TO: All Unit Commanders
FROM: Olustee Battle Reenactment Committee
SUBJECT: 2012 Information

The 36th Annual Battle of Olustee or Ocean Pond will be reenacted Sunday, February 19, 2012 at the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park within the Osceola National Forest. Please be sure to share the following information with each member of your unit attending the Olustee Battle Reenactment.

As of 2001, NO PETS such as cats and dogs are allowed at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park during the Olustee Battle Reenactment from Wednesday through Sunday.

SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS:

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Recreation and Parks
• USDA Forest Service - Osceola National Forest
• Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park Citizens Support Organization
• The Blue-Grey Army, Inc., Lake City, Florida

COMMANDERS: The following share responsibilities as the overall commander for the 36th annual reenactment:

• Tom Jessee, Confederate Commanding General
• James Permane, Union Commanding General

LOCATION: The battlefield is located 15 miles east of Lake City, Florida, and 50 miles west of Jacksonville, Florida on U.S. Highway 90, just off Interstate 10. The physical address of the park is: 5890 Battlefield Trail Road, Olustee, Florida 32072. Please note that this is not a mailing address.

BATTLE REENACTMENTS: A battle reenactment will be fought on Saturday, February 19th at 3:30 p.m., and the Battle of Olustee or Ocean Pond reenactment will be fought on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. A REENACTORS ONLY Tactical will take place on Friday afternoon.

PARTICIPANTS: We expect at least 1700 combatants, and hope to fill the 12 C.S. and 16 U.S. artillery limits. We also anticipate in excess of 50 mounted troops, 2 wagons, and over 200 ground charges.

SUTLERS: A large number of sutlers is expected once again. Fifty-five sutler spaces are available.

Weather: The weather should be predictably Florida-like with the days in the 60s and 70s and evenings in the 40s to 50s. Cold snaps with days and nights in the 20s to 30s are common. Rain is always a threat. Greatcoats, ponchos and gum blankets may all prove to be useful.

HORSES: All horses, whether cavalry, infantry or artillery, must be inspected at the Cavalry Camp and have current Coggins verified. Any horse not inspected will not be allowed in the battle. All horses and riders must comply with Cavalry Regulations. All persons with horses must check in at the Cavalry Camp.

PARKING: Because of our continued space limitations, we need to limit vehicles. Please encourage your unit members to come in as few vehicles as possible and help us discourage large RVs. Please, only one car per family.

ARRIVAL TIME: Troops may begin arriving on Thursday, February 16th, and may stay through Monday, February 20th.

ENTRANCE/DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS: Entrance passes (obtained at Registration) are required to enter back gates. Please drive slowly and carefully. Driving conditions prior to and during the reenactment may change due to weather conditions. Please help protect the Olustee Battlefield by making yourself aware of driving policies during the event. Remember, this is one of the few reenactments that take place on the actual battle site. Please visit our website www.BattleofOlustee.org prior to your arrival at the reenactment for update driving policies.

Thursday, February 16	Enter and exit front gate only. (Back gate will be locked.)
Friday, February 17	Enter front gate - Exit back gate. (Note: Front gate will be closed between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the safety of our school groups. You may register at the back gate leading into modern camping and at the Union Camp back gate during this period only.)
Saturday, February 18	Enter and exit back gate only. (Vehicles are not permitted in period camps after 8 a.m. No vehicles in Sutlers Row.)
Sunday, February 19	Enter and exit back gate only until 5 p.m. (Vehicles are not permitted in period camps 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. No vehicles in Sutlers Row.) After 5 p.m. all gates are clear for entrance and exit if pedestrian traffic is clear.
Cavalry	Cavalry with horses should enter through the modern camping back gate and check in at the Cavalry Camp.

REGISTRATION: Registration will begin on THURSDAY at 10:00 a.m. No arrivals will be admitted prior to Thursday at 10 a.m. All reenactors must be registered before going to any of the camps to set up, including Modem Camping. Arrivals after 7:00 A.M. on Saturday must park outside main gate and walk in to register. You may then drive to proper camping areas by using the rear entrances. You will not be admitted through camp entrances without proper passes. Registration is required for you to be covered by worker's compensation insurance. The Registration Schedule is as follows:

Thursday, February 16	10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Friday, February 17	8:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m.
Saturday, February 18	6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 19	7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

REGISTRATION CARD:

• A registration card will be issued for each participant and will be required to participate in events. Cards must be presented at time of weapons inspections Saturday and Sunday and must be carried at all times
• Proof of age must be provided at registration in order to be issued a registration card. Reenactors carrying blackpowder weapons must be at least 16 years of age to participate at Olustee.

MINOR'S MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION: For your convenience, an emergency medical authorization form for minors is provided here or with the registration packet mailed to units. We ask that you:

1. file a notarized copy of the form with the registar; and
2. that you or your designee, the minor, and the minor's parent or guardian carry copies of the form during your stay at the Olustee Battlefield.

MODERN CAMPING: The 10th Georgia Infantry has kindly agreed to handle modern camping again this year. Each modern camper will be assigned a numbered lot. Quiet Time is from 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. each day. No generators are allowed to operate during this designated quiet time. All modern campers must camp in designated camping areas. Camping is primitive in nature and no electricity is provided. Due to safety issues, this event cannot accommodate requests to operate generators during the posted quiet time hours.

CAMP PROVOST: Remember that the public will be visiting authentic camps on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please post appropriate provost.

BLACK POWDER: No black powder may be sold on site, per the Federal Explosive Law (Public Law 91-452) & Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations Part 55, Commerce in Explosives, Subpart D-Licenses and Permits. BRING ALL THE BLACK POWDER THAT YOU WILL NEED (about 100 rounds/man). You must observe the maximum loads for small arms and artillery.

SCHOOL GROUPS: We are requesting that all units and associated civilians take part in the living history demonstrations on Friday, February 17th, for school groups beginning at 9:00 a.m.

UNIT SPECIFIC REGULATIONS: Unit specific regulations have been developed for all Cavalry Units (this includes all mounted troops), Artillery Units and Medical Units. If these regulations apply to you and you did not receive them, please contact the Florida Park Service toll free at (877) 635-3655, or view them via the links above.

GOING HOME AFTER THE BATTLE: Following Sunday's battle, reenactors will not be allowed to leave the event through the front gate until 5:00 p.m. Please respect the safety of pedestrians and motorists alike by being patient until the gate opens. You are welcome to exit by the rear gates before 5 p.m. on Sunday. Unit commanders – please be sure to share this information with your unit members.

REGULATIONS: Rules and Regulations for the 2012 Reenactment have been updated. Please assure each participant from your unit is aware of the rules and regulations. Great emphasis should be placed upon the following:

• We encourage all participants to maintain their best early 1864 impressions and wish to encourage all authentic C.S. and U.S. infantry, mounted cavalry, and full scale artillery to attend.
• No black powder weapons of any kind will be carried or fired by any participant under 16 years of age. Children are not permitted on the field during the reenactnments. Exception is made for functional musicians (boys 11 or older who can actually play a drum, a fife or a bugle). Young boys are not to serve as color bearers during the battle reenactments.
• Dismounted cavalry, not entering the battle mounted, are accepted by invitation only.
• Loaded pistols are to be carried only by officers and mounted cavalry. No small arms of any type will be carried by artillery men during the Battle.
• SHOTGUNS AND ZOUAVE RIFLES ARE NOT PERMITTED.
• Only those types of soldiers actually at the battle of Olustee may be portrayed. Therefore, sharpshooters, zouaves, naval, Marine and other impressions not documented to have been at Olustee WILL NOT BE PERMITTED on the battlefield, and non-period or non-Civil War related costumes are prohibited at the event.
• All participants are expected to attend Colors on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
• Each participant is expected to observe military courtesies and civil behavior.
• Camping is primitive in nature and no electricity is provided. Due to safety issues, this event cannot accommodate requests to operate generators during the posted quiet time hours.

We thank you for your time and attention. Look over the event rules and regulations and feel free to contact the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park at 1-877-635-3655, if you have further questions or problems.

Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park Citizens Support Organization
P.O. Box 382
Glen St Mary, FL 32040

Olustee Reenactment Menu
Battle of Olustee home page
http://battleofolustee.org/