Battle of Olustee Reenactment Regulations

No Pets

AUTHENTICITY REGULATIONS

All uniforms shall be of correct 1861-1865 U.S. or C.S. Army pattern and of wool, linen, cotton, or other natural fiber. Anachronisms such as zippers, belt loops, army boots, sneakers, cowboy boots, modern work pants, Levi's, buckskins, etc. will not be allowed.
All officers and men are encouraged to wear a minimum of rank distinctions and uniform trim on the battlefield.
All accoutrements, including buckles, plates, buttons, etc., must be of correct 1830-1865 pattern.
If eyeglasses are required, the participant should try to be equipped with a style correct to the period. Modern sunglasses are prohibited.
Wristwatches are NOT to be worn.
Modern rings and other jewelry are NOT be worn.
NO cameras may be carried onto the battlefield during the reenactment.
Only patterns of original design are to be worn in regard to medals, patches, ribbons, etc.
Only percussion military firearms designed prior to 1865 will be carried by Confederates on the field. Spencer cartridge rifles will be the only nonpercussion military weapons allowed on the Federal side for Sunday's battle. Henry rifles and other period cartridge military weapons are allowed for Saturday's battle. Shotguns are not allowed. Three-banded rifles/muskets preferred. Breech loaders are not allowed.
Horses must be authentically equipped. Their owners must assume responsibility for their care and safety. Owners must comply with all Cavalry Rules and Regulations.
All horses must be inspected in the Cavalry Camp and current Coggins verified. Any horse not inspected will not be allowed in the battle. All horses and riders must comply with Cavalry Rules and Regulations.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

All participants are required to register and carry their registration card at all times during the event.
Authentic and modern camping will be set up only in designated areas.
No modern anachronisms will be permitted in view of the public in the authentic camps from 8:00 to sundown.
Authentic camps will be open to public viewing only at designated, properly guarded times.
All cars must be parked in designated areas. Blocking roadways is strictly prohibited. Vehicles blocking roadways will be towed at owners expense.
Federal and State laws prohibit digging of any kind at Olustee Battlefield. No exceptions.
DISMOUNTED CAVALRY, allowed by invitation only. All others will not be allowed on the field.
Fur bearing animals (cats and dogs) are prohibited (at Olustee Battlefield Historic Site during the Olustee Battle Reenactment Event.)

SAFETY REGULATIONS

All safety requisitions will be strictly enforced through a provost and/or a safety committee. Any violation of these rules will be grounds for an individual or unit to be removed from the field.
The provost and the safety committee will be responsible for the inspection of units prior to events and immediately following events to insure conformance with safety regulations.
NO blackpowder weapons of any kind will be carried or fired by any participant under 14 years of age. Children are not permitted on the field during the reenactments. 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 battle reenactments.
NO projectiles, bullets, musket balls, or loading blocks will be carried AT ANY TIME at the scene of an event.
Only officers and MOUNTED cavalrymen may carry pistols or revolvers. These must not be fired directly at any person. Artillery men will not be allowed on the reenactment field with sidearms or rifles.
NO alcoholic beverages are to be consumed prior to or during a reenactment event. Any drunk or disorderly person will be removed by the provost and evicted from the event.
Edged weapons may be carried, but will not be unsheathed at any time without the direct command of an officer. Such command will only be given with the prior approval of the event overall commander.
Opposing troops will not advance within 20 yards of another unit at any time during this event. Exceptions will only occur if they have been carefully planned prior to the event and approved by the Overall Commander.
All firing will be done at an elevated angle within 20 yards of the opposing participants. Never aim a weapon directly at another person.
There will be no weapons fired in the bivouac or encampment area or along routes of march without prior approval or direction of the event hosts. Infractions will result in expulsion of the individual or unit.
All cartridges must be made up prior to an event. In the case of a prolonged event or unexpected firing activities, cartridges may be made at a designated safety area only, not in camp or near exposed flames or visitor's cigarettes. No staples will be used in any cartridge. Nails, vent picks, etc. should be kept out of the cartridge box to avoid accidently dropping any of these objects into a muzzle.
Maximum musket or rifle cartridges will follow the Table of Maxinum Loads Only FFg or FFFg black powder will be used - NO Pyrodex. NO FFFFg (4F) powder will be used except by artillery units for priming. Cartridge paper will not be placed in the barrel and NO wadding or ramming will be permitted except in the use of handguns. Multiple loading is not permitted.
Cartridges will not be carried anywhere on the person except in a hard cartridge box unless they are securely wrapped in foil in lots of ten and carried in a secure location.
Powder will only be carried in the form of cartridges.
All ramrods will be left in camp during a battle reenactment. Exceptions to be one carried by one NCO in each unit, unless otherwise directed.
Unit formations will be held previous to the battle, where weapons, accouterments and cartridges will be inspected. Those failing this inspection will be utilized with the provost detachment during the event if proper corrections cannot be made prior to the event.
A full safety inspection should be held by each unit commander prior to its arrival at this event.
Each unit commander is responsible for the conduct of his men (this includes women and children). The commander is responsible to make sure that his men are aware of the safety rules and that they understand and abide by them.
In the event of an actual injury needing immediate attention during an event, either the injured person or someone going to his aid will shout the word "Medic" to signify this injury. This word "Medic" is to be used ONLY in the case of an actual injury requiring immediate attention. When the call "Medic" is heard, all activity should cease and the injured party cared for.
Upon conclusion of the battle, participants will form into their respective units for review and inspection of arms. Unit commanders will check to ensure that all men are accounted for after the battle.
Any participants who are not affiliated with a unit at the event will be assigned to a unit and will act as members of that unit during the event.

ARTILLERY REGULATIONS

Maximum cannon charges must follow the Table of Maximun Loads.
Cannon charges will be Fg or C grade black powder only - NO Pyrodex.
Charges will be prepared using aluminum foil only (no plastic bags). No additional materials, such as flour or sawdust, will be added to the charges.
Cannon crews are required to perform firing and misfiring drills as part of the safety inspection.
Only officers and mounted cavalry are allowed to carry pistols or revolvers. Artillery men will not be allowed on the reenactment field with sidearms or rifles.
No mortars, coehorns, or 3/4 scale artillery pieces will be allowed on the field. FULL SCALE ARTILLERY ONLY. No breech loaders.
No cannon charges are to be made on property without permission from the Overall Artillery Commander.
Your artillery piece needs to be on the event grounds by Friday night if possible.
Artillery pieces need to be on the Inspection Field as soon as reasonably possible following your arrival.
All horses must be inspected in the Cavalry Camp and current Coggins verified. Any horse not inspected will not be allowed in the battle. All horses and rides must comply with Cavalry Regulations.
Cannons will not be allowed off the battlefield until after all foot traffic by spectators has cleared.
Cannon parking ONLY in artillery area. NO individual cars allowed to park in cannon parking area.

THE REAL LAWS

This event takes place on property owned by the USDA Forestry Service or leased by the Florida Park Service. As a result, USDA Forestry Service and Florida Park Service law enforcement officers, as well as those from a number of other law enforcement agencies, are present at the event to provide support to reenactment officials in the case of serious crimes, including theft, or other circumstances that unit leaders find they are unable to control. As a result, any person or persons arrested will find themselves in violation of Federal laws and charged before a Federal Court. As of this date no serious crimes, excepting an instance or two of theft by non-reenactors, has occurred in all the years that the Battle of Olustee has been reenacted. This is largely due to the sense of community that Civil War reenactors have and are well-known for.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!

The sponsors of this event are committed to making the Reenactment of the Battle of Olustee as authentic and peaceful (except for the skirmish and battle) as possible. Each year we work to increase the level of authenticity within the event through all our efforts, including the cooperation of the participants. We hope that all participants will continue to strive to obtain a level of authenticity in keeping with the above regulations and their desire to honor those American soldiers who fought on both sides in this great and terrible conflict. Reenactors who participate but somehow "forget" to register might want to read why they should register.

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