Battle Road Participant FAQ

Q: Does my group really need to attend Battle Road prior to the 250th in order to attend in 2025?

A: Yes. Battle Road is unique for its complexity and physical demands. Also, in 2025 we are expecting possibly tens of thousands of visitors and even a Presidential visit. Park volunteers and staff can expect large crowds and even heavy traffic getting to the site. It is important for units to experience Battle Road in a more quiet year so they know where they need to go and what is expected of them so to avoid confusion in 2025.

Q: How many of my people need to attend ahead of time? If we just send two guys is that enough?

A: The entire unit does not have to participate in the 2024 event. Three or four members, preferably officers and NCOs, can attend and adequately represent a unit with the assumption that they can report back to the other members and help them make sense of the important information.

Q: Does my group have to be amalgamated with other groups? Can't we field on our own?

A: Yes. Because of the complexity, terrain and fast pace of the Battle Road tactical scenarios, pre-existing units will be amalgamated. On the Provincial side, we will form companies of 50 or so soldiers, commanded by an officer with extensive Battle Road experience. This officer will be selected by the Battle Road Committee in cooperation with NPS staff. The companies will then be assigned to a battalion. We expect to have two or more battalions.

Care will be taken to allow pre-existing units to field within the same company. However, there may be an occasion for unit to be split up. If such a thing is necessary, it will be done with sensitivity, communication and the consent of all parties. Once registration closes on January 13^th, the Battle Road Committee will establish the order of battle. Company assignments will be created several weeks prior to the event, allowing sufficient time for unit officers to connect and communicate with their assigned field commander and establish who will serve in officer and NCO capacities.

On the Crown side, pre-existing units will be assigned to one of four divisions within the column: Vanguard, Main Body, Rearguard, 1^st Battalion Light Infantry, 2^nd Battalion Light Infantry. As with the Provincial side, each division will be commanded by a Battle Road experienced officer selected by the Battle Road Committee. As with the provincial forces, care will be taken to keep pre-existing units whole and not split them up.

Q: What is the Battle Road Muster and why must I attend?

A: The purpose of the Battle Road Muster is to share information about safety and logistics with participants, identify possible issues with firearms, accoutrements or clothing, and (most importantly) to rehearse the tactical scenarios. Widespread participattion is critical to its success, and the success of the event itself. Attendance is mandatory for local units and participants.

Q: I live outside of Massachusetts and the park is a long distance away. Do I have to attend the Battle Road Muster?

A: Out of state participants are not required to attend the muster but highly encouraged to do so. If you cannot make it, please inform your assigned company or battalion commander.

Q: What opportunities are there to participate if I do not portray a soldier?

A: There are two great ways to participate in Battle Road for those who portray a civilian/non-combatant.

1. You can serve as a Battle Road Guide. Battle Road Guides are event interpreters. They dress in period clothes and take positions along the viewing areas to talk with visitors and help them better understand what they are seeing on the field and the events of April 19, 1775 in general.
2. You can participate in the civilian evacuation. The outbreak of fighting on April 19, 1775 forced many people, women, children, the elderly, etc. to flee their homes and move their families to safety. Every year, we have dozens of living history volunteers portray these civilians who were caught in the storm of war.

Q: If I am portraying a civilian in the evacuation scenario or if I am one of the guides at the rope line, do I also need to register by January 13, have my clothing approved and attend the muster on March 30?

A: Yes! The same rules apply to all participants in Battle Road, no matter what your role is, and whether or not you are registering as part of a unit or as an individual.

Q: I can't make it to the inspection, how do I get approved?

A: In 2023 we learned that for groups with multiple or major issues, identifying these at the muster is too late. Therefore, we will open registration for 2024 in September of 2023 and will close it on January 13, 2024. Units must submit photographs no later than January 13^th. New units must do so by January 2nd and may be asked to also provide a drill video if requested.

If sending group photos, please have the unit formed in one rank and provide front and rear photographs and a list of names (from right to left) of those in the photo. Any member not present must submit a photograph solo, through their unit commander, to the committee no later than January 13th.

Q: My group definitely wore linen waistcoats, breeches and/or coats in April. Why do we all have to be in wool?

A: If you have documentation that members of the unit you portray turned out on April 19, 1775 in linen outer clothing (coats, waistcoats, or breeches), please send it to the Standards Committee! Seriously, we would love to see it. On the other hand, challenging us to prove that “nobody wore linen clothing” that day or “everyone wore wool” does not constitute a reasonable argument. Wool was a very common, durable, versatile and affordable fabric for clothing, especially in New England. It was worn in all seasons. To learn more, please read this article from historian and tailor, Henry Cooke. Notes on Wool, Cotton Canvas, and Linen by Henry Cooke (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Q: Is there camping at Battle Road?

A: As of right now, no. We cannot accommodate an encampment within the park. There is a possibility of establishing an off-site encampment but nothing definite yet.

Q: Is Battle Road sponsored by the Continental Line and British Brigade?

A: Not officially. While many of the units that participate in Battle Road belong to the Continental Line, British Brigade or Brigade of the American Revolution, the event is run by the National Park Service, which has the final say over participation.

Q: My group is part of the Continental Line/British Brigade/BAR and are super safe, can we be waived from having to attend in 2024 and just get in for 2025?

A: No. The requirement for participation in 2024 to qualify in 2025 is based on safety and to cut down on operational/logistical confusion (see answer to first question).

Q: Do we have to have cheesebox canteens, blankets and packs in order to attend? Why is a Uhl pack the only pack I can carry? Didn't the Minute and Militia carry all their old gear from the F&I war?

A: Yes. The standards reflect the latest research into the material culture of this very specific time and place (Massachusetts in 1775). We strive to portray what was most common, based on documentary evidence as well as extant examples with a relevant provenance like the Uhl knapsack. For canteens, the standards do allow for some options for those who do not have a cheesebox canteen. Please review the standards for options. Minute Man Living History Authenticity Standards for Adult Men - Minute Man National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Also, to address what equipment the militia carried in 1775, please read the following articles.
Historical Nerdery: "A Wooden Bottle Made With One Hoop" - Why Tin Canteens Were Not Carried By Massachusetts Militia Men at Lexington and Concord (historicalnerdery01.blogspot.com)

Documentation for knapsacks and blankets in use by the Massachusetts Militia in 1775 (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

"Bread and Provisions on a March" -Why Massachusetts Militia Companies Did Not Carry Haversacks on the Eve of the American Revolution (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Q: I attended the 225th, why are these standards a thing now? It's ruining the hobby.

A:

1. As living history interpreters our appearance matters. When we wear historical clothing, we are asking our audience to "look at me and think of them." We have an ethical responsibility to approach living history according to current scholarship. Also, the NPS has placed increased emphasis on “historical accuracy” for the America 250 effort. Familiarity with current scholarship will help us when engaging with difficult or controversial topics. The importance of historical accuracy applies to living history portrayals. We in the NPS do not view reenacting as a hobby, but as a valuable public service. In order to be valid as a public service it must be done with the greatest respect to those we portray, and accurately, according to current scholarship. If someone’s participation is dependent on allowing an inaccurate period impression, is not really fulfilling the function of a public service?
2. Because we are a NPS site, we must operate under agency-wide regulations. This includes standards for ammunition, weapons safety, range safety and supervision requirements (at least 1 NPS certified black powder safety officer for 40 muskets). Events like Battle Road push the boundaries of these regulations. Therefore, we must be able to document all the measures we are taking to ensure the event meets all requirements, otherwise we could be shut down. Documentation includes the volunteers we entrust with carrying out a large portion of the event. As any event organizer knows, safety starts with your invitation list. Units and individuals who can meet our standards for authenticity and historic weapons safety, and are willing to put in the work, also tend to be safer on the field. In my 20+ years with the NPS, every time I have encountered a serious safety issue on the field it came from a sub-par unit. Every. Time. Far from being “exclusive,” we are doing everything we can to ensure that this event is allowed to continue.
3. Our resources are not infinite. Logistically there are only so many reenactors we can accommodate at our events. We only have so much powder, so many parking spaces, so much room to “play” with, so many personnel to clear fields and trails, set up and staff rope lines, manage parking lots etc. We also only have so many NPS-certified black powder safety officers to meet required supervision ratios.Given this reality, we simply cannot accept everybody who wants to participate. Requiring applicant units to meet the authenticity standards provides us with an open process to fairly and objectively make those tough decisions.

We will continue to approach each new application with a view to helping them improve - to lift up rather than tear down. Toward that end, we will continue to offer workshops, lectures, drill time, advice and other resources to help as much as possible. Check out our workshop schedule for 2023 and 2024! Volunteer Workshops - Minute Man National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

If you have any further questions, please email us