Battle of Goldsborough Bridge

148th Anniversary Reenactment

 

GENERAL RULES AND REGUALTIONS

 

CAMPING

1. Metal detectors may not be used within the boundaries of the battlefield or adjacent areas.

2. No vehicles are allowed in the camp area after 8:45 on Saturday, until after the end of the battle on Sunday, and must be parked in the designated parking area across the road from the site. THIS WILL BE ENFORCED. ILLEGALLY PARKED CARS WILL BE TOWED AT OWNER’S EXPENSE.

3. Artillery pieces may be quartered with its unit, provided no modern trailers or vehicles are brought into camp.

4. You are reenacting on the actual battlefield so please treat it accordingly. Before the Sunday battle all campfires should be out and trash bagged and placed in dumpsters on your way out. Fires are permitted only in pre-designated areas.

5. Camping is allowed only in pre-designated areas and any individual or unit camping outside these areas may do so only by permission of the Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield Association. No modern camping  and RV camping will be allowed.

6. An authentic Union and Confederate camp will be established. No wall or fly tents will be allowed on the company streets.

7. Civilians must be in period attire if remaining in camps during the weekend.

8. Adequate straw, firewood and water will be supplied by the Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield Association.

9. Each campfire is required to have at least one water bucket nearby.

 

BEHAVIOR

1. No soliciting or sales will be allowed without prior approval. Sutlers are by invitation only.

2. Public drunkenness or the use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated.

3. No fireworks shall be brought onto the grounds or used at any time during the weekend.

 

PARTICIPATION

1. All Battalion Commanders are required to attend all officers’ meetings at the Commander’s quarters, and all Unit Commanders will be held responsible for the actions of the men in their units.

2. No participant under the age of 16 years will be allowed to carry or fire any firearm or serve on any cannon crew. No participant under the age of 12 years will be allowed on the field during the battles. No exceptions! Participants 12-15 years of age must be functional musicians and must be accompanied during the weekend by a parent or guardian.

3. The Provost/Inspector General for each side shall be responsible for enforcing the military conduct and camp behavior of the troops.

4. Standard safety rules for camp and field as approved by the event staff are in effect.

5. No one except military participants and official event photographers approved by the Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield Association shall be allowed on the battlefield during the battles.  Civilian reenactors may remain in camp at their own risk with their commander’s approval.

6. All registration applications are subject to approval by the Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield Association. All participants must register upon arrival. Military rank must be included on the registration form, along with a complete list of participants for each unit. Any unit that does not list its participating members on the registration form will not be considered as registered and will have their money returned.

 

PROTOCOL

1. No participant, except Battalion Commanders, shall have a rank higher than major.

2. Officers and NCOs’ should be kept to a minimum in each unit. Officers must be correctly attired and equipped.

 

 

 

 

BATTLES

1. In order to avoid conflict with the public presentation being given at the spectator line, opening shots for each battle shall be fired only by pre-designated units and upon specific command of Battalion Commanders.

2. Close fighting, if done, shall be rehearsed prior to the battles. This will be done only by those groups given permission by the Battalion Commanders to do so, and only if it pertains to the approved battle scenario. Except when simulating a hit, all participants are expected to remain with their units. NO CHARGING THE ENEMY BY AN INDIVIDUALL WILL BE TOLERATED.

 

 

 

WEAPONS

1. NO LIVE AMMUNITION WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE GROUNDS AT ANY TIME. Weapons may not be discharged within the boundaries of the camp area and are to be discharged only during the battle scenarios.

2. Infantry long arms shall be loaded with no more than 70 grains of powder. Two band weapons or cut down weapons of any kind are not allowed.  No Kentucky rifles, flintlocks, shotguns, modern style rifles or moderns pistols are to be used or displayed. No exceptions.

3. All weapons must pass the weapons inspection prior to the start of the battles. Weapons failing the inspection will be tagged and not permitted on the field unless repairs are made and the weapon re-inspected and passed.

4. No “penny wrappers”, staples, wads or tape are to be used in the making of cartridges. NO FIXED BAYONETS SHALL BE ALLOWED DURING THE BATTLES AND BAYONETS SHALL REMAIN SHEATED DURING BATTLES. RAMRODS WILL BE ALLOWED BUT IN NO EVENT SHALL THEY BE REMOVED FROM A WEAPON OR USED. No bowie knives will be allowed to be carried onto the field or be used.

5. Direct aimed fire shall not take place inside 40 yards distance. In no case will firing take place inside 25 yards distance between opposing forces.

6. Artillerists shall act as artillerists and shall not possess or use long arms or pistols, except that officers may carry a side arm.

7. Only full scale artillery pieces shall be allowed. Acceptable pieces include mountain howitzers, 6 pounders, 12 pounders, Parrott rifles and ordnance rifles.

8. ONLY SINGLE CHARGES SHALL BE ALLOWED TO BE FIRED FROM ANY GUN. NO DOUBLE CHARGES SHALL BE ALLOWED TO BE FIRED AT ANY TIME.
9. Only appropriate loads of black powder in foil wrapped rounds shall be used as artillery rounds. No flour, sawdust, steel wool or any other additives shall be used at any time.