Policies and Procedures for Company C,
72nd New York Volunteer Infantry
Revised 12/20/00
Click here or browse for: Introduction, Our Impression, Newsletter, Promotions, Equipment, Loaner gear.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of these policies and procedures guidelines is to provide a framework for the cohesive, ongoing operations of the 72nd New York Volunteer Infantry within the RACW. The procedures listed here for the most part have been in use since the establishment of the organization but has never been committed to paper. If at any time, these guidelines seem to conflict with the bylaws of the RACW or the Federal Brigade, RACW and Brigade rules shall prevail.
INTENTIONS AND GENERAL ORGANIZATION
While our intention is to forward education about the American Civil War through re-enacting, the organization of the company, in as much practical, will be based on a military model, in that a chain of command, based on rank, shall be maintained and adhered to. Company officers and non-commissioned officers shall be responsible for company operation, both on and off the field. Officers and NCO's may enlist the assistance of other members as deemed necessary.
OUR IMPRESSION
Company C of the 72nd NYVI portrays part of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division of the 3rd Corp of the Army of the Potomac, during the summer of 1863. The 72nd saw extensive service with the Army of the Potomac and fought in most of it major engagements. Members should endeavor to have their personal impression completed within one year of joining. Members who habitually detract from the unit impression because of inappropriate, non-period gear or behavior may be asked to cease attending events until appropriate equipment is acquired or behavior is modified. All members of the 72nd should encourage their fellows toward the goal of a historically accurate impression. Discipline and personal behavior shall be maintained within a military context and will be governed by the rules of the RACW. Anyone not portraying a member of the 72nd NYVI, who by necessity, must sleep within the camp of the 72nd, shall have all evidence of non-period, non-impression, habitation or equipment removed or hidden from 8:00 am. until 6:00 PM.
FISCAL MATTERS
Company command shall recommend each year's amount for company dues, which shall then be ratified at a company meeting. Company command shall be responsible for the dispensation of monies in accordance with company objectives. At company meetings, all members should take the opportunity to provide input as to the spending of company funds. In general, company funds will be spent on items, which will further enhance our company impression and be of benefit to the entire company. The company treasurer shall maintain the financial records and be responsible for the dispensation of monies. The company commander shall approve all expenditures of company funds. It may be necessary and is permissible for the company commander to act as company treasurer. The company may at its option, in whole or in part, compensate members for losses due to general company circumstances or accident.
NEWSLETTER
The 72nd NYVI shall issue a newsletter periodically throughout the year. This letter may be in the form of a battalion wide publication, which addresses all Federal units within the RACW or may be solely the domain of the 72nd. The editor of the newsletter shall be a member in good standing within the Federal battalion and possess the desire and ability to produce a product of high quality. The editor shall be responsible for the publication and distribution of the newsletter and be reimbursed for costs of reproduction and mailing. Units within the Federal battalion shall contribute to the financing of the newsletter based on the number of persons receiving the letter within said unit. Persons not a member of a Federal unit may pay a fee, established by the editor, to receive copies of the newsletter. Company officers may instruct the editor to send individuals, not members of the RACW, newsletter copies for the purpose of recruiting those individuals. Those units, using the newsletter for recruitment purposes, shall be responsible for the costs associated for those copies. The purpose of the newsletter will be to inform, enlighten and entertain its readers as to items pertaining to the hobby of re-enacting, the RACW and the Federal battalion. Persons receiving the newsletter are welcome to submit articles for submission to the editor who shall coordinate their publication. Federal battalion officers may inspect the newsletter prior to publication to insure the appropriateness of its content.
PROMOTION
New members joining the 72nd NYVI shall normally possess the rank of private. Individuals joining who have or had held rank in another Civil War re-enacting group shall be evaluated as to the rank they shall possess within the 72nd on an individual basis by company and battalion officers. Persons wishing to advance in rank within the 72nd should be aware such advancement might mean a marked increase in responsibilities both on the field and administratively within the organization. Persons wishing to advance in rank should make their desires known to company and battalion officers. Company officers shall endeavor to provide said individual with opportunities to take a larger role within the 72nd by way of leadership duties on and off the field as needed and appropriate. Once a candidate has demonstrated the required traits, and given that there's need within the unit for persons of greater rank, said person shall be voted upon by the membership of the 72nd NYVI in the case of NCO's candidates. Company officers shall be selected as needed from among qualified NCO's by existing company or battalion officers and confirmed by a vote of the company.
Desired traits of company officers:
Corporal: Exemplary marching and drills. Complete understanding of all orders. Understanding of camp layout and necessary routines. Willingness to assist and motivate others in camp impression and fatigue duties.*
Sergeant: Superior grasp and abilities of all corporal duties. Ability and demeanor to maneuver massed troops in the field. Direct the erection and layout of the camp. Ability to handle varied administrative tasks both at events and from home.
First Sergeant: Demonstrated superior ability to perform all duties of the sergeant. Must have ability and demeanor to command entire company when officers are absent. Demonstrated ability to supervise and perform all aspects of company administrative duties.
ELECTIONS
The membership shall periodically hold elections for all positions within the company. The membership shall establish the frequency of said elections and determine the length of term for each of the NCO and officer positions.
MEMBERSHIP
Person who are current with dues to both the RACW, 72nd NYVI and any other legitimate club obligations shall be eligible to participate as a company member. (Participation shall mean eligibility to vote and to run for company office.) The 72nd NY shall allow members of recognized re-enacting groups to participate at events with the 72nd in accordance with the rules of the RACW. Members of the RACW who belong to units other than the 72nd NY, shall be eligible to participate with the 72nd NY (galvanize) on a event by event basis, assuming approval by the acting company commander and demonstration of appropriate safety procedures. All members are expected to obey all civic laws and local ordinances. Failure to do so may result in revocation of membership even if not convicted. A member demonstrating questionable behavior may receive a no-confidence vote by the membership by way of secret ballot and encouraged to leave the 72nd.
EQUIPMENT
This section is included primarily to guide the newcomer to the standard equipment list for members of the 72nd NYVI. Suppliers of equipment to the re-enactor community will be familiar with the terms referred to in this section and can better help our members in acquiring our standard gear. The purpose of this section is forward the overall camp impression and not to discourage members with other gear from participating.
Musket: Springfield Model 1861*, Enfield, Model 1853 (3-band) (acceptable) Musket sling, black or russet
Coat: New York State Jacket* (early-mid war), Four-button sack coat
Pants: Standard Federal issue, sky blue foot style
Shirt: Personal choice but must be period styled
Shoes: Military Brogans, black color
Socks: Grey wool
Hat: Bummer (forage cap), kepi
Canteen: Smooth side, sky blue cover
Belt: Black waistbelt with oval SNY* or US buckle, belt keeper recommended
Bayonet: Standard bayonet with scabbard and frog as appropriate for rifle
Other: Standard Federal capbox, cartridge box with oval US or SNY* box plate, cartridge sling with eagle breastplate, standard US tarred haversack
Insignia: Any, all or none of the following is acceptable for hat insignia: letter "C", numbers "72", "Infantry Hunting Horn" (highly recommended as minimum), 3rd Corps, 2nd Div. (White Diamond)
Tent: 6' x 8' x 9' wedge tent (a tent is not required as you may be able to sleep in someone else's but none the less is highly desirable.) or Shelter half
Optional: Great coat, rubber blanket, rubber poncho, etc... (While not required, additional gear can be helpful and add to the camp Impression.)
* Preferred as authentic 72nd issue, others are acceptable
HELPFUL HINTS
To those of you who are new to the hobby of Civil War reenacting, there will be other equipment needs, which you will face. Meeting these needs will be of a more personal nature yet every effort must be made to ensure the proper period impression. Some of these items are: tin eating ware and utensils (often a pie tin and antique looking forks etc. will do at first), something to sleep in and on (a sleeping bag hidden beneath a gray or blue wool blanket is very common), and food (within the RACW, there are meals available for a modest price but sometimes you need to bring your own). Depending on your desire to cook, sandwich fixings in a cooler may meet you needs. By the way, be sure to hide the cooler during public hours), money (bring some, often there are sutlers at larger events or some of the boys may want to go into town during the evenings), and cartridges (it is not untypical to use 30 shots or more during one battle, more if it's a large event, fewer if you get killed early. It's often best to have all you cartridges for the weekend rolled ahead of time, though sutlers often have prefabricated cartridges ready for powder), glasses (glasses of this period lacked nose pads of any kind, with the bare wire resting of the nose. Period looking frames are not hard to find. Sutlers and antiques stores are good sources and most optometrists should be able to fit your prescription into them.). If all else fails, consult your NCO or company commander for help.
LOANER GEAR
A supply of personal equipment is available to those not yet fully equipped. The intention of having a supply of loaner gear is two fold, to fully outfit members, which may not yet have acquired all of their gear and to furnish all the needed equipment necessary for a potential new member to participate in the hobby prior to actually joining. The first priority shall be to supply the potential new recruit, then to the newest member and finally to the more veteran member; the rational being that the veteran member has had time to collect all the proper gear and should not monopolize these limited resources. The company commander, the 1st sergeant or his designee shall coordinate the distribution of loaner gear, either owned by, or under the control of the 72nd. The gear coordinator shall keep accurate records in regard to equipment loaned and shall ensure that all arms are properly cleaned at the appropriate times. The coordinator shall ensure that all gear is kept in good order and returned to its owner at the end of the event. The coordinator may enlist the help of another member of the company to assist in the fulfilling of his duties.
Use of the loaner gear shall be in accordance with the rental schedule, which shall establish a fee, payable to the 72nd NY, for use of the various items. Revenue from these fees shall be used to purchase additional loaner gear. Members are encouraged to sell used or extra equipment to other members, donate or sell it as use as a loaner gear item at fair market value. The company may at its option, in whole or in part, compensate members for losses due to general company circumstances or accident.
Amendments:
Amendments to this document may be made once a year at a company meeting and shall require a two/thirds majority vote.
APPENDIX:
Prior to his election as corporal, each candidate should possess the following traits:
- Complete knowledge of the manual of arms, including inspection arms.
- Shall lead by example in his knowledge and respect for all aspects of military etiquette.
- Shall be knowledgeable in all marching maneuvers commonly used by the 72nd NY and shall be able to instruct others in their proper execution.
- Shall show a dedication to the hobby of Civil War reenacting and an interest in the continued development of the 72nd NY toward reenacting excellence.
- Should show a selfless nature in regard to the needs of the company and to the assistance of others within the company.
- Shall demonstrate an ability to handle various administrative tasks for the company by way of use of phone, letter, e-mail, special project or personal visit.
- Shall possess abilities to instruct and motivate others and to clearly articulate the goals, policies and standards of the 72nd NY.
As it is the tradition of the 72nd to advance those men to the higher ranks who've demonstrated high abilities while corporal, each man seeking the position of corporal should know that the demands placed upon him may increase as the company grows or he advances in rank.