Mission Statement:
The Federal Volunteer Brigade is formed as a living memorial, to provide living historians a means to honor the men, who fought to preserve the Union during the War of the Rebellion from 1861 through 1865, and the women and families who supported them. The Federal Volunteer Brigade members pledge to strive to accurately portray the lifestyle of the period, with honor, dignity and respect to themselves, each other and to the memory of those we represent.


Bylaws:
  1. All companies with like-minded impressions are encouraged and welcomed into the Brigade.
  2. All impressions and companies are respectfully requested to adhere to the minimal standards required by The Federal Volunteer Brigade. Participants are asked to be in period dress throughout the event. Companies should show competency, cohesiveness and a willingness to improve through company drill.
  3. No dues are required from member companies. No entrance fees are required from companies or regiments seeking membership.
  4. Amendments may be made to the bylaws during the annual brigade business meeting. The majority of those in attendance at the meeting will ratify amendments.
  5. The Federal Volunteer Brigade will not have any mandatory events. However, the brigade strongly encourages participation in brigade events.
  6. Organization within a company is left solely to the individuals belonging to that company.
The Federal Volunteer Brigade leadership is defined as:
Brigade Level: Regimental Level:
Chain of Command
Within the Brigade:
Definition; A brigade is more than one (1) regiment.
  1. The Brigade Commander is in total charge of the brigade.
  2. The Brigade Commander may delegate that authority to an officer he feels can discharge the duties responsibly.
  3. If the Brigade Commander is not present, the Chief of Staff (#1) or the Engineer (#2) will take command for the purpose of setting the camp for the brigade only.
  4. If the Brigade Commander is en route to the event, but not physically present, the first Regimental Commander arriving at camp, or his designate, will take temporary command of the brigade (for the purpose of field command only).
  5. If the Brigade Commander is not attending the event and did not delegate that authority to anyone, the Regimental Commanders present at the event will decide who will command the brigade. If the Regimental Commanders cannot reach a consensus, the Chief of Staff will make the final decision on who will command the brigade.
The above only applies if there is more then (1) one regiment in attendance. If the only regiment at the event is the first regiment, the Brigade Commander will become the Regimental Commander.

Within the Regiment:
Definition; A regiment is composed of more than one (1) company.
  1. The Regimental Commander is in total charge of his regiment, Subordinate to the Brigade Commander only.
  2. He may delegate that authority within his Chain of Command (to his Battalion Commanders: Lt. Colonel / Major or the alternate Battalion Commander; Lt. Colonel / Major, or to a Senior Captain of his regiment).
  3. If the Regimental Commander is en route to the event, but not physically present, the first Battalion Commander arriving at camp or his designate, or Senior Captain of his regiment, will take temporary command of the regiment (for the purpose of field command only).
  4. If the Regimental Commander is not attending the event and did not delegate that authority, the Battalion Commanders present at the event will decide who will command the regiment. If the Battalion Commanders cannot reach a consensus, the Brigade Commander will make the final decision who will command the regiment.
  5. The Regimental Commander of each regiment will maintain a list of all Subordinate Officers under his command and a list of company Captains by Seniority. The Regimental Commander will send the list to the Brigade Clerk and keep the Clerk updated as needed.
The above only applies if there is more than (1) one company in attendance.

Within the Company:
  1. Each company will determine its own rank structure.
  2. If two (2) or more companies are combined for an event. (Question) Who will command? It will be up to the commanders of the companies combined to decide. If the company commanders cannot reach a consensus, the final decision will be made by the Regimental Commander.
7. Companies or regiments wishing to become members of the Federal Volunteer Brigade must obtain a sponsorship, from either an individual or a current member company of the brigade. Companies or regiments that are provisionally accepted into the brigade will be subject to a one-year probationary period.