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AUTHENTICITY GUIDELINES

of
The American Civil War Society Ltd

 

REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES REGARDING CONDUCT ON THE AUTHENTIC CAMPS OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR SOCIETY

(Adopted November 2000)

The Regulations/Guidelines set out in this document are for members of the ACWS and their Guests who reside on or who come to the Authentic Camp areas on events of ACWS and on subsequent joint events of ACWS with other Societies.

1. NO VEHICLES TO BE LEFT ON THE AUTHENTIC CAMPS

  1. Vehicles will only be allowed on an Authentic Camp to unload or load or for emergency purposes.
  2. The length of time a vehicle should stay on an Authentic Camp is long enough to do the job, which should not exceed three hours.
  3. No vehicle is to be parked or left in unauthorised areas of the authentic Camp after it has been used.
  4. All vehicles will be parked in the appropriate designated car parking area away from the Authentic Camp or on the family camp.
  5. Arrangements for parking vehicles for the disabled should be made by the Commander of the Regiment of which the disabled person is a member, but must balance authenticity and the practical necessity of the disabled person.
  6. No vehicle should be returned to the Authentic Camp before the stated end of the event, except in an emergency.
  7. No vehicle is to be used during any part of the day to ferry members to and from the Authentic Camps and the family camp (unless special circumstances apply) or elsewhere but arrangements are to be made for the disabled by Commanding Officers.
  8. Members who attend the events on a daily basis should take their vehicles directly to the family camp or authorised parking place.
  9. The only authorised vehicles that will be allowed on any part of the Authentic Camp are the Powder Wagon or Ambulance Service. No other vehicle will be allowed without prior permission from the Army Commanders.
  10. Members who constantly disregard these Regulations will be called before the Board for censure or dismissal of membership or such other disciplinary measures as the Board considers appropriate.

2. UNIFORM/DRESS ETIQUETTE ON THE AUTHENTIC CAMPS

  1. Members and Guests should be in the period uniform of the Regiment they represent or their period Civilian costume at all times whilst on the authentic Camp.
  2. Members or Guests should not wear modern Civilian clothing at any time during their stay on the Authentic Camp, except when loading or unloading at the beginning or end of an event.
  3. Members and Guests from the family camp who visit the authentic camps should be in period uniform or period Civilian costume at all times on the visit and whilst in the Authentic Camps or their vicinity.
  4. Only period looking footwear should be worn. Modern shoes or hiking boots should not be worn.
  5. No modern spectacles, reacta light, modern style tinted or sun glasses should be worn on the Authentic Camps. Where required, only period style eyeglasses should be worn.
  6. Mixed dress (i.e. a combination of modern items of external clothing and period costume) should not be worn. Clothing should not be of modern material e.g. nylon etc. There should be no zip fasteners apparent. No face piercing furniture should be visible e.g. nose or lip ring or the like. Intelligent and sensible application of the principles of what was worn and used in 1860’s North America is required in the interests of Authentic Re-enacting on or in the neighbourhood of Authentic Camps, when in uniform, out-of-camp and at Battlefield events.

3. SECURITY OF WEAPONS

  1. No weapons explosives or ammunition are to be left unattended, unguarded or insecure at any time on camps. Explosives and ammunition storage is to be safe and comply with Best Practice requirements.
  2. Stacking of weapons for display on camp will be guarded at all times with at least two members.
  3. Do not leave your weapons inside your tent unguarded or not properly secured.
  4. If members have to leave the camp area other than on duty they should leave all weapons (including knives and bayonets) in one tent with a guard (on a Regimental basis) or take them back to their vehicles and lock them securely and out of sight, or otherwise chain and padlock them in a manner agreed by unit armourers and/or Commanding Officers. The Society will not accept any responsibility for the loss of or damage to any weapons or any items of equipment or other personal belongings or vehicles.
  5. Security to comply with Police and H&SE requirements is paramount, particularly when members of the public are about. Sentries are required. Members are required to be vigilant.

4. CAMP FURNITURE ON AUTHENTIC CAMPS

  1. Tents are to be of canvas and of a style or type appropriate to the 1860’s. Tents that are left open during the day should not have any modern items on show in them for the public to notice. They should be covered up under a blanket or similar covering. Open tents are to visibly comply with 1860’s authenticity requirements.
  2. Any chairs, tables, boxes or other items on view to the public should be of period design.
  3. Fire Buckets: there is to be one fire bucket full of water per four (4) tents on the Regimental street - these are Health and Safety guidelines and will be adhered to. Regular checks will be made. Regimental commanders are to ensure compliance.
  4. Water containers that are in view should be made of wood or pottery. Plastic containers covered in canvas, wine demijohns and any other non-authentic water containers that are used on camp must be put away from prying eyes, well hidden inside a tent.
  5. Non authentic ground sheets should be hidden from view at all times.
  6. No radios, tape recorders, portable TV’s or portable CD players should be seen or heard on the Authentic Camp. Discreet usage out of sight with earphones is permitted. No generators or fridges of any other modern electronic items are allowed on camp, if they are obvious, outside a tent, or can be heard or perceived outside the tent inside which they may be used. Still cameras (used discretely) and with prior permission Video Cameras suitable disguised are permitted. Mobile Telephones are to be kept hidden and used discretely. Modern prams, pushchairs or other modern child transport or toys and/or modern invalid scooters or wheelchairs are not appropriate either. Do not ruin the "impression" by obvious use of such items. Remember, you represent your Society, your unit, and your part of history. Please do not look silly or let your appearance down. This applies to everybody, including care and control and the behaviour of and proper supervision of children.

5. GENERAL TIDINESS

  1. Only one fire pit per Regiment is allowed without prior consent from the Army Commander. Fire pits are to be at the head of streets and in a safe space.
  2. All fires must be extinguished and the ground must be properly and fully restored before you leave the camp after the event with all ash rubbish and debris extinguished and safely disposed of.
  3. Drinks tins and other litter waste of rubbish should be put in rubbish containers inside your tent out of the way or the bags could be placed in a hessian sack on a small pole or in a wooden barrel or box outside your tent. Avoid drinking out of unauthentic containers.
  4. At the end of an event, rubbish must be placed in suitable containers (e.g. black plastic bags) and, before leaving the event, put in a skip if provided or a nominated Rubbish point or other appointed place.
  5. Camps are to be kept clean, neat, tidy and safe. All members are responsible for ensuring hazards are minimised. Anybody noting something dangerous or a fire not in a fire pit is to take appropriate and safe action, calling for help/raising the alarm as necessary.

Remember. These are your Authentic Camps. Do not spoil the impression by being obviously unauthentic. Do not risk your own or anybody else’s health and safety and security. Work together in co-operation to get it right. The only people in an authentic Camp in modern day dress and appearance should be members of the public visiting when the camps are open to the public.

You represent YOUR Society, YOUR Unit, and YOUR part of history. Please do not let yourself, or anybody else, down.