You are invited to
join us as we relive the November 1861 Confederate
raid on what was at the time of Union recruiting
camp in the loyal, southern town of Guyandotte,
Virginia. The raid was a rousing success and the
majority of the townspeople were overjoyed that
their "boys" had relieved them of Yankee occupation!
This joy, however, was to be short lived as the
Confederate forces evacuated Guyandotte early the
next morning upon learning of the impending arrival
of Federal troops from downriver in the town of
Ceredo.
The Confederate
troops left with many Union and civilian prisoners
in tow of which these prisoners were eventually
marched all the way to Richmond. Upon reaching
Guyandotte and witnessing for themselves what had
happened, the Federals became convinced that the
town folks had played more of a part of the
execution of this raid than was originally thought.
In retaliation, the Federal troops burned two-thirds
of the town. Your invitation to assist in bringing
to life the rich heritage of our community brings
with it for all re-enactors: four (4) hot meals,
unlimited firewood, fresh straw, 24 hour access to
indoor "facilities", coffee around the clock, a
military ball and limited cash bounties for cannons
and horses that will be paid on Sunday Guyandotte
Civil War Days
&
Raid on Guyandotte,
Inc. and the Valley Division as host unit take great
pride in hosting an event that gives civilians and
military the opportunity to interact in the battles
fought in the streets where the actual battle
occurred. The purpose of this event is to help bring
our rich heritage to life for our residents and give
our re-enactors an event to the end the season that
EVERYONE can enjoy.
If you would like to
attend our event where your efforts and attendance
are greatly appreciated, please return your
registration form to P. O. Box 3172, Huntington, WV
25702. If you have any questions regarding the
event, please call (304) 617-6719 after 6 pm
weekdays or anytime on weekends. We welcome your
participation in our Twenty-First Anniversary of the
re-enactment of the battle of Guyandotte and look
forward to hearing from you soon.
Guyandotte Civil War
Days, Inc.
GUYANDOTTE CIVIL WAR
DAYS RE-ENACTORS RULES AND REGULATIONS
GENERAL RULES
1. Excessive
consumption of legal beverages, and possession or
consumption of illegal substances, will result in
the individual being evicted from the grounds and
subject to legal action.
2. Fireworks are not
permitted.
REGISTRATION AND
CHECK-IN
1. All persons must
register if they intend to gain admission to the
site, regardless of lodging. All registration
applications are subject to approval.
CAMP LIFE
1. AN AUTHENTIC
Union and Confederate camp will be established. All
modem items and equipment will be kept out of public
view during the event or whenever the camp is open
to the public.
2. No non-period
music, musical instruments or playback equipment is
permitted without prior approval.
3. Lights out at
11:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Consideration with respect to noise and laughter is
required during this time.
4. Sod and topsoil
must be replaced where campfires are dug. The entire
area should be free of trash.
5. No pets will be
allowed on the grounds.
PARTICIPANT RULES
1. Commanding
Officers are required to attend all officers'
meetings.
2. Unit commanders
are responsible for the conduct of their men and/or
any stragglers at all times while the unit is on the
site. Parents are responsible for the conduct of
minor children. Minor children under no recognized
supervision at any given time may result in their
parent/guardians being asked to leave the event.
3. All children
under the age of 18 not accompanied by a
parent/guardian shall provide written, notarized
permission from their parent designating an
individual who shall assume responsibility.
4. No one under the
age of 16 will be allowed to carry a weapon of any
kind.
5. No one except
military participants will be allowed on the
battlefield during the battles.
6. No cameras or
electronic video equipment will be carried or used
on the battlefield during the reenactment by
participants.
DRESS CODE
1. Period clothing
is required to be worn by both Military and Civilian
re-enactors in camp and on the field. All uniforms
and shoes must be of proper period material and
construction.
2. Civilians must be
in period attire if remaining in the camps during
the weekend.
3. No anachronisms
will be permitted on any person. This rule includes,
but not limited to wristwatches, earrings on men,
jewelry (with the exception of wedding bands), cell
phones and pagers.
4. No participant,
except Battalion Commanders, shall have rank higher
than Captain.
5. Our Military Ball
is PERIOD DRESS ONLY. NO EXCEPTIONS! No pants
or modem clothing.
BATTLES AND WEAPONS
1. All participants
on the battlefield shall be inspected for
authenticity and safety. Anyone who fails
inspections will not be permitted to participate.
2. No drills or
practices shall be scheduled on Sunday during the
Memorial Service and during Church Services.
Consideration with respect to noise, music, laughter
or the discharge of firearms is required during
these times.
3. Infantry
participants should allow a minimum of 100 rounds of
ammunition for the weekend. Any participant running
out of ammunition will be expected to become a
casualty.
4. Close fighting,
if done, and if it pertains to the battle scenario,
can only be done by those groups given permission by
the Commanding Officer and shall be rehearsed prior
to the battle.
5. If a Civilian
scenario is to be portrayed, approval for the
scenario must be given by Scenario Coordinator
Jeanne Wray.
6. No live
ammunition will be allowed on the grounds. Weapons
shall not be discharged within the boundaries of the
camp area and are to be discharged only during
reenactments.
7. No "penny
wrappers", staples, wads or tape are to be used in
making the cartridges. No fixed bayonets during the
battles. Ramrods can be carried, but not used.
Bayonet must remain sheathed during battles. Bowie
knives are permitted, but must remain secured in
sheath.
8. Direct aimed fire
shall not take place within 40 yards distance. In no
case will firing take place inside 20 yards distance
between opposing forces.
9. No re-enactor
will allow any Civilian or spectator to handle or
fire a weapon during the weekend.
10. All Artillery
Units will be required to have proper safety
training cards on all members of the gun crew.
Artillery Units having proper safety cards will not
have to undergo crew drill, but will be required to
undergo artillery piece inspection by our Safety
Officer. Artillery Units not having safety cards
will be required to undergo member drills and
artillery piece inspection prior to being allowed in
our event.
11. All rounds
(artillery and infantry) will be subject to
inspection by our Safety Officer prior to
participation in our event.
12. Artillery units
posted inside floodwalls will be required to cut
amount of powder by Yz.
Flour can be used
with the powder.
13. Repeating Rifles
- any Military Units using Spencer and/or Henry
rifles will be required to load by individual round
(plastic cartridges) or place said rifles in a
reserve capacity.
14. All
participating units are required to adhere to the
battle plan. Any units deciding to "not follow" the
battle plan will be asked to leave the event.
15. The organizers
of this event adhere to the Military Chain of
Command. Any and all Military issues arising during
this event shall be handled by our Overall Commander
and/or our Safety Officer.
16. Any and all
brass/metallic cartridges will be restricted to
"factory loads only". Due to safety issues, homemade
reloads will be restricted.
17. Any participants
(Military or Civilian) involved in confrontation or
fighting at this event will be removed and
prohibited from this event for a period of time to
be determined by the Guyandotte Civil War Days
&
Raid on Guyandotte,
Inc. membership.
18. All Artillery
Units will be required to adhere to the rules,
drills adopted by the NCWAA and Guyandotte Civil War
Days.
SAFETY PRECAUTION
*****SPECIAL NOTICE
TO RE-ENACTORS*****
Events like
Guyandotte Civil War Days are unique in that against
all pretense of political correctness, friends and
acquaintances load up large caliber firearms and
shoot at one another in our event, and in
particular, a large number of civilians participate
in the battle. Military units "shall" have in-place
regulations, instructions and inspections designed,
not only to prevent mortal accidents, but also
painful and embarrassing incidents that can, at the
very least, inhibit a friendship because many of
them like to have them "loaded".
*Under no
circumstance should a firearm be carried
un-inspected. It is so important that no accidents
happen that would hurt someone or besmirch our
safety record. Therefore, the Marshal, who is an
accredited black powder safety specialist and his
staff, will be able to inspect even "loaded"
firearms for unwanted projectiles at the civilian
meeting on Saturday morning. If one carries, one
should feel comfortable doing so.
*Long guns are
loaded with only powder. No wad of any kind should
be ejected.
Powder by itself can
blind, burn, tattoo and sting when fired from a
distance of up to fifty feet, therefore, safe
re-enactors elevate their arms at about a 45 degree
angle. Yes, I know, all of us have seen re-enactors
firing "level", however, if one were to be able to
look down their sights, they would see that they are
firing at a clear field. This is an old movie and
stage stunt, if viewed in profile even an
exaggerated "throw-off' can look as if the shot is
fired "at point blank".
*Pistols - If one is
not going to be fired, it should be unloaded. I(you
want to exercise your prerogative and carry one
loaded, this is the guideline: No more than 15
grains by volume for a .44, 10 grains for a .32 or
.36.
*If a space between
the powder was/is dictated, use cornmeal or flour.
You would be amazed at the smoke and fire this will
produce.
*Soft wads or lard
to the top can then be used to seal the cylinder. In
cold weather, hard wax shrinks and causes gaps. Gaps
cause "chain-fire". Picture a ball on fire on the
end of your arm.
*Period firearms are
designed only to shoot black powder or a black
powder substitute. It says it on the container:
"Black Rifle Powder" No! Pyradex, Good Luck!
