Danville Artillery FAQ and Reenactor Introduction
Some of the more commonly asked questions from new recruits:
Q - What do I do if I want to give the Danville Artillery a try?
A - Look at the schedule of events on our Home Page and see which upcoming events interest you. Then e-mail or call Captain Woolman to get registered for your first event. The Battery can provide you with a temporary loaner uniform if needed. Once you arrive at the event you will be trained as part of a gun crew to safely operate as part of the artillery battery.
Q - How many events do I have to attend per year to be a member?
A - Our field guns are crew-served weapons; without full crews we cannot operate efficiently. Therefore, we'd like to see you attend as many events as possible, however; with the hectic schedules we all lead today we only ask that you attend two events per year to be a member in good standing. All officers and NCOs are required to attend at least half the events in a campaign season.
Q - Are there any age restrictions for participating?
A - Most events require you to be 16 years old to carry a weapon or operate as part of a gun crew on the field. Younger members can be in the Battery and act as messengers or powder monkeys. Our members range from late teens to late-50s. On the other end of the scale we have members of the unit in their 50s who also take the field - this is a matter of desire and physical conditioning. As artillerymen we move about less than infantry units, but wearing wool uniforms in the warmer weather may require some stamina on occassion.
Q - After my first event, if I decide I want to join, do I have to buy my entire uniform in one shot?
A - No. We can continue to loan certain uniform parts as are available in the Battery's inventory as long you do make progress towards purchasing your own uniform. We can assist you in prioritizing what to obtain and which sutler(s) to purchase from.
Q - Do I need to purchase a tent, camp stools or other non-personal items?
A - No, the Danville Artillery has a substantial inventory of camp equipment including A-frame tents, cots, mess flys, camp stools, messware and cast iron cooking equipment.
Q - Once I become a member do I have to pay dues?
A - We do not require dues to be a member of the Battery. We do ask that you reimburse the Battery for event registration fees, usually between $3 - $7 per event. These fees are charged by the reenactment event sponsor and usually cover costs such as insurance, water/ice, firewood, etc. The Battery normally pays these registration fees ahead of time. We ask that you reimburse the Battery at or before the time you attend the event. We of course always accept donations to defray costs which are mostly absorbed by the Commanding Officer such as gun powder, friction primers, diesel fuel for the trucks hauling supplies and field guns, equipment purchases, field gun purchases, spare uniforms, etc.
Q - What about food at a reenactment? Do you have a Battery mess?
A - The Battery usually does plan an evening menu and buys food for each overnight event. Food costs vary according to the number of troops, number of days of the event, and the number of days and meals that you plan to participate in. You are not required to participate in the battery mess, you may bring your own provisions should you choose.
Q - If the unit stays overnight, do I have to camp out (rough it)?
A - No. You are welcome to spend the night in a local motel/Bed & Breakfast or just join us for the day if you wish.
Q - If a reenactment spans several days do I have to attend every day of the event?
A - No. If you are a new recruit we do require you to arrive early on your first day so we can properly go through safety procedures and familiarize you with the artillery drill. This will normally be two to three hours prior to the first battle on the scheduled day of the event.