Mission Statement

Porter’s Battery is a reenacting and living history organization that portrays both military and civilian life during the historic period known as "The Civil War" or "The War Between the States".  We do portray both sides from time to time, which are known within reenacting circles as "galvanizing.  We also have members, women and children primarily, who portray civilians at that time.  We are all history buffs and enjoy stepping back in time even for a brief moment to experience to a small degree what our ancestors endured during those dark days in our nation’s history.  Our focus is on that historic period between the years 1860 and 1865.  We do not converse nor discuss modern issues, political or otherwise, and we do not compare issues of that time period with those of today. We are a family based organization.  There is something for everyone to do and we encourage each member to try more than one impression.  It helps you to learn about the history of that time, which you can then pass on to others.

 BY-LAWS

&

Code of Conduct

The By-Laws and/or Code of Conduct represents the commitment each Member must have to the goals and activities of the unit. Failure to follow the requirements of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, which could include the termination of membership.

By-laws to be followed by the Entire Battery

 1 --- Hatred and bigotry have no place in society or in this Unit. Respect the feelings of others. Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. We live in a culturally diverse nation. The true history of the Southern United States includes many of these diverse cultures, all linked together by a common heritage. We must learn to live together and have mutual respect for each other’s history and heritage.

2 --- Obey all safety rules. Every member is a Safety Officer and is responsible for learning and enforcing all safety procedures.

3 --- Do not, under any circumstances, pass in front of the muzzle of a cannon any closer than 50 yards, or within a 90-degree arc from the center line of the bore. The charge of a full-scale 12-pound Napoleon cannon could be up to two pounds of powder. Always treat the cannons and limbers as if they are loaded with black powder.

4 --- There will be no consumption of alcoholic products before or during reenactments, while armed, while in first person persona, or while the public is present. No one shall consume alcohol within 12 hours of serving on a cannon. Likewise, illegal drug use is not allowed or tolerated. This shall be strictly enforced so that the detection by any member warrants an immediate inspection. Anyone found violating this rule would be issued a written reprimand signed by all members witnessing this behavior. A second occurrence will result in the immediate termination of membership without the possibility of re-admittance.

5 --- No person under the age of 16 years shall be allowed to handle arms in camp or carry arms in the ranks without special dispensation from the unit’s commanding officer. No one who has not been through artillery training by a certified instructor may serve on a cannon crew when firing blank rounds or live ammunition without special dispensation from the gun owner.

6 --- No campfires, lamps, or candles will be left unattended. These fires must be thoroughly extinguished or someone must remain in camp to watch the fire and ensure no accidents happen. This shall be strictly enforced so that the detection by any member warrants an immediate inspection. We will build only historically accurate campfires, and only as needed

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7 --- No fires will be allowed in tents not designed to accommodate a stove. This includes candles not in a lantern.

8 --- Keep all modern items out of sight when the general public is in camp. No use of modern tobacco products when in first person persona or when the public is present.

9 ---No smoking of any kind (pipe, cigar, cigarillo) is permitted when handling or       working with gunpowder or in the vicinity of someone who is. Always treat the cannon   and limbers as if they are loaded with black powder.

10 Each unit will post a guard to keep the camp secure whenever anyone is working with gunpowder. Gunpowder may only be handled in a secluded place a safe distance from camp

11--- In a real medical emergency, the key word for help is MEDIC. If you hear the word MEDIC, repeat it as loud as you can, then go to the person that needs help and give all the assistance you can.

12 --- Complete your uniform or civilian attire in as timely a manner as possible. We request that your uniform be completed within one year of joining Porter’s Battery.

13 --- Bring your own rations. Don’t expect someone else to furnish you with food or powder

14 --- When in first person persona, always act as a Southern Lady or Gentleman. Always act   with honor, integrity, and chivalry. Always maintain the actions and attitudes of the Southern Ladies and Gentlemen of the time period being portrayed. Always be polite, even in the face of adversity. If faced with adversity, walk away and notify your unit’s commanding officer.

15 --- To accurately portray the inhabitants of the South from 1607 - 1890, we must play by their rules. In those days, a man was only as good as his word and many business transactions were consummated over a handshake. We must be as true and accurate as possible to effectively represent the historically correct facts of what actually occurred during that time period.

16 --- Treat the general public with respect no matter how stupid their question might seem, or    how many times you have answered that question. Remember, they are one of the main reasons we do what we do, and their education should be at the forefront of our interests.

17 --- Be a good listener. The general public wants to tell you all about their ancestor, and in so doing; valuable information can be gathered for future use.

18 --- Ask permission before using another person’s property. Always say Thank you when you return it, and return it in at least as good a condition as when you borrowed it.

19 --- Camp fires will be built as needed and conducted as historically accurate, no modern trash thrown in fires.

20 --- The Camp will be set up with the Commander’s tent at the head of the company street.   Followed by the junior officers, the senior NCOs, the junior NCOs and then the lower enlisted with families. The hard core campaigners may set up together on the end of the company street if so desired. Signs will be provided to label tents, in the event that the camp cannot be set up in this fashion, it will appear that it really is.

 21 --- Be at formations on time, every time. There will be a morning roll call, before breakfast, and the schedule of the day will be posted. There will formations before battles and gun drills and any other time of the day the command may see fit to conduct one. This is primarily for the military members, but in the best interest of all members.

22 --- Smoking paraphernalia will be in non-combat areas, using period type tobacco products, pipes, etc, if you must use a cigarette, be discreet, and not in full view of the public.  Lighters, or matches or related smoking paraphernalia are prohibited within 100 feet of the limbers or cannons as they are potentially loaded with black powder at any time and may cause injury or death if exposed to open flame. Inspections will be conducted to ensure that these rules are being followed.

23 --- We encourage the use of the internet with our members, however any official business will be conducted at official meetings which will be conducted at ALL maximum effort events. If any member has any input on a particular subject, attend the maximum effort event and be present when the meeting is being conducted. Use the chain of command to pursue information when not at a meeting. In other words start with your immediate NCO, and that NCO will send the information to the appropriate officer. We encourage group communication, however any misinformation and rumor spreading will not be tolerated

24 --- We will be having skits at weekend events. This is a period type of entertainment that is encouraged by the chain of command. Although participation is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged. Please submit ideas or suggestions to the Adjutant for skits.

25 --- Major events, usually any maximum effort event, will have guards posted for camp security. This will be conducted in military fashion, and conducted professionally. This is to ensure that the public does not get injured and prevent the theft of any equipment.

26 --- There will be no modern firearms or ammunition allowed in camp. If a member must have a personal modern weapon, leave it in their vehicle.

By-laws to be followed by the Military Personnel

1---This unit follows the instructions of the United States Field Artillery Association muzzle-loading artillery school, and its manuals are the only acceptable artillery manuals for learning the drill and operation of muzzle-loading cannons. All members are expected to own their own copies of these manuals.

2---The unit follows the 3 minute rule, which states that three minutes shall have elapsed between when the cannon was last fired and serviced, and when the next round may be loaded. The rule shall never be violated under any circumstances.

3---During battle reenactments, never fire if anyone is within 50 yards from the muzzle of the cannon and keep the cannon at full elevation. Never discharge a pistol, rifle, or musket within 100 feet of a loaded cannon or artillery limber chest. Always treat the cannons and limbers as if they are loaded with black powder

4---Avoid rolling cartridges in camp. If absolutely necessary, keep the powder well away from campfires, candles, sources of heat, and the public.

5---Load muzzle-loading muskets with pre-rolled cartridges, never from a powder flask/horn.

6---Always load muzzle-loading pistols in advance from a powder flask or pre-rolled cartridges, and seal each cylinder with cream of wheat. Paper or cotton wadding is never to be used to seal the cylinders, and the cylinders of muzzle-loading pistols should never be re-loaded during a reenactment except with pre-rolled cartridges.

7---While loading firearms, keep hands and face away from the muzzle.

8---After loading, always point the muzzle in a safe direction. Be aware of anyone in front, behind, and on either side of you.

9---During battle reenactments, never fire directly at a person less than 100 feet from you. Aim over the head or to the side of anyone within that distance.

10---When firing muskets from two ranks, the rear rank should step well forward and, before firing, ensure that neither the muzzle nor the cap is near the faces of the front rank.

11---Never draw or use a musket ramrod during a battle reenactment.

12---Be careful when fixing or drilling with bayonets. When marching with bayonets fixed, keep weapons nearly vertical to protect the person behind you.

13---Always use the military protocol of the time period being portrayed (Seventeenth to Nineteenth Century). If unsure of the correct protocol, don’t be afraid to ask

14---Gun drill will be conducted at every event possible. Gun owners and gunners are expected to be trained and familiar with the Porter’s Battery method of gun drill. The crew members are expected to know their assigned position and will be trained on more with time permitting. This fosters professionalism and opens the way for future promotions.

15---Be respectful of the chain of command, especially in view of the public. We are portraying a military unit and must act the part. Save any arguments or heated discussions for the camp area out of view of the public. If any member cannot conduct themselves in a professional military manner, they should consider a different hobby.

16---All members of Porters Battery are to be treated equally and fairly. However, decisions regarding the battlefield operations, such as conduct on the field and operating the cannons and equipment are solely for the military members to vote on. All other aspects are open for discussion to all members. The ladies of Porter’s Battery are encouraged to participate in the military operations of Porter’s Battery, but they will be subject to the same guidelines as the male members. Porter’s Battery also encourages period family activities to be conducted at events and period ladies activities. Any of the Ladies activities being conducted likewise are open for discussion with the ladies and are supported by the chain of command. Any questions should be forwarded to the Adjutant for clarification on this matter.

17---We must use caution when correcting the years of misinformation and political correctness that is pervasive in American education today. We must not use exaggerated or misleading information. Once we lose trust of the public, it is difficult, if not impossible, to get that trust back.

18---We have no control over our heritage, but we can surely control the destiny of our legacy. By controlling this legacy, we will ensure our great-grandchildren will know our great-grandparents and us.

 19---As re-enactors of Southern gentility, we should inculcate all the attributes of Honor, Integrity, Chivalry, and Respect for all we meet, as well as for ourselves. Honor, Chivalry, Integrity, and Respect are the intangible parts of our psychological makeup that separate us from common thieves and worse. Open and active Respect is the benchmark of the Southern Ladies and Gentlemen. The Southern Lady and Gentleman carries Honor as the standard by which he or she is judged by his or her peers. Honor is a Southern quality that must be preserved and handed down to future generations, or we will cease to be set apart from the common rabble that inhabit this planet.

By-laws to be followed by the Civilian Personnel

1---Maintain a vigilant control of all small children, especially when we have a campfire burning or weapons in the open. Remember, most portrayals are of armies in the field and we are handling instruments of death. We do not want to ruin a member of the general publics outing, or our own.

By-laws for  Proper Dress

1---The uniform requirements are minimal, however we do require for the confederate impression, that all member acquire a jean wool cloth jacket, any shade of brown or gray is acceptable, period trousers of any color, preferably matching the jacket,  cotton or muslin shirt, period plaids, or battle shirts. Only flame resistant period clothing is allowed on the #1 and #2 position. The authorized headgear is the kepi or bummer cap in red with blue trim. Period slouch hats are allowed, but not encouraged. No cowboy hats! Brass insignia is a must for all officers and senior NCOs, but not required for lower ranks members. Vests are optional and period looking boots and brogans are allowed. A canteen and haversack of either union or confederate design is also required. This is the minimum uniform. All other period equipment that  a member wishes is encouraged, but not required.

2---We do galvanize occasionally. This means we also do a Federal impression. Although not mandatory, we encourage that members acquire a Federal artillery shell jacket, sky blue or kersey wool pants, a federal blue kepi, or bummer, a waist belt with a U.S. buckle. There are loaner federal uniforms available at events when needed, but some members may desire to purchase their own