with
the battalion.  

Step one
If you have made it this far it is assumed that you have an idea of what reenacttors do. Well we
hope you do. Because when we show up for a reenactment we perform our duties like the postman
on his rounds. We fight,eat,and sleep no matter what the weather. To do anything less would not
honor the men and events that we portray.

Day One

For your first day, be it at a camp of instruction or an actual battle event,you will be assigned an
NCO (Non-commissioned officer). It will be the job of the NCO to assist you on your transition to
the 1860s. He will provide you with answers to your questions. You will be shown how to wear your
uniform and equipment. He will introduce you to the basic "Manual of Arms", how to set up an "A"
frame tent, how to care for your equipment , and what to carry on the march.

Equipment

Equipment and uniforms varied in the army of the Confederate States. For your first few events we
can provide loaner accoutrements to get you started. The uniforms we wear are of various materials
from the 1860s. Most are wool based, The first item on the list are long cotton johns.(sorry no
loaners here). They make the wool pants that you a going to wear allot more comfortable. Next up
is a cotton muslin shirt. Braces (suspenders) come next followed by wool socks and shoes called
Brogans or Jefferson booties. A coat  is next. The primary types are Frock,Shell , or Sack coat. In
colder months a Great coat is nice. That is what you will wear.
The next item  are called "Accoutrements". These are the items that we carry for fighting ,
eating,and sleeping.
1.  Belt with, 
1 . Cartridge Box
1.  Cap Box
1.   Bayonette and Scabbard

1. Haversack- a sack worn over the shoulder and used to carry food.
1. Canteen.

The last item on the list is a Musket. The most used muskets are the 1853 Pattern Enfield rifled
Musket and The Springfield 1855 Rifled Musket. Either of them will provide years of good service.

Sutlers
If you are like all of us a visit to the Sutlers (a store that sets up in the field) is allot of fun. It can
also be somewhat overwhelming when you see the amount of goods available. For your first
purchase take a veteran along to help with your selection. It is best to purchase quality items once.
We will help you with this.

Tents

The favored tent is a canvas "A" frame style tent. It is available from most large Sutlers. Sizes range
from six feet to seven feet high and seven to nine feet long. They are available with one or two
doors. Most are treated against the rain.  Also are "Dog" style tents. They are small tents that
provide basic shelter without the benefit of the extra room of the A frame. Most events provide
straw to sleep on. When placed on the ground it provides a wonderfully comfortable bed. A ground
cloth is useful to keep the moisture from seeping into you overnight. The final item needed is a
good wool blanket. Once again all this is available from the sutlers.


                A Final note. The ultimate goal of a reenactor should be to portray with as much accuracy as
possible the type of individual he wishes to portray. This is called an impression. Many of the camps
are open to the general public at some time during an event.A reenactor should look and act as a
person from the mid 19th century. What you do and say to the public will be taken by many as a
word of authority in matters of History so it would serve one well to be versed on the event and
time frame that you wish to portray. We operate as a 19th century military unit. We follow military
protocol during the event. If and when the commander allows us to relax then we do. Until that
time you will act as you would in the 1860s military. If you cant then you may find happiness
elsewhere.  The PC of the 21st century does not apply. We all have thick skin and respect each other
, do your best to preserve the honor of the unit. By following these simple guidelines you will come
away from an event knowing that you have helped preserve the honor of our historical unit and a
feeling of a job well done. As one old fellow said,"it is better to keep your mouth shut and be
thought a fool than to open it and be known one."

                                                Respect is earned.
AUTHENTICITY REGULATIONS

All uniforms shall be of correct 1861-1865 U.S. or C.S. Army pattern and of wool, linen, cotton, or other natural
fiber. Anachronisms such as zippers, belt loops, army boots, sneakers, cowboy boots, modern work pants, Levi's,
buckskins, etc. will not be allowed.
All accoutrements, including buckles, plates, buttons, etc. must be of correct 1860-1865 pattern.
If eyeglasses are required, the participant should try to be equipped with a style correct to the period.
Modern sunglasses are prohibited.
Wristwatches are NOT to be worn.
Modern rings and other jewelry are NOT be worn.
If you have earrings,nose rings ,gauged ears or what ever get rid of it. If you cant then find a pirate crew.
                                           SAFETY REGULATIONS
This is an adaptation of standard safety regulations for most events.

All safety requisitions will be strictly enforced through a provost and/or a safety committee. Any violation of these
rules will be grounds for an individual or unit to be removed from the field.

The provost and the safety committee will be responsible for the inspection of units prior to events and immediately
following events to insure conformance with safety regulations.

NO blackpowder weapons of any kind will be carried or fired by any participant under 14 years of age. Children are
not permitted on the field during the reenactments. Exception is made for functional musicians (boys 11 or older who
can actually play a drum, a fife or a bugle). Young boys are not to serve as color bearers during battle reenactments.

NO projectiles, bullets, musket balls, or loading blocks will be carried AT ANY TIME at the scene of an event.

Only officers and MOUNTED cavalrymen may carry pistols or revolvers. These must not be fired directly at any
person. Artillery men will not be allowed on the reenactment field with sidearms or rifles.

NO alcoholic beverages are to be consumed prior to or during a reenactment event. Any drunk or disorderly person
will be removed by the provost and evicted from the event.

Edged weapons may be carried, but will not be unsheathed at any time without the direct command of an officer. Such
command will only be given with the prior approval of the event overall commander.

Opposing troops will not advance within 20 yards of another unit at any time during this event. Exceptions will only
occur if they have been carefully planned prior to the event and approved by the Overall Commander.

All firing will be done at an elevated angle within 20 yards of the opposing participants. Never aim a weapon directly at
another person.

There will be no weapons fired in the bivouac or encampment area or along routes of march without prior approval or
direction of the event hosts. Infractions will result in expulsion of the individual or unit.

All cartridges must be made up prior to an event. In the case of a prolonged event or unexpected firing activities,
cartridges may be made at a designated safety area only, not in camp or near exposed flames or visitor's cigarettes. No
staples will be used in any cartridge. Nails, vent picks, etc. should be kept out of the cartridge box to avoid accidently
dropping any of these objects into a muzzle.

Maximum musket or rifle cartridges will follow the Table of Maxinum Loads Only FFg or FFFg black powder will be
used - NO Pyrodex. NO FFFFg (4F) powder will be used except by artillery units for priming. Cartridge paper will not
be placed in the barrel and NO wadding or ramming will be permitted except in the use of handguns. Multiple loading
is not permitted.

Cartridges will not be carried anywhere on the person except in a hard cartridge box unless they are securely wrapped
in foil in lots of ten and carried in a secure location.

Powder will only be carried in the form of cartridges.

Unit formations will be held previous to the battle, where weapons, accouterments and cartridges will be inspected.
Those failing this inspection will be utilized with the provost detachment during the event if proper corrections cannot
be made prior to the event.

A full safety inspection should be held by each unit commander prior to its arrival at this event.

In the event of an actual injury needing immediate attention during an event, either the injured person or someone
going to his aid will shout the word "Medic" to signify this injury. This word "Medic" is to be used ONLY in the case of
an actual injury requiring immediate attention. When the call "Medic" is heard, all activity should cease and the
injured party cared for.

Upon conclusion of the battle, participants will form into their respective units for review and inspection of arms. Unit
commanders will check to ensure that all men are accounted for after the battle.

                                                       BE  SAFE