how to join a civil war reenactment group

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. Figure the cost of your accessories into your budget, too. Each reenactor has a specific role to play, so volunteers are expected to have extensive knowledge of the historical event as well as the time period in which it occurs. You will need to visit a sutlery (supply store run by a civilian, a "sutler"), either online or in person, in order to get your basic gear, called a "kit". Check your laws! Here is a sampling of an infantry soldier's kit from the website of the 28th Massachusetts, Volunteer Infantry, 4th Regiment, Irish Brigade: Federal issue forage cap (dark or indigo blue) With sound recordings, new generations could hear the Rebel yellyelped by 95-year-old men who still had the spunk to give it. If the unit is a horse-drawn battery, the reenactors are expected to help groom, water, and feed the horses. Salary.com. A colonial shopkeeper will have a pretty simple costume compared to a Civil War general's uniform. A typical period correct firearm will cost upwards of $1000. There is at least one Civil War era brass band using period instruments and playing period music. If you asked to galvanize (switch sides) for a battle or event, dont complain. During fights with frequent firing, muskets have been known to cook off, a pre-mature explosion of the black powder poured down the barrel caused by a still-burning spark. The reason is obvious. 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. Once the leather gear, muskets, and bayonets are purchased, only the opposite sides coat and pants are a necessary purchase to correctly portray the other side. The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. - "A Union Civil War Living History and Reenacting organization located in the greater Connecticut area. Children can usually even participate, although most reenactment groups have a minimum age (12 or 13 is common) for children to be allowed in more dangerous roles, such as on the battlefield. At battles where the 24th Michigan with its distinctive long frock coats and tall black hats was not present, the men of the 26th North Carolina Troops put on common Union shell jackets and portray whatever Union units were present. Also welcome are Black reenactors portraying slaves or free blacks, teamsters, horse handlers, or other roles common to the period. Do not make the mistake of spending a lot of money on gear that ends up gathering dust in your basement or up for sale on eBay. By the time Ken Burns PBS special The Civil War debuted in 1990 interest in the War was on an upswing. There are alternative ways to get your history education. In many war reenactments, there aren't roles for women on the battlefield, but some events have side attractions geared toward women, such as tea parties, craft activities and quilt shows. 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 . and then went into battle to save Lees army, but until one has marched that same route, it is all theory. Finding an organization for a child to partake in is not difficult. Once you do, it's time to create your own historical persona. You may need to attend a handful of events with them before you get a good feel for the units personality and whether it is a good fit for you. Learn about one of the world's oldest and most popular religions. One asked the obvious question to a man who had written more than 3,000 pages seemingly covering every aspect of a war that stretched from New Mexico to New York: Is there anything about the War that you dont know?, Footes response was immediate: I still dont know how they did it. During the Civil War Native Americans, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics fought on both sides. Reenacting units organized around a specific regiment with a general type of uniform will not allow a Berdan sharpshooter or a Louisiana Tiger in the ranks. How do I join a unit as a reenactor? Our way to offer tribute to these great men of the Civil War is to study as much as possible . The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. 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. Are you really excited about being a part of large battle reenactments? It is common to find Black reenactors sprinkled in the Confederate ranks. While the vast majority of reenactors are standard uniformed Confederate and Union soldiers, there are some small numbers who wear unique uniforms. Most reenacting units require members to own dual impressions; both Union and Confederate. 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. 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. 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. 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. BROOKSVILLE, Fla. - Each January, Hernando County scrambled to put out the welcome mat for what has been called the largest Civil War reenactment in Florida the Brooksville Raid. In summer, many men carry two. Children were active participants in the Civil War. Spectators wont see much action, but the reenactors will see only other reenactors and no more bleachers. Most reenactment groups are very welcoming to new people and will show you the ropes and even outfit you until you can gradually acquire your own kit. Some civilian reenactors may choose to portray professions such as mortician or battlefield surgeon with some women roaming the field as nurses. Infoplease is a reference and learning site, combining the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas and several almanacs loaded with facts. New reenactors start as privates and promotion to non commissioned officer or officer status depends on passing tests and demonstrating an ability to command larger bodies of men in maneuvers on the field. American Civil War Society. Most will sleep/camp at the reenactment event. By Robert Arvay. Leather cartridge box, belt, bayonet scabbard and cap box come in a variety of types and colors such as russet brown, but most men choose black so the same accoutrements can be used for both Confederate and Union impressions. Reliving the Civil War: A Re-enactors Handbook. For the sake of authenticity, women do not bear arms. In a reenactment, a persona is a character and role that you choose to portray. 2 nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment, Co. st croix zillow dollar genetal near me bnha x innocent reader. That means single reenactors in a specialty uniform must search out similar reenactors to fall in with at events. Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist and the author of The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy. If you're thinking about volunteering in a historical reenactment, experienced reenactors will tell you that you shouldn't delve into this hobby without knowing what you're getting into. They'll have fun watching the excitement, and you'll get to teach them about history. Fit for Effective Service: Virginia Arms Her Stonewall Brigade, Its Ancient Reputation: The Stonewall Brigade at Cedar Mountain, The Stonewall Brigade at Gettysburg Part Four: The Fate of the Flags, How to Adapt a Confederate ANV Impression by Time Period, Top Tips for Transitioning From Mainstream to Authentic Reenacting. We seek to commemorate the great hardships and sacrifices of the soldiers and citizens of Indiana during our nation's most turbulent and defining moment in history, the American Civil War. Rivers might be crossed. Some people do take the "authenticity" to an extreme, but most groups welcome anyone with an interest. There are a wide variety of canteens including wooden ones that Confederate soldiers carried, but which would not be appropriate for Union soldiers. Do you have a passion for Ancient Rome, medieval fashion, or Colonial America, and the Salem Witch Trials? What period of history most grabs your interest? The derogatory term for this same person is stitch nazi.. Women have to make the effort to disguise themselves as men. Before you purchase a musket and show up to your first event, you may find the following tips useful. 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. It is ultimately more important that you be happy and fulfilled in reenacting to ensure the hobby remains vibrant than for any particular unit to add an additional musket to the ranks. Children as young as 8 have been seen at many reenactments partaking in field music. Welcome to the home of the 52nd Tennessee Co. C. We are a group of living historians centered around the American Civil War. An Authentic Civil War Living History Association, Top Five Tips for Getting Started in Civil War Reenacting. Muster A gathering, especially of troops, for service, inspection, review or roll call. There's nothing volunteering in a historical reenactment to experience the sights, sounds and smells of history. Your email address will not be published. Their website is: http://www.citizenscompanion.com/. And many battle reenactment societies require that you acquaint yourself thoroughly with the manual of arms. Brogans are broad-soled half boots with leather soles worn by the common foot soldier. 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. 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. Instead they staged brigade-sized snowball fights. This can mean everything from uncomfortable clothes and terrible food to inclement weather and a poor excuse for a bed. After a near disaster where one reenactor was hit by a Mini ball fragment left in a musket that had been live fired before the event, the National Park Service thereafter banned reenactments from being held on its battlefields. The basic costs of outfitting an infantryman are between $1,500 and $2,000 which rises to $2,500 to $3,000 with the purchase of tents, ponchos, cooking gear, overcoats and other additional gear. They are wondering if sleeping on the ground is as much fun as it was when they were young. "How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting." A few options to consider. Perry's Headquarters Flag, Authentic, Original, Antique Civil War Cavalry Boots, 1840-Civil War Authentic Mechanic/ Wheel Cap Campaigner Repro by Mike Anderson, A RARE AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL EARLY CIVIL WAR CAVALRY UNIFORM, Authentic General US Grant Civil War Currier and Ives Lithograph Original Frame. Each unit has a different function and will provide a much different experience. The 26th North Carolina Troops and the 24th Michigan ran head-on into each other on the first day of Gettysburg in McPhersons Woods. Experience being part of bringing our nation's most turbulent and tragic era to life. 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. The 125th Franklin, Tennessee event was held in minus 10 wind chill. Mainstreamers cheerfully accept the nickname TBG- which stands for Tubby Bearded Guys. Cavalry reenactors have uniforms that are patterned after original cavalry uniforms. Too far back and the soldier in the front rank is too close to the muzzle blast. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. If looking to dive into Vietnam reenacting, the number one piece of advice is to speak to a unit before making purchases. This can be a great way to save money, but make sure you run all major purchases by your mentor to ensure youre buying quality gear and not getting swindled. Most reenactors collect their kit over a period of time, borrowing from generous fellow soldiers until they are fully outfitted. Post Advance Schedules Up to 1 Year in Advance. To those who do not do it, reenacting may seem like an odd hobby; spending the weekend recreating a war that killed upwards of three quarters of a million people when the United States population was just 31 million. Just as in the 1860s, some reenacting gear can be shoddy (a Civil War era word), so taking knowledgeable advice from other veteran reenactors in ones unit makes sure newcomers do not buy the wrong gear. . As they learn how to be a soldier, they take tests and advance through the non-commissioned ranks to corporals and sergeants. How to join a reenactment group is not the hardest part of this journey, it's just the beginning. Finding a reenactment unit has gone 21st century. The problem with these specialty impressions is that they only operate as units. Need a reference? As you look at different reenacting units, you may see three terms in particular, which are commonly used to describe different segments of the reenacting spectrum. Artillery reenactors are expected to know how to work all of the positions of the cannon, which can cost upwards of $15,000 and likely belongs to one person. Also, merchants who set up during reenactments and sell period-style goods to reenactors and the public. In 2014 the name was changed to North Florida Artillery Historical Foundation, Inc. was established as a non profit/IRS organization. Otherwise, the 60 grains of powder and a piece of paper wadding for each charge is authentic. 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. 2) Consider What You Want Out of Reenacting: Spend some time thinking about what aspects of reenacting interest you. For instance, the Stonewall Brigades list is located here. Many units have loaner gear or special requirements. Reenactments vary greatly in size, with events in New England typically showcasing 100500 infantry, while the 150th anniversary of Gettysburg in 2013 is expected to field more than 15,000 reenactors, plus thousands of civilian interpreters, 400 horses, and 100 cannon. The United States Colored Troops, the freemen and runaway slaves who joined the Union army in numbers around 180,000, are a small, but highly appreciated branch of reenacting. One place to find equipment for sale is at the reenactment events. Reenactors adopt what they call impressions based on the type of person they want to portray. A reenactor could choose that impression by joining a reenacting unit following those uniform guidelines. Most reenacting units have both a website and a Facebook page, making it easier for people to find local units. Little children have no business on the field because they can become separated from parents. If you've gotten this far then hopefully you've put some thought into this endeavor. In addition to having to wear hot, uncomfortable clothing, participants can forget about sleeping in comfortable beds, eating decent food and taking hot showers. If you can find material written by men from the unit you portray, even better. Civil War Reenactment Groups The American Civil War, fought between 1861 and 1865, continues to live on in the form of living history reenactments. Most reenactment organizations also won't allow children under 16 to bear arms. Before you start investing cash in reenacting, attend enough events to ensure that its a hobby that you truly enjoy and want to purse. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1999. Reenactors enjoy camping, cooking over an open fire, guns, loud noises, marching, military discipline, and telling stories. Can one really hear a Civil War era term the rattle of musketry? These events help reenactors immerse themselves in the reenacting experience, gaining first-hand knowledge of war, battle strategy, and the hardships of combat. The only difference between the Civil War and the reenacting firing is that no Mini ball is rammed down the barrel. - Confederate States or Confederate States Army. Reenactors do not dwell on that terrible human cost. Many organizations, particularly Civil War, offer family friendly scenarios. The Author (far right in a Derby) with Shelby Foote at a Reenactment in the Early 1990s, Photograph provided by: Color Sergeant Clint Johnson 26th Regiment of North Carolina Troops, Shelby Foote, a historian who spent more than 20 years writing a three-volume history of The Civil War, was surrounded by several reenactors outside of a university where he was speaking. .com/us/military/civil-war-reenactor.html. Reenacting events come in varying categories. Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era is a Pulitzer Prize-winning work on the American Civil War. How does a starving man march 20 miles then go into a three-hour battle? [1]. But, for whatever reason, something about recreating the life of a Civil War soldier resonates with you and youre interested in joining the hobby. 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. 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. Muskets are real guns and fire a full powder charge but no bullet. Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about. Reenactors carry everything with them with no resupply from a vehicle, speak in first person and essentially lose themselves entirely in the war for the weekend. Perhaps a particular company or regiment in the war had distinctive uniforms. Not all reenactment groups will offer the same experiences. We do this by portraying soldiers and citizens at . Being a Civil War reenactor is about stepping back in time to create believable characterpersonaor what reenactors call an impression. Most reenacting units are equipped to act as either Federal or Confederate troops in order to be able to balance numbers at reenacting events. Load more. How to join a unit, where and how to k. Don't let that stop you! Reenactors living near each other form around a company that comes from that same geographic area. Across the United States, Civil War battles rank among the most popular events to reenact -- they're often held on the original battlefields for true authenticity. Then again in 1938, those same veterans returned. Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved by Milsurpia. AUTHENTIC Civil War Flag General W.F. And finally, muskets are real guns. How did my ancestors survive battles, diseases, and prison camps on far away battlefields then return home to produce me? Have you often wondered what it might have been like to actually live in the past? Aside from physical distance, a reenactor needs to take into consideration a few factors.

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