New Recruits
Edward Worthington became a recruiter for the Illinois Battalion as it was referred to by many sources including these orders from Thomas Jefferson, who had recently become the governor of Virginia. The following document is Dated January 24th, 1780, and gives details of his assignment. Each soldier will recieve $750, and clothing including a coat, Waistcoat, pair of overalls, two shirts, a pair of shoes, and a hat, each year he is serving. Worthington will recieve $150 for every recruit he enlists. They will rendezvous in Kaskaskia, or wherever the current needs of the battalion dictate.
The NWTA and BAR are always looking to recruit new re-enactors. While the rules differ between the organizations, essentially a new recruit must join a unit, and pay annual dues. The dues are nominal, $20/individual, $25/family for the NWTA, and $25/person for the BAR.
Choosing a unit is where the difficulty lies. First, consider what you would like to portray. There are many choices including, British orContinental regulars, state militia, French loyalist Militia, Torries, British or Continental Marines, civilians, artillery, cavalry, and several others. Do not take this lightly, and remember that some portrayals require more cost or more research.
Second, each unit has their own set of bylaws, and culture created by the unit commander, and senior active members. some units do not allow women or children. Others are only women. Most require you to provide your own food, and many are a dictatorship.
In Worthington's Company, we are a family made up of families. Many of our members were raised in the hobby, and are now raising their own children in the hobby. While we don't require you to bring your family, we are open to it. We also do family style meals. We have a few women portraying camp followers who prepare all of our food and we provide rations and share costs. This is one thing that distinguishes us. We also pride ourselves in drilling at nearly every event in order to portray a well conducted unit.
Our decisions are voted on democratically at an annual meeting. At this meeting we will vote in new recruits and members as well as discussing finance, safety, and any other business that we may need. In order to have a vote at a meeting you must be a member of the unit.
Becoming a member of Worthington's Coy. requires the following steps:
First you are brought in as a guest. Any voting member may bring a guest to an event as long as they are genuinely interested in being a part of the hobby. The guest will participate in unit functions except for voting in meetings. They will be provided clothes and arms from our stock of loaner gear. The NWTA requires that a guest go through in depth training and explanation of safety regulations before handling a firearm, and during their first battle, they are NOT allowed to use black powder. The guest is not responsible to pay NWTA dues, but will be registered as a guest in order to be covered by insurance.
After a guest of Worthington's Coy. has attended three events, they are eligible to be a recruit. At the annual meeting, or any special meeting the guest's sponsor will nominate them as a recruit, someone will second, and after any discussion a vote is made. During a quorum, a simple majority will confirm the guest as a recruit.
The recruit will then apply for membership within the NWTA and upon approval, and three more event attendances, the recruit is eligible for full membership. Any member can nominate and the recruit as a member, the unit will vote after any discussion. This vote requires a quorum and 100% approval.
If Worthington's Coy. interests you, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to have you.