 |
 |
|
|
|
Of all the duties a soldier must perform, none is probably more important than guard duty. What about fighting in battle, you might say? It should be remembered that times of actual combat are few, while ensuring the safety and discipline of the Army is continuous duty. It is upon the vigilance of the Guard that the security of a camp, and in turn of an Army, and ultimately of the nation, depends. Without a diligent Guard, the Army may never have the opportunity to meet the enemy on the field. The importance of guard duty is clearly implied in the Articles of War, especially Article 46, by the punishment for failing in it: ART. 46. Any sentinel who shall be found sleeping upon his post, or who shall leave it before being regularly relieved, shall suffer death, or such other punishment as may be inflicted by the sentence of a court-martial… Brigadier General August V. Kautz reminds us that when on guard, “No nobler death can fall to the lot of a soldier; whilst no greater ignominy can befall him than to desert his post in time of danger, when the lives of others are dependent on the performance of his duty.” (1) Guard duty was a fact of life for officers and soldiers alike during the Civil War. Guard was a daily event for all ranks and formed an integral part of the soldier’s experience. This fact is reflected in many memoirs and commentaries. This article summarizes the manner in which army units of the 1860s carried out guard duty. The focus here is on what should be known as the Battalion Police Guard, or “camp guard”; as this is what you will most commonly encounter at battalion events, as well as living history events where we mount the guard. The term “Guard” refers to the body of soldiers assigned to the security duty. An individual soldier standing his post is a sentinel, or a sentry; sentinels are thus individual members of the Guard. There are several different types of guard duty, but the basics are the same for each one.
The Battalion Police Guard is a first-class detail that is provided on a daily (24-hour) basis. The guard personnel are drawn from all companies of the battalion, based proportionally on company strength. The duty rosters are prepared in accordance with paragraphs 562-574 of the Army 1863 (revised) Regulations. The purpose of the police guard is to provide for internal and limited external security of a regimental camp or garrison. The police guard is composed of the camp guard and the advance post. Soldiers assigned to guard duty will perform this duty in the uniform prescribed by the commander. They are not permitted to remove their clothing while on duty and sentinels on actual guard must perform their assigned duties wearing knapsacks (para. 569). The overall composition of the guard typically is as follows:
One Soldier's First Experience on Guard: “… We got a call for picket duty, and were told anyone could volunteer if he wanted to. I with others volunteered, and Sergeant Mike Higgins went with us. He had been in the regular army five years and knew the drill from A to Z. He was a model soldier and a good instructor. He was very emphatic in giving instructions and I never forgot what he told me. He posted me and Nels Osgood at the forks of the road, Nels to watch the left hand road and I the right hand. We were to lay down flat on our stomach and keep close watch, as they expected an attack at any time. He told us what to do if the grand rounds came, or anyone else. We were not to know anyone until they gave the countersign, which was never spoken above a whisper, and were never to let anyone put their hands on our guns while on guard duty at any time. The grand rounds might come at any time, and might not come at all. They were to see the guards were efficient and safe, as the whole army depended on the picket to give the alarm in case of attack by the enemy. He didn’t tell us that the grand rounds might come from any direction. It was a nice moonlight night and very still. The road was dry and dusty. The reserve was some 40 yards back. There was thick timber all around us. This was the first guard duty I had ever done. We had lain there an hour or so when I heard a saber tinkle against s spur. We both sprang to our feet and yelled “Halt!” as there were about ten mounted men close to us in our rear. They halted. I waited for Nels to challenge, but as he didn’t, I called, “Who goes there?” They answered, “Ground rounds with the countersign.” I said, “Halt grand rounds, dismount one and advance with the countersign.” It was a brigadier general that came. I halted him when he got within six feet. He stood there without giving the countersign. He put his hand out to push my gun aside as I had it at charge bayonet, but I slapped his arm with the bayonet, and told him to keep his hands off my gun. He said he had to get up so as to whisper the countersign in my ear. I said, “You lean over the point of that bayonet and whisper it.” So he leaned quite heavily against the bayonet, and gave a false countersign. I stepped back a little and told him, “Right about – face! Mark time, double-quick, march!” He obeyed, but wanted to know what was wrong, and tried to bluff me, said I could see he was a Union officer. But I told him to do just as I told him and he was all right, but if he made a false move, I would stick the bayonet right through him. I told Nels to call the sergeant. It seemed to me the sergeant wasn’t in a hurry to get there, and that fellow was puffing like a steam engine. The sergeant took them back to the reserve where there was a fire. The sergeant praised me for doing as I did, said if I hadn’t done as I did, they would have put me in the guard house, which I was mortally afraid of. I was well pleased with myself, and I suspected afterwards that the sergeant had directed him to me as I was a greenhorn, and they must have come by the reserve. I didn’t have to drill with the awkward squad after that. (2) Watchwords The countersign and the parole are issued each day from the headquarters of the local command, whether it be the post, Battalion, Brigade, Division, or whatever. The Countersign is usually the name of a battle… e.g., “Bunker Hill” or "Manassas". It is given only to those who are permitted to visit and pass the line of sentries after dark (e.g., officers and NCOs on duty) and to the members of the Guard. It is not given to interior sentinels unless by order. Soldiers and anyone else who need to pass the line of sentinels must generally have a pass to do so. Note that the countersign as used here is a single phrase -- not a challenge and reply as used in the present day military. The Parole is usually the name of a general (e.g., “George Washington”). It is given only to the Commander of the Guard and other officers who may visit, inspect, and give orders to the Guard, and make Grand Rounds. These other officers are the Officer of the Day, the Battalion, Brigade, and Division commanders. This does not include company officers – although a company provides soldiers for the Guard, the Guard belongs to the Battalion, not the Company. The only exception to this is if a company officer is either the Officer of the Day or the Officer of the Guard, or if the Company is on station alone. Giving the parole is the sign, or surety that this officer is authorized to give orders to the Guard. No officer or soldier may give the countersign to any person not authorized to receive it, nor may he give a parole or watchword different from what he received, upon penalty of “death, or such other punishment as a court martial may inflict.” (3) If the countersign is lost or compromised, or if a sentinel deserts, the Officer of the Guard will immediately change the countersign, and report that fact to his superior. Guard Mount Guard Mount is basically a small-scale parade and review. If you’ve ever watched the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, or the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, some of this will begin to make sense. The Guard is mounted once per day at the time set by the unit
commander, typically between 8 and 10 a.m. The Adjutant then commands "Front,"
when the officer of the guard takes post twelve paces in front
of the center of the formation, the Sergeants in one rank, four
paces in the rear of the officers; and the Corporals in one rank.
four paces in the rear of the Sergeants-all facing to the front.
The Adjutant then assigns their places in the guard, for example,
“Lieutenant Smith, you are the COG; ” The non-commissioned officers then take their posts. The commander of the guard then commands, and inspects his guard. When there is no commissioned officer on the guard detail, the Adjutant will inspect the Guard. During inspection, the band or field music will play. Once the inspection is complete, the officer of the guard takes his post as though the guard were a company of a battalion, in open order, under review. At the same time, the new and outgoing officers of the day will take post in front of the center of the guard; the old officers of the day three paces on the right of the new officers of the day, and one pace behind. The Adjutant then commands, at which time, the field music, beginning on the right, will
march down the line, playing a quickstep tune, in front of the
officer of the guard to the left, and back to its place on the
right, where it will cease to play. At the word “close order,” the officer will face about; at "march,” he resumes his post in line. The Adjutant then commands, After which he will face to the new officer of the day, salute, and report, “Sir, the Guard is formed.” The new officer of the day, after acknowledging the salute, will direct the Adjutant to march the guard in review, or by flank to its post. In review, the guard wheels by platoon into column and marches past the officer of the day conducted by the Adjutant marching on the left of the first division; the Sergeant Major marches on the left of the last division. When the column has passed the officer of the day, the officer of the guard marches it to its post, with the Adjutant and Sergeant Major dropping out from the column The field music, which has wheeled out of the column and taken post opposite the old officer of the day, will cease playing. The old officer of the day then salutes and gives the old or standing orders of the day to the new officer of the day. The supernumeraries, at the same time, are marched off by the First Sergeants to their respective company parades, and are dismissed In bad weather or at night, or after a long marches, this formal ceremony of “turning off” the Guard may be dispensed with, but the inspection of the Guard must always be done. Grand guards, and other brigade guards, are organized and mounted on the brigade parade by the staff officer of the parade, under the direction of the field officer of the day of the brigade, in exactly the same manner as described here for the police guard of a regiment. The detail of each regiment is assembled on the regimental parade ground, verified by the Adjutant, and marched to the brigade parade by the senior officer of the detail. After inspection and review, the officer of the day directs the several guards to their respective posts. Changing the Guard The officer of the old guard having his guard in formation in front of the guard house or guard post, on the approach of the new guard, commands, The new guard will march, in quick time, past the old guard, at shouldered arms, officers saluting, and take post four paces on its right, where, being aligned with it, its commander will order; The two officers will then approach each other and salute. They will then return to their respective guards, and command, The officer of the new guard will now direct the detail for the Advanced Post to be formed and marched to its post, a roster of the guard made and divided into three reliefs, with experienced soldiers placed over the arms of the guard and at the remote and responsible posts, and the young soldiers in posts near the guard for instruction in their duties, and will himself proceed to inventory and take charge of the guard-house or guard-tent, and the articles and prisoners in charge of the guard. During the time of relieving the sentinels and of calling in the small posts, the old commander will give the new all the information and instructions relating to his post. For a typical Battalion camp, the police guard would consist of the following posts: First, the Guard House (or Guard Tent), where the leadership element is stationed. This consists of the Commander of the Guard; the Sergeant of the Guard, one drummer, and the two reliefs that are currently off-duty. A relief consists of one Corporal of the Guard and ten sentinels
(or one sentinel for every post to be manned). There are three
reliefs — typically a relief stands watch for two hours,
and is off duty for four hours before being posted again; standing
four two-hour tours of duty out of the 24 it is detailed for
guard.
The Advance Post is the Guard post located towards and nearest to the enemy. It serves to provide early warning of any enemy advance, and is also where any prisoners taken by or under the control of the Guard are held. It is manned by the Advance Post Sergeant, one Corporal of the Guard, one drummer, and 9 sentinels. These nine sentinels are formed into three reliefs under the charge of the Corporal, with one guard posted on the arms stacks and prisoners; and the other two on the front flanks of the Battalion. Once the soldiers in the first relief have been named, they are marched two paces to the front and their Corporal of the guard will take charge and go to relieve the sentinels. The first relief is accompanied by the third relief Corporal of the old guard, who knows where the sentinel posts are and will take command of the old sentinels, when the old relief has been relieved. The relief marches at in two ranks at Support Arms, conducted by the Corporal on the side of the leading front rank man; and the sentinels will be numbered alternately in the front and rear rank, the man on the right of the front rank being designated as "No. 1." Should an officer approach, the Corporal will command the relief to Shoulder Arms, and resume Support Arms when the officer has been passed. The sentinels at the guard-house, or guard-tent, are the first to be relieved, and are left behind (e.g., they do not have to march all the way around the posts with the rest of the relief). Each numbered pos is relieved in succession. It is best to relieve the farthest post next, and then relieve each post in succession as the relief works its way back toward the guard-house. When a sentinel sees the relief approach, he will halt and face to it, and bring his weapon to Shoulder Arms. At six paces, the Corporal will command, when the relief will halt and carry arms. The corporal will then add, “No.1,” or “No.2,” or “No.3,” according to the number of the post, The two sentinels will, with arms at port, then approach each other when the old sentinel, under the correction of the corporal, will whisper the instructions to the new sentinel. This done, the two sentinels will Shoulder Arms, and the old sentinel will march, in quick time, to take his place in rear of the relief. The corporal will then command: and the relief proceeds to the next post in the same manner until the entire shift has been relieved. Once all detachments and sentinels from the old guard been relieved and returned to the guard house, the old relief will be marched, at shouldered arms, along the front of the new guard, in quick time, the new guard standing with presented arms; officers saluting, and the music of both guards beating, except at the outposts. The outgoing guard detail will return to the Battalion parade area, and the commander of the old guard will send the detachments composing it, under charge of the non-commissioned officers, to their respective companies. Remember that the Guard’s weapons are loaded! Before the men are dismissed, the loads in their weapons will either be drawn or discharged at a target. On rejoining their companies, the squad leaders will examine the arms and accoutrements of their men, and cause the whole to be put away in good order. Meanwhile, back at the guard house, once the old guard has marched off fifty paces, the officer of the new guard will order his remaining men to stack their arms, or to place them in the arms racks. The commander of the guard will then make himself acquainted with all the instructions for his post, visit the sentinels, and question them and the non-commissioned officers relative to the instructions they may have received from other’ persons of the old guard. The Sentinels Sentinels may only take orders from, and only allow themselves to be relieved by, an officer or NCO of their own Guard, or by the Officer of the Day or the commander of the unit to which the Guard belongs (e.g., the battalion commander). Under no circumstances may a sentinel leave his post or beat until regularly excused by an NCO or officer authorized to give him orders. A sentinel who needs to absent himself (for example, a call of nature, etc.) must call for his Corporal of the Guard, who will replace him with another man or take his post himself, until the sentinel returns. Posts must never be left unoccupied; no sentinel is to leave his post for any reason without proper orders. The members of the Guard, including the officers, NCOs, and sentinels, may not remove their accoutrements or clothing during the entire 24 hours they are on duty. All persons, of any rank, must respect the sentinels. In the same manner, sentinels should not abuse their authority. Sentinels must remain alert, observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing of their post. They are to report every breach of general or camp orders and regulations, such as discharging weapons in camp, drunkenness, gambling, etc. No sentinel should leave his post or have conversation with anyone not necessary to his duties. A sentinel walks the beat that is indicated to him and prevents damage or theft to any public property, including houses, fences, trees, etc. unless by order. If he cannot do this without leaving his post, he calls for the Corporal of the Guard. Sentinels carry their weapons (loaded, with bayonet fixed) at Support Arms, or on either shoulder. They should never let anyone else touch their weapon while on their post, or give their weapon to anyone else, and should never allow the weapon to touch the ground except by order of an officer or NCO of the Guard. In wet weather, they carry their weapons at Secure Arms. (Note: weapons are typically primed once the sentinel is placed on his post, the old sentinel then unprimes his weapon before taking his place to march back with the relief.) A sentinel salutes by coming to Present Arms for the Officer of the Day, the Battalion Commander, and any field officer (major or above). For captains and below, they salute by coming to Attention, then Shoulder Arms. Sentinels do not salute or give other courtesies during the hours when they are to challenge. Sentinels should repeat all calls from posts more distant from the Guard’s main body. Sentinels must be posted within hearing distance of each other, no post should be out of communication. After Retreat (about sunset), or when visibility is limited, and until broad daylight, sentinels are to challenge at Arms-Port. They come to the Ready if anyone advances on them without the proper countersign, and should allow no one to approach them nearer than the tip of their bayonet. In case of a fire, the sentinel discharges his piece and calls “Fire!”, followed by his post number. If there is any other emergency, the sentinel discharges his piece and calls, “Turn out the Guard, Post No. __!” In either case, the two off-duty reliefs at the guard house immediately turn out, and advance toward the alarmed sentry. Sentinels will be relieved every two hours, unless the state of the weather, or other causes, should make it necessary or proper that it be done at shorter or longer intervals. The normal rotation of duty is two hours on, and four hours off. Thus, during a 24 hour tour of duty, a sentinel will be on post for 8 hours (four 2-hour tours). A sentinel’s duties are of two types: general (for all posts) and special (for a particular post). A sentinel should be able to recite or paraphrase these orders whenever called upon to do so by the commander, the Officer of the Day, or an officer or NCO of the Guard. The General Orders for all sentinels at all posts are as follows: “I am required to take charge of this post and all public property in view; to salute all officers passing, according to rank; to give the alarm in case of fire, or the approach of the enemy, or any disturbance whatsoever; to report all violations of the Articles of War, Regulations of the Army, or camp or garrison orders; at night, to challenge all persons approaching my post, and to allow no one to pass without the countersign until they are examined by an officer or noncommissioned officer of the Guard.” The diligence with which the sentinel performs these duties is indicative of his qualities as a soldier. The Sentinel should know what is meant by the above, and be able to explain it in detail.
Special Orders are peculiar to each post. For example, special orders which apply to many of the standard camp guard posts would likely be:
Challenging After retreat (or the hour appointed by the commanding officer), until broad daylight, a sentinel challenges every person who approaches him, taking, at the same time the position of Arms-Port. He will allow no person to come nearer than within reach of his bayonet, until that person has given the countersign. A sentinel challenging, will call out – “Who comes there?” If answered, “Friend, with the countersign”, and the sentinel is authorized to pass persons with the countersign, he will reply, “Advance, friend, with the countersign.” If answered “Friends”, he will reply, “Halt, friends! Advance one, with the countersign!” If answered, “Relief”, “Patrol,”, or “Grand Rounds,” he will reply, “Halt! Advance, Sergeant (or Corporal), with the countersign!” and satisfy himself that the party is what it represents itself to be. If the sentinel does not have authority to pass persons with the countersign, if the wrong countersign is given, or if the person or party does not have the countersign, the sentinel will come to the Ready, arrest and hold the approaching party and call “Corporal of the Guard!, Post No. __!” In the daytime, when the sentinel before the guard sees the officer of the day approach, he will call - “Turn out the guard! Officer of the day.” The guard will be paraded, and salute with presented arms. When any person approaches a post of the guard at night, the sentinel before the post, after challenging, causes him to halt until examined by a noncommissioned officer of’ the guard. If it be the officer of the day, or any other officer entitled to inspect the guard and to make the rounds, the non-commissioned officer will call “Turn out the guard!” when the guard will be paraded at shouldered arms, and the officer of the guard, if he thinks necessary, may demand the countersign and parole. When the officer of the day wishes to make the rounds to check on and inspect the sentinels, known as the “grand rounds, he will take an escort of a non-commissioned officer and two men. When the rounds are challenged by a sentinel, the sergeant will answer “Grand rounds” and the sentinel will reply “Halt, Grand rounds! Advance, sergeant, with the countersign!”, Upon which the sergeant advances and gives the countersign. The sentinel will then cry –“Advance, Rounds” and stand at Shoulder Arms until they have passed. When the sentinel before the guard house (Post No. 1) challenges, and is answered “Grand rounds” he will reply – “Halt, grand rounds! Turn out the guard – grand rounds!” Upon which the guard will be drawn up at shouldered arms. The officer commanding the guard will then order a sergeant and two men to advance; when within ten paces the sergeant challenges. The sergeant of the grand rounds answers – “Grand rounds.” The sergeant of the guard replies-”Advance, Sergeant, with the countersign!” The Sergeant of the rounds advances alone, gives the countersign, and returns to his round. The Sergeant of the guard calls to his officer, “The countersign is right!,” upon which the officer of the guard calls, “Advance, rounds!”. The officer of the rounds then advances alone, the guard standing at shouldered arms. The officer of the rounds passes along the front of the guard to the officer of the guard, who keeps his post on the right, and gives him the parole. He then examines the guard, orders back his escort, and then, taking a new escort, proceeds in the same manner to other guards. All material instructions given to a sentinel on post by persons entitled to make grand rounds, ought to be promptly notified to the commander of the guard. Any General officer, or the commander of a post or garrison, may visit the guards of his command, and go the grand rounds, and be received in the same manner as prescribed here for the officer of the day. Footnotes: References:
|