Reenacting units are organized in some of the same ways as Civil War companies and regiments. Few units allow people in 21st century garb to camp in the military camp as it detracts from the reenactment atmosphere. Check out our article How to Join a Reenactment Group. Some of the young men who started reenacting decades ago when the 125th anniversary events attracted them are now passing through middle age. Be sure to look into this. Their website is: www.campchase.com), The Citizens Companion focuses on civilian reenacting and is also published by the same company that publishes Camp Chase Gazette. The problem with modern day reenacting for USCTs is that they were not at many of the major battles because the original Union generals refused to put them into ranks beside white soldiers and because significant numbers werent enlisted or trained until the middle of 1863. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. While the vast majority of reenactors are standard uniformed Confederate and Union soldiers, there are some small numbers who wear unique uniforms. Local video entrepreneurs filmed those 125th anniversary reenactments on VHS tapes, selling them to the reenactors who hoped to see themselves acting as Civil War soldiers. Civilian - A person, male or female, who reenacts any non-military impression during Reenactments. Living History Archive. I. Delaware. The 26th North Carolina Troops and the 24th Michigan ran head-on into each other on the first day of Gettysburg in McPhersons Woods. This video brings you to the historic battlefields of Aike. A musket will shoot a flame of fire and unburned powder out the muzzle. A group of men this size can engage in brigade drill, practicing the same types of maneuvers the Civil War soldiers learned in order to face an enemy coming from any direction. Infoplease is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational and reference sites for parents, teachers and students. Mountains might be climbed. Welcome to the official website of the Georgia Division Reenactors Association! that appeal to campaigners. As you build your knowledge, there is a wealth of information available in online archives and books drawn from soldiers letters, diaries, and post-war memoirs. Check your laws! One can read the history of how Confederate Major General Ambrose Powell Hills Light Division marched 22 miles from Harpers Ferry, Virginia to Sharpsburg, Maryland. With the exception of events where rains flood the battlefield, reenactments are rarely cancelled for heat or cold. Reenactors sacrifice immense amounts of time, effort, and money to recreate history. The age restriction on handling firearms does not prevent one from taking part in the hobby. There's nothing volunteering in a historical reenactment to experience the sights, sounds and smells of history. Sutlers Merchants who followed troops during the Civil War. The gear does not stop at just a firearm either. This manual includes such things as company tactics and firing details [source: Miller]. Some people do take the "authenticity" to an extreme, but most groups welcome anyone with an interest. Perhaps you have a friend in the hobby who has encouraged you to give it a try. Mainstream is exactly what it sounds like, reenactors ranging in age from teenagers to well-beyond middle age who like the hobby, but who also do not fit the Civil War image of soldiers being thin and between the ages of 18-25. Once the basics are purchased, reenactors move on to acquire other gear like a canvas dog tent, or a larger A-frame tent, a gum or rubber blanket/poncho for putting down on the ground or wearing as rain gear, and cooking gear like tin frying pans and cooking grates. Mainstreamers cheerfully accept the nickname TBG- which stands for Tubby Bearded Guys. Powell, Kimberly. Civil War Traveler lists a variety of events, including reenactments, searchable by state so newcomers can see some reenactments in person and talk to unit members. Reenactors do not dwell on that terrible human cost. How to join a reenactment group is not the hardest part of this journey, it's just the beginning. Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company. But if you're more interested in other wars or time periods, don't despair. Nothing spoils the look of a rank of men in a battle line then seeing someone wearing modern day glasses or ear rings. Reenactors refer to their clothing and equipment as theirkit. Camping with ones friends can be an attractive incentive to pack up the gear and drive away rather than staying home doing chores. Here you can find a list of groups that portray the Great War period. Once youre sure that the discomfort (sleeping on cots or bedrolls, wearing uncomfortable clothes, and generally avoiding anything farby) is worth it, then find a unit to join. Like any hobby, there is a broad spectrum within reenacting with different informal clusters of individuals and groups focusing more or less attention on authenticity. The English Civil War Society UK: English Civil War: 1642 AD 1651 AD Combat reenactment, living history, educational visits, film and TV work Ermine Street Guard UK: Roman army: 50 AD 200 AD Combat reenactment, living history, TV and film work, education work, research Historia Normannis UK France USA: Middle Ages: 1100 1215 Combat reenactment . That is what reenacting is all about; trying to live for a weekend like a Civil War soldier or civilian to figure out how they did it. Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Italy, Denmark . These events were often staged with paying spectators in mind, leading to sights that irritated reenactors such as rushing the enemy in a chargebut with multi-tiered bleachers behind the enemy. Civil War reenactors attempt to answer Footes rhetorical question by putting their 21st century selves into the roles of 19th century people. 2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. While reenactors do like authenticity, they draw the line at paying upwards of $30 for registration fees, but finding over-flowing port-a-johns by Sunday morning. To take part in high quality reenactments a reenactor should expect to drive at least a day for quality events. Don't let that stop you! Powell, Kimberly. Not all reenactment groups will offer the same experiences. Your mentor can also assist you in finding used gear either from unit members or outside resources like eBay or Facebook. On the downside in terms of authenticity, they operate in much smaller groups that sometimes preclude them from being able to do the complicated drills that Civil War regiments would have done, and which the mainstreamers relentlessly practice. As a Civil War reenactor you will become a soldier, or a civilian, wearing authentic 1860s period clothing and learning to live as . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. That is my indication and EXPRESSED consent to be treated like a slave by all participating confederate soldiers. To volunteer in historical reenactments, you'll be dedicating your time, sacrificing your modern comforts and paying a pretty penny. Perhaps the most famous civil war in history began on April 12, 1861, when secessionist Southerners attacked the United States Army garrison at Fort Sumter, South Carolina . In addition to having to wear hot, uncomfortable clothing, participants can forget about sleeping in comfortable beds, eating decent food and taking hot showers. Find WW1 Reenactment groups to join now! Are you looking for something you can do with your family? For instance, the 26th Regiment of North Carolina Troops also portrays the 24th Michigan of The Iron Brigade when it reenacts as Federals. It is up to reenactors to know if they have the stamina to participate in the action. https://28thmass.orgLately I've noticed quite a few of you showing more interest in Civil War reenacting specifically. The physically disabled cannot take the field as soldiers, but the impression of a wounded soldier in a period wheel chair being pushed by a civilian in period clothes is welcome. Civilian reenactors are the least expensive impressions to achieve, and have the most flexibility since the clothes chosen can range from elegant to simple. You'll have the Web at your fingertips to research an object's authenticity -- and to compare prices from multiple vendors. or C.S.A. I show up. Reenactors accept discomfort, port-a-johns, close quarters, and the aches that come with carrying gear that weighs 20 pounds or more. Photos from the time period show some men marching in ranks with M-1 Garands, World War II semi-automatic rifles. Invitation events are smaller events where organizers limit the number of participants in order to better manage the scale. Choose a Persona By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. While doing their impression many will do a first-person impression. Since the war took place in the South, it is more difficult for Yankees in Northern states to make the events in the Southern states. That inattention to historical details led to groan-inducing scenes (for reenactors anyway) in Shenandoah where Jimmy Stewarts teenaged son grabs a Trapdoor Springfield and starts fighting. Reenactors adopt what they call impressions based on the type of person they want to portray. While this material is of interest to reenactors, our hobby requires a detailed knowledge of the daily experience of individual soldiers. Arkansas Infantry Reenactors. All races and ethnicities can reenact. Typical costs for reenacting might include the following. Before you purchase a musket and show up to your first event, you may find the following tips useful. Children as young as 8 have been seen at many reenactments partaking in field music. 2 nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment, Co. The persona you select should have some personal significance to you. Impression Many reenactors will choose an impression during a reenactment. Cavalry and artillery reenactors have the added burden of worrying about their horses and mules stepping into holes on the field. If looking to dive into Vietnam reenacting, the number one piece of advice is to speak to a unit before making purchases. It might be a good idea to spring for the unit's annual fee for insurance coverage in case of an injury. Historical reenactment groups and living history groups offer an insight into how men and women lived in past times. Most reenacting units are equipped to act as either Federal or Confederate troops in order to be able to balance numbers at reenacting events. Immersion events are small reenactments that attract campaigners. If you choose an active reenactment role, you'll need to be in good health, capable of the physical activity and lack of everyday comforts that are inherent in reenacting. The easiest way for children to get involved in reenacting is to do it as a family. Most reenacting units require members to own dual impressions; both Union and Confederate. The reason is obvious. Do not buy from sutlers on-line then select which unit you want to join. Reenacting the Civil War as a hobby got off to a shaky start during in the 1960s when authenticity was ignored in favor of doing something, anything, to commemorate the Centennial. If youre interested in an immersive, authentic experience, joining a mainstream unit will be a poor fit. Focused events try to recreate parts of battles. Odds are that youve already read a decent amount about the war, but most Civil War books focus on the movements of vast armies and the leaders who directed them. Living histories take place at the actual battlefield by invitation from the National Park Service. The 125th Franklin, Tennessee event was held in minus 10 wind chill. During the Civil War Native Americans, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics fought on both sides. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links at no additional cost to you. There are Federal Zouave units who wear bright red pants, red trimmed jackets, and turbans. Reenacting units keep a list of approved sutlers that have proven to stock authentic and well-made goods. Eric Tetreault/Connecticut Renaissance Faire. WELCOME TO THE 49TH INDIANA CO.F. Your email address will not be published. How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting. Welcome! Living history events include encampments, parades, and school enrichment programs. Time and place generally work together, so while you're picking your time period, you will generally have a certain location in mind as well. ThoughtCo. 2) Consider What You Want Out of Reenacting: Spend some time thinking about what aspects of reenacting interest you. And finally, muskets are real guns. While there are several models such as an early war smoothbore musket, or a mid-war rifle musket, there are really only two brand choices for infantry. As they learn how to be a soldier, they take tests and advance through the non-commissioned ranks to corporals and sergeants. What reenacting does is give men and women a chance to walk in the footsteps of those people who came before us just a little over 150 years ago. Being a reenactor can not only put you in touch with your inner soldier, drummer, or fifer, but can also deepen your understanding of our country's past. The best first purchase you can make is a pair of well-built shoes, usually called brogans or bootees. If they try for officer ranks like lieutenant and captain, they must take even more rigorous tests to demonstrate that they know the commands that moved men around the field. Reenacting units are organized in companies and regiments by reenactors from the same geographic area, much as Civil War companies and regiments were organized. Now i ma Only a handful of men will make generals and they must know how to command at that level. Once a prospective reenactor joins a unit the next step is to buy gear from sutlers, merchants specializing in the hobby named after the original civilian shop keepers who catered to the needs of Civil War soldiers. A canteen holding about two quarts of water is critical. *This post may contain affiliate links. For the sake of authenticity, women do not bear arms. Mega-events made it hard to lose ones self in the moment when a narrator was giving blow-by-blow accounts of the battle over loud speakers. The thinking is that events where only several hundred troops are participating can be much more manageable and affordable to stage than the huge events that required hundreds of acres of land for the reenactment itself, plus parking for thousands of participants and spectators. Thanks for reaching out John we just got in touch to provide you some additional information. Check ourencyclopedia for a gloss on thousands of topics from biographies to the table of elements. Military reenactors will choose infantry, artillery, cavalry or medical (and a few others such as engineers or sharpshooters) and many will choose a civilian impression. These would be reproduction arms originally manufactured by Springfield and copied by the Confederates, or Enfield, which was an English import used by both sides. Can one really hear a Civil War era term the rattle of musketry? While these stories may transport you to Elizabethan England or ancient Rome, they're still fiction, after all, and don't always provide authentic history lessons. There is no poll showing where reenactors live, but observation would put a majority of them in The South. While family involvement may be the goal of some reenactors, others enjoy the freedom of being away from the family on the weekend. Once you do, it's time to create your own historical persona. This is especially important when it comes to clothing and weaponry, as we'll see on the next page. 8th Confederate Cavalry / 7th Kentucky Cavalry, 3rd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Company A, 1st Arkansas US Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment, Co. Perhaps a particular company or regiment in the war had distinctive uniforms. With sound recordings, new generations could hear the Rebel yellyelped by 95-year-old men who still had the spunk to give it. The further that is away from the face, the better. A basic infantryman's kit can be assembled starting around $1,000, but once you start adding in costly replica weapons and period-authentic accoutrementsor you have your heart set on being a cavalry officeryou could easily spend many thousands. It is particularly valuable for its calendar of upcoming events, and book reviews. Many organizations, particularly Civil War, offer family friendly scenarios. While still too small in numbers to simulate actual Civil War battles, the mega-events at least gave reenactors a sense of what the major battles would have been like. These characteristics can be challenging to identify by examining a units website or Facebook page or by chatting with the members at an event. But if you want to portray a German soldier from World War II, the uniforms are pricier -- typically $300 to $400 [source: Miller]. Scouring the sutlers' goods may also set you up for an impulse buy that your historic persona doesn't really need. Confederate reenactors armed with single shot muskets have no choice but to fall or withdraw in the face of men using rifles that could carry upwards of 13 rounds that could be fired in a matter of seconds. Oftentimes, a young person will find themselves interested in living history but struggle to get involved. Encampments allow visitors to wander through a Civil War camp and observe soldiers training, resting, playing, and simply relaxingall without television, iPods, or computers! Women have to make the effort to disguise themselves as men. We have members in four states Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Arkansas. The main thing one has to learn is the infantry drill, and to follow orders to execute maneuvers. For reenactments that span several days, this can be grueling. Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. It is where the Civil War soldier carried his food and where the reenactor will carry his food, wallet and car keys. "I decided to join the Civil War reenacting group that helped to make the movie." . The unit you ultimately join should be in a position to provide the elements that you want to get out of reenacting. Most large re-enactment events take place outdoors, so spring through fall are very active times of the year for the majority of these groups. Too far forward, and the percussion cap is exploding in his ear. That means most Union forces on Southern battlefields likely talk with Southern accents even though they are in blue. Work with your unit point of contact to ensure that the items you select even from these vendors are appropriate, since not every jacket a particular vendor offers will fit your units desired impression. The United States Marines wear distinctive crossed white belts. Most reenactors are everyday people from all walks of life, with ages ranging from 16 to people in their sixties. If you're interested in volunteering as a Civil War reenactor, the entire kit (including uniform, canteen, weapon and leatherwear) will cost about $850 to $1,500 [source: Miller]. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. The website also lists a number of sutler websites. - Confederate States or Confederate States Army. Many units will choose opposite unit impressions that have something to do with the primary unit they portray, or perhaps a unit that passed through their home area. For those men who need vision correction and who do not wear contact lens, there are sutlers who deal in eye glasses which are correct for the period. Is there a list or quartermaster who do I need to contact to get involved as a reenactor for the civil war. Units Groups of Civil War reenactors who participate as an actual unit that fought during the War, i.e., the 7th Texas Infantry, the 69th New York or the 19th Alabama. No reenactor will respond to an unknown general who walks onto the field and tries to take command of units who do not know him. If you asked to galvanize (switch sides) for a battle or event, dont complain. That could be in California, Wisconsin, or even Russia. The Stonewall Brigade is an authentic living history association concentrated in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania dedicated to accurately portraying the common soldier of the Civil War. The 125th anniversary of the start of the war in 1986 saw reenacting turn into a serious hobby. Reliving the Civil War: A Re-enactors Handbook. They'll have fun watching the excitement, and you'll get to teach them about history. And that will generally be a four-wheel-drive SUV as all reenactors will one day find themselves in a muddy field wondering if they will be able to get out in time to get back to work on Monday. While we are based in Middle Tennessee, we have active and semi-active members in many states from Florida to Arizona and Alabama to Iowa besides our core Tennessee and Kentucky group. This practice of changing uniforms to fit the reenactments needs is called galvanizing based on a real term applied to captured Confederates who were released from prison camps if they joined the Union army to go west to fight Indians. For further reading suggestions and links to many of these online resources, please see the Stonewall Brigades Recommended Reading list. Typically, the age restriction for most events is 16 years old to carry a musket/rifle. If the unit is dedicated to historical accuracy, the accommodations will be meager. Before you start investing cash in reenacting, attend enough events to ensure that its a hobby that you truly enjoy and want to purse. Discover more about American history at one of these events. In 2014 the name was changed to North Florida Artillery Historical Foundation, Inc. was established as a non profit/IRS organization. Civil War reenacting group in Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, and New Hampshire. The soldier in the rear rank must always keep his three-banded muskets middle band at the ear of the file partner in the front rank.
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