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TRANS-MISSISSIPPI WEST
Territorial Indians
1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles
Regimental General Orders
Conduct and Behavior on battlefield and in encampment
Understanding that all members of the unit are ambassadors who represent not only the best ideals of the Confederate States of America but who also represent each other, and in an effort to project the best possible image to others, a demeanor of polite dignity is encouraged among the members. Loud boisterous behavior in public view will not be tolorated. Keep in mind we are portraying American Indians of the Indian Territory. They were a quiet people and loyal to the CSA. To this end, the display of character or conduct unbecoming either a soldier of the Confederate Army, or a Gentleman or Lady of 19th-Century southern society, is prohibited.
Children accompanying their parents to a re-enactment must be properly attired in period clothing, and their parents or guardians are responsible for their proper supervision and behavior. It is the responsibility of all members of the unit to watch for any act or action that violates Regimental Safety Regulations and Procedures. It is the responsibility of all members of the Mounted Rifles to report any incident or behavior that violates these General Orders, to their Company Commander or to the Regimental Chief of Staff.
The following conduct will not be tolerated: Assault; Battery; Personal Threats; Theft; Use of Abusive, Profane, or Vulgar Language used in a personal or violate manner; Possession of Contraband; Use of Illegal Substances; USE OF LIVE AMMUNITION or Possession of Live Ammunition at re-enactment and Rowdiness or Hooliganism, in general. Violators of these rules will be subject to expulsion and/or arrest according with state law. Violations of any criminal laws are subject to prosecution in accordance with the statutes of state and local jurisdictions where the act occurred.
Materials and construction of garments and equipment must conform to those that were common in mid 19th-Century America. Modern hairstyles, obvious make-up, modern eyeglasses and footwear, wristwatches, and garments made with zippers or non-period fabrics are not reflective of the time period of the Civil War and the things available to the Territorial Indians in the Indian Territory, and are there fore considered unacceptable. The acquisition and use of these items is not only a waste of money it is unacceptable. Period correct clothing and equipment whose historical provenance has been established are preferable and are encouraged. Buy the right equiptment and material the first time and save money. If in doubt ask the HQ's staff before buying it.
In order for the Company to successfully enforce these Rules and Regulations pertaining to standards of authenticity and behavior, the authority to adjudicate these violations resides with the Regimental Chief of Staff, Col. Monger. It is the responcibility of all members of the Regiment to report any incident that is in violation or these General Orders or Regulations to the Regimental Cheif of Staff. Such assessment of violation, should be acknowledged and greeted by the violator purely as a matter of gentlemanly honor. Such assessments are to be viewed solely for the purpose of encouraging compliance with the regulations and are not meant as a form of punitive action.
It is the responsibility of all members of the individual Companies commanders to insure that the camp shall appear sanitary, orderly, and tidy, giving any visitor the overall impression of welcome in an environment of hospitality. To this end, each member has the responsibility to maintain sanitary conditions within the camp through the policing and proper disposal of all trash and garbage. The camp shall maintained proper military order and will also appear to be consistent with other camps of the cavalry branch of the army.
Canvas tents of proper period military design will be acceptable, but wedge tents are preferred. Dimensions of the recommended wedge tent are 7’h x 9’w x 9’l. The fronts of the tents will be aligned so as to maintain an appearance of an orderly and regimented Company street. The street shall be kept free of fire pits, tent fly's, and unattended equipment. Exception is Commanding General's tent and fly.
Modern equipment, food containers, and any other item that is not consistent with the mid 19th-Century period, shall be restricted from view. The indiscreet usage of electronic devices and modern lighting is not allowed. .
It is the responsibility of the mess detail to ensure that the necessary conditions and supplies exist to prepare the meal. This includes the fire pit, firewood, fire grate, cookware, and utensils. If the mess detail has special needs, requirments or special assistance in supplying cookware or equipment, he must make a request to the senior company NCO. It is also recommended that each member provide a minimum of one gallon of drinking water per day at each event, for both personal and Company use.
The Regimental Mess Officer will determine how the rations will be handled and requisitioned.
An inspection of all firearms shall conducted by the Comany Commander or senior Company NCO at all formations and will also be performed prior to each engagement. If any equipment, ammunition, etc. that is found to be in non-compliance with these rules and regulations, steps must be taken to correct the violation. If the correction cannot be made on the spot, the equipment will not be allowed to be used. The company commander shall have the responsibility and obligation to exclude weapons from the field if such are found to be operationally unsafe or inappropriate. If there is a question of the appropriateness of a weapon, the finale decision will rest with the Regimental Chief of Staff, Col. Monger.
Territorial Indians of the western theather used any weapon that was handy and available. Most weapons were foraged from the field of battle. The most common were firearms that were percussion-fired, black powder type. Though there were some flintlocks. All firearms must have a working half cock and full cock. Each firearm must have its barrel checked for obstructions prior to any use and be in an overall condition that would permit safe firing. This general order pertains more to the safety aspect of weapon use rather than which firearms are acceptable.
Though members of the Territorial Indians units wore and used whatever sidearms they could get a hold of. Under normal circumstance no more than two side arms and one long arm are carried, and all pistols must be period correct and such as was available in the Indian Territory and must be worn in a period-correct holster. Ramrods are not to be drawn on the field [some re-enactments do not allow ramrods on the battle field]. Only non-commissioned officers, acting as safety officers, may draw a ramrod to clear a malfunctioning piece.
Cartridges for long arms shall be rolled from paper, and shall not contain any substance other than a maximum load of 80 grains of black powder or Pyrodex. The use of staples, tape, paperclips, rubber bands, or any other type of foreign object to hold the cartridge together is not allowed. Cartridges shall be carried within a period-correct cartridge box designed for that purpose or a possibles pouch. Additional cartridges which are not carried in a cartridge box should be wrapped in paper or metal foil.
Charges for pistols shall not exceed a maximum load of 25 grains of black powder and shall not use any packing other than vermiculite or cream of Wheat. The use of tissue paper, wads, or any other type of foreign object as packing is not allowed.
Black powder in bulk will not be carried on the field. Percussion caps may be carried in period-correct cap pouches designed for that purpose, or in metal product containers. Under no circumstances, and without any exception, will small arms that are not period correct nor projectiles of any kind; live or blanks be allowed in camp or on the field.
All knives, sabers, swords, or any edged weapon will be carried only in an appropriate sheath or scabbard that is designed for that purpose. At no time will knives be drawn on the field. Only authorized sabers and or knives will be worn on the field. It is recommended for safety reasons, that all knives and sabers be worn only in camp. The Commanding General may carrier his saber on the field.
All awards that are received by the regiment at a unit-designated event shall become the property of the Regiment and will be turned over to the Regimental Chief of Staff to be displayed at Regimental functions. All donations that are received in the form of currency, check, or anything of value will be donated to the unit for the benefit of the entire Regiment. The Regiment shall determine the rate of sale of any item of value. Any gains to the Regiment will go to the purchase of Regimental equipment for entire units use.
The Company maintains a sliding rank system of promotions within the unit, based on the number of troops assigned to the unit. The system will allow for Company Commanders to promote non-commissioned officers as slots become available. According to the predetermined scale, a private may also receive a brevet appointment to serve as a section leader. All recommendations for promotion will be sent forward to the Regimental Chief of Staff for final approval.
The scale for determining promotions according to the sliding rank system will be:
Company structure is based on minimum of 5 troopers to form a company.
5 - troopers - 1 section - 1 Sgt - 1 Cpl
10 – troopers - 2 sections - 1 Lt - 1 Sgt - 1 Cpl
15 - troopers - 3 sections - 1 Lt - 1 Sgt - 2 Cpl
20 - troopers - 4 sections - 1 Lt - 2 Sgt - 2 Cpl
25 - troopers - 5 sections - 1 Lt - 2 Sgt - 3 Cpl
30 - troopers - 6 sections - 1 Lt - 3 Sgt - 3 Cpl
35 – troopers - 7 sections - 1 Lt - 3 Sgt - 4 Cpl
40 – troopers - 8 sections - 1 Capt - 2 Lt - 4 Sgt - 4 Cpl
Captain - command the company
Lieutenant - command 2 platoons and the skirmish line
Sergeant - command the 1st section of each platoon
Corporal - command the 2d and 3d sections of each platoon
