5th Kentucky, Company B
The 5th Kentucky, Company B, C.S.A. is a Civil War reenacting unit dedicated to educating the public,
and honoring the 618,000 casualties of that conflict, both North and South. Although, our Infantry unit is
located in the Columbus, Ohio area, we have members from as far away as Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan,
Virginia and Western Virginia. We are part of the Independent Guard Battalion (IGB) and the
Provincial Army of Confederate States (PACS).
and honoring the 618,000 casualties of that conflict, both North and South. Although, our Infantry unit is
located in the Columbus, Ohio area, we have members from as far away as Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan,
Virginia and Western Virginia. We are part of the Independent Guard Battalion (IGB) and the
Provincial Army of Confederate States (PACS).
5th Kentucky Bylaws
I. Purpose
The 5th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry is an organization of reenactors and living historians who
create authentic impressions of soldiers and their families who fought in the war for Southern
Independence. We strive to be among the best. We exist to honor those who fought in this
war by preserving their heritage through education of the public and providing an enjoyable
historical experience to our members.
create authentic impressions of soldiers and their families who fought in the war for Southern
Independence. We strive to be among the best. We exist to honor those who fought in this
war by preserving their heritage through education of the public and providing an enjoyable
historical experience to our members.
II. Membership
Full membership in the 5th Kentucky requires participation in at least three events per calendar
year. Each new member must enter the unit as a private. Membership is open to both military
and Command approved civilian impressions. Military members shall be at least 18 years of age.
Those 14-17 years old may participate with command approval and accompaniment of a parent
or legal guardian or with a signed parental consent. Women are allowed in battle provided it is
event approved and their gender is not discernible from a distance of 30 feet. Membership is
open to all those who agree to authentically represent the life of a soldier in the 1860s.
year. Each new member must enter the unit as a private. Membership is open to both military
and Command approved civilian impressions. Military members shall be at least 18 years of age.
Those 14-17 years old may participate with command approval and accompaniment of a parent
or legal guardian or with a signed parental consent. Women are allowed in battle provided it is
event approved and their gender is not discernible from a distance of 30 feet. Membership is
open to all those who agree to authentically represent the life of a soldier in the 1860s.
III. Code of Conduct
A. Once camp is established at an event, all members will be in proper military attire and will
remain so until the event is over.
remain so until the event is over.
B. At an event, no tents will be struck until the event is over, or unless otherwise directed.
C. Authenticity outside the tents is mandatory. All members, including women and children
are expected to wear period clothing and all gear outside the tents must be period correct, this
includes dinnerware and beverage containers. Anything can be used inside the tents as long as
it is hidden. This includes cots, air mattresses, heater, fans, etc. These items, however, must be
completely hidden and remain inside the tent. Any modern electronic devices cannot be heard
in camp and must be hidden in the tents. The use of cameras should be kept discreet.
are expected to wear period clothing and all gear outside the tents must be period correct, this
includes dinnerware and beverage containers. Anything can be used inside the tents as long as
it is hidden. This includes cots, air mattresses, heater, fans, etc. These items, however, must be
completely hidden and remain inside the tent. Any modern electronic devices cannot be heard
in camp and must be hidden in the tents. The use of cameras should be kept discreet.
D. All members will be expected to display the proper mannerisms common to the period, such
as chivalry and courtesy. This includes removing one’s hat indoors (women soldiers excluded).
as chivalry and courtesy. This includes removing one’s hat indoors (women soldiers excluded).
E. Foul language should be kept at a minimum.
F. When in uniform, all orders given by officers and/or NCOs of this unit will be promptly obeyed.
No order will be given which is improper, personally demeaning, or hazardous to personal safety.
No order will be given which is improper, personally demeaning, or hazardous to personal safety.
G. All members will be expected to assist with routine camp duties to include policing the camp,
doing, dishes, gathering firewood, getting water and assisting with meal preparation and a duty
roster will be posted daily at each event by the unit First Sergeant.
doing, dishes, gathering firewood, getting water and assisting with meal preparation and a duty
roster will be posted daily at each event by the unit First Sergeant.
H. All weapons will be cleaned and properly maintained prior to safety inspection.
I. At events, attendance at all musters, roll calls and formation is mandatory.
J. At the end of the activities at an event, a general relaxation of normal discipline and military
demeanor is permitted. However basic military respect and conduct will be observed at night.
demeanor is permitted. However basic military respect and conduct will be observed at night.
K. Members who drink alcohol should remember that they represent the 5th Kentucky and must
continue to display proper behavior. Illegal drug use is strictly prohibited.
continue to display proper behavior. Illegal drug use is strictly prohibited.
L. Members who the command staff deem not safe to take the field for any reason will not be
permitted to participate in that day’s events.
permitted to participate in that day’s events.
M. Members with a concealed carry permit for a private weapon are not permitted to bring the
weapon into camp or onto the battlefield and if detected that member may be told to leave the
event. If you are a law enforcement officer and you are required to carry then you must notify
the command staff immediately.
weapon into camp or onto the battlefield and if detected that member may be told to leave the
event. If you are a law enforcement officer and you are required to carry then you must notify
the command staff immediately.
IV. Meetings
There will be an annual social and meeting in January and/or February. The primary purpose of
this social and meeting will be to reestablish relationships/comradery, discuss events for the
upcoming year and determine a date for the election of officers and sergeants. Additional
meetings shall be called when it is necessary to discuss business relating to the company as a
whole; these meetings will normally be held at an event.
this social and meeting will be to reestablish relationships/comradery, discuss events for the
upcoming year and determine a date for the election of officers and sergeants. Additional
meetings shall be called when it is necessary to discuss business relating to the company as a
whole; these meetings will normally be held at an event.
V. Majority Vote
Decisions that are brought before the entire membership shall be resolved by a majority vote.
Decisions that involve military matters may only be voted upon by military personnel who
have met the participation requirements of the previous year (see paragraph II); however,
for expediency throughout the year, some decisions will be decided by the elected command
staff only.
Decisions that involve military matters may only be voted upon by military personnel who
have met the participation requirements of the previous year (see paragraph II); however,
for expediency throughout the year, some decisions will be decided by the elected command
staff only.
VI. Elections and Requirements of Officer(s) and Non-Commissioned Officer(s)
A. Elections of the Officer(s) [CPT and Lt] and Sergeant(s) [1st and 2nd] will be voted upon by
the members on a determined/published meeting (per paragraph V). Corporals will be
appointed by the elected Captain.
the members on a determined/published meeting (per paragraph V). Corporals will be
appointed by the elected Captain.
B. Other promotions (i.e. brevet/battlefield) may occur throughout the year decided upon
by the elected Command Staff for that year.
by the elected Command Staff for that year.
C. The following criteria should be considered when nominating Officers and NCOs in this
order of importance:
order of importance:
1. Ability to perform the job
2. Attendance rate of at least 80% of scheduled Unit reenactment events
3. Length of time in the unit, and
4. During a given year, the ability to attend 1-2 Unit Command Staff meetings (in person
and/or by conference call) and an annual PACS and IGB meeting (the latter two are held out of state)
and/or by conference call) and an annual PACS and IGB meeting (the latter two are held out of state)
VII. Uniforms
A. All members are given one year to furnish their own uniforms, clothing, arms and equipment
at their own expense. During that time, when available, they may borrow from the company
supply and/or other unit members on a first come – first serve basis.
at their own expense. During that time, when available, they may borrow from the company
supply and/or other unit members on a first come – first serve basis.
B. The following guidance is provided and will always be at the discretion of the Command Staff:
1. Muskets: Include .69-caliber smoothbores, three banded .577-caliber Enfields and
three-band .58-caliber rifled muskets such as the Springfields and Richmonds. All
muskets need to be able to have a bayonet securely affixed.
three-band .58-caliber rifled muskets such as the Springfields and Richmonds. All
muskets need to be able to have a bayonet securely affixed.
2. Jackets: Preferable a shell jacket, but a sack coat or frock coat is also acceptable. It
should be gray, or butternut, or jean wool. Infantry jackets may have blue or black cuff
and collar. The jacket should be kept plain appropriate insignia at the discretion of the
Commander. Buttons should be appropriate and period correct. When camp is open to
spectators, if wearing a vest or jacket the top button must be buttoned and if wearing a
vest with a jacket the top button of the jacket can be open.
should be gray, or butternut, or jean wool. Infantry jackets may have blue or black cuff
and collar. The jacket should be kept plain appropriate insignia at the discretion of the
Commander. Buttons should be appropriate and period correct. When camp is open to
spectators, if wearing a vest or jacket the top button must be buttoned and if wearing a
vest with a jacket the top button of the jacket can be open.
3. Pants: Plain gray wool or jean cloth; brown or butternut are also acceptable. No
trim, stripes or piping. Yankee sky blue is also acceptable.
trim, stripes or piping. Yankee sky blue is also acceptable.
4. Suspenders: White ticking or canvas. If elastic is worn, jackets must be worn while
in public.
in public.
5. Shirt: Should be made of cotton, long sleeved, and white or calico print and of period
pattern.
pattern.
6. Shoes: Brogans, either brown or black, either smooth or suede. Boots are reserved
for officers. No combat, motorcycle or hiking boots and no running shoes.
for officers. No combat, motorcycle or hiking boots and no running shoes.
7. Hat: Plain black or brown slouch hat or straw. Kepis in gray or jean cloth are also
acceptable. Infantry officers may also wear a dark blue kepi. Remember, a hat must
be worn at all times in public.
acceptable. Infantry officers may also wear a dark blue kepi. Remember, a hat must
be worn at all times in public.
8. Eyeglasses: Period frames and style are best. No plastic frames or sunglasses.
9. Canteen: Tin drum, smooth side, or wood will all work. Stainless covered with wool
is acceptable.
is acceptable.
10. Tin Cup: This is absolutely necessary. Copper is also acceptable, but stainless
should not be used if the style is not in keeping with the time.
should not be used if the style is not in keeping with the time.
11. Belt and Buckle: Buckle should be rectangle or oval CS or CSA pattern. US Buckle
may be worn, if turned upside down. Officers may wear a Kentucky 2-piece. State
Buckles may be worn as a token of the soldier’s home state, but the CS pattern is the
most universal. The belt should be made of black or brown color leather (about 2”
wide).
may be worn, if turned upside down. Officers may wear a Kentucky 2-piece. State
Buckles may be worn as a token of the soldier’s home state, but the CS pattern is the
most universal. The belt should be made of black or brown color leather (about 2”
wide).
12. Haversack/Knapsack: Should be period correct plain white canvas. It may also be
a black tarred Yankee pattern, or a brown Confederate pattern.
a black tarred Yankee pattern, or a brown Confederate pattern.
13. Cartridge Box: Should be of a pattern that can be worn on a strap or belt. The box
may be brown or black and may or may not have a brass plate. The sling should be
leather. If using a sling it should be leather.
may be brown or black and may or may not have a brass plate. The sling should be
leather. If using a sling it should be leather.
14. Cap Box: The rifle cap box is larger than the pistol cap box making it easier to use.
This item may be either brown or black leather or painted oil cloth.
This item may be either brown or black leather or painted oil cloth.
15. Bayonet and scabbard: Do not buy a bayonet without first checking its fit on your
rifle. It should fit securely, and be easily removed.
rifle. It should fit securely, and be easily removed.
16. Knives: Must be securely tied into its sheath and attached to the belt. It must
never be unsheathed during battle.
never be unsheathed during battle.
VIII. Side arms and Sabers
Due to certain event restrictions, pistols are permitted for officers only. Sabers are reserved
for officers.
for officers.
IX. Caps and Powder
Each member is responsible for providing his own powder and caps. Caps are to be
the 4- sided variety. No 5-side or wingless caps are to be brought to events. Members are
responsible for buying or making their own paper-ladies. If the paper-ladies are home-made,
no colored newsprint is to be used.
the 4- sided variety. No 5-side or wingless caps are to be brought to events. Members are
responsible for buying or making their own paper-ladies. If the paper-ladies are home-made,
no colored newsprint is to be used.
X. Unit Member Insurance
To be a member of the military 5th Kentucky, liability insurance must be purchased.
An insurance rider can be purchased individually through your personal insurer, or may be
purchased through the 5th Kentucky and/or PACS, but no one may take the battlefield
without having liability insurance. Guests falling in with the unit are responsible for their
own coverage. At any time the Command Staff has the discretion to deny a member or
guest from participating in a battle.
An insurance rider can be purchased individually through your personal insurer, or may be
purchased through the 5th Kentucky and/or PACS, but no one may take the battlefield
without having liability insurance. Guests falling in with the unit are responsible for their
own coverage. At any time the Command Staff has the discretion to deny a member or
guest from participating in a battle.
XI. Medical Forms
All members must complete a unit emergency medical form. One will be maintained in
a plastic bag in the small pocket of the cartridge box. One will be maintained by the
First Sergeant for each member.
a plastic bag in the small pocket of the cartridge box. One will be maintained by the
First Sergeant for each member.
XII. Revision(s) and Approval of the Unit By-Laws
These By-Laws will be reviewed at least every three years by the Command Staff and
approved by the membership (per paragraph II) by a majority vote (per paragraph V)
in order to preserve and maintain the heritage and integrity of the 5th Kentucky, Company B.
approved by the membership (per paragraph II) by a majority vote (per paragraph V)
in order to preserve and maintain the heritage and integrity of the 5th Kentucky, Company B.
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