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Wheeler’s Withdrawal Preservation March

 

Welcome to the first of what we hope will be many preservation rides in benefit of Camp Wildcat. We have devoted a lot of time to make sure that the ride is a success, is safe and fulfilling for all the participants. Please keep in mind that we are guests of Laurel County and that without a lot of cooperation within the community, this ride would have never happened. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Department, both front and rear, will escort us. They will also have EMS personnel on stand-by in case of medical emergencies.

 

Preservation Ride Rules and Guidelines

 

General:

A. No illegal drugs. THIS IS A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY.

 

B. No excessive drinking will be permitted.

 

C. All company and battalion commanders will be held liable for the actions of their troops during the ride/march.

 

D. ALL participants must be prepared to remain in period dress throughout the ride/march.

 

E. Weapons should be of the 1862 timeframe. Non-issue weaponry can be used ONLY with approval of the respective commanders.

 

F. NO modern anachronisms are to be visible. No modern food containers, coolers or beverage containers will be allowed out in public view. All participants that require the above conveniences must keep them hidden at all times during public hours and are strongly encouraged to do so at other times. This is to increase the quality of the event for re-enactors and spectators alike.

 

G. All military impressions should be of the 1862 period.

 

H. Only commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers and mounted troops will be allowed to carry side arms.

 

I. Only full-scale, horse/mule drawn artillery allowed.

 

J. No unscripted hand-to-hand combat will be allowed.

 

K. All troops not following orders from the respective commanders will be asked to leave the event.

 

L. No participants under the age of 16 will be allowed to carry weapons at any time, on or off the field.

 

M. Participants must be 16 years of age or older. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to assume legal responsibility for themselves and to participate without guardianship.  Participants under 18 years of age must have the signature of their parent or legal guardian on the liability release form to participate in the event. This is for both authenticity and safety reasons.

 

Mounted Troops:

A. Uniformed riders must be in period correct attire at all times during the ride. This to include:

  1. Broad brimmed hat or kepi/bummer if desired
  2. At least a change of shirts
  3. Mounted military jacket or civilian style frock.
  4. Mounted style sky-blue pants or civilian style pants
  5. Cavalry or mounted service boots

 

B. All riders are to have mounted equipage and tack for the period of 1862. All personal equipage and weapons should also be period correct and include:

  1. Canteen
  2. Gum blanket or poncho
  3. Bedroll or blanket
  4. Picket pin and rope
  5. Pistols and long arm (if possible)
  6. Sword or saber (at your own discretion)
  7. Light forage (jerky, hardtack, peanuts, etc.)
  8. Great coat

 

C. Although additional ammunition may be captured from enemy forces, don’t count on it. Each trooper is responsible for his own ammunition. Company officers will check all firearms prior to them being loaded.

 

D. Additional things to include in your saddlebag, hidden from public view or secluded at the stops:

  1. Insect repellant
  2. Medications
  3. Cell phone (just in case)
  4. Additional saddle blanket
  5. Hoof pick

 

Above all, remember that you will be living out of the saddle. Take only things you’ll know you’ll use. In case of in climatic weather, we have arranged alternative sites to board horses and riders.

 

E. All horses will be checked at registration for a current (less than one year old) negative Coggins (EIA) certificate. In addition, any horse transported from outside the State of Indiana will be required to have a health certificate issued in the last 30 days prior to the event. Those not having a valid Coggins certificate and/or health certificate will be refused participation in the ride.

 

F. Since some of this ride will be on paved roads and streets, riders are advised to have either Borium or Duratex shoes on their horses.

 

G. Due to the fact that it will be November and possibly difficult or damp grades, all horses on the ride will be kept to no more than a slow walk. There will be no trotting, galloping, or movement by other gaits faster than a slow walk except on the expressed command of the Federal and Confederate commanders and that will be at specific areas along the ride only.

 

H. Unsafe or out-of-control animals will not be allowed to participate in the ride and at the discretion of the KCB Chief of Cavalry and the Laurel County Home Guard, may be asked to leave the ride.

 

I. Stallions are not allowed at the event due to their increased level of safety risk.

 

J. Horse owners/riders are responsible for the safety, health, and care of their animals at all times. Any horse on site must have prior approval and be listed on your registration form.

 

K. During any times when the camps/rest areas are open for public scenarios, no horse shall be ridden by anyone other than a properly attired and equipped re-enactor. This further adds to the enjoyment of all participants as they are indeed supposed to be in 1862.

 

L. Ramrods are not to be used at any time during the battle

 

M. All troops are encouraged to carry a full kit during the battles - blanket or knapsack, as the troops involved in this battle had just covered long distances during the campaign, and their supply wagons would be full of captured good or would have been outdistanced.

 

Dismounted/Infantry Troops

A. Uniformed participants must be in period correct attire at all times during the march. This to include:

  1. Broad brimmed hat or kepi/bummer if desired
  2. Period style shirt
  3. Military jacket or civilian style frock.
  4. Sky-blue pants or civilian style pants
  5. Brogans or boots

 

B. All participants are to have accoutrements for the period of 1862. All personal equipage and weapons should also be period correct and include:

  1. Canteen
  2. Gum blanket or poncho
  3. Bedroll or blanket
  4. Knapsack to hold clothes change and additional items
  5. 3-band musket and accompanying leathers
  6. Haversack to hold light forage (jerky, hardtack, peanuts, etc.)
  7. Great coat

 

C. Although additional ammunition may be captured from enemy forces, don’t count on it. Each soldier is responsible for his own ammunition. Company officers will check all firearms prior to them being loaded.

 

D. Additional things to include in your knapsack, hidden from public view or secluded at the stops:

  1. Insect repellant
  2. Medications
  3. Cell phone (just in case)

 

Above all, remember that you will be living “on the march.” Take only things you’ll know you’ll use. In case of in climatic weather, we have arranged alternative sites to camp.

 

E. Ramrods are not to be used at any time during the battle

 

F. All troops are encouraged to carry a full kit during the march/ride - blanket or knapsack, as the troops involved in this battle had just covered long distances during the campaign, and would have little forage.