2nd Maryland Infantry, Company H
The Maryland Guard
Standard Operating Procedures


SOP - Camp Rules
  1. Authenticity: Camps are to maintain a reasonable degree of authenticity at all times during an event.

  2. Conduct: Members are expected to respect each other, other reenactors, spectators, and event organizers. Members are also expected to respect the property of others including the property of the event organizers.

  3. Children: Children under the age of 13 are to be under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian at all times. The parent or guardian will be held responsible for the behavior of their child. If a parent or guardian cannot control their child the commanding officer present at the event reserves the right to ask the parent or guardian and child to leave the event. All parents are encouraged to have an appropriate "impression" established for their children.

  4. Meals: Members are expected to supply their own food and drink for each event. A common fire pit, wood, and water supply shall be maintained at all events by the members of the company. All other mess arrangements are voluntary and left to the discretion of the individual members of the company. Financial obligations and duties arising from the participation in common mess arrangements are personal obligations and should not interfere with the military schedule.

  5. Alcohol and Other Substances: Adults will use moderation in the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Members under the age of 21 will not consume alcoholic beverages while at an event nor in route to or from an event. Members under the age of 18 will not use tobacco products while at an event nor in route to or from an event. Controlled and dangerous substances are illegal and their use will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

  6. Camp Set Up: The first officer or NCO present at the event site will direct the placing or the camp. The camp is to be set up according to established regimental (battalion) procedures. All company officers and NCOs are to be familiar with these regimental (battalion) procedures. Before the camp is organized, the officers and NCOs present will consult the regimental (battalion) staff as to the proper placement of the officer's tents and flies, kitchen flies, the fire pit(s) and the company street. The commanding officer's tent will serve as the company headquarters and be designated by a sign, banner, or flag. As members arrive on site, their tents will be placed in the street under the direction of the company officer or NCO in charge of the camp.
Note: It has been agreed upon by the members of Second Maryland, Co H that in the event one or more rules listed in the Company SOP's are violated, an ad hoc committee of the ranking Officer present, the ranking NCO present and one veteran Private will discuss the violation with the member(s) involved so as to prevent a reoccurrence of the violation. It was further agreed that the ad hoc committee has the power to impose penalties on the member(s) involved if it is deemed necessary by the committee when using its best judgment based up the facts involving the violation.



2nd Maryland Infantry, Co H CSA Inc.
SOP - Camp Items

All camp items are to be accurate reproductions of items used during the Civil War. Museums, private collections, photographs, artwork, historical accounts and literature from the period should be referred to as a means of determining the accuracy of a particular item.
  1. Intrusions: Items in the camp are to maintain and enhance the camp's military appearance. No camp items are permitted to intrude into the military street after reveille or prior to taps. All personal camp items must be stored so they do not present a safety hazard.
  2. Chair Types Allowed: Chairs are to be stored in one's tent when not in use. The following chairs are acceptable:
    1. folding camp stools made of wood and canvas
    2. folding camp chairs made of wood and canvas
    3. wooden camp chairs
    4. wooden sentry chairs
    Embroidered, plain canvas, wool or mattress ticking are acceptable fabrics for chairs.
  3. Other Allowed Items: Boxes, desks, and tables, which are reproductions of items seen in museums, private collections, photographs, and artwork regarding the Civil War may be used and can be visible. Examples of acceptable boxes are as follows:
    1. 1000-round ammunition box
    2. Union Mechanic Hardtack box
    3. Enfield Rifle box
    Members are reminded that as the war progressed soldiers learned to travel with as little equipment as possible. Members are encouraged to consolidate and share such items to reduce their numbers in camp.
  4. Coolers: Coolers are permitted in camp. They are to be stored in a tent and covered or disguised as period military boxes so other reenactors and spectators can not see them. Members are encouraged to consolidate and share coolers to reduce the number or coolers in camp.
  5. Fire Pit & Grill: Unless authorized by the 1st Sergeant with permission from the company commander and unit staff, only one fire pit with a single iron grill or iron tripod is permitted. Each grill or tripod is to have only one set of utensils consisting of no more than an iron spatula, spoon, fork, and fire tool. A period container with at least two gallons of water must be kept by all fire pits at all times.
  6. CookWare: Cookware is to be made of cast iron. Speckled enamelware is discouraged and must not be used when can be used when spectators are present. Members may also use canteen halves, tin cups, and tin muckets for cooking. Upon completion of a meal, all dishes, cookware, and eating utensils will be immediately cleaned and stored. Unconsumed food shall be stored or disposed of in a sanitary manner. No modern food or beverage containers are to be visible at any time.
  7. Lanterns: Lanterns are to be made of wood or tin and be powered by a candle. The most common lantern is the "Basic Square Wooden Lantern." Members may have an iron lantern holder positioned by their tent and iron hooks may be used for hanging lanterns in tents and under flies as long as the lantern does not present a safety hazard. Tin kerosene lanterns may be used as may glass oil lamps. The use of the later is discouraged for safety reasons. (No kerosene lamp or lantern is to be fueled while the wick is lit or the lantern is hot.) Small personal tin lanterns may be used. All lighting devices are to be used in a manner to prevent their tipping over and breakage and must be kept a safe distance from flammable materials and ammunition. No lantern is to be left unattended while lit (every member of the company shall immediately, upon discovery, extinguish and unattended lantern).
  8. Approval: The company at a regular business meeting must approve anything not meeting the camp item standards above.
  9. Tents and Flies
    1. Tents and flies are to be similar to those that would have been used during the Civil War Era which were made of canvas.
    2. All tents and flies may be made of canvas treated to be water repellent, mildew resistant, and flamec.
    3. Enlisted men may use the following types of tents retardant. "Sunforger" material is acceptable. All tent poles are to be made of wood.
      1. A-Frame Wedge Tent no larger than 7' × 7' × 11'6" which is considered a "Large" Wedge. "Monster" Wedges are unacceptable. Customized Wedge Tents with double doors, sod cloth, canvas peg loops, and roll up ties for doors are acceptable.
      2. Dog Tent which consist of two shelter halves buttoned together supported by branches.
      3. Shebangs made of shelter halves, ponchos, or ground cloths. Shebangs are not to exceed the height of a dog tent. Shebangs are to be set up in conjunction with dog tents.
    4. The front edge of all tents for enlisted men must be in line with the other tents in the street.
    5. Officers may use the same type of tents as enlistment men, or they may use a Wall Tent no larger than 8'9" × 8'9" × 8'6" × 45". Officers may attach a fly to their A-Frame or Wall Tent. The fly is to be no larger than 8'9" (long) × 14'2" (wide). Officer tents must be in line with the other tents on officer's row.
    6. Only one fly can be set up within the company’s camp for the enlisted men, and if set up, will serve as the dinning fly. Dinning flies are to be no larger than 12' × 12'. No flies are to be set up in the company street.
    7. Anything not meeting the tent and fly standards above must be approved by the company at a regular business meeting.


2nd Maryland Infantry, Co H CSA Inc.
SOP - Recruiting Procedures
  1. Contact Information: If a person expresses an interest in joining 2nd Maryland, Company H, their name, address, phone number, and email address shall be obtained and forwarded to the company Recruiting Officer and Captain.
  2. Recruit Package: Once the Recruiting Officer has been notified of the recruit's contact information, the Recruiting Officer shall send the recruit a recruit package consisting of at least the following:
    1. Membership Form
    2. Consent Form
    3. Unit History
    4. Welcome Letter
    The Captain shall make an effort to contact the recruit to find out if the recruit has any questions.
  3. Joining the Company: Upon receipt of the recruit's dues and paperwork, the Recruiting Officer will send the recruit a copy of the latest version of the Company's SOP's, event registration form, safety letter, and cartridge making information. At the next meeting the company will vote on whether or not to accept the new member. After being accepted into the company the new member will be considered a probationary member and be assigned a regular member to contact for guidance and assistance.
  4. Probationary Status: The new member shall be considered a probationary member until (s)he has attended at least three maximum effort company events. A probationary member may not vote in company elections or at any company meetings. After the probationary member has attended at least three maximum effort company events, the company will vote on whether or not to allow the probationary member to become a regular member.


2nd Maryland Infantry, Co H CSA Inc.
SOP - Uniforms Requirements
  1. Uniforms: Members are encouraged to read Ross Kimmel's case studies on Maryland Confederate uniforms and discuss their plans with veteran members and or officers of the company before purchasing a uniform. The uniform must meet the following standards.
    1. Shirts: Shirts are to be period shirts made of cotton or wool.
    2. Socks: Socks are to be gray wool, cotton, or plain white cotton.
    3. Braces (suspenders): Braces can be any style correct to the period.
    4. Footwear: brogans with heal plate, or period style boots for commissioned officers.
    5. Headdress: One of the most distinctive features of a Maryland Confederate soldier was his kepi. Therefore, members must wear kepis while in the field. The types of kepis that may be worn are as follows:
      1. Jean cloth or satinet kepi with a black or blue band and leather or improvised leather brim (early war).
      2. Jean cloth or satinet kepi with plain band and leather or improvised leather brim (mid war).
      3. Blue-gray kersey or medium to dark gray kepi with plain band or blue band on leather or improvised leather brim (late war).
      4. Federal bummers/forage caps are acceptable on a temporary basis. It is well documented that Marylanders disliked wearing captured Federal clothing.
      5. In order to reflect shortages of resources, ornamentation on the kepi is discouraged. The only acceptable ornamentation on the kepi is a brass numeral "2" on the front and center.
      6. The brim of the kepi should be left flat or upturned; it should not be cupped as is the fashion with a modern baseball cap.
      7. Civilian style and militia hats may be worn in camp. The commanding field officer reserves the right to allow the soldiers to wear their civilian and militia hats in certain "tactical" and "scripted" situations.
    6. Shell Jacket: Shell Jackets may be any one of those listed below. According to Ross Kimmel there are ten documentable jackets worn by Maryland Confederates during the war. The names of these jackets are labels placed on them by reenactors. Each jacket has various differences from the others including trim as well as choice of appropriate materials, dyes, and buttons. Imported jackets would not have been issued with state seal buttons. (Not all suppliers [sutlers] may understand the terminology.) Members may choose any of the following jackets:
      1. Jenkins Jacket (1861 - 1st Maryland Regiment)
      2. Thomas Jacket (1861 - 1st Maryland Regiment)
      3. Richmond Depot Type I (1862 - 1st Maryland Regiment)
      4. Clark Jacket (1862-1863 - 1st Maryland Battalion)
      5. Hayden Jacket (1862-1863 - 1st Maryland Battalion)
      6. Richmond Depot Type II (1862-1863 - 1st Maryland Battalion)
      7. Bailey Jacket (1862-1863 - 1st Maryland Battalion)
      8. Richmond Depot Type III (1864-1865 - 2nd Maryland Regiment)
      9. Tait Type Jacket (1864-1865 - 2nd Maryland Regiment)
      10. Hollyday Jacket (1865 - 2nd Maryland Regiment)
      * Note: 1st Maryland Battalion and 2nd Maryland Regiment were the same organizations. In 1864 the men of the 1st Maryland Battalion were renamed and given regimental status and therefore the name 2nd Maryland Regiment.
      * A botony cross of mid 19th century appearance may be worn upon the left breast of the jacket; this is the only form of ornamentation sanctioned while in the field.
  2. Trousers: Trousers are to be of a confederate style typical of those issued to troops of the Army of Northern Virginia. Trousers may be made of jean cloth, satinet or wool. Jean cloth and satinet trousers may have a 1/2 inch black stripe binding the outer seam, which is most appropriate for an early war impression. Plain trousers with no stripes are encouraged. Wool trousers may be medium gray, blue-gray kersey, or dark gray and are best for a late war impression. Commonly available styles of civilian trousers may also be acceptable, but should be un-dyed or of a solid color and be of military appearance. Federal kersey blue trousers are acceptable on a temporary basis. It is well documented that Marylanders disliked wearing captured Federal clothing. The use of worn-out, tattered, or heavily patched clothing is discouraged as records indicate that Maryland troops regularly received uniform issue and maintained good military appearance throughout the war.
  3. Accoutrements: All accoutrements must meet the following requirements and should be identified with the soldier's name and company number.
    1. Canteen: Metal, covered with cotton, jean cloth, or wool fabric or plain with smoothsides or bullseye, uncovered OR uncovered wood. The canteen must have a leather or canvas strap. Officers may carry metal filter type canteens covered or uncovered if they wish. Members should removed stopper chains and replace them with cotton, hemp, or leather twine unless the canteen is a smoothside issued by the New York Depot.
    2. Waist belt: Black leather with Maryland State oval buckle, plain brass frame buckle, or plain forked tongue type buckle. An upside down US oval buckle is acceptable on a temporary basis.
    3. Cartridge box: With sling or without sling and carried on the waist belt and must be of one of the following types: .58 caliber Enfield OR .58 caliber US Springfield OR a Confederate copy of these. (A cartridge box plate if used must be a Maryland State oval. An upside down US oval plate is acceptable on a temporary basis.)
    4. Cap box: Model 55 or a confederate copy.
    5. Haversack: Federal style, tarred, or prewar tarred OR plain canvas.
    6. Knapsack: Double bag soft pack or hard pack OR blanket roll of dark gray, black, blue or brown color.
  4. Wear of Accoutrements: The accoutrements are to be worn depending on the following types of orders:
    1. Full Marching Orders: All worn with blanket roll or knapsack.
    2. Light Marching Orders: All worn excluding blanket roll or knapsack.
    3. Dress Uniform: No accoutrements are worn except for the waist belt with cap box. White gloves and a cravat are acceptable.
  5. Uniform Rules
    1. In Camp: In camp the following basic uniform must be worn beginning with reveille on the first day of battle: brogans, socks, trousers, braces, and shirt.
    2. In the Field: In the field the jacket is worn with all buttons buttoned. (This rule may be relaxed by the Regimental surgeon or Regimental commander.)
    3. Vests: For more casual wear, a vest of subdued color may be worn in the place of the jacket.
    4. Jewelry: No modern jewelry and wristwatches are worn. A standard gold wedding band is acceptable.
    5. Eyewear: Authentic eyewear or contact lenses must be worn during events.
    6. Repair Kits: All members must have the proper repair necessities for their uniforms.
    7. Damaged Uniform: Damaged uniforms are to be repaired before taking the field for the next event.
    8. Footwear: After dark, and if camps are closed to the public, casual foot wear is acceptable.
    9. Modern Anachronisms: No modern civilian clothes are to be worn at any event so that they are visible to other members of the company, other reenactors or the public from first reveille until camp close at the end of the event.
    10. Other: Other uniforms and accoutrements may be acceptable subject to review by the commanding officer.
  6. Weapons
    1. Appropriate Weapons: All three band weapons common to the Civil War Era, subject to field command approval, may be used. Appropriate weapons include but are not limited to the following:
      1. The .577 caliber Model 1853 three band Enfield.
      2. The .58 caliber Model 1861 three band US Springfield.
      3. The .58 caliber Model 1863 three band CS Richmond.
      4. The .58 caliber Model 1862 three band Richmond.
      5. The .58 caliber Model 1855 three band Springfield.
      6. The .69 caliber Model 1842 three band Springfield.
      7. The .58 caliber Model 1863 three band Springfield.
    2. Bayonets: Privates and noncommissioned officers will carry a bayonet with appropriate leather gear for their rifled musket. No sword bayonets are permitted.
    3. Original Weapons: No original weapon or weapon containing original parts may be used.
    4. Other Weapon Types: Other types of weapons may be acceptable subject to review by the commanding officer.
    5. Sidearms: First Sergeants and commissioned officers may carry a sidearm and sword appropriate to their rank. Sidearms and swords must be appropriate for the infantry of the Civil War Era.
    6. Slings & Inspecting: Rifle slings should be of leather or canvas with leather inserts. All weapons must be cleaned, oiled and ready for rigorous inspection prior to use.
    7. Weapon Storage: When not in use, all weapons will be stacked or stored in a safe manner by the owner.
    8. Weapons Cleaning: After each battle reenactment or tactical, all weapons are to be cleaned and prepared for inspection. At no time will weapons be discharged without passing a company level inspection. Weapons will never be discharged in the company street without the expressed permission of the commanding officer.
    9. Ammunition
      1. All cartridges are to be made using plain white paper and glue or tied with a string. A cartridge made in any other type of way is not permitted.
      2. Powder charges for muskets will be no more than 65 grains. Powder charges for .36 caliber sidarms shall be no more than 15 grains and for .44 caliber sidearms 20 grains. The only packing material permitted for revolver cylinders is dry cream of wheat.
      3. Riflemen must have a minimum of 150 cartridges per event. Each man will carry a minimum of 40 cartridges and 50 percussion caps into a battle reenactment or tactical.



    2nd Maryland Infantry, Co H CSA Inc.
    SOP - Field Officer and Civilian Coordinator Elections

    1. The Nominating Committee shall receive nominations up to two weeks prior to the election meeting according to a posted schedule.
    2. Nominations will be accepted from the floor by the Nominating Committee at the election meeting.
    3. The Chairman of the Nominating Committee or his designee from the Nominating Committee shall conduct the elections as part of a Company H business meeting or during a special election meeting.
    4. All nominees for any position must give their approval for their nomination. The person making the nomination shall secure this approval prior to making the nomination.
    5. Nominations will be made and elections held for the following positions: Captain, First Lieutenant, First Sergeant, Second Sergeant, Corporal, and Civilian Coordinator. A member may be nominated for more than one position, but may not hold more than one position. A position which does not receive at least one nominee shall be declared vacant by the Executive Committee and a special election shall be scheduled as described in paragraph 15 below.
    6. In order to run for office, vote or make nominations the member must be in good standing and at least 16 years of age. A member in good standing has attended at least two living histories/battle events listed on the Company Calendar of Events and has attended at least one Company business meeting between January 1 of the election year and the election itself. The Civilian Coordinator shall have one vote for each military position, the Military Organization shall have one vote for the Civilian Coordinator position.
    7. Voting will be by secret written ballot. The ballots shall be counted by an ad hoc committee selected by the Nominating Committee and compose of three members who are non-military members in good standing. In the case of the office of Civilian Coordinator, an ad hoc committee of three military members who are in good standing and selected by the Nominating Committee shall count the ballots. Proxy votes may be used and are counted towards the quorum. A member in good standing when voting by proxy must request of the Secretary an official proxy form at least one month prior to the election meeting. Proxy forms will be issued by the Secretary at least two weeks prior to the election.
    8. Results of the voting shall immediately be announced to the membership. The final results of each election shall be published in the next newsletter following the elections.
    9. In case more than two candidates are running for one office and no candidate receives a majority vote, the initial vote shall then be considered a primary vote and shall be used to determine the two candidates with the highest vote tallies. These candidates will then be entered in a run off election to determine the ultimate winner.
    10. A tie vote will cause a run-off election. After three consecutive tie votes for any one position, the winner shall be determined by a coin toss.
    11. A majority of votes is necessary to elect. A quorum of 10 members in good standing is necessary to conduct an election for the positions listed in paragraph 5 above.
    12. The vote tallies shall become part of the Corporate Records.
    13. The elected candidates shall serve a two year term, or until the next election meeting is held.
    14. All elections for field officers shall be held no earlier than November 1 and not later than January 31 is the second year of any two year election cycle.
    15. In case one or more vacancies occur prior to the next election, the Executive Committee shall call a special election within sixty (60) days of the time the vacancy occurs for the purposes of conducting the election to fill the vacated position(s). The members(s) elected during a special election shall serve the remainder of the term of the vacated position. No special election shall be held if the term of office is sixty (60) days or less at the time the vacancy occurs. If no nominations are received for the open position(s) prior to or at the special meeting, the position(s) shall remain vacant until the next regularly scheduled election.
    16. Disciplinary action taken against any member may preclude that member from running or holding field office in the Company for one or more terms.
    17. These election procedures for field officers are to be reviewed biannually by the SOP Committee at least six (6) months prior to the regularly scheduled elections and revisions submitted to the membership for their approval. Approval must be made by a 2/3 vote; the vote to be taken at the regularly scheduled October-November Company business meeting. Such revisions shall take effect immediately. A quorum of 10 members in good standing is necessary to approve revisions.