Artillery Regulations

It is each participant’s responsibility to also comply with the General Event Regulations.

Thank you for registering and supporting The Battle of Resaca reenactment. The artillery staff will do everything we can to make Resaca a fun and safe event for you and your unit.

ARTILLERY REGISTRATION AND BOUNTY

1. All artillery assignments shall be coordinated though Col. Steve Lawler of the GDRA to avoid any confusion. Any and all artillery pieces and related equipment shall be inspected and pass GDRA Artillery Safety Guidelines prior to taking the field.
   
   
2. Any horse or mule drawn artillery pieces shall have proper Coggins tests checked at Registration prior to entering the site.
   
   
3. A maximum of 18 bounties of $150.00 each shall be assigned to each full scale 57’ diameter wheel gun which participates in both days’ battles only. Pre-registration for bounties is open from January 1st until April 15th. All bounties shall be assigned on a first received post-marked basis until filled. Additional guns are welcome without bounties if space allows by contacting Col. Steve Lawler in advance. After bounties are filled, Col. Lawler will be notified in order to make contact with the various unit commanders to make the field assignments.
   
   
4. To be eligible for a bounty the following guidelines shall be enforced.
   
   
1. All artillery units shall pre-register by mail (including GDRA guns) by April 15th with no exceptions.
   
   
2. All artillery units shall follow the GDRA Artillery Safety Guidelines regardless of branch assignments.
   
   
3. All artillery pre-registration shall include a cover sheet, pre-registration fees, and a complete roster containing a minimum crew of 5 to safely and properly field the gun both days.
   
   
4. All artillery units are required to galvanize as requested by Col. Steve Lawler in order to be eligible for bounties.
   
   
5. All artillery pieces shall be actively engaged in all scheduled battles both days.
   
   
6. Mountain Howitzers shall be by invitation only and limited to a total of two guns unless those grandfathered as GDRA guns prior to May 2019.
   
   
7. All Mountain Howitzers eligible for a bounty shall be mule or horse drawn. No exceptions.
   
   
8. All guns eligible for bounties shall report to Col. Lawler for their bounty at the event at his direction.
   
   
9. No mortors or Gatling guns are allowed on the field.
   
   
10. Bounties are date sensitive so all pre-registered are directed to send all required completed paperwork and pre-registration fees mailed to Battle of Resaca, P.O. Box 0919, Resaca, GA 30735.
    
    
5. GDRA Member Guns
   
   
1. All GDRA Guns must have their crew’s current year’s dues paid and roster into the GDRA Secretary at the pre-arranged address prior to the GDRA membership cut-off date (February 28th) and prior to filing for bounty pre-registration. No exceptions will be made.
   
   
2. All GDRA guns need only to complete the cover sheet registration form and indicate they are GDRA guns and mail in pre-registration cover sheet only. No roster or fees required.
   
   
3. Bounties are date sensitive so all qualified GDRA guns are directed to send their cover pre-registration sheet only by email to k.padgett@bellsouth.net or mailed only to Battle of Resaca, P.O. Box 0919, Resaca, GA 30735.

ARTILLERY BRANCH ADMINISTRATION

1. The Overall Artillery Commander and Artillery Camp Coordinator for the Reenactment of the Battle of Resaca is the GDRA Artillery Branch Commander (see below). He will designate campsites, control parking and coordinate all rules and regulations regarding safety, equipment, and weapons inspections for all artillery.
   
   
2. There will be an artillery meeting/safety briefing at the Geo. Div. Artillery HQ on Friday evening at 9pm. Each unit needs to send at least one representative.
   
   
3. NO CARS are allowed to park in the artillery towing vehicle parking area or in the artillery camp.
   
   
4. Cannon will not be allowed off the battlefield until all spectators have cleared the area.
   
   
5. Artillery inspections will begin at 10am on Saturday morning.
   
   

ARTILLERY SAFETY REGULATIONS

1. Anyone who observes an unsafe or potentially dangerous act or situation will call out, “CEASE FIRE, CEASE FIRE”, and then report the reason up the chain of command so that the appropriate action can be taken.
   
   
2. Everyone is reminded of the potential danger that accompanies the use of Artillery pieces. Every effort should be made to ensure that safety procedures are always used within the camps and around the spectators who attend this event, as well as on the field. Unit commanders are expected to assist in the compliance of all rules and regulations by those under their command. Your cooperation in making this a safe and enjoyable event will be much appreciated. Remember, safety first!
   
   
3. No member of a cannon crew shall be allowed on his piece if he has consumed alcoholic beverages during the 6 hours preceding the safety inspection of the piece. If a person is visible intoxicated or is in the process of consuming alcoholic beverages he shall be escorted from the field until after the battle scenario is completed.
   
   
4. The minimum age for participants on gun crews shall be 16 years of age for positions 3-7 and 18 years of age for positions 1, 2 and gunner.
   
   
5. There shall be no unauthorized discharging of any artillery piece outside of the battle scenario without the specific approval of the Artillery Commander of the GDRA or his appointee within the chain of command of the GDRA.
   
   
6. Because of the ever present liability issues in the hobby, the GDRA artillery branch has adopted the maximum blank load allowances which are listed below.
   
   
1. Acceptable powder grades are C, F1 or F2. The Artillery Safety officer will have a scale on site and he will do some random spot checks of rounds.
   
   
2. No smokeless powder, Pyrodex or any similar product shall be used in the construction of any round.
   
   
3. Rounds must be stored at all times in a locked ammunition chest. It is recommended that all rounds should be stored in individual boxes or containers within the ammunition chest.
   
   
Table of Maximum Loads for Artillery



Weapon Type / Size	Maximum Blank Load 19th Century
Napoleon 12 pounder	20 ounces
M1841 Howitzer 12 pounder	10 ounces
Mountain Howitzer 12 pounder	6 ounces
Gun, 1841 6 pounder	10 ounces
Parrott Rifle 3 inch	10 ounces
Ordnance Rifle 3 inch	10 ounces


*For cannons not listed, the maximum charge is no more than 2-1/2 ounces of powder per one full inch of bore opening.



7. For safety, authenticity, and uniformity, the Georgia Division Artillery Drill, aka First Confederate Drill or the National Civil War Artillery Association Drill is suggested. The misfire drill from any of the above is acceptable. A copy of the GDRA Artillery drill can be sent to participants upon request. Gun and drill inspections must be deemed safe and appropriate before the piece will be allowed to participate.
   
   
8. Artillery pieces should be on the event grounds by Friday night if possible. Report to the GDRA Artillery Branch Commander when you arrive.
   
   
9. The Artillery Safety Officer, along with the designated CS & US Battery Commanders, will conduct all safety inspections on cannon and related equipment as well as any period black powder muskets and revolvers. All participants shall report to him for all safety matters. Artillery inspection begins at 10am on Saturday morning.
   
   
1. No artillery pieces may be fired without first being inspected.
   
   
2. Cannon crews are required to perform firing and misfiring drills as a part of the safety inspection.
   
   
3. Charges will be prepared using aluminum foil only (no plastic bags). No additional materials such as flour or sawdust will be added to the charges. The only exception is that 12 pounders may use enough material to keep the round from falling over when being loaded.
   
   
4. Any discrepancies must be corrected prior to the engagement.
   
   
10. Due to liability issues, NO CHARGES will be rolled on the event site.
    
    
11. After all inspections are complete, the Artillery Safety Officer will report his findings to the Overall Artillery Commander. The Artillery Commander is responsible for reporting to the Event Provost who serves as the overall Event Safety Officer.
    
    

SIDE ARM & MUSKET SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR ARTILLERY SOLDIERS

1. Possession of any type of firing projectile is FORBIDDEN.
   
   
2. Only officers and mounted cavalry are allowed to carry pistols or revolvers.
   
   
1. Revolvers will be carried in a holster. Both will be of appropriate period military issue (no shoulder stocked revolvers are allowed).
   
   
2. Sidearms will not be discharged in close proximity to a loaded piece or ammunition chest.
   
   
3. When the distance between opposing forces is 15 yards or less, all fire must be elevated at an angle of not less than 45 degrees.
   
   
4. No powder flasks will be carried on the field. Extra cylinders will be carried in a safe manner away from any matches or possible fire making apparatus.
   
   
5. Prior to the engagement, the weapon must be clean inside & out and in good working order.
   
   
6. No obstructions are to be in the barrel, no cracks in the metal or wood, and no loose or missing screws.
   
   
7. Barrels must be cleared with the loading plunger or rod during inspections.
   
   
8. All sidearms must be discharged before leaving the field.
   
   
3. Revolvers should be loaded prior to the engagement at least 70 feet from the nearest source of heat.
   
   
Table of Maximum Loads for Pistols



Weapon Type / Caliber	Maximum Blank Load for Pistols
Colt and Remington Revolver .44	30 grains FFg
Colt Navy Revolver .36	20 grains FFg



4. Artillerymen will not be allowed on the reenactment field with a sidearm or musket (long arms) during an engagement. This was appropriated for this period. It is the Infantry’s role to support and help protect the guns during battle.
   
   
5. Due to safety issues, only artillery camp pickets or guards shall carry muskets (long arms). The artillery camps will not be assaulted during this event so there is no need for any muskets to be loaded with black powder. This will be enforced by the Artillery Safety Officer.
   
   
6. Sidearms or muskets are never to be discharged in camp.
   
   

FORMATIONS AND ARTILLERY IMPRESSION GUIDELINES

1. Visiting units are requested to attend Morning Colors as part of the Resaca Blue/Gray Artillery Battalion. It is mandatory that all GDRA Artillery units attend Colors. Exceptions are those with physical conditions and camp cooks. The GDRA Artillery Branch takes great pride in representing the artillerymen of the past each morning at Colors.
   
   
2. All gun detachment commanders should have their gun crews wear the appropriate rank for the position they are portraying on the field, for example, a gun crew was made up of privates and the gunner was a corporal. The artillery staff understands that there are spectators who won't know the difference but we as living historians do. So, to the best of our ability, we want to show the public what an artillery battery looked like and how they performed their duties in 1864.
   
   
3. The designated Battery Commanders will choose one flag from among the units present to serve as the batteries colors on the field. He may use a different flag each day, but there can only be one flag per battery on the field. The flag chosen needs to be made of the correct material for the period and should also be of a design that is in general representative of the period around the time of the battle. Units with special flags are welcome to and encouraged to display them in their camps.