Scott
Major
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2008
- Messages
- 6,057
Re: Suggestions
The correct position of the colors is how you know left/ right...front/back of the line in all the smoke and confusion.
Casey's was written for one flag, but with both National and regimental colors, the National is on the right of the line.
Casey's Infantry Tactics (1862)
http://www.usregulars.com/css0.html
INFANTRY TACTICS.
TITLE I.
ARTICLE I. FORMATION OF INFANTRY IN ORDER OF BATTLE.
COLOR-GUARD.
".......
43. In each battalion the color-guard will be composed of eight corporals, and posted on the left of the right-centre company, of which company, for the time being, the guard will make a part.
44. The front rank will be composed of a sergeant to be selected by the colonel, who will be called, for the time, color-bearer, with the two ranking corporals, respectively, on his right and left; the rear rank will be composed of the three corporals next in rank; and the three remaining corporals will be posted in their rear, and on the line of file closers. The left guide of the color company, when these three last named corporals are in the rank of file closers, will be immediately on their left.
45. In battalions with less than five companies present, there will be no color-guard, and no display of colors, except it may be at reviews.
46. The corporals for the color-guard will be selected from those most distinguished for regularity and precision, as well in their positions under arms as in their marching. The latter advantage, and a just carriage of the person, are to be more particularly sought for in the selection of the color-bearer.
...."
With up to nine men in the color guard, all NCOs, plus up to three commissioned officers per company on hand, plus it's position in the center of the line, it's better to show a color guard correctly, even under pressure as the color guard would have plenty of supervision. There's folks out there that know and care about these details.
The correct position of the colors is how you know left/ right...front/back of the line in all the smoke and confusion.
Casey's was written for one flag, but with both National and regimental colors, the National is on the right of the line.
Casey's Infantry Tactics (1862)
http://www.usregulars.com/css0.html
INFANTRY TACTICS.
TITLE I.
ARTICLE I. FORMATION OF INFANTRY IN ORDER OF BATTLE.
COLOR-GUARD.
".......
43. In each battalion the color-guard will be composed of eight corporals, and posted on the left of the right-centre company, of which company, for the time being, the guard will make a part.
44. The front rank will be composed of a sergeant to be selected by the colonel, who will be called, for the time, color-bearer, with the two ranking corporals, respectively, on his right and left; the rear rank will be composed of the three corporals next in rank; and the three remaining corporals will be posted in their rear, and on the line of file closers. The left guide of the color company, when these three last named corporals are in the rank of file closers, will be immediately on their left.
45. In battalions with less than five companies present, there will be no color-guard, and no display of colors, except it may be at reviews.
46. The corporals for the color-guard will be selected from those most distinguished for regularity and precision, as well in their positions under arms as in their marching. The latter advantage, and a just carriage of the person, are to be more particularly sought for in the selection of the color-bearer.
...."
With up to nine men in the color guard, all NCOs, plus up to three commissioned officers per company on hand, plus it's position in the center of the line, it's better to show a color guard correctly, even under pressure as the color guard would have plenty of supervision. There's folks out there that know and care about these details.
Hey - where did that mansion backdrop come from? That kind of building wasn't at Waterloo!
