SOP for the Department of Engineers

Organization

The Department of Engineers consists of the Chief Engineer, appointed by the Division’s Commanding Officer, and the Battalion Engineers who are appointed by their respective Battalion Commanders. From the Battalion Engineers, a Senior Battalion Engineer is appointed by the Chief Engineer from the highest ranking engineer. The Senior Battalion Engineer will act as second-in-command to the Department and fill in as head of the department should the Chief Engineer be unavailable. Battalion Engineers are under the command of their Battalion, under the direction of the Chief Engineer, who is under the command of the Commanding General.

Duties of the Department of Engineers

Engineers are primarily responsible for terrain safety. The ground in which the Division camps, marches over and fights on will be inspected by the Engineers. Any terrain safety concerns; such as holes, rough or broken ground, bodies of water, marshy areas, areas of poor drainage, dense vegetation, ect... will be reported to the respective commanders at once. The final decision will always lie with the Commanding Officer.

Engineers are responsible for providing maps for their respective commands. They must at all time be familiar with the local topography. The Engineers shall provide maps that are as historically correct as possible.

Engineers shall design and oversee the construction of field fortifications and access roads. No construction shall take place without written permission from the event organizers and land owner. The construction must then be approved by the Commanding General and the Judge Advocate General.

Engineers shall at no time command troops while performing the duties of an Engineer. Working parties shall be commanded by a Company grade officer under the direction of an Engineer.

In the event that pyrotechnics are going to be used, the Engineers will report to the command staff the position, type, and relative blast area. Engineers must make sure that all commands know this information.

Engineers shall perform reconnaissance of enemy positions and strengths. Potential defensive positions will be noted and reported to the commands.

At their Commanding Officer discretion, Engineers will aid in guiding the commands into position. The Engineers are not to guide any troops without their Commanding Officers prior knowledge and approval.

Engineers shall submit a Post-Action report to the Chief Engineer at all Maximum Effort Events. A copy of the report shall be maintained for the use of the Battalion Commanding Officer. The Chief Engineers shall provide the Commanding General with a Division After-Action Report.

Engineers shall follow the Regulations and Orders Pertaining to the Corps of Engineers, An Act of the Confederate Congress, March 6, 1861. General Orders 9 and 90 and all orders pertaining to them.