Fatigue Duties

The operation of a military camp requires certain duties be carried out in order for the Camp to function properly. These duties are referred to as Fatigue Details. Fatigue Details where also a common form of company punishment, however the duties must be carried out even if no one is facing punishment duty. 

As with all camp activities an adherence to Military life of the Mid-Nineteenth century will be observed while the camp’s colors are posted, or from the designated period the camp is open to observers. Even when, the Camp has been closed to public observation, remember that there are other units observing our activities. Members of this Regiment will set a high standard for others to follow. 

ALWAYS KNOW THAT YOU ARE BEING OBSERVED 

Detail assignments are posted by the First Sergeant to the Company prior to being released from roll formation. A Non-Commissioned Officer is usually assigned to see that each duty is carried out in an efficient orderly fashion. 

The most common fatigue duties are those of Water detail, Ordinance detail, Wood detail, and Authenticity. 

Each First Sergeant will appoint a Non-Commissioned Officer, usually a Corporal, to over see the handling and replenishment of that Company’s water supply. Each Corporal is responsible to see that each member of his squad has a canteen that it is in good order and filled prior to Company leaving on a march, having drill, or going into battle. The Corporal of the Water Detail will also recheck and confirm that canteens are filled prior to such activities. It is extremely important to remain hydrated, especially in warm and humid conditions, which are prevalent in the Trans-Mississippi region. 

The water detail is also responsible for having all of the Company’s water storage containers filled and that enough available water is present to assist with camp functions. 

The NCO, may detail men to assist and shall record in writing those assigned, so as not unequally work one soldier over another. Upon inspection of canteens the NCO must report immediately in writing any soldier found not to be equipped with a canteen or who has not consumed enough water to maintain hydrated. 

Once the Water Detail has completed its required assignments than the NCO will dismiss any soldiers assigned and report to the First Sergeant that the detail is completed, turns in the list of those whom where assigned and reports on any possible problems concern the water that may occur. 

If no Ordinance Sergeant is assigned, then the First Sergeant of each Company will detail a NCO to handle the ordinance detail. This detail is usually assigned to a Sergeant. The NCO who is assigned will assign up to two soldiers to assist as required. It is the responsibility of Ordinance to assign the proper number of cartridges and caps to each member of the company. 

As Regimental Regulation require all cartridges to be marked and turned in upon arrival at camp, and after all battles. These cartridges are counted and logged, then secured in the Ordinance locker, the Ordinance Sergeant or assigned NCO will be the only one with access. 

The assigned NCO will inspect all cap and cartridge boxes to ascertain if all cartridges have been turned into to Ordinance. As cartridges are issued to soldiers the number is subtracted from the original number turned in by the soldier. No cartridges can be issued to any soldier unless they belong to him. For a soldier cartridges belonging to another soldier, authorization by the other soldier and the Ordinance NCO is required. Issuance of another soldier’s cartridges must have the initial of the soldier allowing his cartridges to be dispersed along with the NCO initials on the inventory report. Company cartridges can be issued to all soldiers as needed, with an indication next to the Soldier that company ammunition was issued. A report is made as to the number of rounds issued and the number of rounds held in reserve. The NCO will make note if a possible shortage may exist. These reports are turned into the First Sergeant, who will sign off and turn them into the Sergeant Major, or Company Commander, copies are forwarded to Regiment. 

The Ordinance NCO will inspect and make sure that all cartridge boxes have tins and that all cartridges are accessible in the upper tin with tails extended. The NCO will then make sure that the correct number of caps that accompany the number of cartridges issued. The correct ratio is 12 caps for 10 cartridges. 

As with all details a report of those assigned to assist will accompany all other reports to the First Sergeant. 

The Non-Commissioned officer assigned (usually a Corporal) to the wood detail, will ascertain the amount of wood required and detail up to 4 soldiers to assist in stockpiling wood for the operation of the camp during the time the unit will be bivouac. 

The NCO will locate supplies of hard wood, kindling, and enough dry material to maintain the camp. Wood should be stacked close to the fire pit but still maintain a safe distance from the flame. In inclement weather the NCO will make all efforts to cover and protect the wood from the elements. The NCO will make sure that all fires are extinguished or reduced in size as required. No Fires will go unattended. A fire bucket filled with water will be placed near each fire pit. 

The NCO will monitor the wood usage, and re-supply as required. A report on the completion should be made to the First Sergeant, detailing available wood and any possible shortage. The name of the soldiers assigned to this detail will also be given to the First Sergeant in writing. 

It is important for all members and especially NCOs and Officers to worry about authenticity as it is paramount to the persona we wish to portray as re-enactors. 

The First Sergeant will be the one primarily in charge concerning the camp and men when it comes to authenticity. The First Sergeant will assign a NCO, usually a Corporal, to assist. 

The NCO will check the Company street and men for non-period items. Soldiers will be directed to remove personal items that are out of period. The ground should be policed for items such trash and cigarette pieces. 

The NCO should check and confirm that there are no non-period decorations on the uniforms and that all such non-period material is removed from view. 

Upon completion the NCO will file a report to the First Sergeant and turn in a written list of the names of those assigned to the detail.

CONTINUE TO COMPANY GUARDS
BACK TO INTERACTIVE TRAINING GUIDE