Common Sense and a Common Bond

Our solemn declaration to our history, our comrades and each other.

Mission- To create a tool to build an environment in Civil War Reenacting in which history is first, last and foremost.  To foster ownership of events, proceeds, scenarios and schedules for the betterment of the hobby for the men in the ranks, the public and each other.

Objectives- To define the requirements of our organizations in order to fulfill our mission in providing a Civil War experience to those who seek it.

Ownership

To secure a respectable future for our hobby, we will continue to organize Civil War events, with the goal to represent history.  We will strive in every area to depict the Patriots of the War to the best of our ability, and dedicate ourselves to insuring that any event we participate in, we also take ownership of. We consistently seek opportunities to further the education of others and ourselves about the sacrifices of our forefathers. Authenticity is our perpetual journey; our endeavor is to always improve. It is our responsibility to assist and encourage others on their journey and it is hoped that the future generations that attend our events will leave with a new and correct vision of the sacrifices made on their behalf by our forefathers.

We see this being achieved by-

1. Historic Progressive Scenarios, with unit specific researched scenarios, historical force ratios, good combat distance, and background information so each unit can properly research their role in the event.

2. Preservation Dollars.

3. Fun. Bringing back the fun of the hobby. We will have good battles, plenty of living history and reenactor education programs, good camping areas for both campaign and garrison troops,

4. Event rule enforcement. Most events have rules, but no one enforces them, causing the actions of a few to mar the weekend of the many.

5. Treating reenactors with respect.

6. Honoring and Remembering those Brave Boys of 61, of BOTH sides!

7. Public education. Our goal is to provide high quality demonstrations in order to better educate the attending public, and create in them a better sense of our collective history.

We have adopted the following measures for the mutual benefit of all.

Monies

We require full and total access to the financial records of any event, and the same for our constituents.  We further declare that 25% of all profit (profit is defined as net income prior to any salaries being subtracted) from any Event must be donated to a proper 501-3c organization.  This is to be used for the preservation and interpretation of our collective history within 90 days of the event.  We highly encourage total donation of all net proceeds.

Scenarios

We insist that all “battle” scenarios are historically-based and documented, progressive in design and details built upon unit specific researched scenarios.  To further these ideas we demand historical force ratios, which will mean limiting participation in some events to those who do not do dual impressions.

Scenarios must be staged on sufficient acreage to insure good combat distance, and background information must be distributed prior to the event so each unit can properly research their role in the event.

Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery will be used as they historically were at the given scenario, and will participate accordingly.

Scripted public scenarios are in essence a play, and it is key that each participant researches their part, that the timing is exact, that forces are brought into action properly and historically; in general the stage is set in such a way as to permit the actors to excel.

Pre-Battle Walkthroughs for all field grade commanders and their staffs from both sides are required at events, so that we can provide the troops and the public the best interpretation possible, and also create ownership and mutual accountability.

Whenever the proper execution of a scenario fails, the respective army commanders will meet with whatever officers they deem necessary, afterwards, to answer for what transpired. If this happens to be a recurring problem with the same individuals and/or organizations, removal from the event and a one-year suspension from command will apply.

Any officer intentionally, and with malice, not following his assigned role in a scenario will be removed and will not be allowed to participate in a command role at any event that we organize for a probationary period of no less than 1 year.

Battle scenarios are described as attempts to reproduce an historic engagement, and do not include tacticals for the participants or tactical demonstrations for the benefit of the public.

Guidelines

The following guidelines are created to insure maximum safety, authenticity and enjoyment for all participants while properly representing history to the public.

Since the non-enforcement of written rules and regulations compromises the quality and safety of events, we fully champion a fully functional Assistant Inspector General and the Provost in the enforcement of event rules, and further will support all their efforts as required.

The spectators who attend reenactments today are far more educated than in the past, so it is our responsibility to them to raise our standards so as not to disappoint or mislead them.

As leaders, consumers, owners and participants, we require any event we sponsor, command, organize, to, at a minimum, adopt the following guidelines. More stringent guidelines are encouraged.  We will present these guidelines to events we support, in hopes that they adopt them as well.  While we realize we cannot dictate to others, we encourage those who wish our support to address the following-

Safety Regulations

1. No illegal drugs. THIS IS A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY.

2. No excessive drinking will be permitted.

3. Only commissioned officers will be allowed to carry side arms, with the exception of mounted troops who will be allowed one pistol per person.

4. No Modern Weapons, period. Only Military Issued Rifles, Muskets and Rifled Muskets are permitted for infantry, unless prior documentation is provided..

5. Only light, or "field," artillery is permitted for the scenario. That is to say, the guns are designed for field transport and use, and are not designated to fire a round in excess of 24 lbs. Examples of permitted weapons include Model 1841 6 pdr guns, Napoleons, 3” Ordinance Rifles, Parrott Rifles (up to 20 pdr), Wiard Rifles, James Guns, and Field Howitzers (up to 24 pdr). Primary arms will be working original or correct reproduction fieldpieces and will be full scale with the correct #1, #2, or #3 Field Carriage. Weapons in the service of the Foot Artillery consist of siege (to include mortars), seacoast, garrison, mountain artillery, rocket batteries, and artillery duties of the park. These weapons may only be eligible for use if specifically called for within a scenario. Sub-scale pieces are not permitted in the artillery component.

Scenario Adherence and Ownership

1.      Military: All commanders will be held liable for the actions of their troops, both on and off the field.

2.      Any participant not following the scripted plans for the battle will be asked to leave.  Any officer encouraging such will be removed

3.      All walk-ons are to be prepared to sit out scenarios, as the event coordinator is dedicated to correct force ratios,

4.      Force ratio limitations required.

5.      Artillery and cavalry by invitation only.

Authenticity Requirements

 1.      ALL participants must be in period dress from 7 a.m. Saturday through Sunday after the battle. Anyone not attired in period dress will be asked to leave the period camps.

2.      No modern items are to be open to public view..

3.      Each participant will, to the best of their ability, adapt their impression to the campaign being portrayed.  This may mean no dead animal parts on uniform or weapons, Corps badges or other insignia, unless specific scenarios call for such, no specialty impressions unless pre-approved, carry the carrying of proper gear (heavy marching order or light) depending on the scenario.

4.      NO modern glasses, shoes, watches or any other clothing item will be allowed. This is a zero tolerance policy.

5.      Military Camps will be treated as such, and adjacent civilian camps will have separate civilian management.

6.      If a woman desires to impersonate a male of the 1860's, she must not be identifiable as a woman.  Military Force Commanders reserve the right to ask any who wish to do such an impression under their command to provide a photograph prior to the event for approval by command and event staff, or their appointed parties, as this is a specialty impression.

7.      No use of modern tobacco products in camps or in battle scenarios.

Event Management

We require that reenactors are involved in every phase of the event process, and hold key roles in its execution.  We hold event management to the standards outlined in the document, and always encourage higher standards. 

We will continue to stage our own events, and pledge our mutual support.

De-Confliction

Events wishing our support and contribution will endeavor to de-conflict with previous scheduled events for the good of both, and the mutual enjoyment of the participants. 

A Four (4) Year Calendar is to be maintained, and available to all organizers and participants to view via the Internet.  Event Organizers are highly encouraged to  respect previously scheduled events, and not intentionally conflict with them. A three (3) week window is encouraged between any like events.

National Alliance

It is hoped that through this document and negotiations, mutual support between the undersigned and the North South Alliance will be achieved for the effect of nationalizing organizationally for the progression of our hobby. 

We thank the First Federal Division for their support and are honored by their representation at this meeting, and dedicate ourselves to mutual support.

Sutlers

 Event organizers will be required to honestly and accurately communicate to prospective sutlers the number of participants expected, registration numbers and any other requested information to insure good business practice.

The number of sutlers at any given event but be managed carefully, and be in proportion to the number of participants.

Implementation

This resolution will be publicly posted for all to view, and submitted to event organizers and commanders of events seeking our support, as well as brother units looking to join in this endeavor.

This resolution is not to be considered the final step in the progress of our hobby, but a platform on which to build further.

Individual Responsibilities

Only through firm and fair application can this resolution achieve the mission we have chosen.  It is the personal responsibility of each [of us] to pledge our dedication to the enforcement of this proclamation.  It is our responsibility to provide for our constituents and brothers the Civil War experience for which we all joined this hobby.

We must work tirelessly to provide a variety of quality experiences, and this declaration is the first step in many to come. 

Acceptance

By signing below, we pledge our support of this resolution and of each other, for the hobby, our history, each other and the men we serve.