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Re-enacting Information Historical Information |
Lexington Rifles
"Our Laws, The Commands of Our Captain"
Special Orders
Background
Music:
"the
girl i left behind me"
SPECIAL
ORDER
No. 1.
Conduct and Behavior
In an effort to project the best ideals of the Southern Confederacy, a courteous and respectful demeanor by all members is expected. To this end, the display of character that may discredit and/or impugn the good image, name, and reputation of the Lexington Rifles is prohibited. Any conduct that can be considered to be unbecoming a member of polite society in the antebellum South is subject to disciplinary action.
The
following conduct will not be tolerated: Assault;
Battery; Personal Threats; Theft; Use of Abusive, Profane, or Vulgar Language;
Possession of Contraband; Use of Illegal Substances; and Rowdiness or
Hooliganism, in general. In addition
to disciplinary action by the Company, violators of any criminal laws are
subject to arrest and prosecution in accordance with the statutes of state and
local jurisdictions.
Children must be properly attired in period clothing. Parents or guardians are responsible for the behavior and actions of their children.
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SPECIAL
ORDER
No. 2.
Authenticity Standards
Arms, accoutrements, materials, and the construction of garments and equipment must conform to those that were common in America during the mid-19th century. Items not reflective of the time period are considered to be unacceptable anachronisms; therefore, modern hairstyles, obvious make-up, modern eyeglasses and footwear, wristwatches, and garments made with zippers and/or non-period fabrics are not allowed. The acquisition and use of items for which historical provenance has been established is preferred and encouraged.
Although not required, members are encouraged to use language and behavior modifications to more accurately reflect an authentic historical portrayal.
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SPECIAL
ORDER
No. 3.
Provisions
Each military member is expected to supply provender
for, and furnish preparation of, one breakfast for the Company during the year.
It is the responsibility of the volunteer cook to ensure that
the necessary conditions and supplies exist to prepare the victuals, i.e. fire pit, firewood, fire grate, cookware, and utensils.
If the volunteer has special needs or requires assistance from
others in securing necessary equipment, he must
make the request himself to those other members who may provide it. It is
recommended, but is not required, that each member also provides a minimum
of one gallon drinking water at each event, for both personal and Company
use.
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SPECIAL
ORDER
No. 4.
Camp Charity
Camp will be named in honor
of
"Camp Charity",
which the Lexington Rifles established west of
Bloomfield, Kentucky during September 22 – 25, 1861. The camp was
so-named to recognize the charitable donations of food and equipment that was
freely given by the generous and patriotic townspeople of Bloomfield.
In
order that Camp Charity remains orderly, each member has the responsibility to
maintain sanitary conditions within the camp through policing and proper
disposal of all litter. Tent fronts
should be aligned with each other to maintain an orderly Company street kept
free of fire pits, shelters, and unattended equipment.
Whenever
possible, Camp Charity shall be situated near other cavalry camps of the Army.
Items that are not consistent with the mid-19th century period shall be
concealed from view, and the indiscrete use of electronic devices and modern
lighting is not permitted.
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SPECIAL
ORDER
No. 5.
Schedule of Finances
In managing the finances of the Company Treasury, the
Paymaster is charged with the collection of revenue and the disbursement of
funds in accordance with the approved operating budget, of which deficits and
surpluses shall be carried forward to the next budget.
A.
Revenues
The following are recognized
sources of income and their rates of exchange.
1.)
Fines
To
enforce regulations pertaining to standards of authenticity and behavior, the
authority to assess a fine for minor infractions of these Special Orders is
granted to any member who identifies an offense, and who then shall immediately
bring it to the attention of the violator for correction. Levy of
this fine is meant solely to encourage compliance with these regulations and is
not meant to be punitive. Therefore,
the violator should freely admit culpability for the infraction before voluntary
payment, based upon gentlemanly good will and honor, is rendered.
Non-payment of the fine due to disagreement of culpability shall not
affect membership status in any way, nor harm the member’s reputation.
The amount of the fine will be 25 cents, which was the amount assessed in 1857 by John Hunt Morgan for infractions of Company regulations by both himself and other members of the Lexington Rifles.
2.)
Bounties
All bounties and honoraria that are received by individuals
while acting in service of the Company shall become property of the Company for
the benefit of all. Bounties that are received in the form of
currency or check will be delivered to the Paymaster for deposit into the
Treasury, while the use and rate of exchange for any other bounty item of value
will be determined by the Company.
3.)
Ordnance
Sales
Black powder and musket caps will be made available to
members and recruits at a
rate of $10/lb. and $8/200, respectively. There will be a $2
surcharge imposed on member rates for all supplies furnished to non-members.
4.)
Commutation
Fees
During the war, propertied men
could legally procure their exemption from conscripted military service by
paying a commutation fee to the government. In
keeping with this practice, military members may procure
their exemption from participation at fund raising
events by paying a
commutation
fee of $20.
B.
Disbursements
The
following are recognized legitimate expenditures and the rates paid.
1.)
Provender
The
Company shall reimburse breakfast costs to any member who furnished such
provisions to the organization at a Company event and presented a purchase
receipt for same. The maximum reimbursable amount of $30 is to be paid at the following rate: Up to $20 for the first 10 people served, plus $1 per each additional
person.
2.)
Ordnance
The Company
may procure and store war materiel in the form of firearms, percussion caps, and
black powder.
3.)
Website
The
Company may purchase
the use of a web domain on the internet and provide for its maintenance.
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SPECIAL
ORDER
No. 6.
Weapons Safety
The
military commander shall have the responsibility and obligation to ensure that
each weapon is operationally safe and appropriate. If any equipment or
ammunition is found to be in non-compliance with these rules, the violation must
be corrected before its use.
A. Inspections
All
firearms must be percussion-fired, pre-1865 design. An inspection of each
firearm shall be performed prior to its use to ensure that it is in an overall
safe firing condition. Gun barrels shall be checked for obstructions, and
hammers shall be checked for functional half-cock and full-cock settings.
B. Long
Arms
Troopers
are limited to one long arm, preferably of carbine barrel length.
Only those who are
acting as safety officers may draw a ramrod on the field to clear a
malfunctioning arm.
C. Side
Arms
Troopers
are limited to two personal side arms, which must be worn in
period holsters.
D. Cartridges
Paper
cartridges loaded with black powder shall be carried within a cartridge box
designed for that purpose.
Pistol
chambers shall be loaded with black powder and use only wheat grain cereal as
packing material.
E. Munitions
Period
arms projectiles are prohibited on site. Black
powder in bulk will not be carried on a person.
Percussion
caps will be carried in pouches designed for that purpose, or in product
containers.
F. Edged
Weapons
Edged weapons will only be carried in appropriate sheaths or scabbards.
Sabers are not permitted on the field.
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SPECIAL
ORDER
No. 7.
Military Promotions
In
order to present a more accurate representation of the proper ratio of rank and
file, the Company shall use a system of promotions based upon the number of
carbines present in formation. The system will allow all elected military
staff to slide up or down in rank to adjust their appropriate portrayals.
Brevet promotions may be made by the Company commander, being valid only
during the particular event or circumstances for which they occur.
The
election of the appropriate number of officers and non-commissioned officers in
the Company will be based on the previous year’s average military attendance
at events, excluding the annual convention.
RANK RATIO
4 carbines = Squad 2 Squads = Section 2 Sections = Platoon
< 5 carbines =
1 Cpl.
5
carbines =
1 Sgt.
1 Cpl.
9
carbines =
1 Lt.
1 Sgt.
1 Cpl.
13
carbines =
1 Lt. 1 Sgt. 2 Cpl.
17
carbines =
1 Lt. 2 Sgt. 2 Cpl.
SPECIAL
ORDER
No. 8.
Organizational Affiliation
Commencing
in March 2007, a military alliance will be in effect between the Lexington
Rifles and units in combination that are known collectively as the Kentucky
Cavalry Brigade. This alliance is a non-membership friendship
pact that may be revoked by either party at any time without notice or cause,
and is solely for the purpose of mutual interest and cooperation between the
organizations.
