The Lt. Col. commanding orders that the following Rules of Engagement be published for the battalion. The Lt. Col. extends his thanks to John Duffer of the Moocows living history group for the general template used for these Rules of Engagement.

Kevin O'Beirne
Acting Lt. Col.
One-hundred Fifty-first New York State Vols.
(re-created)

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

The event sponsors and Federal battalion field and staff want this event to be as realistic and as safe as practicable, and we certainly want to avoid injuries.

After the battalion marches from its camp on Saturday morning these Rules of Engagement, together with General Orders No. 1 (Standing Field Orders) will govern the battalion. All men of the battalion shall be familiar with General Order Nos. 1 and 2.

The Rules of Engagement are:

1. The single most important thing to bring to this event is a good attitude. This will not be a dangerous or extremely difficult event but it is also not for the faint of heart or the constant whiner. Participation will be continuous from Friday evening to Sunday morning. While there will obviously be periods of physical rest, there will not be any "mental downtime", no dance, and no opportunity to return to your modern vehicle (unless there is an emergency) from the time you leave it in the parking area on Friday until Sunday morning.
   
   
2. Federal participants are asked to be onsite (in camp, in uniform) by 6:00 p.m. Friday because battalion activities will start by this time (please try to arrive onsite by 5:00 p.m. Friday). Commissioned officers and sergeants MUST be in camp, in uniform, by 5:00 p.m. Friday so please plan your travel and arrival time accordingly. All members of the battalion should be in the bivouac by 11:00 p.m. Friday evening. The battalion will be dismissed in the participant parking area around 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.
   
   
3. This event involves marching - for those who elect to use their feet instead of a shuttle to the bivouac on Friday about 1 mile on Friday; about 5 miles on Saturday plus a "battle"; and about 1 mile on Sunday morning. Be prepared. Most of the march-route is flat with an even path, but at least 1.5 miles of it are "semi-arduous".
   
   
4. There will be guard duty and picket duty. Please have a basic understanding of these essential military duties. We highly recommend Dominic Dal Bello's book, Instructions for Guards and Pickets.
   
   
5. Drill will be by Silas Casey's manual, Infantry Tactics. Participants must know and be able to practice skirmish drill per Casey's manual - if you are not 100 percent certain that you know this without "reenactorisms", please read up on it in the manual. Informational handouts on skirmish drill written by Mike Ryan (Columbia Rifles) - which help but are not a substitute for the manual itself - are available from the Lt. Col. commanding at ColumbiaRifles@aol.com.
   
   
6. This event is in late October and it may be quite cold at night. Plan your attire accordingly. Overcoats are highly encouraged, as are 100 percent woolen mittens. An extra pair of woolen socks IS MANDATORY because the potential exists that your feet may get wet. Campfires may be limited or banned entirely when the battalion is in the face of the enemy.
   
   
7. We will re-create the casualties of the 151st NYSV at Payne's Farm as realistically as possible. A "fate card" will be provided to each participant at some point during the event. Do not read the card until you are ordered to do so. After you have been ordered to read it, DO NOT TELL ANYONE THE CONTENT OF YOUR FATE CARD. The uncertainty of battle in 1863 did not allow anyone to know their fate in advance of a fight, or the fate of their friends.
   
   
8. The fate cards govern the infliction of all "casualties". Do not portray a casualty if that is not your "fate" because we are trying for historically correct casualty ratios. The "battle" will be "fought" at realistic ranges.
   
   
9. The success of the event depends on participants willingly following the instructions on their fate card. Follow these instructions exactly. If you are a "casualty", behave accordingly and play the part. After being "wounded" you may be on the field for some time, so be prepared - it may be cold. "Wounded" will remain so for the entire night, so mentally plan ahead and act accordingly.
   
   
10. This is a "semi-immersion" event for Federal participants. Please behave in a period-correct manner, particularly when the battalion is preparing for "battle", during the "battle" and, most of all, in the aftermath of the "battle".
    
    
11. If captured you will be held prisoner by the Confederates throughout the entire night and released on Sunday morning. Prisoners shall act appropriately. The reality of the situation would have many more guards so forget about making escape attempts (none are documented for this regiment at Payne's Farm). "Acting up" in a non-period manner will be grounds for expulsion from the event. The guards will be instructed to act in a period-correct military fashion toward their prisoners.
    
    
12. If you are wounded or captured, you will be temporarily separated from your weapon and accoutrements. Each participant MUST carry at least THREE tags for your weapon and accouterments, because they will be taken from you at when you are captured or after you are wounded, and placed under close guard. On Sunday morning your belongings will be returned. Make sure your tags are made well with a good stout twine and WATER PROOF ink. After you are "captured" or "wounded" you will affix the tags to your own weapon and accoutrements.
    
    
13. At the time of this battle the war was near its midpoint with no end in sight. Men were uncertain about General George Meade's ability as an army commander - particularly in the aftermath of the rapid Federal retreat during the October 1863 Bristoe campaign. Payne's Farm was the first battle engagement fought by the 151st New York - the men we are portraying were NOT veteran soldiers.
    
    
14. While it is unlikely the men of the Federal battalion will encounter "civilians" of the period, if such encounters occur, however, the men are to treat "civilians" in a period-correct fashion.
    

Again, this is a semi-immersion event. If all behave accordingly it can be one of the best events any of us have ever attended. The cooperation of everyone in the ranks - from experienced campaigners to "fresh fish"/"first-time bacon eaters", from private to field officer - is essential for making this happen. Please know and understand these Rules of Engagement and prepare for your participation in this event accordingly. And do not forget your three tags!