I participated in a reenatcment with cavalry and mounted on their horses they are pretty much useless and just ride around and shoot. Dismounted they can do more, but it defeats the purpose. We also had signal corps, which has got to be the most boring reenactment type of a unit to be in. But they served a purpose, they talked to the Yankee signal corps and helped coordinate the whole show. [:)]
So it's a mixed deal. Sometimes it is needed, sometimes not.
I have never been to a National Reenactment, just in New York State where my unit is. I assume the regulations are different across the country and different policies are used, but for us, safety is paramount and so there are restrictions on what people can do for logical and legal reasons.
Like, we do not fix bayonets in battle nor draw ramrods. We will ram the first round down right before the battle starts. We will march in the parade and onto the field with bayonets fixed, but none in battle. Elevate our guns slightly above the heads of the other side. No shooting closer than 6 feet away. No hand to hand combat unless it is pre-authorized. Simple and logical stuff that makes it fun for all and keeps everyone save. There's other things too, but we manage to make it good. [:)]
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[url="http://www.scott-ludwig.com/"]<b>Brigadier General Scott Ludwig</b>[/url]
Commanding Officer
[url="http://scott-ludwig.com/ACWGC/ANV"]Army of Northern Virginia
[/url]CSA
[url="http://www.scott-ludwig.com/ACWGC/index.html"]Personal Command Tent[/url]
For the Glory of Virginia!!</center>