The color guard was made up of selected soldiers detailed from the respective companies within the given Regiment or Battalion, normally chosen by the Colonel. Each would normally still be listed on the rolls of his respective company, yet detached to the color guard. The color guard usually made up of Sgt's and Corporals who's primary task was security of the colors. The designated Color Bearer would be one or more of these (if the regiment carried more than one standard), normally a Sgt. If he should fall another member of the color guard was responsible to step up and take his place.

The color guard was habitually placed/assigned to the left-center company on the line of march or battle.(resulting visually the colors being center of the line) This frequently being called the Color Company, since the color guard is attached to it. They would normally march, camp and fight beside or with this designated company. This was the normal prescribed habits, but variations do exist, depending on the possible whim of the regts commander.

Frederick