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. How do war reenactments work? Just as in the Civil War armies, men who take on the rank must be able to perform at that rank.
How To Get Started With Historical Reenacting - ThoughtCo As you become more engaged with the unit, it's time to think about acquiring your own reenactment kit so that new recruits can use the spares while they test the waters. For a great description of womens clothing and textiles during the Civil War, read this Civil War Fashion piece by Kathy Dhalle on the Bits of Blue & Gray website. Can one really hear a Civil War era term the rattle of musketry?
Winter reenactors will want heavy overcoats which can cost upwards of $300. Before you start investing cash in reenacting, attend enough events to ensure that its a hobby that you truly enjoy and want to purse. American Civil War Reenactment Groups. People come to Civil War reenacting in a myriad of ways. 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. Used by permission of Kathleen Smith. Most reenactors are everyday people from all walks of life, with ages ranging from 16 to people in their sixties. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. That model Springfield was not developed until 1869. Please Keep Reenactment Discussions in Proper Forum! Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. The most stare-inducing women reenactors are those ladies portraying Catholic nuns who served as nurses during the war. Some of the young men who started reenacting decades ago when the 125th anniversary events attracted them are now passing through middle age. Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. A love of history of all time periods is common though reenactors focus on the 19th century. 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. Or, Dad can stay in the military camp while Mom and the kids stay in a civilian camp.
For many people, there's nothing drier than a dense history book. Families wishing to stay together all weekend can portray civilians. While Confederate regulations called for a kepi, most men opted for a slouch hat, a broad-brimmed hat of varying styles. Prospective reenactors should research units to judge how accepting they are of family participation. If you've gotten this far then hopefully you've put some thought into this endeavor. How did my ancestors survive battles, diseases, and prison camps on far away battlefields then return home to produce me? 1) Put the Credit Card Away: The absolute best advice anyone can give you is to delay purchasing any gear. 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. 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.
Reenactment Groups in Central Kentucky - American Civil War Forums 21 Virginia F-Company The atmosphere is relaxed, allowing reenactors to recruit new members. Youre obviously interested in the Civil War, otherwise you wont be considering reenacting. The Centennial created some interest in Hollywood, resulting in some Civil War era television shows like The Gray Ghost (1957) and The Americans (1961), and movies like Shenandoah (1965). People come to Civil War reenacting in a myriad of ways. Reenactors need a shirt, coat, pants, wool socks, and a hat.
Read our groups about historical places and reenactment events - Living Now i ma Your email address will not be published. While two-banded muskets were very common in ranks during the War, reenactors should not use them because of safety concerns with respect to the length of the barrel.
9th KY Learn more about the world with our collection of regional and country maps. 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. What did the Gettysburg artillery barrage sound like? Only a handful of men will make generals and they must know how to command at that level. AUTHENTIC Civil War Flag General W.F. 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. Larger regiments will combine those companies to form a state-wide organization. How does a starving man march 20 miles then go into a three-hour battle? [1]. Read more. 2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. 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. A plastic mug would be farby as would a polyester uniform since they didnt have polyester in 1861.
Our Organization - 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment And finally, muskets are real guns. 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. 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. One note for reenactors living in states with strict gun laws. Three factors come into play, and the United States demonstrates all of them. Otherwise, the 60 grains of powder and a piece of paper wadding for each charge is authentic. What's more, you could get hurt. 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. Modern day work boots are not acceptable. By Robert Arvay.
Civil War Unit Reenactment Links American Civil War reenactment | Military Wiki | Fandom 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. The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. We do this by portraying soldiers and citizens at . 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. Learn fife or drum. These organizations will often have a camp life where young ones can partake in 1860's life styles. Check your local newspaper or search the Internet to find a reenactment near you. Some units have fifers and drummers. But if you want to portray a German soldier from World War II, the uniforms are pricier -- typically $300 to $400 [source: Miller]. Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about. The NPS decided that mock battles detracted from the commemorative nature of the battlefields. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. 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. Civilian reenactors are the least expensive impressions to achieve, and have the most flexibility since the clothes chosen can range from elegant to simple. The problem with these specialty impressions is that they only operate as units. Confederate States or Confederate States Army. She teaches at the Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. Did you have ancestors who participated in a particular war? 2) Consider What You Want Out of Reenacting: Spend some time thinking about what aspects of reenacting interest you. "Dream Job: Historical Reenactor." Reenactors generally participate in three types of events: Battle reenactments are scripted recreations of actual Civil War engagements, which spectators pay to come and watch. Do you have a passion for Ancient Rome, medieval fashion, or Colonial America, and the Salem Witch Trials? 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. 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. If you are up to the task, here's some information to get you started. And, they must already have relationships with the brigades and divisions they want to command. 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. Speculation among reenactors is that smaller, focused events is where the hobby is headed. 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. You can buy relatively cheap U.S. uniforms from the World Wars. Children were active participants in the Civil War. Infoplease is a reference and learning site, combining the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas and several almanacs loaded with facts. 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 ]. (May 8, 2009) http://www.salary.com/personal/layoutscripts/psnl_articles.asp?tab=psn&cat=cat011&ser=ser032, Miller, John. Muskets are real guns and fire a full powder charge but no bullet. Horses, though trained to expect loud noises from cannons, rifles, pistols and clanging sabers, sometimes throw their riders to the ground. But, there are legitimate roles for reenactors in their early teens to act as runners, or fifers or drummers if they are musically inclined to join units which have field musicians. With the exception of events where rains flood the battlefield, reenactments are rarely cancelled for heat or cold. Home Research Top Five Tips for Getting Started in Civil War Reenacting. If you wear eyeglasses, consider purchasing period frames high on your shopping list as well. Reenacting remained a small hobby during the mid-1970s when events numbering several hundred reenactors were common. Aside from physical distance, a reenactor needs to take into consideration a few factors. Women participate as nurses, vivandieres, cooks, laundresses, or wives and sisters visiting the soldier in camp. 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. When events are not limited by the numbers of participants per side, some events have seen Confederates outnumber Federals by five to oneat battles which the Federals won. Are you interested in conducting research into tiny details of soldiers lives? Your email address will not be published. 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. Some civilian reenactors may choose to portray professions such as mortician or battlefield surgeon with some women roaming the field as nurses. All reenactors come into the unit as privates. Whether you've chosen to be a fur trapper, a soldier or a medieval princess, this clothing and accessories you select for your kit should match your persona. Check out our article How to Join a Reenactment Group. Muster A gathering, especially of troops, for service, inspection, review or roll call. It might be a good idea to spring for the unit's annual fee for insurance coverage in case of an injury. Our way to offer tribute to these great men of the Civil War is to study as much as possible . When you're starting out as a volunteer, the unit you're working with will probably have a spare uniform you can borrow. 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. Infantry is the easiest branch to learn and to finance. Reenactors who claim: My ancestors would roll over in their graves if I portrayed the other side are frowned upon. The granddaddy of all Civil War sutlers started outfitting reenactors in the mid-1970s. 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. Living History Archive. Members may portray either a military impression, or one of many civilian roles which are appropriate to the Civil War period. Authentic Campaigner is a blog dedicated to events, impressions, goods, etc. 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 .
Contact | 49th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Co.F Historical reenacting gives you that chance. 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. 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. Typically, the age restriction for most events is 16 years old to carry a musket/rifle. Are you looking for something you can do with your family? We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Reenacting. The youngest vet eran was 61 and the oldest was 112. ThoughtCo. These events help reenactors immerse themselves in the reenacting experience, gaining first-hand knowledge of war, battle strategy, and the hardships of combat. 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 . Civil War soldiers or civilians didnt have digital watches or plastic frame eyeglasses. 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. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. Before you purchase a musket and show up to your first event, you may find the following tips useful. How to join a reenactment group is not the hardest part of this journey, it's just the beginning. Their website is: http://www.citizenscompanion.com/. There is no poll showing where reenactors live, but observation would put a majority of them in The South. The same uniforms worn in the summer are worn in the winter. Mainstreamers cheerfully accept the nickname TBG- which stands for Tubby Bearded Guys. The largest event was the 135th Gettysburg reenactment which involved 15,000 reenactors. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. Our principal reason for existence is to promote an authentic portrayal of Civil War history to the . The future of reenacting rests on the shoulders of younger generations. Civil War reenacting group in Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, and New Hampshire. 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.