The worst thing that can happen at any reenactment is an accident. Therefore,
it is the intent of the Event Sponsors for all participants to be extremely
safety conscious at all times. The rules listed below are the "minimum
guidelines." Unit Commanders will be held responsible for their groups'
compliance with these rules, and each participant is expected to go beyond the
minimums in considering the safety of others during each activity. The New
Mexico Civil War Commemorative Congress has appointed safety officers who have
the authority to ban anyone, or their equipment, from the camps and/or battles
due to safety considerations. These safety officers will be obeyed in matters
of safety, regardless of the respective ranks or unit affiliations of the
persons involved.
1. ALL PARTICIPANTS must register and/or sign a liability waiver prior to any
involvement in the Event.
2. SAFETY: A Safety Inspection of all weapons, charges, and loading procedures will be held each day. For inspection, all weapons must be unloaded and all participants must attend inspection.
3. AGE REQUIREMENT: Anyone wishing to participate in any battle scenario must
be at least 15 years of age. Proof of age must be provided upon request from a
Congress representative. Children under the age of 15 who are participating as
members of the field music (playing an instrument), will be the only exception
to this age limit.
4. WEAPONS: Only Civil War period weapons may be brought into the encampment
and demonstration areas. No projectiles of any kind shall be brought to the
Event. Non-disintegrating wadding shall be prohibited. No wadding of any kind
will be introduced into the barrel of any weapon during opposition firing.
Anyone wishing to participate in any battle scenario must be at least 15 years
of age. Children under the age of 15 who are participating as members of the
field music (playing an instrument), will be the only exception to this age
limit. No one shall carry a weapon who is not fully
trained in its safe use, and be able to demonstrate firing and loading
procedures at the request of a provost or any NMCWCC member (civilians
included).
5. WEAPONS/GEAR-UNAUTHORIZED HANDLING: Touching or handling of weapons or
personal gear of another re enactor without permission
is strictly forbidden. There will be no cartridges containing powder given to
spectators for any reason.
6. POWDER: All powder and primers shall be under constant, direct supervision
of a member of each unit at all times or locked in a spark proof container. A
25 foot "no smoking” zone will be maintained around any black powder
magazine. All powder cartridges must be prepared prior to the Event in
accordance with the national Safety Rules. (No more than 2 ounces of cannon
grade powder per inch of bore diameter for the artillery pieces. For small
arms, the maximum charge will be the service charge). Artillery cartridges must
be wrapped in at least four layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Loose powder
may not be brought unless contained in period flasks. There will be no direct
loading from flasks.
7. EDGED WEAPONS: All edged weapons (bayonets, swords, knives, etc.) will
remain sheathed during all combat situations, however, Officers and NCOs may use
swords for command and direction of troops, but not for fighting.
8. HAND-TO-HAND-COMBAT: There will be no hand-to-hand at any time
"unless" pre-choreographed and approved by the safety officer.
9. UNIT AND INDIVIDUAL FIRE: During tactical and scripted battles: THE USE OF
RAMRODS WHILE ON THE BATTLEFIELD IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED. Participants found to
be using ramrods will be removed from the field.
10. DIRECT FIRE - SMALL ARMS FIRE: The following range restrictions will be
followed at all times. No direct firing at combatants will occur at distances
less than:
10A. Long Arms (Shotguns, Rifles, and Muskets) - 50 feet
10B. Handguns - 30 feet
11. THE SITE: Artifacts and/or structures are not to be disturbed.
12. CAVALRY: Cavalry charges are prohibited. Persons bringing horses are
responsible for the care and safety of their own animals as well as the safety
of humans in the vicinity of their animals.
13. HORSES: Horses are the property of other people and should not be touched
or bothered. (See rule 4.)
14. ARTILLERY: Only authorized personnel assigned to that gun shall touch an
artillery piece. Artillery pieces will not be loaded or fired if anyone is
within a 45° "cone" on each side and 75 yards in front of the muzzle,
or if any spectator is within a 50' radius centered on the lunette. No powder
shall be introduced into the muzzle unless at least three minutes have elapsed
since the last shot was fired. In the case of a misfire, both rammers shall be
placed on the tops of the wheels and crossed to mark the gun as
"hot". All artillery pieces and crews shall be inspected, prior to
the first battle, by a New Mexico Civil War Commemorative Congress appointed
officer.
15. SPECTATOR INTERFERENCE: Watch for wayward spectators entering the field of
engagement. All hostile activity must cease until they have been safely
removed.
16. TACTICALS: Tactical battle is limited to designated hours and areas.
Participation is optional. Tacticals must be approved by Congress, ad hoc engagements will not be allowed. No weapons will be fired before 8:00 AM or after 8:00 pm without approval of Congress and the museum.
17. CHILDREN: Although children are welcome at our Event, they must remain
under the control of a responsible adult. Unsupervised or "rowdy"
children will not be tolerated. Parents or guardians who do not control
children in their care will be asked to leave the Event with their children. A re enactor must be at least 15 years old to participate in a
battle.
18. FIRES: Burning Campfires must be attended AT ALL TIMES. A supply of water
must be kept in the vicinity of any campfire. Locate fire pits a safe distance
from tents and awnings. Keep all vegetation and bedding straw away from fire
pits.
19. ALCOHOL: Drunkenness will not be tolerated. There will be no firing, of any
type, of weapon within eight (8) hours of consuming alcohol.
NMCWC Congress Safety Rules Are To Be Read To The Units/Troops Following Each
Safety Inspection During The Event.
Officers And NCO's Shall Have A Copy Of The Congress
Safety Rules On Their Person At All Times During The Event.
All NMCWC Congress Members Have The Authority Of Safety Officer For The
Duration Of Congress Events.
Be Advised That The Public Battles Are Scripted And That Charges And
Hand-To-Hand Combat Must Be Cleared In Advance With The
Be Advised That The NMCWC Congress Safety Rules Are In
Force During The Whole Event; Including The Tactical And/Or Such Related
Activities.
The Safety Rules May Be Amended Or Revised, Prior To The Event, To Meet
Congress Needs.
The Safety Officers Will Have Specific Safety Concerns For Cavalry And
Artillery That May Not Be Included In This Event Packet.
NMCWC Congress Has Appointed
Be Advised That The Museum/Event Host Has Placed
Limits On Access To Some Of Their Structures And Property. This Concern Will Be
Defined At Officers Call.
Mandatory Attendance For Officers Call: Agenda Will Include Specifics For Event
Planning/Schedules, The Safety Concerns For The Event, Museum Restrictions, And
Any Event Issues/Resolutions, Etc.