The 125th anniversary of the start of the war in 1986 saw reenacting turn into a serious hobby. Just as in the Civil War armies, men who take on the rank must be able to perform at that rank. And, they must already have relationships with the brigades and divisions they want to command. Becoming a historical re-enactor requires an unquenchable thirst for history and abiding patience with uncomfortable accommodations and ridiculous outfits. Being a Civil War reenactor is about stepping back in time to create believable characterpersonaor what reenactors call an impression. 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. Don't let that stop you! Both sides tolerate them. They are great foundational introductions to the topic. 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. While those shows inspired then young, now-middle aged reenactors to study the war, the producers paid little attention to authenticity. Speculation among reenactors is that smaller, focused events is where the hobby is headed. Or, Dad can stay in the military camp while Mom and the kids stay in a civilian camp. How do I join a unit as a reenactor? We are active from Virginia to New England. Reenactors believe that a weekend playing soldier or civilian brings them closer to understanding the experiences of the men and women who lived in that time. 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. Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. Colorado Connecticut. The best first purchase you can make is a pair of well-built shoes, usually called brogans or bootees. I. Delaware. All reenactors come into the unit as privates. The persona is sometimes referred to as an impression. 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. Women reenactors portraying soldiers are not uncommon, just as there were women in ranks during the Civil War. The 49th Indiana Volunteer Infantry is Indiana's oldest, largest and best drilled civil war unit. If you've gotten this far then hopefully you've put some thought into this endeavor. Hundreds of . 2) Consider What You Want Out of Reenacting: Spend some time thinking about what aspects of reenacting interest you. We are a Civil War reenactment group based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that portrays the 9th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry (US). Following are some useful terms to acquaint you with Civil War Reenacting. 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. Too far forward, and the percussion cap is exploding in his ear. 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. While the vast majority of reenactors are standard uniformed Confederate and Union soldiers, there are some small numbers who wear unique uniforms. ThoughtCo. Reenactments are only fun if there are enough enemies on the other side. 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. Check your local newspaper or reenactment Web sites for listings of upcoming reenactment events in your area. You'll also have to brush up on the language and customs specific to the era. Did you have ancestors who participated in a particular war? A reenactor is a special breed of person. While family involvement may be the goal of some reenactors, others enjoy the freedom of being away from the family on the weekend. 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. Our way to offer tribute to these great men of the Civil War is to study as much as possible . No one in the 21st century really knows what it was like in the 19th century, but one can develop an idea from reading about the time period and convert that idea into a reenacting reality. The 26th North Carolina Troops and the 24th Michigan ran head-on into each other on the first day of Gettysburg in McPhersons Woods. 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. Many units have loaner gear or special requirements. A few options to consider. Living like a person in 1863, even if only for a few hours or a few days, would surely sharpen your skills as a historian, actor, and citizen. For instance, the 26th Regiment of North Carolina Troops also portrays the 24th Michigan of The Iron Brigade when it reenacts as Federals. Reenacting can be a family hobby with Dad, Mom, and the kids all portraying 19th century roles. What did the Gettysburg artillery barrage sound like? The state of Pennsylvania hosted thousands of former Union and Confederate soldiers during the weeklong event. Their website is: http://www.citizenscompanion.com/. 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. Still, American Civil War reenactments can take place wherever the hobbyists can find ground. Reenacting units are organized in some of the same ways as Civil War companies and regiments. 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. 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. The largest event was the 135th Gettysburg reenactment which involved 15,000 reenactors. Choose a Persona How did my ancestors survive battles, diseases, and prison camps on far away battlefields then return home to produce me? 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. American Civil War Reenactment Groups Historical reenactment groups and living history groups offer an insight into how men and women lived in past times. and then went into battle to save Lees army, but until one has marched that same route, it is all theory. Threadcounter A reenactor who insists on a historically accurate impression, down to fabric and buttonholes having the same threadcount typical of the time. Historical reenactors are known for being sticklers for accuracy. Have you often wondered what it might have been like to actually live in the past? A canteen holding about two quarts of water is critical. Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about. 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. 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 . The Texas Rifles are seeking men and women of valor to join us and thousands of other history-minded hobbyists to experience, first hand, one of the country's fastest-growing, most unique recreational activities. Modern day work boots are not acceptable. The three types seem to always be warring with each other in blog posts with the campaigners laughing at the age of the mainstreamers; the mainstreamers laughing at the campaigners with their dirty faces; and the stitch counters laughing at both of them for wearing a uniform that was proper in 1862, but which wasnt worn in 1864. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. "How to Become a Re-Enactor." We come from in and around Shelby County. Reenactors who claim: My ancestors would roll over in their graves if I portrayed the other side are frowned upon. 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. With sound recordings, new generations could hear the Rebel yellyelped by 95-year-old men who still had the spunk to give it. Some larger units will have majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels. The USCTs fought as all Black units commanded by white officers. Reenactors do not dwell on that terrible human cost. 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. 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). Confederate Zouaves called Louisiana Tigers wear striped baggy pants. 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. Don't be overwhelmed! The reason is obvious. The hobby of Civil War reenacting continues to attract participants and spectators who care about Civil War history and the 19th century people who lived it. Most units require members to be at least 16 years old before they can fall into ranks with a musket because of the maturity necessary to handle a firearm. Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. 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. Each unit also has a slightly different personality and quirks they might be laid back or intense, their members may all have similar backgrounds and have known each other all their lives or they may be more diverse, they may be highly social at events and the life of the party or they may be more reserved. Check with your reenacting unit before buying any gun. The organization has grown to include dozens of civil war reenactors and their families. 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. 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. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. Invitation events are smaller with limited numbers of participants making them easier to manage. And that's not including weaponry: An M1 Garand will put you out $700 to $900, while other period guns cost less than $100. A Civil War Reenactment will have various units such as artillery, cavalry, or infantry units. "How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting." 53rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company C, Inc. Company B of the 71st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 87th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company C, 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company A, 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Co B, 151st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company D, 10th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 12th Virginia Infantry, Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and K, Co. E of the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 33d Regiment - Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company K, 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Association, Company E, 3rd Regiment, Confederate Engineers. The Event Wire - Information. *This post may contain affiliate links. There are a wide variety of canteens including wooden ones that Confederate soldiers carried, but which would not be appropriate for Union soldiers. Otherwise, the 60 grains of powder and a piece of paper wadding for each charge is authentic. For the sake of authenticity, women do not bear arms. The most famous reenactment of the 1960s was the July 1961 Battle of First Manassas or Bull Run, held on the Manassas National Battlefield. 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. By joining such a society, you'll have time to try out your persona before committing to any major purchases for your own kit. Reenactors often do more interacting with the visiting public such as performing drill and firing demonstrations, and giving flag and equipment talks. For reenactments that span several days, this can be grueling. Take the time to fully research your character and period, considering where yourpersonalives, his age, hisoccupation, and his social status, before purchasing items which may or may not be authentic or appropriate. Larger regiments will combine those companies to form a state-wide organization. Do your research before making any purchases to ensure that you get the most authentic bang for your buck. Civil War soldiers or civilians didnt have digital watches or plastic frame eyeglasses. Three factors come into play, and the United States demonstrates all of them. Historical reenacting gives you that chance. Also welcome are Black reenactors portraying slaves or free blacks, teamsters, horse handlers, or other roles common to the period. Prospective reenactors should research units to judge how accepting they are of family participation. During the Civil War Native Americans, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics fought on both sides. Most reenactment organizations also won't allow children under 16 to bear arms. Unit Type - Not all organizations are the same.

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