18th Texas Vol. Infantry Safety Rules

Preface

Whenever these items are being used, the user must remember that they are all potentially dangerous items if not handled correctly.

We are attempting to portray a lifestyle and activities which are inherently dangerous. While we have attempted to cover most situations, it would be impossible to cover them all. Therefore, individuals must exercise their own common sense at all times.

Since we are dealing with potentially dangerous weapons and activities, we have developed procedures concerning battlefield tactics and camp life. We have done so because it is our intent to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for every member of your family.

All activities must be carried out with the understanding that safety for yourself and your comrades is the first priority. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety!

All members of the 18th Texas must have completed and passed a safety test if they intend to use, carry, or store any of the items covered under these safety rules. Company commanders and Regimental Command or assigned safety officers are required to keep the completed safety tests of all members of their unit.

These tests should be dated and scored and filed for easy access in the event a question should arise.

General Behavior Rules

1. All members of a reenactment unit must acquaint themselves with the safety rules. It is the responsibility of their company commander to ensure that they do so. Safety is the first priority of the club.
2. Possession and/or use of illegal drugs is prohibited and is grounds for immediate suspension from activities and/or dismissal from the club.
3. Alcohol may be consumed, if allowed by the host site, property owner, or club, only in moderation and only under the following circumstances:

	a.	On a day with firing, only after the last engagement, when all weapons are secured, and the public has departed.
	b.	On days without firing, only after the public has departed.

4. Any individual found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, in violation of the rules set out in #2 and #3 above, shall be suspended from the days activities and will be disciplined.
5. Smoking is absolutely prohibited:

   	a.	While handling black powder in any form.
   	b.	After muster for battle has been called.
   	c.	During battle.
   	d.	After battles until all weapons have been cleaned and secured.
   	e.	Within 25 feet of ammunition boxes or chests.

6. To avoid unnecessary conflict, at no time will a member pick up another member's weapon without permission of said member. The only exception will be if it is evident that the member lost the weapon. In this event, the weapon shall be turned over to the appropriate command headquarters immediately.
7. Any verbal provocation or physical abuse with malicious intent by any member towards another is strictly prohibited and is grounds for immediate expulsion from an event.
8. Any violations of the established Safety Rules are subject to disciplinary action, which may include exclusion from that, or subsequent, events or expulsion from the 18th Texas Vol. Infantry.
9. At no time will a firearm be discharged at anyone, except at a range of at least 50 feet.
10. All rules and regulations of the host parks, recreation districts, property owners, etc., shall be obeyed without question, subject to negotiation and amendment to coordinate with the rules and regulations of the Regiment prior to the event or activity.
11. Absolutely NO fireworks are allowed at any event.
12. Absolutely NO ball ammunition (either Minie or round) shall be brought to the capping and clearing area or to the battlefield.
13. No weapons (side-arms, long-arms, bayonets, knives, tomahawks, etc.) will be brought to any military ball except dress swords and sabers. Dress swords and sabers will not be worn on the dance floor.
14. The minimum safe distance of an open fire is 6 feet from any tent or awning.
15. A bucket of water or fire extinguisher must be accessible at every campfire.
16. Open flames (candles and campfires) must be attended at all times.
17. Sutlers must have a fire extinguisher in their tents.
18. Weapons must not be carried while on night watch.

General Battlefield Rules

1. The event coordinator and Regimental and Company commanders have overall responsibility for safety at events. They may delegate the enforcement duties to Safety officers.
2. No person under the age of 12 will be allowed on the battlefield. Ages 12-14 can be on the battlefield as a non-combatant, ie: color bearer, musician, courier, etc. At 15 and above can carry a weapon and be considered a combatant.
3. Weapons shall not be fired without the unit commanders' permission. Cap firing does not require permission, but must be done in the designated capping and clearing area, and away from the public.
4. Because of the recognized dangerous nature of capping and/or discharging weapons in or around camp areas, the Regimental/Company commanders will designate and mark a specific area for the clearing and firing of weapons between battles. This area will not be on the battlefield, since the battlefield is a main show area for other activities. All malfunctioning, loaded firearms will be handled in this area only.
5. All long arms will be cleared at the end of each battle. Pistols may not be carried loaded. All weapons will be cleared after the last battle of each day.
6. Minimum safe distance in front of a long-arm or side arm is 50 feet. Minimum safe distance in front of an artillery piece is 75 feet.
7. Discharging of a weapon is prohibited within 50 feet of Powder Boxes.
8. Frontal charges on a loaded cannon are prohibited. A cannon is loaded when the rammer is positioned upright on the wheel hub.
9. Skirmishers may not fire from a prone position unless choreographed and with Company and Battalion Commanders permission. Those who are wounded may never fire from the prone position.
10. Mounted cavalry should maintain at least 50 foot intervals between infantry or artillery troops, being especially careful of simulated casualties. When working in areas where men are casualties, action is confined to a walk.
11. Pistols may be loaded and be capped until just prior to assembly for battle.
12. If a horse should become loose on the battlefield or in camp you should not try to assist or approach the horse unless instructed to by a cavalry member or Trooper.
13. Any member may call a CEASE FIRE at any time if the member witnesses an unsafe act or unsafe condition. A cease fire and a hold on all movement will occur if any unauthorized person, such as a spectator, comes onto the field during a battle, if that person cannot otherwise be readily controlled.
14. If a real injury occurs during a battle that requires immediate medical attention, any member may yell MEDIC to call attention to the emergency. The word MEDIC is not to be used in any other case except that of an actual medical emergency. First aid should be summoned as soon as possible with the least amount of fanfare. Commanders will move all action away from the injury. Non-participants (I.E.: photographers, artists, etc.) are not allowed on the field of battle except by express permission of both Battalion Commanders.
15. Skirmishes, battles and raids are prohibited at public events except when coordinated between both Battalion Commanders and the event coordinator or site host.
16. Any firearm with a barrel length of less than 39 inches shall not fire from the rear ranks, except if the front ranks are in the kneeling position.
17. Pistols and rifles will not be carried at full-cock during a charge.
18. All unit commanders and mounted riders shall make note as to the location of ground charges concealed on the battlefield.

Weapons Safety Rules - General

1. All weapons must be clean and in good repair prior to use.
2. All weapons and ammunition shall be inspected by the individual Company Commanders each morning of every event prior to the first battle of the day. Any weapon found to be unserviceable (i.e.: cracked stock, malfunctioning lock, etc.) shall be banned from the field. Any weapon found to be rusty or fouled shall be cleaned prior to use. The Regimental Commanders have the authority to spot check any company at their discretion.
3. All weapons shall be cleaned at the end of each day. The ramrod should make a definite "clink" in the barrel and that:

   	All bayonet scabbards should have metal tips.
   	All cartridge boxes should be lined with tin containers.
   	All canteens are full to help prevent heat related health problems.
   	That all officer’s pistols are inspected and unloaded.
   	That there are no two banded rifles in the ranks.
   	Lastly, that all the men in the ranks meet the minimum age requirements for that event.

4. It is recommended, time permitting, that barrels be rinsed out and dried after each battle. Fouling in blank firing is severe and large flashes will travel greater distances as the core diameter is reduced.
5. Weapons shall be loaded only at designated times before each battle or demonstration, and at no other time when the public is present.
6. Absolutely NO item which can readily fit down the muzzle shall be permitted in the cartridge box. A nipple pick is permitted if it cannot be carried in the cap pouch.
7. Blank cartridges must be carried in a leather cartridge box.
8. Loose percussion caps shall not be carried with any powder or cartridges.

   The six-wing musket caps from CCI: Don't use them at a reenactment. These "hot" caps tend to shatter.

9. Pyrodex and smokeless powders are expressly prohibited.
10. Weapons shall not be readily accessible and unattended while the public is present during an event.

Weapons Safety Rules - Specific Long-arms

1. The only powder acceptable for loading long-arms (rifles, muskets, carbines and shotguns)is black powder with a rating of FFg or FFFg.
2. During loading, no part of the loader's body should be in front of the muzzle nor should the weapon be inclined towards another person.
3. Absolutely NO ramrods will be drawn during battles. Ramrods may be used in firing demonstrations when no opposing troops are present, and then only under close supervision.
4. Long-arms may never be loaded from powder flasks or horns.
5. Charges for long-arms must be made up in paper cartridges that conform to the Civil War period. Cartridges must be made prior to the battle and will contain no more powder than prescribed in the table below. No staples, glue, or tape may be used in making the cartridges. Only cotton, linen or silk thread is acceptable for binding cartridges. Cartridges for long-arms other than muskets must be pre-made using methods and materials appropriate to the particular long-arms requirements. Case type cartridge wadding materials shall be the same as for pistols. Paper cartridges must be made of fully combustible materials (nitrated paper, or easily consumed recycled paper).
6. The maximum size for long-arm cartridges is as follows:

   	.69 caliber-65 grains
   	.58 caliber-65 grains

   Pistols

   1. The only powder acceptable for loading revolvers and other pistols is black powder with a rating of FFFg or FFFFg. Single shot pistols shall be loaded with no more than 40 grains of powder and will otherwise be treated as long-arms.
   2. There is only one proper and safe revolver load recognized by this Regiment.

      	The correct load consists of:
      		Black powder, then Cream of Wheat, Grease - in that order.

   3. Paper wads, cloth wads, wax and "Wonder Wads" are are prohibited. Due not use wads!
   4. Grease, when used must be specifically designed for black powder shooting, I.E.: "Spit-Ball" or "Spit-Patch", etc. Crisco (or other such materials) is prohibited because it will melt and lose its seal.
   5. Revolvers may also be loaded using approximately 1/2 black powder and 1/2 Cream of Wheat per cylinder charge. The powder is poured first and the space above filled with Cream of Wheat, pressed tightly with the loading lever. No grease is required with this method as the Cream of Wheat has enough oil in it to stay compressed. A small amount of grease is still recommended.
   6. Powder flasks and horns shall not be used on the field.
   7. All pistols must be carried in leather holsters when loaded.
   8. Mounted troops May carry pistols in pommel holsters.

   Sabers, Swords. Bayonets & Knives

   1. Edged weapons will only be drawn upon the orders of the Company Commander.
   2. No bayonets shall be unsheathed or fixed during battles, unless approved by both Battalions and rehearsed prior to battle.
   3. All sabers, swords and bayonets will have dull edges.
   4. Knives will not be carried on the battlefield.
   5. Hand-to-hand combat will be permitted only by prior permission of the Brigade commanders, notification to all engaged units, and REHEARSED by all units and persons involved.
   6. Combatants can not advance for hand to hand combat if their weapons are loaded.

   Muzzle loading Rifles

   Definition

   For the purposes of the 18th Texas Vol. Infantry, muzzle loading rifles, muskets, are defined as those weapons which are loaded from the muzzle and are ignited by a percussion cap.

   Blank Firing

   Ammunition

   Only commercially manufactured black powder rated at FFg or FFFg may be used. Pyrodex or smokeless powder is expressly forbidden.

   Storage of Ammunition and Components

   Made-up cartridges, caps and black powder should be stored in a cool, dry place that is secure from access by children or the public, safe from flame or fire or other source of high temperatures. Caps must be stored in their original container. They may not be stored in glass jars, paper boxes or other unsafe containers.

   Loading the Weapon

   The following procedure for loading a weapon assumes that the cartridges are carried in a cartridge box, caps are carried in a cap pouch and that this is the first time the weapon is being loaded prior to a firing event. In other words, you are not in the middle of a battle.

   Before Going Onto the Battlefield

   Check Barrel for Blockages

   1. Muzzleloaders, make sure the barrel is clear of debris by wiping out the barrel with a cleaning patch and by “sounding steel”, I.E., dropping a ramrod in the barrel from about 4 to 6 inches from the breech. If there is no obstruction or debris you will hear a ringing sound, not a “clunk”.
   2. Breechloaders Drop the breech lock or open the gun and visually examine the barrel and the breech for fouling, debris and obstructions. Remove any and all residue or debris. Check Touch Hole for Blockages.
   3. All Long-arms 'Capping Off' your weapon Make sure the touch hole is clear of obstructions by placing a cap over the nipple, and with the muzzle near the ground, discharge the weapon. Watch for movement of grass or dust caused by gasses being expelled from the muzzle. You should also learn to hear the sound of a clear bore.
   4. Fixed Primer Rigid Cartridge Guns. Guns firing a rigid cartridge with a fixed primer must have their firing pins checked to verify that they are free-floating, i.e.: they are not fouled or frozen into place.
   5. Secure Ramrod Make sure the ramrod is secure in its proper carrying position.
   6. Secure Bayonet Bayonets should be secure in their scabbards and the scabbard firmly attached to the waist belt.

   At This Point You Are Ready to Go Onto the Battlefield

   All Weapons

   The following procedures are to be followed during battles and living history demonstrations at all events.

   Repeat Firing Follow the procedures given by your company commander for loading the weapon. To help prevent premature ignition, do not remove the expended cap until ready to re-cap, i.e.: until after the powder has settled.

   Malfunctions On the Field If your weapon fails to discharge:

   1. With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction (preferably with the muzzle pointed up), remove the failed cap or cartridge and replace it with another.

      	a)	If the weapon fails to fire for a second time repeat step 1,
      	b)	If you can safely leave the line, find an area free of other safety concerns and use a nipple pick to clear any fouling from the nipple. Try again to discharge the weapon. At all times, while working on a weapon that has failed to discharge, the barrel of the weapon must be pointed in a safe direction.
      	c)	If, after three attempts, your weapon still fails to discharge, dump your powder and become a casualty.

   Ammunition Preparation In Camp or at Home

   When preparing cartridges in camp or at home, the following procedure should be followed:
   1. Use only FFg or FFFg (FFFFg can be used for pistols) black powder from an authorized commercial source.
   2. Powder should be sifted through a sieve with openings no larger than ordinary window screening. This is to insure that there are no foreign objects in the powder.

   Discharging A Weapon in Camp

   Discharge of weapons in any camp area is only allowed with permission of the Company Commander and the Safety , and only in a choreographed scenario.

   Information based on work, of the Washington Civil War Association Please check out their fine work.

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