Artillery is limited to full scale (57” wheel, #1 or #2 field carriages).Other period correct field artillery will be considered at the discretion of the Artillery Command.Upon arrival, after registration, all guns must be reported to the Artillery HQ to receive further information and gun park placement.

Trunnion caps and pins are tight and held properly in place by cotter pins or other acceptable fastener.All Ordnance is to be free of any debris in the bore and vent. Tubes must be the correct bore diameter for the Tube Type. Gun carriages and limbers are to be in good working field-use order. All vents must be of proper measurement requirements. Sponges are to be intact with no holes, rips, or tears, and be of the correct bore size for the piece. Rammer heads are to be intact and be of the correct bore size for the piece.

All implements are to be on site, be of proper equipage, and be in proper working order prior to the gunand detachment inspection. This is to include 2 sponge rammers, and 1 worm. All poles on spongerammers, and worms, are to be made of the proper wood, no pvc pipe is allowed.

Rounds:All rounds are to be made of Black Powder Only and with no fillers. Absolutely no flour or other foreign materials are to be added to or in addition to any round. All rounds shall be kept in the ammunition chests, except for rounds being delivered to the pieces. The lid of a chest shall remain closed and the chest locked at all times except when rounds are being removed, during inspections, or while work is being performed inside chest. No artillery cartridges shall be constructed at the event site. Up to three (3) ounces of gun powder for each inch of bore will be allowed. (Example: 3” bore allows 9 oz. or less of gunpowder).

Inspections:Each artillery unit (for Federal) will provide the Chief of Artillery a written verification of their drill. All detachments must be inspected on there piece for that drill and safety before taking the field by one of the safety officers. Equipment and Gun Drill Forms must be signed by each person manning the gun, and all visual inspections must be completed and passed before each artillery piece is qualified to be taken to the field.

All firearms (long guns or side arms) must be pre approved by the Chief of Artillery or the Event Coordinator. All firearms (long guns or side arms) are to be inspected by the Unit commander and Safety Officer prior to each engagement. Side arms safety forms must be completed, signed, and handed in prior to the events battles.

Loading and firing:A minimum of 2 minutes will be allowed to elapse between the discharge of the piece, and the introduction of a load (round) to the bore.

Handling misfires: The 3 minute misfire drill will be strongly enforced. After the third misfire the vent and barrel must be properly flushed and unloaded through the muzzle (no fourth attempts). If any misfired primer tube (first or second attempts) cannot be accounted for, the barrel must be flushed and unloaded through the muzzle. No re-ramming misfired rounds. The only time a round can be re-rammed is when #3 discovers the round is not properly seated before it is fired the first time. If it becomes necessary that you must unload through the muzzle for any reason, a safety officer must be present during the procedure. Misfired primers must be removed from the field in a safe recetacle.

Absolutely no rank higher than Captain unless approved by Chief of Artillery. Commanders and gunners are expected to give the gun crews ample opportunity for water and rest during the battle or drills. Use common sense but do not endanger the health of the participants. If you have a physical condition that may require special attention or may affect the outcome of possible emergency treatment during the event, it is recommended you notify your commanding officer or someone who would be with you on the field of such condition in advance of taking the field.

ARTILLERY RULES AND REGULATIONSAnnual Gettysburg Civil War Battle Reenactment

DANGER“BLAST AREA”

50 YDS 50 YDS

50 YDS

50 Yards From the Muzzle of a Cannon

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(DIAGRAM IS NOT TO SCALE)

Safety Zone Marker

The 3 minute Failed Primer Drill will be enforced. When this signal is given by the cannoneers the 50 yard safety firing distance is still active for the gun and must be avoided until the piece is rendered safe by artillery personnel.

Artillery pieces are not to be charged/assaulted except as previously arranged in a “scripted” scenario,and then only at a pre-arranged signal. The signal to opposing infantry or cavalry shall always be thesponge rammer protruding from the muzzle of the gun, with the front of the gun unoccupied indicatingthe gun is clear and safe for assault.

Violations of these rules or common sense safety precautions may lead to individuals or units beingrecommended for censure/suspension/expulsion from the event.

A 50 yard minimum safe firing distance (Diagram 1) shall be maintained between the muzzle and any person, animal, in its front at all times. Safety flags at the 50 yard mark will be used for all static artillery

A 50 foot diameter danger zone (Diagram 2) will be maintained around the limber. Only artillery personnel may occupy this area; all others must request permission from the battery commander.Discharging of firearms or the smoking of tobacco within the danger area is strictly prohibitedThe minimum safe distance to the gun from the sides (gun hubs) is 50 feet. No Horses, or Non Artillery Personnel shall occupy, walk or ride between the gun and limberwithout the direct permission from the Battery Commander.

Diagram 1(Blast Area)

Diagram 2(Danger Area)

DANGER AREA---- 50 FT ---- ---- 50 FT ----

50 FT

AMMO.CHEST

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(DIAGRAM IS NOT TO SCALE)

No Discharge of Firearms, Or Occupation of HorsesWithin 50 Feet Of The Limber

MISFIRE - DO NOT ADVANCE

”Spiked” or Safe Gun

1. Bore and vent must be clean and clear of all foreign matter before the event.

2. Check and tighten all bolts on gun carriage, especially the cheek and chin bolts.

3. Make sure the trunnion caps and pins are tight and held properly in place by cotter pins or other acceptable fastener.

4. Use a strong vent brush with new bronze, brass, or copper bristles.

5. Vent pick should have a sharp point to assure a good puncture of the round to prevent a misfire and also should be clean of all gunpowder.

6. Use a period type lanyard that is in good condition and constructed of a non-elastic material. It is highly recommended there be at least one spare lanyard available in the limber.

7. The ammunition box should be clean and free of all loose gunpowder and primers are to be stored in a separate container securely away from the rounds.

8. Make sure you have a workable and strong lock to secure the ammunition box. A period lock would be preferable.

9. Heavy leather “welder style” gauntlets (gloves) in good condition and period uniform jackets for use by #1 and #2 positions are required. Doeskin or thin leather gloves are not acceptable at this event.

10. Period thumb-stall for #3 position should be in good clean condition capable of securing the vent as required.

11. Proper sponge head material should be in good condition and secured to the sponge head securely. The sponge head should fit the bore in a manner that creates a proper vacuum when extracted (not too loose, nor too tight).

12. Check and sharpen your worm to make sure it can remove the spent tin foil. The worm head should be securely tightened to the wooden shaft and the prongs properly angled out beyond the surface of the worm coil.

13. All leather accoutrements are to be free of gunpowder and in good working condition.

14. Vent flushing apparatus (syringe, pressurized extinguisher, etc.) should be available in the event a round needs to be flushed in the barrel.

15. Have the necessary chocks to chock both your gun wheels and limber wheels.

16. Cannoneer’s (Gun Positions) No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 must be at least 16 years of age. The Gunner must be at least 18 years of age.

For additional information and regulations, please contact the US or CS designated Chief of Artillery.

Safety Inspection Points

NO FIRE ZONEDIAGRAM IS NOT TO SCALE

---- 50 FT ---- ---- 50 FT ----

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50 FT

AMMO.BOX

AMMO.BOX

AMMO.BOX

AMMO.BOX

---- 20 FT ----

50 FT

---- 20 FT ---- ---- 20 FT ----

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30 FT

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30 FT

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30 FT

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30 FT

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The following diagram shows a 4 gun battery with the NO FIRE ZONE around the limbers for your view when advancing from the rear, flank, or front of the battery for a scenario which dictates either passing threw, into or to over-run. The 50 foot diameter danger zone must be maintained around the limbers. Only artillery personnel may occupy this area; all others must request permission from the battery commander. Discharging of firearms or the smoking within the danger area is strictly prohibited No Horses shall occupy, walk or ride between the gun and limber unless its is the battery’s own mounts, without the direct permission from the Battery Commander. Unless scripted prior to battle, this perimeter is off limits to everyone before during and after a battle. REMEMBER, the ordnance you are near is expensive, dangerous, and is not your personalproperty.

If the scripted battle is to take the guns, all Infantry is prohibited from discharging their weapons until they are clear of the safety “No Fire Zone”. All mounted officers and Cavalry are prohibited around the limbers for the safety of the horse, men, and property.

It is important that everyone knows their surroundings. Communication between all commanders, friendly or opposing forces,should always work together on and off the field to secure the safety of the troops that they are commanding. Knowledge ofartillery movements, signals, and just plain old firing should be common knowledge to ALL Infantry, & Cavalry Commandersbefore they even begin forming troops for the field.