Roll, Constitution and By Laws of the Coffee County Guard

Constitution and By Laws, of the Coffee County Guard, it being a vigilant
company to continue twelve Months. Adopted December, 28th,1860.

                                                                     Preamble
We the subscribed members of the Coffee County Guard Bind ourselves, to abide by and observe, the following Bylaws for the Government of the same,

                                                                     Article 1st
Sec. 1st, Twenty members shall Constitute a Quorum to transact Business

Sec. 2nd, This Company shall be composed of active and contributing members

Sec 3rd, Any person proposing to become an active member, of this company, shall make application to the Sergeant, who shall report him to the Company, and if  a Majority  of the same agree, in favour of the application, he shall then be considered a member of the Company, by subscribing to these Bylaws, and appear at the next drill of the Company
armed and Equiped, as the Bylaws  require.

Sec. 4th, Any person whose name may be subscribed as a  member of this Company who does not appear at the next drill, or within thirty day after the adoption of these Bylaws, shall be fined, fifty cents for the first offence, and the fine to be
doubled for every offence afterwards until he makes a lawful excuse.
 

                                                                   Article 2nd
Sec. 1st, The Commanding Officers were Elected by Ballot and the Subaltirns by Acclimation, and all vacancies to be filled in the same way

Sec. 2nd, It shall be the duty of the Captain to preside at all meetings of the Company, and have charge of the Company Roll, and furnish the first Sergeant with a  copy of the same, and the Clerk shall have a copy of the same.  In case of the
absence of the Captain from any meeting of the Company, it shall be the duty of the next higher Officer to preside.

Sec. 3rd, Every member of this Company shall immediately arm himself with a good gun, in good order, with at least twenty-four rounds of ammunition, on failing to do so, shall be fined, fifty cents for the first offence, and for the second offence, one dollar (unable to read )  the power to examine all  persons, who may be engaged in circulating Incendiary documents, or movements, or avowing themselves Abolitionists or any,  engaged in any manner, in working Insubordination or Insurriction among the Negro Slaves in this County, and to treat them with summary Punishment according, to the discretion of the company.

Sec 4th,  The Company shall meet once in each month, for drill, and all other business, and as much oftener as the
Captain and officers shall deem it necessary

Sec 5th, It Shall be the duty of the first Sergeant to issue by order of the Captain, all orders, for Parade, Meeting and Drill,
and to call the Company, into line, and call the roll at each Meeting and Drill, and strictly mark absentees or deficiency
of Equipment

Sec 6th, If any of the Officers fail to fulfil their duty as required by the Bylaws of this Company, the Captain for the first
offence not less than two dollars fine, and second offence, not less than four dollars fine, and third offence not less
than Eight Dollars fine and for the fourth offence to be removed from Office, and for the 1st and 2nd and 3rd Lieutenants, for the first offence not less than one dollar fine, and for the second offence not less than two dollars fine,  and third offence not less than four dollars fine, and the fourth offence to be removed from office, and the Ensign Sergeants and Corporals, for the first offence one dollar and for the second offence, one dolar and fifty cents and third offence two dollars and fourth offence to be removed from office, and privates for the first offence, fifty cents and second offence one dollar, and third offence, one dollar and five cents, and fourth offence to be put under guard, two hours and fined two dollars

Sec 7th, It shall be the duty of the Clerk to keep a record of the Companys proceedings, and to enter the same in a Book to be kept for that purpose, he shall read the same to the Company at their regular meetings for their adoption or amendment under the penalty of one dollar for every neglect.

Sec 8th, It shall be the (Treasurer) duty of the Treasurer to receive all money of the Company from the Secretary and give
his receipt for the same, He shall keep a correct account of all monies received and expended, and shall pay no money
with out the order of the Captain, he shall make detailed reports, to the Company at the regular meeting of the Company, of all monies received and expended together with a general exposition of the financial affairs of the Company when called for by a majority of the Company under the Penalty of one dollar for every neglect
 

                                                                    Article 3rd

Sec. 1st, There shall be a committee of five members  of the Company to be chosen by  the chair from those present, at any regular meeting  and to be composed as follows: One Commanding Officer, One Sergeant, one Corporal, and two  privates whose duty and power It shall be to hear all Excuses offered by dellinquents, and to impose or mitigate all fines incured by breach of these Bylaws

Sec. 2nd, For leaving a meeting, Drill or Parade, without permission of the Commanding Officer, one dollar fine

Sec. 3rd, For laughing, Talking, or  Swearing while on Parade, one dollar fine

Sec. 4th, If any officer should appear in ranks intoxicated, or neglect his duty, by means of intoxication he shall be fined for the first offence three Dollars, and for the second offence, five dollars and for the third offence, a removal from his office and privates appearing in ranks Intoxicated, or neglecting their duty by means of Intoxication shall be fined one dollar for the
first offence, and two dollars for the second offence, and for the third offence four dollars

Sec. 5th All fines imposed upon the members of this Company shall be collected by the Clerk if not paid within thirty days, He , the clerk shall issue an Execution to be collected by a baliff.
 

                                                                   Article 4th

Sec. 1st, All alterations proposed to these Bylaws must be submitted in writing at one of the regular Stated meetings of the Company, and to be acted on at the next regular meeting and then no alteration shall be  made unless by a vote of two thirds
of the Members present.

Sec 2nd, This Constitution and Bylaws shall be in force from their passage.
 
 

                            A Supplement to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Coffee County Guard
                                                                    Article 5th

Whereas the Deputies of the Sovereign and Independent Sates of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, have in behalf of these States, Ordained, and Established a Constitution for the Provisional Government of
the same, to continue one year from the Inaugeration of the President, or until a permanent Constitution or Confederation between the said States, shall be put in opperation which so ever shall first occur,

Sec. 1st Therefore be it Ordained by this Company, that their Constitution and Bylaws have under the same by readoption, on this the 16th day of March, 1861

Sec. 2nd, that this Company always act on the defensive of the rights of the Southern Confederacy

Sec. 3rd, that the members of this company will not support by their free sufferage, any man for any office who is not a warm supporter of the Southern Confederacy, and the Constitution of this State

Sec. 4th,  that this company will defend and protect the rights and property of the citizens of this county who are or may
be warm supporters of the Southern Confederacy, in case of an invasion

Sec. 5th, In all cases of complaint of invasion, made to the Captain, Officer and   advisory Committee of the Company, the
complainant or complainants shall be bound to defray the contingent expences of the company provided they have not sufficient proof to convict, so that the company can take imediate action against such invadors.