"JOB DESCRIPTIONS" FOR THE
RE-CREATED 151st NEW YORK
GENERAL ORDERS NO. 3

The Lt. Col. commanding orders that the following "job description" for each rank in the battalion be published. All participants in the re-created 151st New York are expected to have read the application portions of these Orders and know the duties to which they are assigned, from Private soldier to all commissioned officers. While this General Order may appear to be voluminous, its purpose is to inform and educate, not intimidate.

Kevin O'Beirne
Acting Lt. Col.
One-hundred Fifty-first New York State Vols.
(re-created)

"JOB DESCRIPTIONS" FOR THE RE-CREATED 151st NEW YORK
by Kevin O'Beirne, Columbia Rifles
March 3, 2005

Introduction

Everyone serving with the re-created 151st New York at the Payne's Farm event should read this document and - most important - fully understand what is expected of them during the event. Only by everyone knowing their role can the high expectations for this event and battalion be realized. Know your job before you arrive in the field.

This document presents detailed requirements for everyone in the battalion, from the Battalion Commander to Private soldiers to the battalion's support/water supply personnel. Some ranks are responsible for more than one job; for example, a subaltern (company lieutenant) will need to know his company duties and those of the Officer of the Guard and that of the Company Commander. Company Commanders need to know their job plus that of the Officer of the Day and those subordinate to them. Each rank is required to know the "job" of the next-higher rank. In several cases, the duties associated with each "job" include pre-event responsibilities, completion of which is vital to the success of the Federal side of this event.

Only the positions/ranks/jobs presented below will be used. No other rank or portrayals are allowed in the Federal ranks at this event.

Non-commissioned staff and 'staff-like' jobs that are listed below as NOT being part of the officer mess are encouraged to form their own non-commissioned staff officer mess.

Everyone is responsible for preservation fundraising!

Infantry Company Jobs

The five Company Commanders are selected by the Battalion Commander. All other ranks in each infantry company are assigned by the Company Commander. No company shall have more than one subaltern, three sergeants (two is probably sufficient at this event), and four corporals, excluding non-commissioned officers of the Color Guard.

1. Private Soldier - It is necessary to possess a good deal of knowledge to portray a private at Payne's Farm, including knowledge of the School of the Soldier, the private's duties relative to camp guard duty and picket duty, and how to portray a soldier on the march. Privates must also be capable to succeeding to the job of Corporal. Reports to the corporals and sergeant who are his section leaders. (Infantry companies were typically divided into two platoons, each of which was in turn divided into two sections, led by a sergeant, who was assisted by one or two corporals.)
   
   
2. Corporal - His principal duties are in guard details and leading small fatigue details. He must be thoroughly familiar with the duties of the Private Soldier and be able to instruct them. The corporal assists his Sergeant in leading a section, and to be able to succeed to the duties of the Sergeant when necessary. The Corporal is a leader among the men, and is often the first line of "discipline" and the first fellow to receive "how-to" questions from the men. Corporals should set a good example by their knowledge, demeanor, and ability.
   
   
3. Sergeant - The Sergeant's principal duties are to serve as a file closer (keeping the ranks aligned and, for reenactors, watching for safety concerns), helping to lead guard details and pickets as the Sergeant of the Guard, leading fatigue details, leading a section (i.e., half of a platoon), and as assigned to provide assistance to the Orderly Sergeant with company commissary and ordnance duties. (Officially, there is no such thing as a "company commissary", "company quartermaster", or "company ordnance sergeant"; these duties are handled by the Orderly Sergeant or, at his discretion, assigned to the company's complement of "regular" sergeants. While an infantry company has need of commissary and ordnance-type duties, because companies rarely had many assets that are not the property of the army, regiment, or the individual soldier, the need for company quartermaster duties is very small in most situations - particularly in reenacting.) Sergeants must be able to succeed to the duties of the Orderly Sergeant and platoon leader.
   
   
4. Orderly Sergeant/First Sergeant (Note: Both terms were used in Civil War) - Responsible for running the company's day-to-day operations and supervising the company's non-commissioned officers. Keeps duty rosters and other paperwork, assisted by the Company Clerk (if one is used). A very responsible position. Must be capable of serving as a platoon leader and Company Commander. At Payne's Farm, Orderly Sergeants will likely be exempt from many battalion details such as serving as Sergeant of the Guard, but they must know their role in Guard Mounting ceremony. That the Orderly Sergeant "really runs the company and lets the Company Commander 'borrow it' now and then" is a truism in the real military and should be likewise in reenacting. The "Marine Corps drill sergeant" mentality is probably overplayed in reenacting, and the optimal Orderly Sergeant leads by his knowledge, organization, demeanor, and charisma - not by screaming. Prior to the event, the Orderly Sergeant may be asked by the Company Commander to assist him in organizing the company.
   
   
5. Lieutenant - A commissioned officer who serves as a platoon leader, assists the Company Commander, leads larger fatigue details, and serves as a file closer. As platoon leaders, Lieutenants have a large role in skirmish drill. The "1st Lieutenant" should be ready and able to take command of the company in the absence of the Company Commander (for instance, if the Company Commander is serving as the Officer of the Day). Lieutenants will serve as Officer of the Guard and may be called upon to serve as Officer of the Day, or on the battalion staff. There is no material difference in the duties of 1st and 2nd Lieutenants. Prior to the event, the Lieutenant may be asked by the Company Commander to assist him in organizing the company.
   
   
6. Company Commander - Typically a commissioned officer, usually a captain. The Company Commanders will be appointed by the Battalion Commander. The Company Commander is responsible for recruiting his company, its conduct during the event, its preparedness for the event, its paperwork, drilling the company, maneuvering the company in the field, and all other affairs of the company. Must know the duties of the Officer of the Day and be able to capably and confidently perform them in addition to serving as the Company Commander (which also means he must have a Lieutenant able to lead the company in his absence). A very responsible position. The Company Commander must have real leadership ability and needs to be 'on top of' pre-event communications with his company.
   
   
7. Company Clerk - Due to the 'campaign' nature of the Payne's Farm event the need for Company Clerks is minimal, and their use will be at the discretion of the Company Commander. The Company Clerk is a private or non-commissioned officer who assists the Company Commander and Orderly Sergeant with paperwork and the company books. The clerk must know the duties of the Company Clerk and how to fill out the necessary blank forms and books, have good penmanship and the Clerk's tools, and possess a capacity for keeping records, and is excused from all other duty. Company Clerks must provide the company books unless they are provided by the Orderly Sergeant or Company Commander.
   
   
8. Musicians - Each company is allowed two musicians: one drummer and one fifer. Musicians shall not carry firearms. Musicians may be used on fatigue details, as orderlies (when not otherwise engaged in field music duties), and on guard details as Musicians of the Guard. Musicians from all companies in the battalion will be instructed, drilled, paraded, and marched as a body (i.e., "the field music") under the supervision of the Principal Musician. Company Musicians will bivouac with their company. When united with the battalion, company musicians will typically be under the orders of the Principal Musician instead of their own Orderly Sergeant. All musicians at the Payne's Farm event must be fully functional and know the various camp calls and common marching songs. Prior to the event, all company Musicians will report to and be coordinated by the Principal Musician.
   
   (Cooks - Due to the "campaign" nature of the Payne's Farm event, company cooks will NOT be used. The men are responsible for preparing their own rations (to be issued by the battalion), either as in individuals or in messes.)
   
   

"Battalion Level" Positions That Are Not Part of the Field & Staff

1. Regimental Clerk - (If used; due to the campaign nature of this event the need for a Regimental Clerk is reduced; a Clerk, if used, shall be at the discretion of and appointed by the Adjutant.) Usually a private or non-commissioned officer who assists the Adjutant, Sergeant Major, and other members of the field and staff with battalion paperwork. Taken from and officially borne on the roles of one of the companies, he is typically excused from other duty. The Clerk must have good penmanship, know how to fill out the necessary blank forms and books (and the other duties of the Regimental Clerk), have the Clerk's tools, and possess a capacity for keeping records. He is NOT part of the officer mess.
   
   
2. Officer of the Day - Usually a captain, but may be a lieutenant; most likely drawn from the roll of the Company Commanders. The Officer of the Day is on duty for 24 hours; he is allowed to sleep during this time but must always be ready for duty. He is the Battalion Commander's verbal communications link with his subordinates and reports to the Battalion Commander. He has general charge of the camp, and generally superintends the Guard. He communicates the countersign and parole to the Officer of the Guard for both camp police and pickets. With the Sergeant Major, he is the regimental timekeeper and ensures that duty calls are beaten throughout the day by the Musicians of the Guard. During marches he should be near the Battalion Commander unless detailed otherwise. During parades he watches over the camp unless detailed otherwise. The Officer of the Day wears his sash across his chest. Period photographs support the Officer of the Day wearing his sash either: 1) Over the right shoulder and around the waist simultaneously, or 2) Over the right shoulder only (without wrapping around the waist). This writer's experience is that the first method results in a more-securely tied sash.
   
   
3. Officer of the Guard - Usually a lieutenant, the Officer of the Guard supervises the camp police Guard detail (i.e., camp security) and serves for 24 hours or other period specified for the Guard's tour of duty. Analogous duty includes commanding an outpost on picket in the face of the enemy, and leading skirmishers, patrols, and advanced and rear guards on the march. The Officer of the Guard must know these duties thoroughly and be able to instruct the men of the Guard in their duties. This is perhaps the most important duty that lieutenants in companies will be doing at the Payne's Farm event. If you do not already have it, obtain, read, and learn from Dom Dal Bello's Instructions for Guards and Pickets - the best reenactor reference available for this vital job at the Payne's Farm event.
   
   
4. Sergeant of the Guard - A sergeant from one of the companies, (typically not an Orderly Sergeant) detailed to the Guard to assist the Officer of the Guard and provide general supervision to the soldiers and Corporals of the Guard. Must be able to completely and properly fill out a Guard Report form. If you do not already have it, obtain, read, and learn from Dom Dal Bello's Instructions for Guards and Pickets - the best reenactor reference available for this vital job at the Payne's Farm event.
   
   
5. Corporal of the Guard - A corporal from one of the companies assigned to the Guard to lead one of its three reliefs; each Guard detail optimally had three corporals. He inspects his relief before posting it as sentinels, makes rounds to check on the men of his relief and, when another relief is posted, he 'fills in' for the active relief corporal while he is away from the guardhouse/outpost making rounds or attending to calls from the sentinels.
   
   
6. Musicians of the Guard - One or two company musicians will be part of each Guard detail to perform music-related duties of the Guard. Camp calls shall not be sounded at the volition of the field music, but rather will be sounded by the Musicians of the Guard, beaten at the direction of the Officer of the Day and Sergeant Major.
   
   
7. Color Sergeant and Color Guard - The Color Sergeant will be selected by the Battalion Commander (in consultation with the color company commander) and is responsible for recruiting the Color Guard. Non-commissioned officers initially selected from the various companies of the battalion and assigned to the color company. The Color Sergeant is responsible for keeping the colors when not stored on the stacks or in the Battalion Commander's tent/bivouac. Because of the "campaign nature" of the Payne's Farm event, the colors will typically be in the possession of the Color Sergeant. The Color Guard is exempt from other duty. All members of the Color Guard must know the Color Guard's role in drill and battalion maneuvers per Casey's manual and John Tobey's 2001 article, "A Mini-manual for Color Guards".
   
   

Battalion Field and Staff

1. Quartermaster Sergeant - At the Payne's Farm event, the Quartermaster Sergeant will fill the "traditional" role of the Quartermaster, Quartermaster Sergeant, Commissary, and Commissary Sergeant, and will report directly to the Battalion Commander. This will be a very busy "job", particularly on Friday evening. The Quartermaster Sergeant has charge of the battalion property, and assists the Regimental Clerk with quartermaster- and commissary-related paperwork. He directs the details sent to work for him. He is the battalion's main "link" with the Kabuki Staff. Prior to the event, working with the Battalion Commander and Kabuki Staff, he is responsible for obtaining rations issued to the battalion. During the event, he is responsible for superintending the commissary stores, including dividing up and issuing rations to the company "commissary sergeants". The Quartermaster Sergeant is responsible for making sure that appropriate commissary paperwork (returns, receipts, etc.) are done and filed with the Adjutant or other person designated by the Adjutant. During the event, he will assist the Battalion Commander with laying out the battalion's bivouac sites. Bacon boxes and cracker boxes will be provided by the Kabuki Staff; the Quartermaster Sergeant shall provide sacks and other utensils required for the commissary department. On Friday night of the Payne's Farm event, the Quartermaster Sergeant is also responsible for having the commissioned officers' mess prepared; upon the Quartermaster Sergeant's request to the Sergeant Major, this may be done by a detail of men superintended by the Quartermaster Sergeant, but it is the Quartermaster Sergeant who is ultimately responsible for providing cooked rations for the officers' mess. He is NOT part of the officer mess. He will be equipped with a two-way radio.
   
   
2. Sergeant Major - The ranking non-commissioned officer of the battalion, he assists the Adjutant in general. The Sergeant Major assists the Adjutant at parade and guard mounting, supervises the Regimental Clerk (if one is used), keeps the duty roster of battalion sergeants, assists the Officer of the Day with keeping time at battalion headquarters, supervises the Orderly Sergeants, and assists the Principal Musician (and supervises the musicians in their absence). The Sergeant Major must be self-motivated and is the leader of the company Orderly Sergeants. He is NOT part of the officer mess.
   
   
3. Adjutant - A 1st Lieutenant who serves as the Battalion Commander's official communication organ with the battalion, particularly relative to written communications. He has charge of the battalion's records and is responsible for keeping its books, and for the event, his is responsible for providing all the "blank" forms necessary (morning report forms, guard report forms, etc.). He decides whether a Regimental Clerk is to be used and, if so, he is responsible for recruiting and superintending the Clerk, with the Sergeant Major. The Adjutant superintends the Sergeant Major and Principal Musician. He keeps the duty roster for the battalion's commissioned officers, superintends dress parade and guard mounting. The Adjutant receives morning reports from the Orderly Sergeants unless he details the Sergeant Major or the Regimental Clerk to this task.
   
   
4. "Senior Captain" - Assists the Battalion Commander in running the battalion and is responsible for handling effects of deceased officers. He is a wing commander and may command detachments from the battalion that are larger than one company (including multi-company skirmisher deployments), and must be prepared to take command of the battalion should the need arise. He may be detailed to other duty "by the brigade", including commanding Grand Guards (pickets).
   
   
5. Major - Assists the Battalion Commander in running the regiment, and is ready to take command should the Battalion Commander be unavailable. He is a wing commander and may command detachments from the battalion that are larger than one company (including multi-company skirmisher deployments) and must be prepared to take command of the battalion should the need arise.. He may be detailed to other duty "by the brigade", including commanding Grand Guards (pickets).
   
   
6. Battalion Commander - For Payne's Farm, a lieutenant colonel. The Battalion Commander is responsible for the overall fitness and functioning of the battalion, including its training, gear, conduct, movements, coordination with the Event Staff, and other matters. The Battalion Commander will organize the battalion and assign men to the various companies as required. An extremely important and responsible position. He will be equipped with a two-way radio.
   
   
7. Principal Musician - The Principal Musician is the leader of the battalion's field music (company musicians) and selects and arranged its music and, prior to the event, is responsible for recruiting and organizing the field music and buglers. He is the field music's "orderly sergeant" and is responsible for their equipment and instruments. He is also in charge of and responsible for the instruction of the company musicians. The Principal Musician reports to the Adjutant. He is NOT part of the officer mess.
   
   
8. Bugler - The Bugler's is to stick near the Battalion Commander to relay orders. The Bugler must possess an instrument and the talent to play it well, and must know all the necessary camp calls and, in particular, skirmish calls. The Bugler will hold the rank of Private. If more than one Bugler is recruited for the regiment, the second bugler will be assigned to one of the flank companies and will carry a musket and accoutrements in addition to his bugle. The Bugler is NOT part of the officer mess.
   
   
9. Assistant Surgeon - The Assistant Surgeon at Payne's Farm shall oversee the "regimental hospital" and portray medical treatment. The Assistant Surgeon is NOT responsible for providing real, modern first-aid. He marches with the battalion and, if needed, he can request that the Sergeant Major see that he is assigned an assistant when medical duties are heavy; prior to the event the Assistant Surgeon is responsible for arranging for a knowledgeable assistant able to portray the role. (When medical duties are not heavy, the assistant will serve in the ranks of one of the infantry companies.) At this event the Assistant Surgeon and his assistant (if used) are "first person" jobs and the men who portray them must be capable of extended first-person portrayals. The Assistant Surgeon's duties are expected to be very busy after the "battle", but otherwise relatively light during the period leading up to "battles". The Assistant Surgeon is responsible for providing bandages and other "consumables" necessary to the portrayal of wounded soldiers, and can arrange for their transportation by the Kabuki Staff. The Assistant Surgeon is part of the commissioned officers' mess
   
   
10. Chaplain - "Equivalent" to a commissioned officer who serves the spiritual needs of the battalion and was appointed by the Battalion Commander; he also often served as a battalion postmaster of sorts. While Civil War Federal army chaplains were eventually allowed to wear captain's insignia, the Chaplain at Payne's Farm shall be attired in a plain black frock coat and black trousers. The chaplain typically had at least one hired servant; if used, recruiting the servant shall be the responsibility of the Chaplain prior to the event. The Chaplain shall be knowledgeable in period Scripture and shall serve as a "first-person" spiritual advisor to the men - a critical role considering that the regiment portrayed has not seen real combat prior to the battle at Payne's Farm. The Chaplain shall be prepared to lead prayers at the request of the Battalion Commander and may be asked to lead a brief Sunday worship service in the field. For this event, the Chaplain is part of the commissioned officers' mess.
    

Support Personnel

1. Kabukis - Two to three "kabuki" personnel will be assigned to assist the Federal battalion during the event with logistics and miscellaneous "real world" needs. Kabukis shall be attired as Federal private soldiers without military equipage (i.e., leathers, weapons); each Kabuki is encouraged to wear a haversack and canteen. The Chief Kabuki is responsible for recruiting other kabukis as required and will be equipped with a two-way radio. Kabukis are responsible for the following:
   

• Providing disinfected potable water tanks, staging potable water supplies in advance of the battalion's arrival in a particular spot, and maintaining potable water quantity and quality sufficient for consumption by 150 men.
  
  
• Transporting battalion equipment from one bivouac to another, including personal baggage of field and staff who would normally be mounted on horses and, at the request of the Assistant Surgeon, 'consumable' medical supplies.
  
  
• Policing the battalion's bivouac areas after the battalion departs the bivouac. This includes cleaning up miscellaneous trash (and providing trash bags), verifying that campfires are completely out and the sod adequately replaced, returning remaining unused firewood to nearby wood lines, etc.
  
  
• Providing/coordinating emergency evacuation during the event, if necessary. This applies primarily to injured participants, but also applies to promptly organizing shuttles of modern vehicles if general evacuation of event participants becomes necessary.
  
  
• During the event, be "on call" to assist the Federal Battalion Commander, Quartermaster Sergeant, and if necessary the Event Coordinator with miscellaneous, "real world" needs required for the success of the event.
  
  
• Provide at least two modern motor vehicles, including a pickup truck for hauling water, and either a second truck or a SUV.
  
  
• On Friday and early on Saturday morning, coordinate and organize vehicle shuttles from participant registration/check-in to the Federal bivouac.
  
  
• Attend event staff meetings during the weekend.
  
  
• Prior to the event, assist the Quartermaster Sergeant in the procurement of rations, and rations-related gear, including transporting bacon boxes and cracker boxes to and from the site.
  
  
• Kabukis are to register for the event as "Federal Kabuki" for their company assignment and, at their discretion during the event, may draw rations from the Federal commissary or provide their own rations during the weekend.
  
  

Suggested Reading

Kautz, August V., Customs of Service for Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1864 - vital information for all reenactors.

Kautz, August V., Customs of Service for Officers of the Army, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1865 - a useful reference for all reenactors, not just officers.

Kautz, August V., The Company Clerk, Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1863 - important info for not just the Clerk, but also the Company Commander and Orderly Sergeant.

United States War Department, Revised Unites States Army Regulations of 1861, with an Appendix Containing the Changes and Laws Affecting Army Regulations and Articles of War of June 25, 1863, Washington D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1863.

Period drill manual(s) of your choice (Hardee's, Casey's, Gilham's, Scott's, etc.) - enough cannot be said about the importance of knowing this well.

Dal Bello, Dominic, Instructions for Guards and Pickets, 3rd Edition, San Jose CA: Army of the Pacific Press, 2002 - if you're going to portray guard duty or pickets, get this book.

Dal Bello, Dominic, Parade, Inspection, and Basic Evolutions of the Infantry Battalion, 4th Edition, San Jose CA: Army of the Pacific Press, 1998 - the best pocket reference available on battalion drill, parade, and other matters

Tackitt, Mark, Guides Posts, Seattle WA: privately published, 2004 - at last, a reenactor reference for drill below the School of the Battalion!

Butterfield, Daniel, Camp and Outpost Duty for Infantry, New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1862.

Craighill, William, Army Officer's Pocket Companion. A Guide for Staff Officers in the Field, New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1862 - how an army and its subdivisions were staffed and how campaigns were to be conducted.

United States War Department, The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (128 vols.; referred to as Official Records or O.R.), Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1880-1901 - with affordable editions of the O.R.s available on compact disc, the O.R.s have become an essential reenactor reference