AHT March Update
3 June 2008GREAT NEWS!
The Western Brigade has received the amended permit for the “Living History March” on Friday, 27 June, from the PA Monument at GNMP to the event site. We are now allowed to move in any formation we choose so long as we are NOT on the road. When on a road, we must un-double files into a formation “not more than 2 abreast.”
Here are the essential points.
1] Assemble at the Pennsylvania Monument between 10:00 AM and Noon on Friday June 27. The march will commence at Noon.
2] There is no parking available at the PA monument - you need to car-pool over from the participant parking area at the AHT event site. http://www.wmhf.org/athightide/aerial.jpg We would recommend that if a civilian or non-marching member of your unit can drive, that would be best. There will be a charter bus arriving from Minnesota (”Northfield Lines”) that can ferry some marchers over to the PA monument - like car pool drivers: do not automatically count on the bus for your ride.
3]The march route is about 4 miles long. We will cross these historic features: Plum Run, the Wheatfield, the Peach Orchard, the Emmittsburg Road, Seminary Ridge and the Covered Bridge over Marsh Creek. We will end the march at the event site by 4:00 PM - earlier if the weather is not too oppressive.
4]ABSOLUTELY no cartridges or caps are permitted. Park Rangers WILL be inspecting for these, and the fines are stiff. Make sure that ALL ammunition is stored in your vehicle, or in arsenal ammunition cases and left at the event site. Following the march, men will have some down time to retrieve ammo and other items left at the event site.
5] Edged weapons and pistols must remain in scabbards and holsters.
6] Weapons are ONLY permitted on park property during the assembly (10:00 AM - Noon) and during the march - and in our designated locations. If you plan to visit the park before the march, or on Sunday, you MAY wear your uniform, but you MAY NOT carry your weapon.
7] This is a military march - commemorating in a very abbreviated form the approach march of the Union Army to Gettysburg. Civilian reenactors are not to follow along like a gaggle of camp-followers. Civilians can parallel our march route in vehicles, take photos, etc.
8] At this time, all men must be on foot.
9] You may camp and park your vehicle at the AHT site on Thursday.
10] If you are able, wear full marching order (including knapsack / bedroll) on the march. If you do not feel that you will be able to make it that heavily loaded, light marching order is permissible. Full canteens are REQUIRED.
11] Captains are responsible for any litter generated by their company - pack it out.
12] Field music is encouraged to come on the march
13] As curious as this may seem to you, we are requested to NOT engage the public. For a number of reasons, our march is not a traditional “Living History Encampment” and therefore we are more supposed to be seen by visitors, rather than talk to them about our activities. If visitors approaches you, politely answer their questions. Do not post interpretive ‘narrators’ if your company is drilling, etc.
This is a rare opportunity to bear arms on some of the nation’s most hallowed ground. With the amendments we have received, it will also give us a good warm up (pun intended) for the event, as we can drill and maneuvre as we cross the fields of Gettysburg.
Colonel James Moffet
Western Brigade
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