The following General Orders No. 1 shall be published and disseminated to all troops of the battalion. These Orders shall be adhered to by all troops of the battalion throughout the event. The Lt. Col. commanding extends his thanks to Dominic Dal Bello of the Army of the Pacific and Kevin O'Beirne of the Columbia Rifles for the template and material for these orders.

By Order Of:

Tom Cummings
Acting Lt. Colonel
Commanding
Recreated 2nd Virginia

FIELD ORDERS

When in the field, the officers and men of the re-created 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry shall follow the Field Orders set forth below. Military organization and duties are vital to the efficient functioning, safety and tactical superiority of the battalion. Other guidelines will be published as needed.

I. Camp Duties

Companies are expected to share in required duties. The Sergeant Major will ensure that the duties are fairly divided among the companies. Companies will provide details when necessary for:

1. Pickets and Camp Guards (Guard will generally be mounted all night long);
   
2. Details and Patrols;
   
3. Fatigues;
   
4. Other duties necessary for the safety or functioning of the battalion.
   

Officers and Non-commissioned Officers are expected to be familiar and functional in guard duty, guard mounting ceremony, and general duties of sentinels. Such may be found in Dal Bello's Instructions for Guards and Pickets and sections of Gilham's manual.

II. Camp Life

1. Reveille will be sounded both on Saturday, October 29 and on Sunday, October 30, at a time designated by the battalion commander or higher authority. Companies will form in their company streets/areas for roll call. At least one company officer will be present at roll calls.
   
   
2. There should be at least 3 roll calls per day: Reveille, Retreat, Tattoo.
   
   
3. From Kautz:
   
   427... If the company is forming without arms, the men fall in and take the position of parade rest, ... . 428. They should fall in in two ranks, whether with or without arms. With arms they fall in at a shoulder arms ... The company is formed between the musician's call and the last note of the assembly [Reveille]. 429. When the music has ceased, the first sergeant commands, "Attention!" ... and if with arms ... "Support Arms." The roll is then called ... . As each name is called, they answer , "Here," and if at a support, they come to a "shoulder," and finally to "order arms," immediately after answering.
   
   
4. Each Orderly (First) Sergeant will prepare his Morning Report, have the Company commander sign it, and turn it into to the Adjutant's office (or Sergeant Major if so designated by the Adjutant) by the time specified by the Adjutant. Other reports will be submitted as required. All necessary forms will be provided by the Adjutant's office.
   
   
5. There shall be at least one Battalion Parade daily, unless dispensed with.
   
   
6. Officers and men are expected to be with the battalion at all times, unless excused. Company officers will inform the Adjutant when they are absent from their commands, and who in the company is in charge during their absence.
   
   
7. All men and company officers who own one should bring a shelter half; field and staff officers can bring flies. Unless weather is foul, it is unlikely that shelter will be pitched due to the campaign nature of the event.
   
   
8. Quiet will be observed in the camp at appointed times on Friday, October 28 and on Saturday, October 29, dictated by the Commanding Officer.
   
   

III. Drill

The re-created 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry battalion is expected to drill and maneuver well on the field. This requires study on the part of the field officers, captains, subalterns and sergeants. It is upon these men that the success of battalion movements lies - don't expect to learn/see these for the first time on the drill field - study and practice beforehand. Wheels, turns, and facings are keys to a smooth and efficient battalion drill.

The importance of drill is to enable the men to work together, provide discipline and safety, and empower the battalion to function on the battlefield as an effective force. The battalion commander will run the battalion drills as efficiently as possible. None of us wants to be embarrassed, and we do not want the men to be standing around waiting for the "big bugs" to figure out what they are doing. A short but good drill is much better than a long and mediocre one.

Important Maneuvers to Study (drill manual for this event: Gilham's Manual of Instruction for the Volunteers and Militia of the United States.

Forming the battalion

Breaking from line into column of companies. Wheeling, By the right of companies to the rear, by the flank.



Forming column doubled on the center; column of divisions.



Deploying into line.



Maneuvering in Column.



Maneuvering in Line of Battle. Forward, Changing Front, Obstacles.



Skirmishing, flankers, advanced/rear guard duties.

IV. Recommended Books

It is important to know the Schools of the Soldier and Company, and the Skirmish drill. The necessary administrative, Guard and fatigue duties should also be studied. Officers and sergeants should study battalion drills.

• Gilham's Manual of Instruction for the Volunteers and Militia of the United States: 1861;
  
  
• Dal Bello's Instructions for Guards and Pickets, 2002 (no material change from the 1998 edition);
  
  
• Kautz's Customs of Service for Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers, 1864 - a "how to" on being a soldier and non-commissioned officer;
  
  
• Kautz's Customs of Service for Officers of the Army, 1865 - a "how to" on being an commissioned officer;
  
  
• Kautz's The Company Clerk, 1865 - a "how to" on army paperwork;
  
  

V. Drill Bits