Some larger units will have majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels. Most reenactment organizations also won't allow children under 16 to bear arms. 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. Other less expensive options are impressions of a civilian water boy, drummer boy, messenger, or just a regular kidthey were certainly, if unfortunately, caught up in the war. This can mean everything from uncomfortable clothes and terrible food to inclement weather and a poor excuse for a bed. These groups often focus on reenactment of wars, offering members (and sometimes the public) a glimpse of what life was like during the conflicts that shaped history. Infoplease is a reference and learning site, combining the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas and several almanacs loaded with facts. American Civil War Reenactment Groups - Living History archive Camping with ones friends can be an attractive incentive to pack up the gear and drive away rather than staying home doing chores. The easiest way for children to get involved in reenacting is to do it as a family. Almost every reenactor can tell you stories about uniforms or equipment they rushed to purchase when they first started out and later regretted after they learned it was of poor quality or didnt fit the impression they ultimately pursued. Families wishing to stay together all weekend can portray civilians. WELCOME TO THE 49TH INDIANA CO.F. 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. - "A Union Civil War Living History and Reenacting organization located in the greater Connecticut area. There is at least one Civil War era brass band using period instruments and playing period music. At the reenactments of those battles, Federal reenactors with access to repeating rifles like the 1860 Henry or the Spencer rifle or carbine will brigade together to recreate those particular actions. Some units focus on the military side of reenacting, preferring to keep civilian women in a separate camp while other units allow children to run around the military camp. Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about. Mega events involve thousands of reenactors. Most will sleep/camp at the reenactment event. Campaigners are usually young and pride themselves in carrying a minimal amount of gear, sleeping in the open, and being as uncomfortable as they can be, which was the way it was. Now that the sesquicentennial is over, the future of reenacting is being debated. 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. Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom,. Your email address will not be published. Their website is: www.CivilWarNews.com, Camp Chase Gazette is a how-to magazine for authentic reenactors. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. After all, every one of the reenactors at an event arrived in a 21st century vehicle of some kind. 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. Cavalry and artillery reenactors have the added burden of worrying about their horses and mules stepping into holes on the field. While this material is of interest to reenactors, our hobby requires a detailed knowledge of the daily experience of individual soldiers. 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. We have members in four states Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Arkansas. Figure the cost of your accessories into your budget, too. If you asked to galvanize (switch sides) for a battle or event, dont complain. Living history events include encampments, parades, and school enrichment programs. Required fields are marked *. Are you really excited about being a part of large battle reenactments? 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. That is also the reason why most leather gear is black, the standard Union color. 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. While headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, our membership encompasses Maryland, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. 2 nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment, Co. Take your hits (deaths) If you wish to fight in a different unit that a family member fought in during the civil war. If you have any specific ideas, try to make those known as far in advance as possible so the re-enactors know what to expect and can plan to do what you wish. Reenactment Groups - Milsurpia A love of history, a desire to better understand what Civil War era soldiers and civilians experienced, the pleasure of camping with friends and cooking over an open fire all explain why reenactors follow this hobby. Can one really hear a Civil War era term the rattle of musketry? Civil War Reenactment is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States, and with good reason. The 49th Indiana, Company F is Indiana's oldest and largest nonprofit organization devoted to portraying life during the American Civil War. Special Thanks Hundreds of . Extreme Points of the United States (States & Territories), Federal issue forage cap (dark or indigo blue), State issue forage cap with McDowell visor (dark or indigo blue), Federal fatigue blouse ("sack coat," dark or indigo blue) with four brass buttons, Federal trousers, foot pattern (sky blue), Issue muslin shirt (or other period pattern), USM1855 cartridge box, .58 caliber, mid-war model (black leather), USM1855 bayonet scabbard (black leather, one-piece Springfield style), M1853 three-band .577 caliber Enfield rifle musket and bayonet, Musket sling for M1853 Enfield (untreated leather), Haversack, U.S. regulation wartime issue (black tarred canvas), USM1858 smooth side canteen (jean cloth or dark blue wool cover) with strap (leather preferred over cotton drill or linen). st croix zillow dollar genetal near me bnha x innocent reader. While the three-banded musket is standard, there might be the occasional chance to carry something else. Reenactor Groups by State Listing presented by the Quartermaster Shop While reenacting is a hobby, it has some of the trappings of operating in an actual army. Berdans Sharpshooters were a Federal unit of sharpshooters who wore dark green uniforms as an early form of camouflage. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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. If you have the time, it can even be fun to learn to make some of your clothing or items yourself, just as it was done in the past. Learning an instrument is typically the easiest way for children to get involved. 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. Two TV mini-series, Blue & Gray (1982), and North & South (1985) drove interest in reenacting in the early 1980s. Also: Post Your Event Photos, Reviews, & Wrap-Ups. Load more. Reenacting units keep a list of approved sutlers that have proven to stock authentic and well-made goods. Reenactors who claim: My ancestors would roll over in their graves if I portrayed the other side are frowned upon. Some states require even single shot, reproduction muskets to be registered with the government. Reenacting is at a cross-roads. Read our groups about historical places and reenactment events - Living ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links at no additional cost to you. We've got you covered with our map collection. Reenacting for many is a serious, but fun, event. Top Five Tips for Getting Started in Civil War Reenacting The best first purchase you can make is a pair of well-built shoes, usually called brogans or bootees. Reenacting gear includes the uniform, accoutrements, a musket, shoes, hat and more, all purchased from sutlers, merchants specializing in reproduction products for reenactors. All races and ethnicities can reenact. Many units have loaner gear or special requirements. While it is rare, people have died from the exertion. 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. A more specialized type of reenactment is living history, which requires reenactors to adopt specific historic personas and engage directly with the public to educate them about a certain period. Here you can find a list of groups that portray the Great War period. 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. The NPS decided that mock battles detracted from the commemorative nature of the battlefields. Civilian reenactors are the least expensive impressions to achieve, and have the most flexibility since the clothes chosen can range from elegant to simple. 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. There are reenactment groups for almost any era that captures your interest, such as ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, the American Revolution or either of the World Wars. Subscribe to our newsletter * indicates required. And finally, muskets are real guns. Did you have ancestors who participated in a particular war? 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. Photos from the time period show some men marching in ranks with M-1 Garands, World War II semi-automatic rifles. The Texas Rifles - Civil War Reenacting - Reenacting 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. Reenacting remained a small hobby during the mid-1970s when events numbering several hundred reenactors were common. Get Started in Reenacting - ReenactmentHQ The troops do their best to mimic the movements of the actual battle, but as in real war, things often don't go according to plan! Some people do take the "authenticity" to an extreme, but most groups welcome anyone with an interest. That means single reenactors in a specialty uniform must search out similar reenactors to fall in with at events. There are scores of sutlers who operate regionally and nationally. Finding an organization for a child to partake in is not difficult. They like to bring tents, camp chairs, hidden ice chests, and other gear that the original army would never have had. Unit Type - Not all organizations are the same. Reenactors refer to their clothing and equipment as theirkit. Prospective reenactors should research units to judge how accepting they are of family participation. One of the last Civil War reenactments by Civil War vet erans was the Great Reunion of 1913, on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Most units will have a decent collection of clothes, gear, and even muskets that you can borrow, but it is often difficult to find loaner shoes since many reenactors only own a single pair. 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. To volunteer in historical reenactments, you'll be dedicating your time, sacrificing your modern comforts and paying a pretty penny. Reenactor A person, male or female, dedicated to recreating the War Between the States or Civil War. American Civil War reenactment - Wikipedia Emmitsburg Area Historical Society.http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/misc/re-enactor.htm, Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security, How the Civilian Conservation Corp Worked. Farby is a Civil War Reenactment term for anything not typical of the period. How do your feet feel after marching 22 miles in a single day in thin-soled brogans? How Civil Wars Start - Foreign Policy The 49th Indiana Volunteer Infantry is Indiana's oldest, largest and best drilled civil war unit. 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. Your mentor can also assist you in finding used gear either from unit members or outside resources like eBay or Facebook. The website also lists a number of sutler websites. The largest event was the 135th Gettysburg reenactment which involved 15,000 reenactors. Learn more about the mythic conflict between the Argives and the Trojans. A colonial shopkeeper will have a pretty simple costume compared to a Civil War general's uniform. A Captivating Reenactment Of The Civil War Skirmish in Aiken - YouTube Check ourencyclopedia for a gloss on thousands of topics from biographies to the table of elements. And many battle reenactment societies require that you acquaint yourself thoroughly with the manual of arms. It might be a good idea to spring for the unit's annual fee for insurance coverage in case of an injury. The fully equipped reenactor will spend around $2,500 to $3,000, but that gear, with the exception of brogans, will last as long as the reenactor will. Of course, you might decide that Civil War reenactments aren't your cup of tea, and you'd prefer to dabble in the Colonial era. Reenacting Civil War battles began during the War when both sides staged mock battles when heavy snows kept the men in camp from going out and killing each other. Real sticklers discourage men from wearing wedding bands as that custom was not around during The Civil War. Typical costs for reenacting might include the following. They, in turn, showed the VHS tapes to younger historians, who learned that the soldiers on screen were not actors, but young men acting out their historical fantasies. 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. What does it take to start a civil war? - American Thinker 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. Marches can range from a mile or so from camp to the battlefield to more than 20 miles at special events. Uniforms are all wool for Federal portrayals, and a wool and cotton blend for Confederates. Learn how your comment data is processed. While the uniforms are generallywelluniform, hats (at least for Confederate portrayals) can be a matter of personal choice. 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. If there were other units at the events you attended who seemed like a better fit for what youre looking for, consider contacting them about falling in at their next event. 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. Eric Tetreault/Connecticut Renaissance Faire. Reenactment groups and societies can be found all over the world, although they are especially active in the U.S., UK, Germany, Sweden, Canada, and Australia. 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 ]. There is no poll showing where reenactors live, but observation would put a majority of them in The South. You'll have the Web at your fingertips to research an object's authenticity -- and to compare prices from multiple vendors. Colonial-era muskets run a few hundred dollars, and with the rest of the necessary kit, you're looking at more than $1,000 [source: 2nd Rhode Island Regiment]. Reenactors wanting to get as close as possible to how the soldiers lived will use this resource. In addition to having to wear hot, uncomfortable clothing, participants can forget about sleeping in comfortable beds, eating decent food and taking hot showers. Women reenactors portraying soldiers are not uncommon, just as there were women in ranks during the Civil War. If you're portraying a poor farmer during the Revolutionary War, then don't purchase a fancy rifle that would have been out of his financial grasp. Perhaps you have a friend in the hobby who has encouraged you to give it a try. If you are up to the task, here's some information to get you started. Do you have a passion for Ancient Rome, medieval fashion, or Colonial America, and the Salem Witch Trials? Also, merchants who set up during reenactments and sell period-style goods to reenactors and the public. This manual includes such things as company tactics and firing details [source: Miller]. If youre interested in an immersive, authentic experience, joining a mainstream unit will be a poor fit. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. Discover more about American history at one of these events. If looking to dive into Vietnam reenacting, the number one piece of advice is to speak to a unit before making purchases. 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. Perhaps you attended a reenactment as a spectator and found yourself wishing you were in the midst of the smoke and confusion rather than watching it from afar. Hard-core reenactors give up all amenities of modern life, from deodorant to modern wristwatches. 21 Virginia F-Company The important thing to remember is the child still needs adult supervision. Depending upon your reenactment scenario, this may be a real individual or a fictional one who could have lived during your time period of interest. Reenactors often do more interacting with the visiting public such as performing drill and firing demonstrations, and giving flag and equipment talks. Historical reenacting gives you that chance. Reenactments and national parks help reimagine what life was like for 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 . Speculation among reenactors is that smaller, focused events is where the hobby is headed. While the vast majority of reenactors are standard uniformed Confederate and Union soldiers, there are some small numbers who wear unique uniforms. There are a wide variety of canteens including wooden ones that Confederate soldiers carried, but which would not be appropriate for Union soldiers. 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. A canteen holding about two quarts of water is critical. They'll have fun watching the excitement, and you'll get to teach them about history. This is especially important when it comes to clothing and weaponry, as we'll see on the next page. 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. Don't buy a uniform or other equipment until you've joined a unit, which might have its own particular rules for attire. 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. Cavalry reenactors have uniforms that are patterned after original cavalry uniforms. Immersion events are small reenactments that attract campaigners. The derogatory term for this same person is stitch nazi.. 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. "How to Become a Re-Enactor." The basic costs of outfitting an infantryman will run between $1,500 and $2,000 with the bulk of the cost being in the $800 musket. C.S. Most people take their roles seriously and pride themselves on representing history as accurately as possible. For many people, there's nothing drier than a dense history book. The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. Some of the young men who started reenacting decades ago when the 125th anniversary events attracted them are now passing through middle age. Muster A gathering, especially of troops, for service, inspection, review or roll call. Perhaps a particular company or regiment in the war had distinctive uniforms. Finding a reenactment group isn't as easy as looking at a map and finding the unit closest to you. Help/Ideas for Organizing a Reenactment - American Civil War Forums Before you start investing cash in reenacting, attend enough events to ensure that its a hobby that you truly enjoy and want to purse. These can range anywhere from $5 a month to $25 a month. Need a reference? (May 8, 2009) http://www.2ri.org/become_a_member.htm, Bromer, Zachary. 2) Consider What You Want Out of Reenacting: Spend some time thinking about what aspects of reenacting interest you. However, it is important that you find a unit that is a good match for you if you want to continue to enjoy reenacting over the long-haul. Muskets are real guns and fire a full powder charge but no bullet. "Dream Job: Historical Reenactor." For instance, the Stonewall Brigades list is located here. If you've gotten this far then hopefully you've put some thought into this endeavor. Young Civil War Reenactor (photo by D. Farr). 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. Reenactors have a variety of reasons for dressing up on the weekends then plunging into their interpretation of a war that killed, by recent estimates, 750,000 people. 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. But if you've got the mettle and undying enthusiasm for history, we'll walk you through the basics of how to get involved. Reenactors need a shirt, coat, pants, wool socks, and a hat. .com/us/military/civil-war-reenactor.html. Be sure to look into this. These reenactors can make a modest living by working in museums or historic sites such as Plymouth, Mass., or Williamsburg, Va. Besides the weather elements, there may be holes in the field that twist ankles, yellow jacket nests that are disturbed, and poison ivy and poison oak lurking in the woods. Their website is: http://www.citizenscompanion.com/. One place to find equipment for sale is at the reenactment events. If the idea of volunteering in historical reenactments is appealing to you, the first thing you should do is attend some of these events as a spectator. 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. Authentic Campaigner is a blog dedicated to events, impressions, goods, etc. 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. Do your research before making any purchases to ensure that you get the most authentic bang for your buck. For reenactments that span several days, this can be grueling. One note for reenactors living in states with strict gun laws. Mountains might be climbed. Most organization will not watch your 10 year old kid all day. If the unit is a horse-drawn battery, the reenactors are expected to help groom, water, and feed the horses. American Civil War reenactment is an effort to recreate the appearance of a particular battle or other event associated with the American Civil War by hobbyists known (in the United States) as Civil War reenactors, Civil War recreationists, or living historians. 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. Reenacting does require a commitment, however, in both time and resources. The state of Pennsylvania hosted thousands of former Union and Confederate soldiers during the weeklong event. 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. The 26th North Carolina Troops and the 24th Michigan ran head-on into each other on the first day of Gettysburg in McPhersons Woods. Most reenactors collect their kit over a period of time, borrowing from generous fellow soldiers until they are fully outfitted.
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