BATTLE OF RICHMOND RE-ENACTMENT

DATES: Saturday/Sunday, Aug. 29-30, 2009
SPONSORED BY: • Madison Bank
• The Battle of Richmond Association

A two-day reenactment

BORA dates set for 2009

The Battle of Richmond Association's eigth annual reenactment of the Battle of Richmond has been scheduled for Aug. 29-30, 2009. Those re-enactors wishing to participate should call (895-248-1974) or e-mail Paul Rominger (pdrominger@netscape.com) as soon as possible to receive registration materials.

There are few Civil War battlefields left intact today as time and encroachment from subdivisions and developments have taken many of the most important sites. The land designated for the re-enactment of the Battle of Richmond 2009 is unique in that the Battle of Richmond Association (BORA) enables you to experience a re-enactment on a portion of the original battlefield that is relatively unchanged since the dates of the conflict, Aug. 29-30, 1862.

To take advantage of this opportunity, it's important to understand and accept the purpose of the event and the expectations of BORA.  The primary purpose of the Richmond re-enactment is to recreate, on a small scale, the events of the Battle of Richmond for the education and entertainment of the participants and spectators.

We welcome you to participate as we attempt to portray these events as accurately as possible, consistent with the available space, personnel, historic information, and other resources.

NOTE:  A representative from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture will be present at the Reenactment Registration Tent to inspect current Coggins and health papers for all horses.  Both documents must be available in order for horses to enter the park and participate in the reenactment.

If you plan to be a re-enactor at Richmond, read this first

From:

The Battle of Richmond Association

Executive Committee

Reenactment:

The Battle of Richmond 2009 Re-enactment will be held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29-30, at Battlefield Park. All participants are welcome. The cost is $5 per re-enactor. Last year, we distributed gas money and remaining hay to each of the 32 horses and gas and powder bounties for each of the 13 cannons. It is our intent to give these types of bounties for all cannons and horses again this year if money is available and there is hay remaining. We will again have a Saturday evening meal supplied, we believe, by Sonny’s Barbecue.

Last year, commanders did not like the battle action they set up on Saturday. This year, we have written a battle scenario we think everyone will like. Your evaluation after re-enactment weekend will be helpful.

Decisions for the re-enactment at Battlefield Park are made or ratified by The Battle of Richmond Association Board of Directors. These generally have been recommended by standing committees or they have been approved by the Executive Committee and are later taken to the Board.  Decisions on the field are made by the commanders with the full support of the Executive Committee.  Immediate concerns are handled by the Managing Director, Dr. Paul Rominger, who may need to convene the Executive Committee. While there are a few re-enactors in our Association, most of us are involved in the re-enactment because of our desire to have an interesting, reasonably accurate and enjoyable commemoration of this historic event. Most of us are active members of the Richmond and Berea communities; but some members live elsewhere and we welcome their participation.

A list of rules has been circulating which has become the cause of many e-mails and telephone calls. The release of these rules was not authorized by The Battle of Richmond Association and the list has not been adopted by the Executive Committee.  The rules had been discussed with some favor by the Re-enactment Committee but were not adopted. We are looking for a replacement for the North-South Alliance Guidelines.  It is obvious that the list under discussion does not have national acceptance. The Executive Committee will not consider the list for adoption by the Association.  The North-South Guidelines gave us a sense of safety and legal protection.  We will try to find a reasonable replacement.  There are some rules already in place.  Battlefield Park is the property of Madison County, and we must abide by the ordinances enacted by Fiscal Court.  These laws have not been changed from last year.

We are concerned about safety.  Newspaper accounts have reported in years past shooting accidents at other re-enactments in which live ammunition was used. We must strive to avoid this and we will err on the side of safety.

We are concerned about security.  There were two attempts last year to remove property from the main house at the park.  Both were disrupted.  Incidents like these raise concerns about theft in the sutler area and in camps. Participants and Madison County Fiscal Court will all hold the Association responsible and we will endeavor to increase security.

We are concerned about crude and abusive language.  E-mails after the re-enactment last year and also this year have complained about re-enactors using unacceptable language to other participants and to tourists in the presence of children. We have each time expressed our regrets. These incidents do not enhance enjoyment of this event.

Battlefield Park and The Battle of Richmond Association are active in the Central Kentucky Civil War Trails Association. We are well known at the Kentucky Heritage Council and in the Kentucky Historical Society. We recently testifed at a Kentucky Senate hearing in support of Senate Bill 129 establishing a Kentucky Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. Our desire is to promote participation and attendance at all Civil War events in The Commonwealth of Kentucky.  What helps one of us helps all of us.

Meeting Times:

Until early last year, The Battle of Richmond Association met at noon at The Richmond Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber staff served as Association staff and this meeting time was convenient for them.  While the Richmond Chamber continues to be supportive, as is the Berea Chamber,  they no longer serve as our staff.  Our Board members are generally working people and a late afternoon time was chosen instead of noon. We have met at Mount Zion Christian Church.  Our first meeting this year was in  the Appalachian Ministries Center in Berea.  There were two dozen persons attending each meeting and neither the church nor the Appalachian Center had enough seating to hold all of us. Pleasant View, the main house at Battlefield Park, does not have a working central heating system at this time.  The Visitors Center and Museum cannot hold that many persons in its theater room.  The Blue Grass Army Depot has offered a meeting space for the last Monday of this month.  Their gates close promptly at 6 p.m. and that requires us to meet at 4:30. We hope this is reasonably convenient.  Identification at the gate is required. Anyone interested is welcome. However, we have to choose meeting times that suit most members of the Board of Directors. Thank you for your interest in The Battle of Richmond Association and our re-enactment.

Battle of Richmond

2009 Reenactment, Aug. 29-30

Pre-Registration Form
use our .pdf or online versions

Unit Name___________________________________________

Unit Contact_________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________

City___________________________________ State ________ 

Zip_________________________________________________

E-Mail ______________________________________________

C.S.A._____________________   Federal__________________

Infantry___________________   Cavalry__________________

Artillery___________________   Civilian__________________

Name                                                                       Rank

1._________________________________   ________________

2._________________________________   ________________

3._________________________________   ________________

4._________________________________   ________________

5._________________________________   ________________

6._________________________________   ________________

7._________________________________   ________________

8._________________________________   ________________

9._________________________________   ________________

10.________________________________   ________________

Registration Cost:  $5 per reenactor

Make check payable to:     Battle of  Richmond Association

and mail to:                          Battle of Richmond Association

                        101 Battlefield Memorial Highway

                                                Richmond, Ky.  40475

Battle of Richmond

2009 Reenactment, Aug. 29-30

Sutler Pre-Registration Form

SUTLER REGISTRATION

Name of Sutler _______________________________________

Contact Name________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________

City_________________________________  State__________  

Zip_________________________________________________

E-Mail______________________________________________

Sutler Registration Cost:  $25 

Make check payable to:     Battle of  Richmond Association

and mail to:                          Battle of Richmond Association

                                                101 Battlefield Memorial Highway

                                                Richmond, Ky.  40475

Rules/Guidelines

Battle of Richmond Re-enactment
available in .pdf format

1.   We, the Battle of Richmond Association, are hosting an event based on the Battle of Richmond, Ky., fought in August 1862.  Any items post 1862 are not allowed.  This means flags, weapons (namely Henry or repeating rifles, any pistol other than cap and ball, etc.), and any other item that was not present or invented by 1862.  We expect your impression to be as accurate as possible.

2.    This is a family-oriented event.  We expect each participant to be on their BEST behavior at all times and especially during the hours in which the public is present.  If this is not done, you may be asked to remove yourself from this event.  Abusive, obscene or vulgar language will not be tolerated in any form at any time.

3.    No one under 16 years of age may carry a weapon during battle scenarios.  All minors must have permission from parent or guardian to participate in this event.

4.    Per county ordinance, no dogs are allowed.

5.    Per county ordinance, no alcoholic beverages are allowed in any form on county property.  Officers should keep their men in line at all times.  Anyone who appears to be drunk or under the influence of any type of drug will be escorted off the property and to the Madison County Detention Center by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and/or the Kentucky State Police.  Absolutely no illicit drug use of any form will be allowed or tolerated.  The sponsor of the event, namely the Battle of Richmond Association, and Madison County officials will have the final word on this policy or any action that may need to be taken.

6.    All weapons may only be discharged in the battlefield area.  No weapon may be discharged in camp for any purpose, including cleaning.  Safety first always.

7.    No swimming in any pond on park property.

8.    The Battle of Richmond Association and Madison County government are not responsible for any accident occurring during the event.

9.    All horses and other livestock must have proper health papers, including Coggins.  The Kentucky Department of Agriculture will be on site and inspecting these forms at registration and during the event.  The Battle of Richmond Association has no authority in regards to these inspections. No stallions allowed.

10.  ALL vehicles must be out of camp by 8 a.m. Saturday, and will not be allowed back in camp before 4 p.m. Sunday unless by special permission by the event sponsor.  Parking is only allowed in designated areas.

11.   Camps should be as close to military specifications as possible.  The event sponsor expects each unit to keep its camp neat and orderly, and all trash must be placed in the proper receptacles during and at the end the event.  There will no camping outside of the designated areas without permission of the registration chairman.  NO camping in or on any structure or porch.  Please keep all modern conveniences (coolers, etc) well out of sight.

12.   Any and all camp fires should be out and inspected by the company’s officers to see that the fire is completely extinguished.  If extreme dry conditions exist, please keep campfires to a minimum.

13.   On Sunday, we ask that the artillery not be fired before 12 noon out of respect for the area church services.

14.   Please do not take the horses on the golf course. 

15.   Please do not drive on the paved walking trails.  No campfires on walking trails.

16.   The event sponsor would like participants to be engaging with the public.

17.   At the re-enactor meal on Saturday evening, please don’t make a second trip thru the line until everyone has gone thru.  There will be plenty of food for seconds (thirds, fourths, etc.)

18.   Any road that has been closed will remain so.  Any person removing a barricade for any reason other than an emergency could be asked to leave the event.

19.   Anyone intentionally damaging the park, structures, walking paths, interpretive signs or anything else will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

20.   Please visit the sutlers often.  They are here because of you.