General:

1.   All participants are required to register upon arrival. A pass will be issued and is expected to be kept on each participant’s person at all times.

2.   Participants are expected to remain in period dress at all times through the event.

3.  No civilian shall fire from the spectator line or at any time during the event

4.  Only civilians in the Town of Gettysburg are authorized to have period firearms.  Any other civilian reenactor outside the Town of Gettysburg participants found to have a period firearm on them will be asked to leave the event site.

Critically important rules mandated by our event permit:

1.   No discharge of any firearm before 8:30 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m.

2.   No pedestrian traffic on any paved roads in the area.

3.   Event boundaries are marked and must be respected; no trespassing on neighboring properties.

4.   No alcohol.

5.   No latrines.

Camps

1. No firearms are to be discharged in or near the camps under ANY circumstances.

2. No horses in civilian, infantry, artillery or sutler camps.

3. No illegal substances are allowed. Violators will be referred to the local law enforcement agency. There is a zero tolerance.

4. All modern equipment, packages or food are to be hidden for public view at all times.

5. Rowdiness, abusive language or public drunkenness will not be tolerated. Unit commanders are responsible for all unit members – military and civilian. Violators of this rule will be asked to leave the event and law enforcement will be called to handle disturbances if necessary.

6. All units are expected to bag all trash and deposit it at pre-arranged points daily.

7. Cut out sod and remove before digging fire pits. At the close of the event,  clean trash out of pits: replace sod. Leave your camp as you found it: pristine. This is a local family’s cherished farm. Respect it like it was yours.

8. Commanders are responsible for getting event, maneuver, schedule and battle information to their troops and are responsible for the conduct of their troops at all times.

7. NO cars in Federal camp after noon Friday or in Confederate camp after 4:30 PM on Friday. This includes early or emergency departure. In emergency cases please contact the overall commander. Your personal belongings will be transported to your vehicle.

8. Family and friends in camp after spectator hours are expected to remain in period dress. If not, they should depart at the end of the spectator’s day and not return until spectator hours commence the next day. .

9. All complaints or issues should be brought to the attention of the event overall commander using your chain of command.

10. All reenactors will camp in designated camps with their assigned battalion.

11. No camping is permitted in the parking lots.

12. Quiet time starts at 10 p.m. Please be considerate of your colleagues’ need for quiet and rest.

13. To repeat: No alcohol; no latrines.

Military

1. Commanders are responsible for getting event, maneuver, schedule and battle information to their troops and are responsible for the conduct of their troops at all times.

2. No hand-to-hand or individual heroics. Direct aimed fire shall not take place within 40 yards and all firing must stop within 20 yards. Any individual behaving in an unsafe or unseemly manner will be removed from the field.

3. All weapons are to be inspected prior to each battle and more often as the overall commanders find necessary. Safety inspections are mandatory. Expect multiple safety inspections.  All weapons must be inspected at formations. Weapons found to be unsafe will be barred from use.

4.  Fireworks or live ammunition are NOT permitted.

5. Minimum age to carry a weapon or service an artillery piece is 16. No one under the age of 13 allowed on the field. Ages 13-15 must be functional musicians.

6. Infantry long arms will be loaded with no more than 70 grains of powder.

7. No penny wrappers, staples, wads or tape are to be used for cartridges. Pre-rolled rounds only; no loose powder.

8. Scenarios will be strictly adhered to. Any deviation will result in removal of the unit from the field.  

9. All companies will be assigned to a battalion; all individuals will be assigned to a company or staff. 

10. Coggins papers and health certificates for horses are to be current and will be inspected by cavalry commanders

11. No rank above captain on the field unless approved prior to event.

Authenticity

1. Period weapons only. Hawkins or Kentucky rifles are not acceptable and will not be allowed on the field.

2. There will be no unplanned battles.

3. All uniforms and shoes must be of proper period materials and construction, compatible with the appearance of soldiers on campaign in 1863.

4. Eyewear must be of period construction. No sunglasses of any type.