Constitution and by-laws of the Old Dominion Rifles, of Alexandria, Virginia. Organized December 6th, 1860

CONSTITUTION

BY-LAWS

OF THE

OF ALEXANDRIA,

VIRGINIA.
Organized December 6th, 1860.

ALEXANDRIA:

WJIITE & BALDWIN PRINTERS,
1861.

CONSTITUTION

BY-LAWS

OF THE

OF ALEXANDRIA,

VIRGINIA.

Organized December 6th, 1860.

ALEXANDRIA :

WHITE & BALDWIN PRINTERS,

1861.

George Washington Flowers
Memorial Collection

DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

ESTABLISHED BY THE

FAMILY OF

COLONEL FLOWERS

C FLOURS R$%.

CONSTITUTION.

PREAMBLE.

The undersigned, citizens of Virginia, prompted
by a desire to contribute in the most effectual
manner to the vindication ot the honor of our
State, the preservation ot the liberties and ina-
lienable rights transmitted to us by ourpitriot
fathers and the protection of the lives, liberty and
property of our fellow citizens — for the safety of
which we pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our
sacred honor; beicg also deeply impressed with the
truth that a well organized and disciplined militia
is the best defence again-t foreign invasion, civil
commotion and lawl.j*s violence; in order to further
and cultivate a martial spirit amongst our people,
have formed ourselves into i Military Corps, and
do hereby ordain and establish for out government
the followirg Constitution and By-Laws.

ARTICLE I.
The name of the company shall be the

OLD DOMINION RIFLES,

ARTICLE II.

Sec. 1.— The Commissimed Officers (who shall
be chosen in the manner prescribed by the laws of
the State of Virginia ) shall consist of a Captain and

First, Second and Third Lieutenants, which grades
shall only be vacated by death, resignation or sen-
tence of a Court Martial, said sentence to be con-
firmed unless reversed by a vote oi two thirds of
the company.

Sec. 2.- -The non-Commissioned Officers of the
company shall consist of not more than five (5)
Sergeants, and four (4) Corporals, who shall be
appointed by the Commanding Oificar of tho Com-
pany, which appointment shall continue until
deata, resignation or sentence of reduction to the
ranks, or of dismissal by C<urt Martial. The sen-
tence of the Court to be enforced, unless an appeal
be sustained by a two t'jird vote.

ARTICLE III.
Sec. L- The Civil Officers of the Company shall
be a Surgeon, Quartermaster, Secretary, Treas-
urer and Armorer, for which officers there shall
be an annual election on the First Monday of De-
cember, and a majority of all the members pres-
ent shall constitute a choice,

ARTICLE IV.

Sec. 1. — This shall bo a joint stock or consoli-
dated company. The equipments, uniforms and
accoutrements of every descriotion shall belong
to, and be under the sole control of the Company,
and not of individual members. Re.' olved, how-
ever, that the Swords, Epi.ulettes and Sashes of
the Commissioned Officers shall be purchased by
them and belong to them irdividually.

Sec. 2. — Each member upon being elected and
signing the Constitution, shall pay unto the Treas-
urer the full cost of a unifoi m, and if not able so
to do, then he is to pay in as much as his means will

allow. It is left to the honor of the members to
comply with the spirit of this article.
ARTICLE Y.

Sec. 1. — The Company in order to uniform and
equip completely and to defray other necessary
expenses ;-hall have pow^r to issue certificates of
indebtedness of not more than twenty dollars ( $ 10)
each, bearing six (6) per cent interest, and paya-
ble semi-annu illy. Said interest to be paid outof
any money in the Treasury. Said certific ites of
debt not to exctedin amount t,\o thousand (2000)
dollars.

Sec. 1. — There shall be a Sinking Fund of

dollars per moo'h from the monthly dues

collected set apart to * educe any debt incurred by
issuing certificates.

Sec. 3. — The certificates of debt shall be signed
by the Secretary, countersigned by the Treasurer
and endorsed by the Commissioned Officers.
ARTICLE VI.

Sec. 1. — There shall be attached to the Armory
the ordinary fixtures of a Gymnasium, and a
Reading Room, as means for the better develop-
ment of the moral, intellectual, and physical na-
tures of the members of this Company.
ARTICLE VII.

Sec. 1. — There shall ba a Re ;ular Meeting on
the First Monday of each month

Sec. 2. — Elections to fill vacancies that may oc-
cur shall be held at the regular monthly meetings.

Sec. 3. — By Laws not inconsistent with the Con-
stitution may be passed by a vote ot three f)urth3
of any meeting of the Company, consisting of not
less than twenty-five (25) members.

ARTICLE VIII.
Articles may be added and amendments may be
made to the Constitution, by submitting such alter-
ation or amendment, in writing, to any meeting of
the Company, to be referred by them to a Com-
mittee, who shall report on the same at a subse-
quent meeting, which shall be held at, a period not
less than fifteen (15) days from the appointment of
said Committee. For this meeting special notice
shall be served, and no alteration or amendment
shall be adopted, except by a vote of three-fourths
of such meeting, which meeting shall consist of
not les3 than thirty (30) members.

BY-LAWS.

LAW!.

UNIFORM.

The Uniform of the Company shall be of Vir-
ginia made, Ciidet Grey Cloth, a Jacket of the
pattern of the Hungarian Riflemen; the Zouave
Pant?; ibe Cap after the style ot the Fremh In-
fantry; all trimmed with Green, ana the Virginia
State Buttons.

LAW 2.
MEETINGS.

Sec. 1. — There shall be held meetings of the
Company on every Monday and Thursday eve-
nings throughout the year, at which the roll shall
be called b^ the senior non-Commissioned officer
present, at'seven anda half (7%) o'clock during
the winter, and during the summer months at eight
(8) o'clock, P. M. But at any meeting for drill

or parade, business may be transacted (except in
those classes of cases for which the Constitution
makes other provision) and at the discretion of
the Commanding Officer, any meeting for drill can
be devoted to recruits.

Sec. 2. — Tbe Commanding Officer shall at any
time upon the written request of ten members con-
vene the company.

Sec. 3.— At all meetings for. Drill, the members
will appear in full Fatigue Dress.

Sec. 4. — At all meetings for business, the senior
Commissioned Officer present shall take the chair,)
and the senior non-commissioned officer present
call the roll.

Sec. 5. — At every meeting of this Company, one

Commissioned, one non-Commissioned officer, and

twenty-five ( 25 ) privates shall constitute a quorum.

LAW 3.

COMMITTEES.

Sec. 1. — There shall be chosen by ballot at the
Annual Meeting, a Recruiting Committee, a Fi-
nance Committee and a Room Committee, to con-
sist of three (3) members each, who shall com-
mence their duties on the Thursday following their
election. A majoritv of all the members present
shall be necessarv to a choice.

Sec 2. — It snail be the dutv of the Recruiting
Committee, when an application for membership
in this Company is received, to examine into the
qualifications of such applicant — hisabilitv toper-
form the duties required of hi u, to inquire into
and ascertain his character for mor ilit> and gen-
tlemanly conduct, and to reportin detail the result
of their investigations. The member proposing a
recruit shall act as a member of the committee tor
the time being.

Sec. 3. — It shall be the duty of the Finance Com-
mittee to examine from time to time the book of
the Company and vouchers for money paid; to as-
certain the condition of receipt and expenditure,
the balance that may be due by merrbers, and to
make a detailed report semi-annually of the re-
spective amounts due by each member. T hey shall
also esamine and pass upon all bills due by the
Company before payment thereof.

Sec. 4.— It shall be the duty of the Room and
Armory Committee to take entire charge of the
same, and to see tnat the same is kept in suitable
order and repair.

Clause 2. — The Armory shall be closed at elev-
en (11) o'clock, P. M., or within one hour after
drill or meeting, and no member si) all remain in
the room after that time, except b} permission of
the Ctfminittce or the Commandant.

Clause 3. — No member shall handle or interfere
with any of the arms or equipments except they
be his own. unless by permission of the owner
thereof, or the Commandant.

Clause 4. — A majority of the Committee shall
constitute a quorum.

SECRETARY.
Sec. 5. — Clause!. — It shall be the duty of the
Secretary to record the proceedings of all meetings
in books kept for that purpose, (which books he
shall bring- or send to every regular meeting to-
gether with all other books relating to the affairs
of the Company in his custocy, under a penalty of
two (2) dollars for each offence; and to keep a
just, and true account of all fines, dues, and asses-
ments accruing to the Company. He shall also
collect the same and pay them over to the Treas-

urer, whose receipt for the same shall be a suffi-
cient voucher.

Clause 2. — He shall make a quarterly return of
all members six months in arrears, and stale the
amount due from each delinquent.

Clause 3.— He -hall serve every member with a
written notice of his election into the Company.

Clause 4. --He shall surrender thj books to the
Finance Committee upon the requizitior thereof,
and for his services shall be exempt from dues.
TREASURER.
Sec. 6 — It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to
keep correct accounts of all money's received or
paid by him on account of the Company in bookg
kept for tha purpose. He shall pay all bills of
the Company after they hove bern endorsed by the
Finance Committee, and report at every Monday
meetings the state of the Company fund. He shall
surrender his books to the Finance Committee upon
requisition thereof.

L\W4.
COURT-MA RT1 AX.
Sec. 1. — At each annual meeting1 there shall be
a Court-Martial consisting of one Commissioned
officer, one non-Commissioned officer and three
privates elected by a vote of two thirds of the
members present, whose duties shall be to take
cognizance of all casses arising from a violation of
these By-Laws, the Constitution, and of the rules
necessary to the maintenance of the character of
the Company before the enemy and in the eyes of
our citizens. This Court shall convene on the first
Monday in every January, March, May, July, Sep-
tember, November and December, at such hour
and place as shall not conflict with the regular bus-

ne3S of the Company. But the President may con"
vene the Court at any other time. The Secretary
of the Company shall act as Recorder of the
Court, and in his absence the President may ap-
point one of the members pro tern. The President
shall be entitled to the casting vote.

Clause 2. — It shall require the votes of two-thirds
of the Company to set aside, or alter the decision
of the Court.

Clause 3. — All returns, excuses, and statements
to the Court shall be on honor and the members
thereof shall, on honor, well and truly try and de-
termine such matters as come under their jurisdic-
tion, and impose and enact such fines and penalties
as any member of the Company may be subject to
pay, according to the provision of the Bv-Laws.

THE RECORDER shall keep a correct record of
the proceedings of the Court, make out all notices
to delinquents to appear before said Court, as the
President thereof shall direct, and deliver the same
to the Orderly Sergeant for service; to serve all
notices that he shall be directed to serve by the
President, and to make returns within five (5)
days to the Company of all fines that may be as-
sessed by the Court.

THE COURT shall appoint a Sergeant at-Arms,
whose duty it shall be to preserve order at all
meetings of the Court, under the direction of the
President thereof.

Clause 4. — In cases where members shall be fined
by default, the Court may remit the fine in all, or in
part, if a sulficient excuse be rendered on or before
the next regular meeeting.

Clause 5. — Any member considering himself
aggrieved by a decision of the Court-Martial shall
be allowed an appeal to the Company, at any reg-

ular meeting thereof, but it shall require the con-
sent of two-thirds of the members present to annul
or modify Fuch decision.

Clause 6 — The majority of the Court-Martial
shall constitute a quorum thereof.
LA.W5.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Sec. 1 — The Commandant shall be by virtue of his
office, a member of all committees, and may in
the absence from the city of any member of the
Court-Martial, or of any of the Committees, fill the
vacancy pro tern.

Sec. 2. — Any Officer ushig language, or conduct-
ing himself in a manner, unbecoming an Officer
and a gentleman, at drill, or meeting of the Com-
pany of any description, may be presented to the
Court-Martial in written charges or specifications
by any member of the Company.
LAW 6.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Sec. 1.— Clause h — It shall be the duty of each
of the non- commissioned officers to keep a correct
roll of the members with the residence of each,
and to be provided with a roll at every meeting or
parade of the Company; to attend the drills of the
recruits in fatigue dress, with musket, bayonet and
belt, when ordered to do so by the Commandant.

Clause 2.- -It shall be the duty oi the Orderly
Sergeant to arrange and divide the members of
tbis Company into squads as nearly equal as may
be, and to assign to each of tne Corporals one of
the said squads, on which he is to serve orders and
notices; but the Orderly may make such alter-
ations therein, as from time to time, may be neces-

10

sary, and in case of the sickness or absence from
the city ' f either of the non-Commissioned officers,
he may direct another of the non-Commissined offi-
cers to serve the squad of the one who may be sick
or absent from the city, and the said non-Commis-
sioned officer shall serve the said squad as he shall
be directed bv the Orderly Sergeant.

Clause 3. — The Second Sergeant shall, upon any
drill or parade, see that the equipments of the
members are in good order, and report every de-
linquent to the Secretary.

Sec. 4. — No officer shall be elected to any office
in this company except by a majority of all votes
east at the election, and unless he is free from in-
debtedness to the Companv.
LAW 7
OF MEMBERS,

Sec. 1. — The admission of members into this
Company shall be by ballot, and if five votes at any
such election, shall be in the negative, the appli-
cant shall not be elected.

Ce\use 2. — Every member while in uniform, or
wearing: any part thereof, shall beheld responsible
to the Companv for his conduct.

Clause 3.— For defraying the necessary expen-
ses of the Company, each member (except the Cor-
porals and Secretary) shall pay to the Treasurer
twenty cents at every monthly meeting — Commis-
sioned Officers shall pay double dues.

Clause 4. — It shall be the duty of each member
of this Company, upon changing his residence or
the place at which he may have directed his orders
to be served, to notify the Orderly Sergeant with-
in three days thereafter.

Clause 5. — Every member who shall be absent

11

from three consecutive drills without being able to
give a sufficient excuse, shall be returned to the
Company for expulsion.

Clause 6. — No member, who shall be six (6)
months in arrears for any fines, dues or assesments,
shall have any voice or vote in the Company until
he has balanced his account in the Company's
books; and if any member shall neglect to SPtfle
his accounts after that period, he shall be returned
to the Company for expulsion.

LAW 8.

EXPULSION.

Sec. 1. — Clause 1. — No member shall be expelled
from this Company except by a resolution adopted
by two thirds cf the members present at any reg-
ular meeting thereof.

Clause 2. — When any member shall be reported
for expulsion, his case thall lie over for action until
the nest or such subsequent meeting as the Com-
pany may direct, ind the Secretary fhnll cause to
be served upon him, or at the place he may have
directed his notices to be left, a written order to
appearand show cause, if any he has, why expul-
sion should not ensue.

Clause 3. — Any person who has been expelled
from membership in this or any other Company,
shall be considered dishonored, and shall not be eli-
gible for re-election; and such expulsion shall in all
cases be issued in order.

LAW 9.
DEATH OF MEMBERS,

Sec. 1. — In case of the death of a member of the
Company, it shall be the duty of any member hav-
ing knowledge thereof, to report the same to the

12

Commandant without delay, when he shall notify
the members of the Company to attend the fune-
ral in citizen's dress, or (if agreeable to the friends
of the deceased) direct a parade in full uniform for
the purpose of rendering funeral honors in the ob-
sequies.

LAW 10.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
Sec. 1. — Any member whose time of service shall
have expired, and who shall remain in the Com-
pany, shall be required to attend all regular meet-
ings, or pay the fines and pay the amount of quar-
terly dues as other members, but shall not hi- com-
pelled to attend any Company drills.

LAW 11.

FINES AND PENALTIES.

Sec. 1.— The following fines and penalties shall
be incurred, and imposed for not conforming with
the By-Laws, except in cases where a satisfactory
excuse be rendered as hereinbefore provided :

Clause 1.— For not appearing within fifteen (15)
minutes after roll-call, at any meeting of this Com-
pany for business or drill Ten cents; for appearing
from fifteen to thirty minutes after roll-call at any
such meeting 15 cents; and for appearing after that
time, the same as for non-attendance.

Clause 2. — For non-attendance at any meeting
of this Company for drill, Twenty-five cents.

Clause 3. — For non-attendance at any regular
or special meeting of this Company for business,
Twenty-five cents.

Cla.use4. — For appearing at any parade with de-
ficient equipments or accoutrements, or if the same
be in a soiled condition, Fifty cents.

13

Clause 5. — For leaving the room at any meeting
of the Company without permission of the Senior
Officer present, or for leaving the Company at drill
or parade, One Dollar.

Clause 6. — For disobeying any order of the
Comminding or presiding Officer at any meeting
or drill of the Company, One Dollar.

Clause 7. — For non-attendance before Court-
Martial, when regularly notified, at the time spe-
cified, Fifty cents.

Clause 8. — For disrespect to, or noisy or ungen-
tlemanly conduct before the Court-Martial, Fifty
cents.

Clause 9. — For non-attendance at Company pa-
rades ordered in pursuance of a resolution of the
Company, not more than one dollar, or less than
fifty cents.

Clause 10. — For appearing within fifteen min-
utes after the time specified and ordered for parade
10 cents, and for appearing from fifteen to thirty
minutes after, 15 cents, for appearing after that
time the same as " • non-attendance.

Clause 11. — k.. every neglect or failure on the
part of any non-commissioned officer, to do or
perform any or either of the duties tlat he may
be. required to do and perform by these By-Laws,
he shall b« fined Fifty cenK

Clause 12. — For disorderly conduct or conduct
unbecoming a Soldier, on parade, not more than
One Dollar, nor less than Fifty cents.

Clause 13. — For not notifying the Orderly of a
changv) of residence, as hereinbefore required,
Twenty-five cents.

Clause 14.— For every neglect and failure on the
part of the Secretary to do or perform any or
either of the duties that he is requested to do or

14

perform by these By-Laws, he shall be fined One
Dollar.

Clause 15. — The mexbersof the Court-Martial,
for appearing within fifteen minutes after time
specified in order, Twenty -five cents; and for ap-
pearing from fifteen to thirty minutes after, Thirty
seven cente; for appearing after that time, the
same as f< r non-attendanoe.

Clacse 16. — The members of all Committees,
for non-attendance at any meeting of their respec-
tive Committees, which shall be called by the
Chairman thereof, ~h?ll be fined Twenty five cents.

Clause 17. — For every non-observince of the
By Laws, for which a fine is not hereinbefore pro-
vided such fine or penalty as the Court-Martial
shall impose

Clause 18. — The Room Committee, for every
default in attendance to duty, shall Oe fined One
Dollar.

Clause 19. — Any member who shall in any way
deface the room, or in leaving, neglect to close and
lock the door, shall be fined the amount of damage
done.

LAW 12.
Amending and Revising By-Laws.

Clause 1. — For the purpose of altering, revising
or abolishing any Article of these By-L tws, a vote
of two-thirds of the members present at a regular
meeting fhall be necessary; and all amendments
shall lie over for consideration at the next meeting,
when, f agreed to by a similar vote, they shall be
equal'y binding with the original.

Clause 2. — Any Article, Section, or Superdivi-
sion of these By-Laws, may be suspended for any
one Meeting, by the unanimous consent of all the
members present at any such meeting.

15

LAW 13.

RESIGNATIONS.

Sec. 1. — No member's resignation can be accept-
ed until he has paid up in full for his uniform, and
all dues and tines to tbe Company.

Clause 2. — In event of resignation, he will be
allowed such amount for his uniform as the Com-
pany may agree upon.

ROLL OF ACTIVE MEMBERS.
MONTGOMERY D. CORSE, Captain, ►
ARTHUR HERBERT, First Lieutenant,
WM. H. r OWLE, Jr., Second Lieutenant,
D. F. FORREST, Third Lieutenant. X

WM. W. ZIMMERMAN, First Sergeant, «*

GEORGE SIGGERS, Second Sergeant, / r
THOA1AS S. tSMOOT, Third Sergeant, <*-<-**"'
S. R. SHINN, Fourth Sergeant.
ALBION HURDLE, First Corporal,
J. E. GREEX, Second Coporal, * f

J. H. H. IOWLE, Third Corporal, dU-c^

JAMES E. GRLVKS, Fourth Corporal. . ■ ,..
DR. HAROLD SNOWDEN, Surgeon. / /»
THOS. V. FITZHUGH, Secretary. *** * '

FRANK WISE, Treasurer.
PRIVATES.
William W. Adam, John S. Murray, * w

Vernon W. Ashby, F. Willick Miller, *

John A. Arnold, John T. Mills, >

Harrison Appich, Frederick Moore, V V

Samuel N. Aubinoe, Charles H. Murray,

Edward F. Baldwin, James Murphy, v

William H. Bacon, James L. Norris,

Edwin G. Barber, Benjamin K. Plain, yr

16

y
>

V

*

Edwin S. Beachum,
James A. Cawood,
James Godwin.
Louis E. Hough,
William J. Higdon,
William J. Hall,
Emory Howell,
James P. Jordan,
Arthur C. Kell,
John E. Krause,
William F. Kidwell,
Owen Kinslow,
William H. Lunt,
William A.. Lovelace,
L. W. McVeigh,
T. E. McVeigi,
Francis A. Merchant,
George W. Maxwell,

James Posey,
John Robinson,
James N. Rudd,
S. D. Smith, >

Woppelo Summers,
Orlando F. Smith,
J. B. Slaymaker,
William B. H. Smith,
Charles E. Tennesson,
Charles H'. Taylor,
Robert I. Taylor,
B. Callender' White,
Augustus Wall, y

George Wise,
Edgar Warfield,
John R. Withers,
James H./Watkins,
Francis Wood,

B. S. Worthington.;

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