To add to what Greg and Alan have already said: Source: HARDEE'S RIFLE AND LIGHT INFANTRY TACTICS, FOR THE INSTRUCTION, EXERCISES AND MANOEUVRES OF RIFLEMEN AND LIGHT INFANTRY. Including School of the Soldier and School of the Company, by Brevet Lieutenant W.J. Hardee, pages 8-9.

Color-Guard. 36. In each battalion/regiment the color-guard will be composed of eight corporals, and posted on the left and right centre company, of which company, for the time being, the guard will make a part. 37. The front rank will be composed of a sergeant, to be selected by the colonel, who will be called, for the time, color-bearer, with the two ranking corporals, respectively, on his right and left; the rear rank will be composed of the three corporals next in rank; and the three remaining corporals will be posted in their rear, and the line of the file closers. The left guide of the color-company, when these three last named corporals are in rank of the file closers, will be immediately on their left. 38. In battalions with less than five companies present, there will be no color-guard, and no display of colors, except it may be at reviews. 39. The corporals for the color-guard will be selected from those most distinguished for regularity and precision, as well in their positions under arms as in their marching. the latter advantage, and a just carriage of the person, are to be more paricularly sought for in the selection of the color-bearer.

Remember what Mr. Pitts stated about the Confederate Congress passing the measure on the commissioning of the ensign mid-war.

I hope this helps.

Respectfully,

Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
Chesapeake, Virginia