* THERE ARE 30 CIVILIAN SLOTS FOR THIS EVENT.
BEFORE registering, ALL civilian participants MUST contact the civilian coordinator, Emmanuel Dabney

The interaction between locals and armies of both sides was fairly low key as both forces were moving so swiftly they had little time to interact with the populace. Northern soldiers however are documented as having stolen food and livestock and a few buildings were destroyed. It is known that locals fed the Confederate forces with their own depleted stores.

General Notes

The goal for this event is to be as consistent with the historic record as possible. As this is an immersive experience, there will not be a back stage area to disguise modern items. These guidelines will help you minimize the number of modern items you will bring; a pre-event review will take place, and any modern items beyond the allowable types will not be allowed on the event site.

There may be some items that are otherwise period correct that will not be considered appropriate for this event and time setting, and which will be prohibited (staff members will do everything possible to give you this information before arriving at the event, to avoid difficulties and inconvenience.)

During the registration process, you will submit a few snapshots and some additional information to the event's Citizen Coordinator staff. Your registration will be reviewed, and staff members will suggest what, if any, aspects need to be altered to meet the event guidelines; we will also be glad to help you with resources for those alterations. The goal is to help you prepare in every aspect, so you can begin the event with every needed thing, and confidence that your physical impression does, indeed, meet or exceed the guidelines for this scenario. It should be noted that some participants will be asked to portray certain individuals where other persons will have more ability to create their characters and families. The civilian coordinator will likely make requests and appointments based on knowledge of the historic character(s) and the participant(s). However, all participants are expected to create and develop their first person character and maintain that character throughout the event. If the civilian coordinator or authenticity committee feels that an individual is not committed to this, you may be kindly asked to reconsider your reasons for participation. We do not wish to seem tough, but we wish to provide everyone with an exciting experience shared with those of similiar idealogies and mindsets.

The event organizers (including the civilian authenticity committee) reserves the right to speak with anyone who is not keeping in tune with the goals of this event, and this includes not accurately portraying your character in clothing, material culture, and first person (action and interaction). This event is an immersive (24 hours a day from event start to finish) experience for civilians. That means any and all conversation should remain consistent to a realistic situation for residents and refugees as it existed in early April 1865.

For example, a person portraying someone with limited means all their life should not be discussing their pleasure trip to Paris in the antebellum years. A similiar situation exists that if your character was of the large slaveowning class, you should avoid discussion about your toils in slopping the pigs and harnessing the wagon to go to market. Those who wish to converse about modern topics may do so in the parking lot before the event. Once the event starts (Friday evening) all participants are expected to discuss situations as they existed for the persons they are portraying.

Every participant will be responsible for keeping his or her area in April 1865. Often times people discuss items using masked phrases. For example: To call Wal-Mart "Mr. Walton's Merchantile" or to refer to the telephone or internet as "the telegraph." Please avoid such references at this event. If someone from your group breaks character, it becomes your duty to:

1. Try some conversation to bring them back around by using first person. Something to the effect of "What are you talking about?" can make a great difference. Another idea is to request that that person participates in something such as historic games, crafts, or reading or singing period songs. If people are busy, the less luring it is to discuss modern conversation. In the event this does not work...
2. Try taking the person aside by asking, "May I speak with you in private?" And remind the individual of the rules that he/she agreed to.

Family groups will be organized, many times keeping with available census records and family history and participants are urged to remain in close contact with the members of their "family members" before the event. Participants are urged to ask questions as well as to submit a bit of information about the family group they have organized. This policy may be less applicable (however still important) to those portraying people in which we know a great deal about from the historic record.

Safety

There is a likelihood you will be exposed to sources of heat and flame. Man-made fabric content is a safety hazard. All clothing should be made of period-appropriate textiles; for this region and time, wool and cotton (or blends thereof) will be the most common.

The weather may be variable; please plan period-appropriate layers for warmth.

Modern medication is permitted and you should take it as recommended by your physician or needs. The site is a good distance away from stores and shopping centers; plan to bring sufficient amounts for the entire duration of the event. If possible, please store in containers appropriate to April 1865 or before; if not; please keep hidden from view of other participants. The staff members will be happy to work with you in accommodating modern medical needs.

Period and reproduction eyeglasses preferred; modern contact lenses are allowed (contact supplies should be kept in discreet, period-appropriate carriers).

IN THE EVENT OF A REAL EMERGENCY/MEDICAL SITUATION: PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUESTED TO SAY "9-1-1" and the situation will be dealt with my modern, professional rescue and medical personel. PARTICIPANTS ARE URGED TO NOT IGNORE WARNING SIGNS OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS. PARTICIPANTS ARE ALSO URGED THAT IF THEY BELIEVE IT NECESSARY THEY SHOULD HAVE A MEDICAL HEALTH CARD DENOTING NAME, ALLERGIES (INCLUDING MEDICINES THAT SHOULD NOT BE PRESCRIBED BY MODERN PHYSICIANS), INSURANCE, EMERGENCY CONTACT. (NOTE: PARTICIPANTS WHO WISH TO PORTRAY SOMEONE WITH AN ILLNESS SHOULD BE WILLING TO RESEARCH THEIR INTENDED ILLNESS.)

Participants may carry one car key, the medical card, and all necessary medicines in a centralized location either on one's person or in an appropriate containers (example on person: dress pocket. Exterior container example: a little "poke bag" inside a basket or carpetbag).

Prohibited Items

In order to create the immersive experience, there are some items that are prohibited:

• Modern make-up and hair preparations, modern hair styles (bangs or loose hair for adult women), painted fingernails, stud or post earrings on men or women.
• Sweatpants or modern long-johns, nylon stockings or athletic socks, anachronistic fasteners (zippers, Velcro, snaps, plastic buttons), synthetic fabrics.
• White blouse/Zouave or blouse/skirt combinations, high-fashion dress or accessories, bandanas, men's hats worn by women, modern eyeglasses and sunglasses.
• Military issue items (unless you have a staff-approved, scenario-related reason for possession).
• Any jewelry or decorative accessories should be in keeping with your impression's economic level, and should be a quality reproduction; visibly modern items will be prohibited. For the majority of participants, such items will be very simple, or will simply not exist. Again, these pieces can be evaluated on an individual basis by the staff members, prior to the event.
• Modern cameras of any sort, cell phones, lap-tops, and other modern technology will not be allowed inside the site grounds, regardless of their disguise. Please leave them at home, or plan to leave them in the modern parking area for the duration of the event.

Adult Women

Period appropriate undergarments are required. No modern undergarments should be worn (including a bra.) Underclass women might choose to go without any supportive garment (stays or corset). In general, plan to wear cotton or linen chemise, appropriate stays or corset, drawers (if you will be using a hoop), cotton, linen, or wool petticoats, and cotton or wool stockings.

Dresses should be made in one fabric (bodice and skirts matching, and attached). Everyday working class styles are the most appropriate, in woven checks, plaids, stripes, or period-appropriate print styles. While solid wool fabrics are appropriate, solid-colored cottons are not well-represented in the historic record, and are not appropriate for this event. Trim should be minimal and understated, if used. Sleeve and bodice styles should be consistent with textiles chosen (for instance, coat or bishop sleeve variations with a tucked or gathered-to-fit cotton bodice, or a darted-to-fit wool bodice)

A plain white collar or neckerchief may be worn with your dress; while some images exist of women wearing a wash dress without any neckline accessory, this seems to be atypical, and the guidelines for this event encourage the more typical impression. Your neckerchief or collar (in combination with apron and fresh chemises) will also extend your clean time considerably, reducing the number of dresses you will need to carry.

Moderate hoop (to 100) or corded petticoats are acceptable as skirt support, as appropriate to your economic and social class.

An apron (in pinner or half-apron style) will be welcome in many situations, and should meet the same fabric guidelines as dresses.

Plan for outerwear layers, as nights may be chilly, and the weather variable. Outerwear must be consistent with the historic record in textiles, pattern, and construction. At a minimum, you will want a warm shawl; capes, mantles, and coats are also encouraged.

Straw and buckram bonnets, slat, corded, or quilted sunbonnets, and hoods are all appropriate for this scenario. Day caps will not be used out of doors. High-fashion spoon bonnets are discouraged for this location and time-setting. Hats for women are not appropriate for this event.

Reproduction shoes or boots of leather, or homemade substitutes, will be needed. Please contact the staff members regarding modern facsimiles of reproduction styles, as these will need to be evaluated on an individual basis.

Hair should be parted in the center, without bangs, and confined low on the back of the head. No snoods will be used. Simple styles are best, as the setting precludes high-fashion hairstyles.

Adult Men

As for women, period-appropriate undergarments should be used. Avoid man-made content in footwear and socks, as this can be a health hazard in the event scenarios. Accurate reproduction shoes should be worn; bare feet cannot be allowed for this site.

Men should plan to wear non-military clothing in common cuts for the time and economic class portrayed. Clothing should be in period materials appropriate to the garment type and your socioeconomic level -- e.g. wool, linen, or period blends such as jean cloth or linsey. Clothing items may include: in sacks coats, worn with a waistcoat (vests) and trousers, probably unmatched rather than a "suit of dittoes"; frock coats for those in the middle and upper classes (doctors, preachers, wealthier landowners); overshirts and other "occupational" clothing for the working classes. All clothing components (materials, notions, cut, techniques) should be consistent with the historic record.

Shirts in cotton, wool (or appropriate blends), in woven patterns, appropriate prints, or solids (white in cottons, other solids in wools) may be worn. Men will be expected to wear a vest, coat, or overshirt on top of their shirt; shirtsleeves alone are not considered outerwear. Overshirts should be made in wool flannel. Accessories such as suspenders and neckwear will be made in documentable patterns and materials, and used in an accurate manner.

Outerwear (men's shawls, capes, or coats) is encouraged, as the weather may be variable. Properly blocked period hats or capped should be worn outdoors.

Facial hair and hairstyles should be worn in a documentable style.

Children, Infant to 17 Years

The nature of the event scenario may make it unsuitable for children with a highly-strung temperament, or for those who are not used to period appropriate settings. Carefully consider the needs of your child, and your own comfort level, before committing to attend.

Children's clothing should be of equal economic level to their parents for this event. Due to the location and time setting of the scenario, high fashion clothing will not be appropriate for the children. Miniature military uniforms and other militaristic garments are not within the scope of the event.

Children will be dressed to their age, rather than their physical development.

Modern infant items (disposable diapers, bottles, pacifiers) must kept out of sight. No modern toys or lovies will be allowed. Sanitary facilities will be limited; plan to have a way to safely and discreetly dispose of modern diapers.

Period hairstyles for children include: hair parted on the side for boys of all ages; center parts without bangs for girls of all ages; three-strand braids for girls; ear-to-shoulder length bobs (cropped hair) for girls to age 14; pinned up long hair after age 16.

Girl's clothing layers and textile needs will be similar to an adult woman's; girls who have reached their physical maturity should wear stays. Hems should fall between mid-calf and just below the knee to age 14; hem at ages 15-17 may fall between lower calf and a hand-span above the ankle bones. Short sleeves and open necks may be worn by girls; long sleeve and high necklines are also appropriate.

Boys who have not been toilet trained should be dressed in frocks and petticoats; post-training boys may wear long or short trousers; older boys will wear long trousers and shirtsleeves, though coats are encouraged for older and teen boys. Please see the Men's section for textile considerations.

Reproduction footwear for children is not commonly available; children should be dressed in shoes or boots that are as unobtrusive as possible, and approximate a period style: lace up or elastic gusset shoes or boots, a squared or rounded toe, minimal soles and heels, leather materials. Platform or heavy rubber/plastic soles are not acceptable.

Outerwear and headwear guidelines follow those of adult participants. Please keep period-appropriate toys and amusements to an easily-carried minimum.

A Bedding Note for Participants

Bedding: quilts should be of historically-appropriate patterns and fabric; wool blankets may also be used. Sleeping will generally be rough. Plan to sleep in your clothing, or bring historically-accurate nightwear. There will be no off-stage hours after dark.