Battle of Montgomery Creek Schedule

June 6-8, 2008
Must be pre-registered by May 1, 2008

General Rules

Registration: All participants must register individually and sign a waiver form prior to participation. All minors (under 18) must have a parent/legal guardian sign the release form or be sponsored by an adult who will be responsible for their safety and welfare.
Vehicles and parking: All vehicles must be removed from the event site by 8:00 AM Saturday. Vehicles will not be permitted back into the camps until 3:00 PM on Sunday. Anyone not wishing to comply with these rules will have their vehicle towed at their expense. Parking passes must be displayed at all times.

Boondocks Farms Rules

Boondocks Farms prohibits alcoholic beverages, and controlled substances on the property.
All pets must be caged or kept on a leash that is in the owner’s hand at all times. Pets must be cleaned up after.
All trash should be disposed of in provided trash cans not fire pits. Participants must restore their campsite to pre-event conditions before leaving.
There must be no cutting down of trees, or other damage to flora and fauna in the park.
Security will be provided by local law enforcement. The event hosts are not responsible for lost, or stolen items or vehicles. It is up to each battalion or participant to patrol their own camp area.

Camp Rules

All camps will be set up with streets and easements. A Camp Coordinator will show you where to set up. If you set up in an unauthorized spot, you WILL be asked to move. There will be separate camps for military only, civilian only, and military dependants (those military who camp with civilians).
To maintain accuracy, while the event is open to the public, no costumed civilians will be allowed in the military only camp, unless escorted by military personnel.
Military camps will be laid out (garrison style), and units will camp in assigned areas. Unit flags may be flown during arrival times to aid others in finding your camp.
Fire pits are allowed, and afterwards must be restored to original condition. One fire pit for 10 men in the military.
All camps will be monitored for authenticity. All non-period items must be stored out of view of the public. Participants are expected to remain in period dress and manner at all times while the event is open to the public.

Military Rules

All unconventional troops such as Zouves, Marines, Navy, Chausser, Sharpshooters, Highlanders, Militaria, etc. must have prior approval from the organizers before portraying their impressions.
Owner of property has final say at this event. The chain of command will be honored.
The overall commanders will consolidate smaller units and individuals into appropriate sized units.
The rank you wear must be commensurate with the number of troops you field. Colonel-30 men, Major-20 men, Captain-10 men.
Each unit commander/chief of the piece, is responsible for the conduct of his unit, and shall be held accountable for the misconduct of any unit member.

Infantry Rules

Weapons

All weapons and uniforms are subject to review by the overall commanders and event staff for safety and authenticity. Those weapons that do not pass inspection must be repaired and reinspected prior to use.

Muskets - Military issue three band black powder muskets required. Ramrods are never to be drawn on the field. NCO’s are responsible for insuring compliance. Fouled pieces will be given to the file closer who will be allowed to pull his rammer from that position and clear the piece. Unauthorized use of a ramrod will result in immediate expulsion from the event. Bayonets will be not fixed unless by order of battalion commander.

Pistols- may only be carried by officers and NCO’s as was appropriate for that time. No Wunder-Wads allowed revolvers. All must be in good working order with functioning half cock and hammer screw.

Ammunition - powder must be in the form of properly rolled cartridges. This is defined as one rolled in soft paper (no penny wrapper, heavy bond, plastic, staples, or tape allowed), with no more than 70 grains of FF or FFF black powder. Powder only down the barrel. NO LIVE AMMUNITION ALLOWED AT ANY TIME EXCEPT DURING THE COMPETITION.

Edged weapons - may only be carried into battle by those ranked Sgt. and above. Any other weapons will be allowed only by pre-approval of the overall military commander.

No firing of weapons in the military camp without approval of unit commanders. No firing of weapons in the civilian camps, or sutler area at any time.
No hand to hand combat unless approved by the event organizers.
Women posing as men shall be allowed in the ranks, ONLY if they maintain the appearance of a soldier AT ALL TIMES during the event. Women discovered in the ranks may be removed, as would have been the practice during the time period being portrayed.
Minimum age for participation is 12, to carry a weapon, 16. All minors must have a waiver signed by a parent/legal guardian, who must remain on site during the battles. Unattended minors will not be allowed to participate. We are not responsible for the action of minors left unattended.

Artillery Rules

Full scale pieces on full-scale carriages only. All cannons shall be inspected by the event authorized artillery safety officer for safety & condition of equipment prior to use in any action or demonstration. Any piece that does not pass the inspection will not be allowed on the field. Safety officers designated by the organizers shall patrol both army lines during firing to watch for unsafe acts.

All charges and round must be properly secured for storage.
Only one round will be brought forward at a time.
No live rounds, no use of wadding.
Off battlefield, powder is to be stored in metal cans with exception of prepared rounds. Powder will be kept separate from fuses, caps and primers at all times.
No one under 14 may crew any gun in any way. Those under 16 may serve as powder monkeys ONLY.
No unauthorized use of fireworks and pyrotechnics without permission of the owner.
The maximum rate of fire should not exceed one round per minute; slower rate of fire is encouraged. Battery commanders are responsible for controlling the rate of fire.
Batteries will only be assaulted by a pre-arranged signal. The signal will always be the furling of the battery guidon indicating all guns are clear and safe for assault.
While on the field the ammunition chests shall be placed at least 35ft. to the rear.
A 150ft. maximum safe firing distance shall be maintain between the muzzle and any person, animal or vehicle in its front at all times.
Only friction or percussion primers will be used to discharge cannon.
All crews must be certified.

Cavalry Rules

All officers shall be responsible for the conduct and safe behavior of troops under their command. At all times mounted personnel should conduct their riding in a manner that shall not impose an unacceptable risk to spectators, reenactors, or their mounts.

It is the responsibility of each individual or unit commander to ensure that horses are at all times securely and humanely tethered, and have access to food and water.

Upon immediate entry to the part, a negative Coggins report must be presented in order to unload and participate in the event.
No stallions will be permitted to participate at this event.
All horses shall be under the full control of the rider at all time, and will not be allowed to gallop/run except in the battle area.
The following areas are off limits: golf course and driving range, civilian camp, and all sutler areas.
Children will not be allowed to ride. Do not let anyone else ride or sit on your mount.
All equipment used in view of, and while the event is open to the public, should be period correct. Nylon ropes, plastic buckets, etc. should be kept out of view.

Dismounted Cavalry

Dismounted troops will be organized as a battalion, and units will serve together in squads, platoons, and companies.

Violations of these, or common sense rules, or safety regulations will be cause to eject any person(s) or units (s). the host unit commanders, event organizers, owner, and Henry County Sheriff’s Department have the authority to enforce any of the above regulations.