Duties of a Corporal

Join Co. D for a discussion highlighting some of the duties of a reenacting corporal. For more information about Berdan Sharpshooters or Civil War reenacting, check us out at www.2ndUSSS.com
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[@samschmidthuber4887]

I’d honestly would love to see a video of Capt. Whitehall running the company through drill for 20 minutes. Think it’d be cool!

[@chrishastings2665]

Sam Schmidthuber 2nd that

[@robadams234]

That would be great actually!!

[@jtnelson8828]

I like that idea!

[@krimson2293]

Same here

[@erikschultz7166]

20 minutes would not offer enough time

[@y0mama152]

I’m starting Reenacting and I am really excited

[@cblodg1]

Be able to train recruits in the manual arms, facings, basic marching, firing, and care of their weapon. Lead work details, guard details, and other duties as assigned. Be knowledgeable in the duties of a sergeant should the need arise for you to step into his role. One of the hardest things about becoming an officer, for me, was learning to let go of the hands on training of the men. One of the hardest things of a first sergeant is actually letting the corporals do their duties. It's good to see another unit working to allow the two stripes to do their work as laid out.

[@1stminnsharpshooters341]

HAZZZA for Corporal Soderling's comments and understanding on his duties.

[@Oscarhobbit]

I am a Cpl. 22 NC Co. K Irish Squad (We are based in Northern Ireland, but considered as part of 22 NC Co K and our members have gone back and forth between NI and NC), I think that I was awarded my rank because I was always fixing the guys gear and ensuring that it was correctly put on. I also taught them drill and how to handle their 3 band Enfield correctly and safely. One member of our group said that I was doing the Job anyway and so they voted me in as their cpl, Just as NCO's and officers were voted in by CSA during the war. I am also Chaplain (CH) in our unit when not acting as Cpl. I find the two jobs go hand in hand because I am very hands on. I have always worked with people and one thing that I have learned was patience. Questions may only seem silly when you know the answer. One thing I would say is that, I used to work for the Police Service for Nothern Ireland and an inspector once said to me when I was a young probationer: "wearing a uniform dosn't gain you respect, respect has to be earned". Accepting any rank dosn't give peolpe a right to be ever rude, or get above your station. Their is a school of thought in the British Army that an officer should never have to raise his voice and should always act as a gentleman. This is good way to work in our hobby because it should be about team work and building up others. I can remember how emotional one new pvt. got when I pulled her aside and taught how to Ioad and fire her muzzleloader. However, as an Irishman adopted by my Southern family I can't help but say, that you sir are a typical Yankiee who dose not understand how Southerners and Ulster Scots roll. We play hard and fight even harder, sometimes among ourselves. We are a person's best friend, but if onced crossed your worst enmeny LOL. I love your channel guys, thank you for all your hard work and content, even if you are a shower of Yankees! Keep up the good work!!!!

[@BoyNam3dSue]

Thank you guys! This video was very helpful to me. I was recently promoted to Corporal in an online reenactment style game called "War of Rights" and I wanted to really learn the ranks duties relative to this time. Love the green sharpshooters uniforms. Lookin sharp, Sharps!

[@nolansankey2802]

Hey you guys should get around to doing a video on Sewing enlisted trousers. Your one on Sack coats was great and helped a lot in me finishing mine! Now if only the pants could suddenly materialize themselves...........

[@CRIPP138]

Thank you so much! This helped alot!

[@Cantz501]

Can you do the duties of a Ordnance Sergeant. For both sides they where different to some degree.

[@jtnelson8828]

Can corporals carry the nco sword if they so choose to? I ask because i thought i read in the regulations for the m1840 nco sword that it was optional for corporals

[@tophercaesar5375]

You are correct. NCO swords could be carried by Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Quartermaster, Ordnance Sergeant, Hospital Steward, Corporal and Pioneer (Combat Engineer) as well as the standard bearers. The color guard usually consisted of eight Corporals and a Color Sergeant. If the flag carrier died then one of the color guard picked it up, dropping his weapon. This meant that usually the only weapon a standard Bearer would have would be the nco sword, as the Bayonet was usually on the rifle musket he just dropped. So while it was an option for corporals to wear the NCO sword, and practice for line corporals it was not usually carried, was really for them just an extra burden, but you can find many cases of corporals in the colorguard who continue to carry their’s.

[@brianwinters5434]

For food you mean i should not order pizza to be sent to the reenactment site?

[@foxhoundr3364]

Just a question lads. Was a civil war sergeant regarded as a junior NCO, or like more similar to the commonwealth countries and are senior NCO?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

For "modern" terms a Sergeant of the time could be considered a junior nco to an extent but more so as a mid level. It's a tricky situation trying to correlate the ranks then to know since there was only corporals, sgts, 1st sgts and sgt maj. For NCOs then and no where near as many as there is today.

[@AlecFlackie]

Just curious; any particular reason for his buttons being undone.

[@1799to1815]

Wow! I love your channel. I have a question about revolver holsters. I noticed Corporal has his holster on the left. I’ve heard Holsters were put on the right side for right handed folks so they can reach across with left, saber in right. Were there instances, such as sharpshooter corporals, where the opposite was true?

[@ronaldrobertson2332]

Normally, a corporal didnt wear a sidearm. This was a matter of choice, so it wasn't necessary. Mainly, in the line of battle, a corporal acts as a file closer.

[@lamageethakidsradinsa2787]

What is the corporal rank logos meaning?

[@foxhoundr3364]

I'm a little confused. The way you're explaining the role of the corporal sounds a lot like a commonwealth Lance corporal. Administration and a link between the privates ect. So, Does that mean A sergeant is more closely related to a junior NCO squad leader?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

For the Civil War, a sergeant would be a section leader. And full T&O for a company he would be in charge of 20 to 25 men and have two corporals under him to assist in day to day tasks of running the section squads and reports to the orderly (1st sgt).

[@katolyoko6639]

Were can you get a drill and ceremony manual or book?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Great question. It's tough to find a period manual with everything in one place. You'll find some in the customs of service manuals. Some are even in Casey's Tactics. A good way to start is to dig through google books for Civil War manuals. You can also use the search function to see if it has the information you're looking for. A few sutlers sell era reproductions of the manuals, too. Keep in touch if you're having a hard time finding something specific.

[@katolyoko6639]

@@CompanyD2ndUSSS Thanks a ton for this information! Wish I lived near you guys. Yall seem to run a awsome unit. I've learned a lot from your videos. Like the way yall have them layed out. Actually seeing you guys in uniform and around camp helps with getting my gear!

[@jonathangomez9548]

Cpl is carrying a revolver is that common?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

I can't speak to the commonality of who carried what but soldiers could carry private purchase revolvers if they chose. What we do know is that James Matthews of Co. D, shortly upon enlisting traded a spare pocket watch for a revolver. He would rise through the ranks to eventually be Lt. Matthews, adjutant of the 2nd USSS. Good question. Best advise we can give, is see if a unit's history or diaries could tell you who carried what, when and why.

[@mickeyholding7970]

Lead by example no matter your rank

[@jamescameron2490]

Was hair as long as the corporal's common? Can similar examples be found in period photographs?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

This is a contentious topic but yes, long hair did exist. In several surviving photos, sharpshooters are sporting long hair. The most famous is probably Truman (California Joe) Head. Some people that get fired up about long hair usually cite general practice or lice as a reason for short hair only. We seek documentation from our actual units for guidance and reference. I also think people should keep in mind the practicality of getting your hair cut in war time. I can't imagine marching 20 plus miles through the Shenandoah for weeks at time presented much time or opportunity for barber visits. That said, long hair shouldn't be over-represented and it'd be awesome if it reflected the length/styles of the unit a person portrays. I hope that helps shed a little light on our take.

[@denisdegamon8224]

It is all about Accountability, leading by example and lastly, The Chain of Command.

[@rethans]

Why are you not switching roles in your unit?. In the time I see you here on KZbin its always the same persons with the same rank?. How do the others in lower rank feel this? always on the bottom!. Any promotion for them?.

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Promotions do happen within the unit. We dont vote/hold elections. Most if not all within the group are quite happy with the roles with us. Even privates have responsibilities within the company besides being a soldier. When opening occur for someone to promote up they are. Rank is often something far too pursued with in the hoolbby and creates far too many problems with voting because it turns into a popularity contest and have seen other groups fall apart because of them.

[@siraleks79]

Hans Slagter reenacting cannot follow the same system as other clubs, teams and organizations. They follow a military structure, just a real time military organization. Ranks demand years of reenactment experience and know-how. If you'd join a reenactment unit to get to be a general, it wouldnt be any experience, as it just be chaos or fantasia. In our reenactment group in Norway, holding an officer's rank, demands actual military record and education as a military officer.

[@TorianTammas]

@@siraleks79 Amusingly more then one officers in the Civil war had the qualification that they could organize enough man that forms a regiment and this was about it.

[@Pitchlock8251]

E-4 Mafia

[@ronaldrobertson2332]

NCO cartel, like Holmes Brigade in Missouri.

[@jamesrichardson3322]

As a Corporal you are a glorified private!! Lol

[@1799to1815]

Wow! I love your channel. I have a question about revolver holsters. I noticed Corporal has his holster on the left. I’ve heard Holsters were put on the right side for right handed folks so they can reach across with left, saber in right. Were there instances, such as sharpshooter corporals, where the opposite was true?

[@CompanyD2ndUSSS]

Cross drawing was common for a long time in military history. If you're right handed, you'd have your pistol on your left side for easy access because the waist line was so high back then. Bloke on the Range did a great deep dive video in to this very topic. You might like it.