First Sergeant and Sergeant Major duties?

[JPWalton]

So here's a question: what were the specific duties of a company first sergeant and the regiment's sergeant major?

 

[GELongstreet]

According to Kautz' Customs of Service for Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers


THE FIRST SERGEANT
419. The duties of first sergeant are peculiar to his position, and require capacity and knowledge
superior to those of other sergeants. Whilst he does not rank as high as some others, nor receive
as much pay, his position is one of the most responsible and most honorable that noncommissioned
officers can occupy.
420. The first sergeant is selected by the captain of the company from the other sergeants,
without regard to rank, and commissioned by the commanding officer of the regiment. He may
be reduced, like other non-commissioned officers, by the commanding officer on the
recommendation of the company commander, or by sentence of a court-martial. The pay of first
sergeants of artillery, cavalry, and infantry is twenty-four dollars per month, with one ration and
an allowance of clothing.
421. He has the immediate supervis ion of the company. He gets his orders from the captain or
officer commanding the company, and sees that they are performed in the company. He is, in
fact, the foreman; the men are the artisans. He lays out and superintends the details of the work
which the captain has directed to be executed.
422. Orders received from the commanding officer or other officer by the first sergeant should
be communicated to the company commander at once, before being obeyed, if there is time.
Under any circumstances, they should be reported to him as soon as possible. Whenever the
orderly call sounds, the first sergeant repairs to regimental or post head-quarters to receive the
orders or instructions, and, if they are at all unusual, they should be communicated to the
company commander without delay.
423. An hour is generally established for assembling the orderlies or first sergeants, usually at
noon, for the distribution of orders and announcement of details, and for communicating any
alteration in the ordinary routine. The published orders should be copied in the company orderbook;
and it is best, also, to make memorandums of any other orders or instructions received.
424. He keeps the rosters, and makes all the details; he superintends the company clerk, and assists
him in making out all the required papers. These duties are fully explained in "The
Company Clerk," and are, therefore, omitted here.
425. He should memorize the roster of the company in alphabetical order, so that he can at all
hours form the company and call the roll, day or night. Much natural shrewdness is required in
this duty, to associate in the memory the name, face, and voice of the soldier and his proper
position in the ranks; for the men are frequently in the habit of answering for absentees, and if
they find that the sergeant can be deceived in this respect they are very likely to practice it on
him.
426. There should be a uniform method of forming the company; and there is no reason why
there should be a difference in the different corps or in different regiments. The company should
be sized. In all the odd-numbered companies the tallest men are placed on the right, diminishing
in size to the left, and in the even-numbered companies the tallest should be on the left,
diminishing to the right, — the principle being that in each division the tallest men should be on
the flanks, and the shortest in the center: the regimental front will thus present a level line, and
there will be an apparent uniformity in size of the entire regiment.
427. At all roll-calls the first sergeant takes his place six or eight paces, according as the
company is small or large, in front of and opposite the centre of his company, facing towards it.
If the company is forming without arms, the men fall in and take the position of parade rest, and
the first sergeant takes the same position. (Reg. 335.)
428. They should fall in in two ranks, whether with or without arms. With arms they fall in at a
shoulder arms instead of at parade rest. The company is formed in the interval between the
musician 's call and the last note of the assembly when every man should be in ranks; and those
who fall in afterwards should he punished for being late.
429. When the music has ceased, the first sergeant commands "Attention!" whereupon the company,
if at parade rest, take the position of the soldier, and if with arms, the sergeant adds,
"Support arms." The roll is then called, commencing with sergeants, Adams, Smith, &c., in the
order of rank, until all are called; then "corporals," Brown, Jones, &c., to "farriers;" then
"buglers, or musicians;" and finally "privates," Ames, Brown, Cox, &c., in alphabetical order.
As each name is called, they answer, "Here;" and if with arms at a support they come to a
"shoulder" and finally to "order arms," immediately on answering to their names; if with sabres
or pistols drawn, they return them to their scabbards.
430. After the roll has been called, the first sergeant turns to the officer superintending the roll
call, and reports the absentees by name. If none are absent without proper authority, he reports,
"All present or accounted for." If the officer should then take command of the company, the first
sergeant takes his post on the right of the company and acts as right guide.
431. The first sergeant makes out the morning report and signs it, and then submits it to the
commanding officer of the company for his signature, after which it is handed in to the
regimental or post commander To make it correctly the sergeant should be constantly posted on
the changes in the company, as the report is valuable only in proportion to its correctness. It
should be a correct statement of the company in order that the commanding officer may each day
be able to know the condition of his command.
432. The sick report must always be made up in the morning before the morning report, in order
that the report may be accurate as to the number of men for duty. For duty means all the men
available for the legitimate duties of the soldier; and the column "for duty" should show the
effective strength for actual service of the company for each day. Some understanding is
necessary with regard to the men on extra and daily duty, as to whether they are included in the
effective strength or not. An order from post or regimental head-quarters would regulate this
point.
433. The first sergeant should be quartered with the men, and, when possible, has a separate
room or tent. He has general supervision of all the company property, — the quartermaster and
commissary sergeant assisting him in the details. He keeps rosters of all the property issued to
the men and non-commissioned officers, and sees that the surplus property is cared for and
properly stored.
434. He must see that the quartermaster and commissary sergeants do their duty with regard to
the property and that they hand in to him statements of all the property received and issued, lost
or destroyed, in order that the records of the company may be correctly kept.
435. He sees that all the other non-commissioned officers do their duty; he holds the chiefs of
squads responsible for the condition of their respective squads, and reports to the captain when
any one neglects his duty in any respect.
436. He is usually empowered by the captain to confine soldiers and arrest non-commissioned
officers for offences. In these cases he always reports the confinement or arrest to be by order of
the captain or company commander He should, however, report the facts in the case to the
captain or company commander at once, in order that he may be prepared to sustain him in the
act, or correct it if he does not approve of his action.
437. He makes all the details from the company, and sees that a record is kept on the roster. He
parades the details, inspects them, and sees that they are properly equipped for the duty they are
to perform, and then turns them over to a non-commissioned officer to be marched to their posts,
or marches them there himself. He generally marches on the guard detail himself. (Reg. 376.)
438. After parading and inspecting it, and having ascertained that the guard are all in proper
condition, he marches them to the usual place for mounting the guard, where the sergeant-major
receives them. The detail is formed in two ranks, the supernumeraries being in a third rank.
When he arrives on the ground, he forms his detail on the left of other details that may have
already arrived, faces it to the front, and brings it to "rear open order," and, after commanding
"front," reports his detail, "all present" or "corporal or private so-and-so absent," as the case
may be, and then takes post in rear of his own supernumeraries in rear of the guard, where he
remains at parade rest until the guard marches off, when he marches his supernumeraries back to
the company-ground. (Reg. 383.)
439. Supernumeraries, usually one or two, are detailed to take the place of members of the
guard from the company who fall sick during the tour. The supernumerary receives credit for a
tour if he takes the place of any one on the guard, no matter at what time of the tour. The
supernumeraries are therefore, the next for guard after the detail is made. (For the manner of
keeping the rosters and making the details, see "Company Clerk," Par 20.)
440. The most responsible duties of first sergeant are those which involve the issue and care of
public property and keeping an account thereof. These are principally the issuing of arms and
ammunition, and camp and garrison equipage to the men; the keeping of a record to whom and
when issued, and the charging of articles lost, or procuring affidavits or certificates if the articles
are not lost through the fault of any one; the issuing and keeping an account of clothing; the
drawing and issuing of the rations, including the care and disposition of the company savings,
and disbursement of the company fund if — as sometimes happens — it be entrusted to him;
and, finally, the care of the company property, usually accumulated for the use of the company
by purchases with the company fund.
441. These duties are materially facilitated by numbering the men in the company as nearly as
possible in alphabetical order; and a man should not be permitted to change his number as long
as he remains with the company. (Reg. 90.)
442. The company should be provided with a complete set of marking-implements, so that each
article may be marked with the letter of the company, and the number of the man who uses it,
and, in some cases, his name or initials. These implements are purchased with the company fund,
and usually consist of a set of stencil-plates, a brand of the letter of the company and punch of
the same, and a set of numbers for both, to mark articles of wood or iron. The completeness and
perfection of these articles add greatly to the security of the company property and to the
protection of individuals in the company.
443. Ordnance. — The design is that a company shall draw its full allowance of ordnance; and it
is expected to appertain to the company as long as it is serviceable. The regimental armorer
keeps it in repair; and such repairs as cannot be made by him may be made by sending to the
nearest arsenal. The Ordnance Department requires that the old arms shall be inspected,
condemned, and ordered to be turned in before new arms can be drawn.
444. A strict account of the arms, therefore, is necessary, and tends to keep them in good order;
for if the soldiers find that they are to pay for every loss or deficiency, they will take as much
care of them as if they were their own personal property. The arms should bear the letter of the
company and be numbered, and each soldier should have his corresponding number issued to
him. If the arms cannot be so lettered and numbered from the arsenal, it can be done by the regimental
armorer
445. The surplus arms not issued to the soldiers are kept in repair, and are boxed up and placed
in store usually at the post to which the company belongs. The storing is done by the
quartermaster sergeant, if there is one to the company. If there is not a company store-room to
which he alone has access, the boxes are turned over to the quartermaster for storage, who gives
a storage receipt therefore. The boxes should be marked with the letter of the company, the name
of the officer accountable for the property, and a list of the contents.
446. When ordnance is sent to the arsenal for repairs, it is boxed up in the same way, and
marked for the arsenal to which it is to go. Triplicate invoices are made out, one of which is sent
direct to the officer in charge of the arsenal, and the other two to the quartermaster to whom the
ordnance is turned over for transportation, who gives transportation receipts for the same. The
invoices should be minute as to the nature of repairs required on each article.
447. A record of the articles issued to each soldier is kept; and where an article differently numbered
is issued to him, it should be noted, or else the number should be changed, if there is no
other article of the same kind similarly numbered in the company. The foregoing applies to all
articles of ordnance, including horse-equipments, &c. (See "The Company Clerk," Par. 41.)
448. Clothing. — Clothing is accounted for differently from any other property. It is issued to
the soldiers, and their receipt is taken on receipt-rolls, which become the vouchers for the officer
accountable for the property.
449. The quartermaster is required to keep the clothing on hand, from whom it is drawn on
requisitions signed by the company commander The amount of clothing required for each issue
is ascertained by actual inspection; and the actual wants of the soldier should determine his
allowance.
450. An officer should be present at the issue to witness the signature of each soldier If there is
no officer, a non-commissioned officer must do it. The articles drawn are entered on the receiptroll,
opposite the soldier's name, under their respective headings, and he signs his name opposite,
and opposite to it is the signature of the witness, repeated to each signature of the men.

 

[GELongstreet]

451. These receipt-rolls are made in duplicate, one of which is retained by the officer
accountable for the clothing, and the other is forwarded, as a voucher to his returns, to the
Quartermaster-General.
452. The money value of each issue is computed and entered in the clothing-book on the page
appropriated to the soldier, with the date of issue, and his receipt or signature witnessed as on the
receipt-roll. The price is obtained from the General Order, published periodically, giving the
price of the clothing for the army.
453. Frequent inspections should be had of the men's clothing, in order that the soldiers may be
prevented from disposing of their clothing improperly; and as it is both contrary to law and
Regulations for soldiers to sell their clothing, such offences should be rigidly punished. (Act
March 3, 1863, sec. 23, and Art. 38.)
454. Camp and Garrison Equipage.—This kind of property, although borne on the return with
clothing, is differently accounted for, being reported on hand as company property until worn
out, when it is inspected and condemned and ordered to be dropped. Soldiers are not required to
pay for its loss, except when lost or destroyed through their fault or neglect.
455. A record of the issues to the soldiers is kept the same as of ordnance. (See Form 5,
"Company Clerk," Par. 41.) The property used in common by squads is issued to the chiefs of
squads, whose duty it is to look after the property and report any loss or destruction of it, in order
that it may be charged to the proper person if lost or destroyed through the fault or neglect of any
one.
456. Cavalry and artillery companies have also a certain amount of quartermaster's property,
which is accounted for on a separate return, in the same manner as camp and garrison equipage.
Where there is a quartermaster sergeant in the company, he is usually entrusted with the
transportation and storage of all surplus company property.
457. Rations — If there is a commissary sergeant in the company, the immediate labor and duty
of drawing the rations and distributing them is entrusted to him; otherwise this is superintended
by the first sergeant.
458. The ration is a legal allowance, and the soldier cannot arbitrarily be deprived of it. Yet it
has been frequently withheld from the soldier in part, under various pretenses, particularly where
the provisions were not on hand for issue at the time.
459. This is manifestly unjust; and no circumstances can justify the retaining of such rations,
even where the full rations cannot be issued; for in such cases the deficiency should be
commuted in money.
460. Every regimental or post commissary can provide for the full issue, or, in lieu thereof can
pay the money-commutation; and commanding officers should be appealed to where they neglect
or omit to do so.
461. When there are no funds on hand with which to commute back rations or such portions as
are not on hand for issue, the commissary should give certificates to the companies of the
amounts due, which may be issued subsequently, or commuted. This commutation-money on the
savings of the rations forms the principal source from which the company fund is derived; and by
a judicious management of this fund the comfort of the men may be materially enhanced.
462. A prudent administration of it depends very much on the first sergeant, as the company
commander is greatly dependent on him for its proper disbursement. He calls the attention of the
company commander to the requirements of the men, suggests what is needed, ascertains where
it can be most economically obtained, makes the purchases, and submits the bills to the company
commander for payment.
463. The savings of the rations can be sold to the commissary only. (Reg. 1188 and 1234.)
There are other sources of revenue to the company that go to increase the company fund. At
posts on the frontier, and at permanent stations, the cultivation of a garden, whilst it increases the
savings of the ration, may also produce a surplus, which may be sold and the proceeds added to
the company fund. So also with the proceeds of any sale of company property.
464. The cooking of the ration is an important duty, and greatly depends on the knowledge and
experience of the non-commissioned officers; for in the absence of a commissary sergeant the
sergeant s and corporals take turns in superintending the cooks. (See Cooks, Par. 269.)
465. Company Property. — By this is meant, in addition to the public property issued to the
company, all those articles purchased by the company fund, or manufactured in the company.
Such are the company desk and mess-chest, mechanics' tools, marking-implements, messfurniture,
company library, &c.
466. By an economical administration of this kind of property the comfort and harmony of a
company of soldiers are greatly increased. They feel that the acquisition of such articles is
intended for their good, and each man performs his part in taking care of them.
467. The company desk is a necessary article of furniture for every company, in which the
records of the company are kept. It is in the personal charge of the first sergeant, and should be
made with compartments and drawers for the books, papers, and stationery necessary for a
company and requires to be kept with method and order, to facilitate the making out of the
various papers required for a company. It should be portable, and have a lid to turn down on
which to write, so that it may be set up at any time or place for use.
468. A mess-chest is another necessary article of furniture; and the ingenuity of soldiers has
been taxed from time immemorial to make this article, as well as the company desk, in the
greatest perfection.
469. Different circumstances and conditions require different modifications; and none have yet
been invented to suit every case in which it is liable to be used. Large chests are inconvenient on
account of transportation, and a small one does not contain sufficient.
470. A number of small ones, according to the size of the company, small enough to be easily
handled by two men, and conveniently arranged for carrying the small rations and the messfurniture,
have been found to be the best.
471. The mess-furniture may be from the simplest kind which is usually used in the field, to a
complete hotel establishment, according to the location and circumstances of the company. At
permanent posts they can be well situated in this respect, and have every convenience necessary.
When required to move, if not able to take the mess-furniture with them, it can be sold, and a
new supply obtained at their place of destination.
472. Tools and implements of various kinds are found to be very useful in a company. In the
field, against the enemy, the supply must necessarily be very limited; but in time of peace a full
supply of almost every kind may be accumulated for the general benefit.
473. To enumerate some of them, they are suggested in the order of their importance: — A set
of marking-implements, a set of carpenter's tools, a set of blacksmith's tools, a sewing-machine,
shoemaker's tools, tinner's tools, garden-implements, seine or fish nets, &c.
474. A cow, to furnish milk in the coffee, may often be conveniently kept, and several pigs may
be fattened every month or two on the slops from the kitchen. A small library of well-selected
books is quite an acquisition to the company, gives occupation and entertainment to the men
during their leisure hours, and has a tendency to keep them about their company quarters.
475. The foregoing will give some idea to what extent and perfection the administration of a
company can be carried. The company is a small colony, which can live in peace, harmony, and
comfort or be disturbed by internal commotions and discomforts unendurable, depending,
perhaps, more on the first sergeant than on any other person in the company. Much depends upon
the captain; but without a competent sergeant to execute his plans, any benevolent designs on his
part for the improvement of the company would be difficult to carry into execution.
476. There is no material difference in the duties of the first sergeant in the three arms of
infantry, artillery, and cavalry, except some few modifications incident to the different kinds of
arms used and the peculiar nature of the service.
477. In artillery and cavalry, some additional responsibility in the increased amount of property,
different tactics, the less compact rather more straggling nature of the duties to be performed and
the consequent difficulty of less discipline of the men, are the principal features which the first
sergeant has ge nerally to overcome, or should at least be familiar with before he attains to the
charge of the company.
478. The first sergeant, although he should be familiar with all the duties of the sergeants and
corporals, is seldom called upon to perform any duty that would remove him from the duties of
his own position. He is, therefore, not liable for guard-duty, or fatigue or detached service, unless
the entire company is on the same. He is, however, not absolutely excluded from any special
service of short duration that it may be desirable, under peculiar circumstances, to entrust him
with.
479. The most important task of the first sergeant relates to the government of the company and
the preservation of good order and military discipline. This depending chiefly on innate
qualifications, definite rules, cannot easily be given. A complete control of temper, good
judgment, and a strong sense of justice are essential; whilst a due application to duty and
attention to the necessities of the men are also of the highest importance.
480. Whilst he is not expected to preserve the same distance between himself and the men that
exists between them and the officer, his position, indeed, not allowing of it, he should, however,
never descend to familiarity, but should always endeavor to preserve a certain amount of
restraint, and select his intimates from the first sergeants of other companies or noncommissioned
officers of merit of other grades.
481. A quiet, imperturbable temper, combined with firmness and resolution, will of itself enforce
obedience and command respect. Excitability and passion cannot easily be divested of prejudice
and injustice, and have a tendency to excite similar feelings in the men.
482. Partiality and favor to individuals should be avoided above all things. The men should be
treated with the greatest equality. Harsh and violent treatment, even towards the worst of
soldiers, are questionable, if not reprehensible means for governing them.
483. It is rare, indeed, that the practice of summary chastisement indulged in by some orderly
sergeants with the unruly characters that are to be found in almost every company, can be
regarded as successful. Individual instances, however, exist of very good government where the
sergeant rules almost exclusively by physical force; but good judgment in forbearing to a point
where the offender has placed himself beyond the consideration of kindness by his conduct, will
be found to be the true secret of success in a physical-force policy.
484. Constantly present with the company, always on hand for every emergency, ever
consulting the interests of the men and encouraging them in their duties, he cannot fall to attach
them to the company, and make them cheerful and content, and faithful on duty.

 

[GELongstreet]

THE SERGEANT MAJOR.
541. THE sergeant major is the ranking non-commissioned officer of the regiment: he is
appointed by the regimental commander. Each regiment in service is entitled to one sergeant
major, and the nine new regiments of infantry are allowed one to each battalion. His pay is
twenty-six dollars per month, an allowance of clothing, and one ration.
542. The sergeant major assists the adjutant in the performance of his duties; he makes the details
for guard, fatigue, &c. under his direction parades them, verifies the number required from
each company, and sees that they are properly equipped for the duty for which they have been
detailed.
543. He superintends the clerk, and assists him in making out the various returns, rolls, and
reports required, and in keeping the books and records of the regiment.
544. He keeps the roster of the sergeants and corporals and of the various details for guard, fatigue,
detachments, &c., and is responsible that these duties are equally required from the various
companies.
545. He generally keeps the time at head-quarters, and sees that the musician detailed for the
purpose at head-quarters sounds the calls at the proper time.
546. At orderly call, he returns the morning report books to the first sergeants, gives them the
orders for the day, and furnishes them with the details required from their respective companies
for the morrow. The orders, to be copied in the company order-book, are also furnished them.
547. In the absence of a drum-major or principal musician, the musicians of the companies are
controlled and directed by him, and he attends to their instruction. He sees that they attend
practice, and that they do not absent themselves without authority.
548. He keeps their roster for the various duties of orderly, guard, fatigue, &c. Should there be a
regimental band and no authorized leader or drum-major, he performs a similar duty as in the
case of company musicians.
549. The sergeant major attends at guard-mounting, taking post in front and on the right of the
line on which the guard is to form, facing to the left. As each first sergeant marches his detail
upon the line, and having brought it "to rear open order," and "right dress," he receives the
report from the first sergeants, "all present," or, so many sergeants, corporals, or privates
"absent." He then verifies the reports of the first sergeants, after which the sergeant major brings
his sword to a "present," and reports, "Sir, the guard is formed, all present," or, so many
sergeants, corporals, and privates "absent." The adjutant then gives the command "front," and
the sergeant major takes post two paces on the left of the guard, and the guard, mounting, then
proceeds as prescribed in Regulations.
550. At dress-parade, the sergeant major posts the left guide or marker, and, after all the companies
have formed, he takes his post two paces on the extreme left of the regiment. When the
guard or regiment marches in review, the sergeant marches on the left of the guard or rear
platoon, two paces, or on the left of the rear company or platoon.
551. The sergeant major should be a model soldier for the rest of the regiment in his dress and
military deportment. His example and punctual requirements of duty go far towards influencing a
proper discipline in the regiment. If a due regard for the merits of the non-commissioned officers
of the regiment is maintained, he will be the first to succeed to a commission in the regiment.

 

[unionblue]

GELongstreet,

Thanks for taking the serious time and effort to post the above duties from the original source.

Excellent work.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[GELongstreet]

GELongstreet,

Thanks for taking the serious time and effort to post the above duties from the original source.

Excellent work.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

You´re talking about the two minutes I needed to open the well-known path to the pdf-file, copy & paste the respective chapters, curse the fact that I have to divide it to three posts due to CWT's post limitations and push a few buttons?

You´re welcome.

 

[unionblue]

You´re talking about the two minutes I needed to open the well-known path to the pdf-file, copy & paste the respective chapters, curse the fact that I have to divide it to three posts due to CWT's post limitations and push a few buttons?

You´re welcome.

I'm talking about having acquired the knowledge to open the well-known path to the pdf-file, copy & paste the respective chapters and cursing the fact you know enough to divide it into three posts!

And thanks again!

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[thomas aagaard]

When I noticed the topic, I opened my pdf to do the same... Good to see others go to the primary sources right away.

 

[Miles Krisman]

Later in the war, many companies had lost their commisioned officers (KIA, WIA, MIA) and were led by non-commisioned officers (Sergeants). If the company that the Sergeant Major was originally affiliated with, lost their commisioned officers and their 1st Sergeant, would the Sergeant Major take command of his former company? Or would one of the other Sergeants (2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.) take command of the company?

 

[Billy Yank]

My understanding, w/o getting into specifics, is that the Chain-of-Command, clearly understood by those in the ranks, takes precedent at all times and that regimental and brigade commanders will eventually fill the lesser command positions with commissioned officers as time permits. And, (as at Gettysburg when Reynolds was killed,) when two or more share equal rank in the linear structure, time in grade and time in service are considered unless specific orders from the commander specify who is to be in charge. I realize this is higher-up in the structure than a "company," but I think the general rule applies and is instructive.

 

[rhp6033]

My understanding, w/o getting into specifics, is that the Chain-of-Command, clearly understood by those in the ranks, takes precedent at all times and that regimental and brigade commanders will eventually fill the lesser command positions with commissioned officers as time permits. And, (as at Gettysburg when Reynolds was killed,) when two or more share equal rank in the linear structure, time in grade and time in service are considered unless specific orders from the commander specify who is to be in charge. I realize this is higher-up in the structure than a "company," but I think the general rule applies and is instructive.

What I've found, reading regarding several units, was that when a company or regiment loses all it's commissioned officers, the senior NCO will take command but only on a temporary basis. Usually when all the commissioned officers are dead, seriously wounded, or captured, the unit also suffered massive casualties, reducing those still in it's ranks. In such cases attempts were made to consolidate the companies and/or regiments with another unit which had at least a few officers available. This also applied when a very junior officer such as a Lt. found himself in charge of a regiment.

 

[Billy Yank]

What I've found, reading regarding several units, was that when a company or regiment loses all it's commissioned officers, the senior NCO will take command but only on a temporary basis. Usually when all the commissioned officers are dead, seriously wounded, or captured, the unit also suffered massive casualties, reducing those still in it's ranks. In such cases attempts were made to consolidate the companies and/or regiments with another unit which had at least a few officers available. This also applied when a very junior officer such as a Lt. found himself in charge of a regiment.

I agree with you Sgt. Maj. rhp. The shock of battle makes it all the more necessary for everyone to know the chain-of-command so that order can be maintained in the ranks and chaos avoided in the face of the enemy.

I am reminded of a few old Western movies where the cavalry or cowboys instinctively knew to shoot the chief and the attacking Native Americans would withdraw because there was no awareness of successive leadership/command structure amongst them. (For the record, I doubt if the cowboys were very well organized either except for maybe Gil Favor's bunch from the long running CBS series, Rawhide.)