Purpose:

To engender a desire to realistically portray in a safe setting the 55th Virginia Infantrys experience in the American Civil War. Through our reenactment of these men, we will honor their sacrifice and learn their vision of America. Our desire is to encourage the display of true period uniforms and encampments. We realize that new recruits and some members may not be able to participate in all of the challenges of portraying a factual reenactment, but our units mission will be to encourage that to the greatest degree possible. Our desire is to explore the history of the conflict and become adept living historians.

I. General

A. Rules of the 55th Virginia Infantry (55th Virginia) will be subservient to the current bylaws of the American Civil War Association (ACWA) and its Confederate Brigade.

B. The 55th Virginia shall follow CSA Army Regulations, Customs of Service, Hardees Light Infantry Tactics and Roberts Rules of Order. In event of a conflict between these rules the command staff will decide the proper course of action. These rules and regulations will be subservient to the bylaws of the 55th Virginia and will only be referred to when a conflict arises that is not covered by either the ACWA, Confederate Brigade or the 55th Virginia bylaws.

II. Membership

A. The 55th Virginia does not discriminate because of race, gender, religion, age or national origin.

i. Women are encouraged to actively participate in all activities of the 55th Virginia but with the understanding that women were not allowed in the military during the Civil War. In order to present an accurate portrayal, a female must make every effort to look and act the part of a male soldier. Women not desiring a military appearance, but a female 1861-1865 portrayal are encouraged to organize as a "Ladies Aid Society benefiting the 55th Virginia."

B. The 55th Virginia reserves the right to deny membership into the regiment.

i. All applications for membership are subject to review and vote by the command staff before a member is accepted.

C. Non military, non-combatants shall be allowed as members of the 55th Virginia, and henceforth be referred to as "civilians."

i. Civilians shall only be allowed to vote on issues not pertaining to military aspects of the unit.

III. Amendment Procedures

A. The bylaws of the 55th Virginia may from time to time be modified or changed:

i. Any change to either ACWA or Confederate Brigade bylaws, which causes a conflict with the 55th Virginia bylaws, will result in the 55th Virginias bylaws being changed, deleted or added to conform. This modification will take place automatically without requiring a vote of the 55th Virginia.

ii. Members may offer changes to these bylaws in writing to the command staff of the 55th Virginia.

iii. If the command staff desires to submit the change to a vote, the vote may be taken at any ACWA event. A two-thirds majority is required to change these bylaws.

iv. If three-quarters of the membership petitions the command staff to change the bylaws, a special election will be held within 60 days to that effect.

IV. Rank

A. The regiment shall be led by a commanding officer that shall hold the rank allowed him by the Brigade Commander and the Board of Officers.

B. Other rank shall be allowed at the discretion of the company commander.

C. The Officers and NCOs will be known as the "command staff."

D. To assume any rank, members must be in good standing, have been a member of the 55th Virginia for not less than 6 months and attended not less than 4 ACWA events in a calendar year.

i. The rank structure will include Corporal, Sergeant, 1st Sergeant and commissioned officers as allowed by the Brigade.

ii. In order to attain the rank of Sergeant, 1st Sergeant or commissioned officer, one must have be an active member of the 55th Virginia for not less than 6 months.

E. Vacancies. In the event of a vacancy or a new position is created during the year, the commanding officer shall appoint anyone within the regiment to a brevetted rank.

i. The appointment of brevetted rank will be made only after consultation with the command staff.

ii. Minimum requirements will not be enforced on brevetted rank.

iii. Brevetted rank is only conveyed for one year, after which one may stand for election to any rank up to and including the rank to which was brevetted.

iv. Brevetted rank may be removed by the commanding officer without cause.

F. Appointed personnel: Treasurer, Ordnance Sergeant and newsletter editor may be appointed by the commanding officer. These positions do not carry line authority

G. Civilians may not hold rank.

 

V. Elections

A. An election will be held each year at the last military ACWA event.

B. Members of the 55th Virginia in good standing, who have attended a minimum of 3 ACWA events in a calendar year may vote.

C. Only members present at the event may vote.

D. Anyone meeting the requirements for rank may stand for election.

E. Election will be held by secret ballot.

i. The completed ballots may be inspected by the membership after the election during that event.

F. Each office will be filled and announced one at a time with the commanding officer elected first, 1st Sergeant, Sergeant and Corporal following in order.

VI. Disciplinary Procedures

A. Minor violations within the 55th Virginia shall be subject to disciplinary procedures.

B. The command staff may vote any member "not in good standing." Not in good standing is an action levied against any member who consistently shows inappropriate behavior, inconsistent with the proper actions of a soldier of the Confederate Army.

i. Any not in good standing vote by the command staff must be unanimous.

ii. The soldier not in good standing may request a hearing to reconsider his status with the command staff.

C. The command staff may remove an individual from the regiment upon a unanimous vote.

VII. Uniform Requirements

The 55th Virginia desires to portray an accurate period uniform as such; the following shall be adhered to.

A. Blended wool-cotton tunic and pants with military cut or period dated civilian frock coat and pants.

i. No military cuts with non-blends will be allowed.

B. Brogans are required.

C. The regiment will use the 1861 Springfield, Enfield or Richmond Rifle.

D. The uniform requirements may be suspended for individual reenactors for short periods while as a new recruit they obtain the required uniforms. The command staff will determine these exceptions.

VIII. Disbursements

A. If money is collected for regimental dues, the commander shall appoint a treasurer.

B. The commander and treasurer may disburse regimental monies.

C. A yearly report on the finances of the regiment shall be prepared by the treasurer yearly and submitted to the regiment one month prior to regimental elections. The report will show the dues collected and summarized expenditures.