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(Color Guard & Honor Guard) of the ALABAMA SOCIETY SONS of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION

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(Color Guard & Honor Guard) of the ALABAMA SOCIETY SONS of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION DRILL and CEREMONY MANUAL (Color Guard & Honor Guard) OF THE ALABAMA SOCIETY SONS of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION July 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page Foreword……………………………………………………………………………………………………..iii Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………….. iii Purpose……………………………………………………………………………………………………….iv Sources……………………………………………………………………………….……………………….iv 1.0 History of the Color Guard……………………………………………………………………..1 2.0 The Alabama Society Color Guard………………………………………….…..………...1 2.1 Color Guard Operations (Chapter, District, National)……….….………..1 2.2 Color Guard Size……………………………………………………….…………….…….3 3.0 Uniforms and Weapons………………………………………………………….…………..…3 3.1 Continental………………….……………………………………………………………….3 3.2 Organized Militia…………..……………………………………………………..………4 3.3 Irregular Militia…………………………………………………………………………….4 3.4 Civilian Attire……………………………………………………………………………....4 3.5 Weapons………………………………………………………………………………………4 4.0 Commands……………………………………………………………………………….……….....5 5.0 Basic Drill for the Continental Soldier……………………………………….……….….5 5.1 Stationary Drill………………………………………………………………………..……5 Section 1: Unarmed………………………………………………………………………5 Section 2: Armed………………………………………………………………………….6 5.2 Marching………………………………………………………………………………………7 6.0 Indoor & Outdoor Ceremonies (Color Guard)………….……………….……………8 6.1 Carry Positions……………………………………………………………………………..8 6.2 Posting & Retiring Colors………………………………………………………………8 6.3 Marching………………………………………………………………………………………9 6.4 Outdoor Ceremonies……………………………………………………………….……10 i 7.0 Honor Guard………………………………………………………………………………………….10 7.1 Firing Muskets…………………………………………………………………..………….11 8.0 Ceremony Protocol………………………………………………………………………………..12 8.1 Indoors………………………………………………………………………………………….12 8.2 Outdoors……………………………………………………………………………..……….13 9.0 Flag Retirement Ceremony………………Under Revision..…………………….….…13 10.0 Safety…………………………………………………………………………………………..……14 10.1 Weapons…………………………………………………………………………..……..14 10.2 Ammunition……………………………………………………………………..………14 10.3 Bladed Weapons………………………………………………………………..…….14 10.4 Clothing…………………………………………………………………………………….15 10.5 Personal Protection…………………………………………………………………..15 10.6 Spectators…………………………………………………………………………………15 10.7 Inspection…………………………………………………………………………………15 10.8 Requirements……………………………………………………………………..……15 Appendix A (Uniforms & Weapons)……………………………………………………………..16 Appendix B (Commands)………………………………………………………………………….….21 Appendix C (Basic Drill)…………………………………………………………………………..……22 Appendix D (Color Guard)…………………………………………………………………………….30 Appendix E (Sword)………………………………………………………………………………….….33 Appendix F (Ammo)…….……………………………………………………………………………….34 Appendix G (Checklist)………………………………………………………………………………….38 Appendix H (Where to purchase items)……….……………………………………………….42 Special Notes……………………………………………………………………………………….….……43 Appendix J (Sequence of firing muskets w/diagrams)…………………………………..46 ii FOREWORD The Living History movement began to emphasize authenticity in historical dress and equipment in the early 1970s. Opposition developed. Citing cost, a lack of research materials, and time many folks dropped their activities. As organizations like The Brigade of the American Revolution and The Living History Association adopted strict regulations, bitterness and rancor grew. But by the end of the Bi- Centennial celebration, most surviving organizations conformed. The National Park Service, which avoided living history events during the Civil War Centennial, saw the potential to increase visitation to historic sites by teaching potential participant’s safety and demonstrating the benefits of research in accurately depicting events of the distant past. In addition, the new discipline of public history emerged in the last decade of the 20th Century which trained a new generation of professionals in museum studies and living history. This bibliography presents material on clothing and equipment in the hopes that our color guards will set new standards of historical authenticity for the Sons of the American Revolution. (See Chapter 3 and Appendix A) ALSSAR Historian Robert England, Ph.D., F.A.M.S.W INTRODUCTION In keeping with the mission of the Sons of the American Revolution, we are charged to do the following: Work to preserve our nation’s past by assisting our members, schools, teachers, and the general public in their efforts to sustain and preserve our history and constitutional principles. Remember the past by honoring those who served or assisted the colonies during the Revolutionary War. Build the future by protecting our Constitution and perpetuating American ideals and traditions. Shape the young by educating our youth about the Constitution and those who developed the American ideals and traditions. While we are not a “Living History” organization, we do bring history to life. We must also keep in mind the goals of the Sons of the American Revolution which will apply to this manual. We must inform the community about the events and philosophical bases of the American Revolution and the Constitution. Color Guards in the Revolutionary War uniforms participate in civic events and patriotic celebrations throughout the United States, providing pageantry, drama and a sense of the nation’s history. Important events and persons of the Revolutionary period are portrayed for students and the public at large. Many Chapters and States have Color Guards that wear Revolutionary War uniforms and participate in civic and patriotic events and observances such as Fourth of July, Veterans Day, Armed Forces Day, Flag Day, Patriots Day, Bill of Rights Day, Yorktown Day, Constitution Day, and important battles of the Revolutionary War. ALSSAR President David M Jones, MSG (Ret), USA iii We are now introducing an “Honor Guard” which can be included in certain ceremonies and activities such as marching behind the Color Guard with muskets in parades. This is not replacing the Color Guard, but adding another dimension in publicity for the ALSSAR. We commemorate and provide memorials for the people and events of the American Revolution. We help preserve records relating to the events leading up to and during the American Revolution. This is why, when we place our Compatriots in uniform or period clothing into the community, it is important to be as historically accurate as possible and follow what our founding fathers put in writing as procedures to follow. It is imperative that all Chapter Color Guards follow this manual so that when those members participate in a state event they are familiar with commands and procedures. PURPOSE The purpose of this manual is to provide specific guidelines for the Color Guard of the Alabama Society, Sons of the American Revolution so that all participants will have uniformity as a cohesive unit. This manual is a guide and the Color Guard commander has sole authority to deviate from this manual as indicated by an * except safety. Each member should be given this manual (email or hard copy) so that they can become familiar with its contents. The ALSSAR should also schedule training at a minimum of once per quarter of the calendar year. SOURCES/REFERENCES The information in this manual is from: 1. The historical “Blue Book” written by Baron Friedrich von Steuben, authorized in 1779 by John Jay, passed by Congress in 1792 and 1803. 2. The Illustrated Drill Manual for Soldiers of the American Revolution (excerpts from von Steuben’s “Blue Book” of 1778) 3. “An Easy Plan of Discipline for a Militia” by Timothy Pickering in 1776 which was taken and edited from the British manual of 1764. 4. The current U.S. Army Drill & Ceremonies manual: TC 3-21.5 (FM 22-5). 5. General Orders issued by General George Washington (The Washington Papers) See Special Notes 6. National Park Service Safety Manual 7. Army Regulation 600-25 (Sep 2019) 8. Public Law 110-181 section 594 (2008) iv 1.0 HISTORY OF THE COLOR GUARD The modern Color Guard of the United States Military is ceremonial only. In the 18th Century, the “Colors” were used to show where the front line of the formation was to form and the movement of the battle line. Prior to battle, the “Colors” were positioned in the middle of the formation and was carried by an Ensign. If a battalion, regiment, or brigade had more than one “Color” or flag, the Adjutant would determine which flag would be carried for that day. As a military tactic, the “Colors” represented where the front line would be in battle, when to advance, when to retreat, or when to close the ranks when the line was broken; basically a rallying point for soldiers.3 So the “Colors” were used to identify where the line of battle was to be and the direction of which soldiers were to fire their muskets. So where does the “Guard” come in? The three columns or “files” on the left and right of the “Colors” would not fire when orders from the commander were given. They were to stand at the ready and only fire to protect the “Colors” from being taken by the enemy or if the Ensign was killed or wounded. Taking the “Colors” from the enemy was how an Army determined if they won a battle and how many casualties was inflicted.3 2.0 THE ALABAMA SOCIETY COLOR GUARD The Alabama Society Color Guard is made up of those Compatriots who come to the Sons of the American Revolution meetings and events properly uniformed as Continental Soldiers, Militiamen, or members of the “Black Brigade” (clergymen). These men seek to visibly promote the stated objectives of the Sons of the American Revolution which are declared to be historical, patriotic, and educational. Therefore, it is important that a Revolutionary War uniformed
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