Color Guard Duties

[harley_davis]

Gentlemen,
I tried a search of the forums, but to no avail. As a matter of general knowledge, what daily duties would the typical Federal Infantry Regimental Color Guard have had while in camp? Did they typically exist as an independant unit in terms of camp duties (ie: cooking and other fatigue duties)? Thank you for you kind assistance.
Respectfully,

[Kevin O'Beirne]

I suggest some checking around. Here's some sources to review:

* "A Mini-Manual for Colro Guards" by John Tobey, in "The Columbia Rifles Research Compendium, 2nd Edition".

* The book, "The Color Guard" by Hosmer. This entire book--chock full of how a Federal color guard operated in real life--is online. You can find it with a Google.com search.

* Other diaries, letters, memoirs from color guard members. One example is Peter Welsh's (Lawrence Kohl, ed.) "Irish Green and Union Blue" which is a collection of letters by the color sergeant of the 28th Massachusetts, of the Army of the Potomac's Second Corps.

The color guard was drawn from all the companies of the regiment, but served as part of the color company. The color guard was not an independent unit like one sees being done at many reenactments. Members of hte color guard were typically exempted from regular camp duties such as fatigue and guard duty. They drew rations with their company.

[harley_davis]

Kevin,
Thank you so much for your excellent direction.
Respectfully,