44TH Georgia Volunteer Infantry  Company C 

                                  Johnson Guards

                                                                             BY LAWS 

ARTICLE #1 UNIT NAME:

44TH Georgia Volunteer Infantry Company C.

 

ARTICLE #2 PURPOSE:

To serve as a living conduit back to the CSA soldier in Company C and 44th Georgia Volunteer Infantry through ongoing educational and living history programs.

 

ARTICLE #3 MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS:

1.    Military members must be male and a minimum of 16 years of age.

a.    Musician with no rank minimum of 12 years of age.  

b.  Pioneer with no rank minimum of 12 years of age.

2.    Civilian members are without age restrictions:

a.    Civilian impressions may be limited or not allowed at specific events.

3.    Members under 18 years of age:

a.    Must have parental supervision at all events.

b.    Parents must sign a liability waiver to enable military impression.

4.    All members 16 and older have one vote.

5.  Membership is when you participate in your first event in uniform, with application and dues are in order .

6.  All members must participate in uniform at one event per year. 

7.    All members that are present at an event with the 44th should serve with the 44th., except, when any other unit that they are members of, then they can serve with what ever unit they so choose, but will only receive credit for attendance if serving with the 44th.

8.    To be issued a discharge the member must submit a letter to the Captain, who will remove the member from the roll, and issue the discharge to that member.

 

ARTICLE #4 OFFICERS OF THE 44th G. V. I. Co. C:

1.    Captain: Clark Van Buskirk thru 2014

a.    Assume the responsibility for Commanding, and managing the Company.

b.    Brevet to Major when event CSA Commander, or any NPS event.  

2.    1st Sergeant: Mike Ferry 2012.

a.    Assist the Captain in the duties of the office.

b.    Act as Brevet Lieutenant in the Captain absence, or if the Captain is the CSA Commander.  

 

3.  Brevet Ordance Sergeant Art Mallette for 2012.

4.   1st Corporal: Rick Sasor,  Brevet 2nd Sergeant for 2012. 

     

5.  2nd Corporal Ken Duran for 2012.  

 

6. Private David Mc Lean will be Breavt 1st Corporal for 2012.

 

6.    If any officer resign his rank will be replaced at the yearly meeting.

 

ARTICLE #5 COMMITTEES:

1. The Association can form committees as they see the need.

a.    Two or more members will constitute a committee with one member being appointed chairman.

b.    The Association will dissolve the committee upon the acceptance of its finial report.

 

ARTICLE #6 DUES:

1.    Yearly dues are set by Insurance Cost 2012 it will be at $20.00 for 5th Reg. Unit Insurance

a.    Event registration, rations, may require additional cost from the membership.

b.    Membership is from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of that year.

 

ARTICLE #7 COMPANY MEETINGS:

1.    All meetings are to be held in camp.

2.    The yearly meeting a quorum is those that are present.

3.    There must be 1/3 of the membership present to have a quorum, except for the yearly meeting

4.    The yearly meeting will be held at the Allentown event in October at 4:30 PM.

5.    The date and location of all other meetings will be give notice 2 week's before the event.

6.    Roberts’ Rules of Order will govern all meetings.

 

ARTICLE #8 AMENDMENTS TO THE BY LAW'S:

1.    The BY-LAWS may be amended by a 2/3 majority vote of the active membership at a meeting

2.    This change will not go into effect for one week after said meeting.

 

ARTICLE #9 MILITARY RANK WITHIN THE 44TH G. V. I. CO. C:

1. Guidelines for establishment of rank:

a.   1 to 9 members  = Lieutenant,  Sergeant , Corporal 

b.    10 to 30 members  = Captain, Sergeant, 2 Corporal

c.    31 to 35 Members = Captain, 2 Sergeant, 4 Corporals.

 

2. All military rank will be voted on at the yearly meeting by the membership.  

               a.  The Company Rooster at that time is will be used.

a.    The vote will be a simple majority.

 

3. Requirements for elected rank:.   

            Corporal:

      a. No one under the age of 19 will hold rank.

b. One full year active member in good standing and competent in the school of the soldier

c. Elected term will be one year. 

d. He must be willing to be present at 50% of the events

Sergeant:

a. Two years active member in good standing and competent in the school of the soldier, and school of the company

b. Elected term will be two years.

c. Must have served as a Corporal for one full year.

d. He must be willing to be present at 60% of the events.

Line Officer:

a. Three years active member in good standing and competent in the school of the soldier, school of the company, school of officer.

b. Must be able to maintain the military bearing and discipline that the position requires at all times

c. Must have served as a Private, Corporal, and Sergeant each for one full year.

d. Must procure all uniforms and equipment necessary to accurately portray the position

e. Must be able to teach all requirements needed to hold all lower ranks

f. Must be able to work cohesively with other organizations and levels of command when in the field

g. Must be willing to assume full time responsibility for the welfare and safety of all the men under his command. 

h.  Elected term will be three years.   

i. He must be willing to be present ay 90% of the events.

j. He may Brevet any member one rank above there present rank for a given event.  

k. He may ask any NCO to move back one rank for a given event.

l. He may give any member duties as he may see the need for.  example Cook, Provost, Scribe They will retain there present rank.

 

4.  Duties of the rank 

A.  Line Officer: commander of the unit at any event. 

      a.  To work with the Event, 5th Reg., and CSA Staff.

      b.  To make sure all event information is past on to the NCO's.

      c. To collect and send in any money for any paid event. 

      d. To maintain a roster of the unit.  

      e. To insure that the unit maintain the highest quality of standard possible at all time’s.

B. Sergeant: 

      a.  To carryout all orders from the Captain. 

      b.  The Training of the Corporals. 

      c.  To insure that the camp is in proper order at all times.  

      d. To maintain a roll of all members at any event.   

C. Ordnance Sergeant:  Brevetted rank

        a. Very good in the maintenance of the arms of the company.

        b. Maintain the Armory while the company is in camp.

C. 1st Corporal:  

    a. To carry out all orders from the Sergeant at any event.

    b. The Training of all privates in the unit. 

    c. To insure that the men are in proper order at all times.

D. 2nd Corporal:  Corporal of the Guard

    a. Overall appearance and security of the company street.

   b. If camp guards are to be posted he will post them.

   c. Location of all men of the company.

   d. all Company Provost  report to him.  

 

5. Company Brevetted Duties for 2012

        a. Scribe:  Mike 

        b. Cook:  Susan and Kevin

        c. Provost:  Jim

        d. Color Bearer: Steven

        e. Pioneer:  Raymond and Michael

        f.  Wash Ladies:  Michele and Jean

        g. Chaplin: Jim

        h. Colonel {NPS} Gerard

        i. Drummer Open

        k. Photographer: John

ARTICLE #10 PERSONAL DEPORTMENT:

        

1. All members of Company C will maintain the highest level of personal conduct. 

2. Alcohol should not be consumed at any event.

3. All members must obey the commands of the NCOs and officers. 

          a.   Disrespectful or insubordinate behavior towards any ranking individual will not be tolerated.

4. Military organizations are un-democratic in the field.       

5. Smoking should be curtailed during living history type programs should never include the use of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or snuff.

6. Abusive or profane language and behavior will not be tolerated from any member.

7. A family atmosphere will be maintained at all events and programs.

8. Horseplay with or without weapons will not be tolerated from any member.

9. Each member will bring a bed roll, and a seat to all events.

10. If a member is not at the Morning Drill he may not fight in the afternoon battle.  

11. Members requiring glasses must obtain period spectacles or use contact lenses. 

12. Must make physical problems or medical conditions know to the Officer.

13. Any violations of proper deportment could cause the offender to be expelled from the event by the ranking Officer.

 

 

ARTICLE #11 AUTHENTICITIES:

        

1.  Every effort will be made by all members to authentically portray our forebears

2.  The uniform will be that of the ANV 1862-64

3.  Shoulder weapons must be pre 1865 three-band muzzle loading military muskets.

4.  Only the Office will carry a sidearm

5.  No belt knives are to be worn.

6.  The size of Company "C" on July 1, 1863 was 35 men. Captain, First Sergeant, 2nd Sergeant, First Corporal, Second Corporal, Third Corporal, and 4th Corporal with 28 Privates. There was 2 Platoons 1 Sergeant, 2 Corporal's, and 14 Privates in each.

7.  The 44th can have no more then 35 active men on there rooster at any time with the above rank.

8.  Each member will be given the name of an ordinal member of the 44th to portray at Living History Programs.

9.  For Military Jewelry is unacceptable with exception of plain gold and silver wedding bands.

10.  Period Masonic emblems for those who wish to display their membership.

11. The personal timepiece of the Civil War was a pocket watch. 

  

ARTICLE #12 TRAINING:

 

1.  The Officer, and NCOs are to do training of the membership.

2.  The Officer will ensure safe weapons handling procedures are taught to all members.

  

ARTICLE #13  SAFE FIREARMS HANDLING PRACTICES.

 

1/ Always assume a firearm is loaded.

2/ Never point a firearm at another person.

a.    Always be aware of the direction your muzzle is pointing.

b.    Whenever possible keep the muzzle of the firearm up.              

c.    Always use elevated aiming techniques during battle reenactments.

d.    Do not fire at opposing lines of soldiers at less than 25 yards.

 

3/      Maintain a safe and sensible cartridge

A.   Construction:

a.    Roll paper cartridge tubes from light type paper, secure by twisting, and folding.

b.    Power charge to be no more than 60 to 80 grains of black powder

c.    When complete. Cartridges are to resemble arsenal made cartridges. 

4/ Never assume another person’s firearm is unloaded. 

5/ Never load a firearm unless your Officer tells you to load. 

6/ Never set aside a loaded weapon. 

7/ Never allow a spectator to take control of any firearm or edged weapon. 

8/ Load your firearm using approved tactical procedures.

A.   Keep your hand from in front of the muzzle while pouring powder.

B.   Keep your hand from in front of the muzzle when returning rammer.

C.   Ram cartridge only when told to do so by the Officer in charge. 

9/ You must always maintain a clean and mechanically sound firearm.

A.   Your firearm must be cleaned and inspected by you at the start and end of each day’s activities.

10/ Never rest any portion of your body over the muzzle of a firearm. 

11/ Your weapon must be secured when it is not in your hands.

A.   Stacked

B.   Covered and out of sight.

C.   Locked in your vehicle. 

12/ You must abide by all local, state, and federal firearms laws as they relate to pre-1898 reproduction black powder firearms. 

13/ No one under the age 16 is to handle functional firearm, ammunitions in any form. 

14/ Black powder must be handled with utmost care.

         A. Do not transport more that you intend to use at an event.

B.   Never handle black powder near an open flame or other ignition source.

C.   Abide by all local, state, and federal laws concerning it’s proper storage and transportation.

 

Was adopted on December 2, 2001 by the 44th Georgia Vol. Inf. Company C membership.

Rev. number 10 was approved on October 8, 2011 at meeting of the 44th GVI. Co. C.