how to join a civil war reenactment group

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. 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. Do you have a passion for Ancient Rome, medieval fashion, or Colonial America, and the Salem Witch Trials? Living histories take place at the actual battlefield by invitation from the National Park Service. The only difference between the Civil War and the reenacting firing is that no Mini ball is rammed down the barrel. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. A police officer grips a corner of a torn U.S. flag at a memorial ceremony in New York on Sept. 11, 2004. Reenactments are only fun if there are enough enemies on the other side. Cavalry reenacting is the most expensive branch to portray as the mounted soldiers have to buy period saddles, bridles, carbines, shotguns, pistols and sabers in addition to owning and transporting the horses to the events. If you asked to galvanize (switch sides) for a battle or event, dont complain. 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. Check your local newspaper or search the Internet to find a reenactment near you. Required fields are marked *. 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. The exhaustion felt at the end of that reenacting march brings home the realization that the soldiers of the Civil War were tough. That model Springfield was not developed until 1869. Sometimes, you'll be able to find authentic uniforms to wear to reenactments, especially for 20th-century wars. Marches can range from a mile or so from camp to the battlefield to more than 20 miles at special events. We come from in and around Shelby County. Check out our article How to Join a Reenactment Group. The largest event was the 135th Gettysburg reenactment which involved 15,000 reenactors. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Jane McGrath It is particularly valuable for its calendar of upcoming events, and book reviews. or C.S.A. The persona you select should have some personal significance to you. Authentic Campaigner is a blog dedicated to events, impressions, goods, etc. Invitation events are smaller with limited numbers of participants making them easier to manage. Perhaps you have a deep interest in the Civil War and want to experience it and understand it in a way that books can never truly capture. Mega-events also created problems for reenactors such as too little and too far away parking, too little drinking water, and too few port-a-johns. These organizations will often have a camp life where young ones can partake in 1860's life styles. American Civil War Reenactment Groups Historical reenactment groups and living history groups offer an insight into how men and women lived in past times. Merchants known as sutlers set up on-site to sell clothing, accessories and weapons. While Confederate regulations called for a kepi, most men opted for a slouch hat, a broad-brimmed hat of varying styles. Muskets are real guns and fire a full powder charge but no bullet. 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. In exchange for staging drill and firing demonstrations for the visiting public, the reenactment units (usually those with a reputation for authenticity) are allowed to camp on the actual battlefields. 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. An Authentic Civil War Living History Association, Top Five Tips for Getting Started in Civil War Reenacting. 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. Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Italy, Denmark . If looking to dive into Vietnam reenacting, the number one piece of advice is to speak to a unit before making purchases. Check ourencyclopedia for a gloss on thousands of topics from biographies to the table of elements. Civil War Reenactment Groups The American Civil War, fought between 1861 and 1865, continues to live on in the form of living history reenactments. Few units allow people in 21st century garb to camp in the military camp as it detracts from the reenactment atmosphere. 2 nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment, Co. These can range anywhere from $5 a month to $25 a month. Reenacting. That will mean pushing long hair under a hat, taking off ear rings, and doing their best to hide the evidence of being female. 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. 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. They are wondering if sleeping on the ground is as much fun as it was when they were young. 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. 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. Check out our article How to Join a Reenactment Group. 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. To a CIVIL WAR reenactment. 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. Infoplease knows the value of having sources you can trust. This Forum is for Posting Civil War Event Information. 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. Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist and the author of The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy. Reenacting units are organized in companies and regiments by reenactors from the same geographic area, much as Civil War companies and regiments were organized. The granddaddy of all Civil War sutlers started outfitting reenactors in the mid-1970s. 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. Perhaps a particular company or regiment in the war had distinctive uniforms. 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. Discover more about American history at one of these events. Think about who you are in real life,or the person you secretly want to be, and translate that to an individual who lived during your time period of interest. But if you want to portray a German soldier from World War II, the uniforms are pricier -- typically $300 to $400 [source: Miller]. 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). This manual includes such things as company tactics and firing details [source: Miller]. Farby is a Civil War Reenactment term for anything not typical of the period. Whats not to like? Many units keep a stock of uniforms and other equipment on hand in order to let people try the hobby out rather than invest in it only to discover that they do not really like playing the role of a 1860s soldier. Civil War Reenacting makes an effort to list the websites of reenacting units, but, as might be expected, many units are not listed here. If you are having any kind of encampment and want it in a certain order, let them know ahead of time. A local company commander will be assigned to recruit new members, train them in the basics of military drill, and guide them in the purchase of the correct gear. While doing their impression many will do a first-person impression. Post Advance Schedules Up to 1 Year in Advance. Colorado Connecticut. Children as young as 8 have been seen at many reenactments partaking in field music. Florida. Too far forward, and the percussion cap is exploding in his ear. The totally geared up reenactor will invest around $2 500 to $3 000 however that equipment with the exception of brogans will last as long as the reenactor will. or C.S.A. Each reenactment is a unique experience that allows participants to see through the eyes of a historical person and undergo all the hardships that go along with the times -- short of actually being killed in battle or catching typhoid. The 49th Indiana, Company F is Indiana's oldest and largest nonprofit organization devoted to portraying life during the American Civil War. 7th Florida Infantry Regiment, Company F. 21st Georgia Volunteer Infantry Civil War Reenactment Unit, 24th Georgia vols Company B civil War reenacting group, Company A, 2nd Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters, 104th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Company H, First Maryland Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 28th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Company B, 4th Texas Co. E / 16th Michigan Co. B Civil War Reenactors, Reynolds' Battery L 1st New York Light Artillery, 75th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company A, Company "C" 2nd Regiment Berdan Sharpshooters. 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. The further that is away from the face, the better. Once you do, it's time to create your own historical persona. For official duties, these youngstersoften between 10 and 14were called on to fill supporting roles such as drummers, buglers, messengers, and field assistants. Infantry is the easiest branch to learn and to finance. Oftentimes, a young person will find themselves interested in living history but struggle to get involved. Most reenacting units have both a website and a Facebook page, making it easier for people to find local units. Learn more about the mythic conflict between the Argives and the Trojans. Too many curious volunteers have spent hundreds of dollars on costumes and equipment only to find out that the experience is more grueling than they bargained for. 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. American Civil War Reenactment Groups. This video brings you to the historic battlefields of Aike. The Event Wire - Information. Instead they staged brigade-sized snowball fights. Choose a Persona There are essentially three types of reenactors; mainstream, campaigners, and stitch counters. By the time Ken Burns PBS special The Civil War debuted in 1990 interest in the War was on an upswing. The 26th North Carolina Troops and the 24th Michigan ran head-on into each other on the first day of Gettysburg in McPhersons Woods. Do your research before making any purchases to ensure that you get the most authentic bang for your buck. There is no poll showing where reenactors live, but observation would put a majority of them in The South. "How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting." Not only does it reinforce our sense of pride in our heritage, but its something in which the entire family can participate. Reenactors living near each other form around a company that comes from that same geographic area. 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. As a spectator, you have a great opportunity to get a preview of what volunteering is like. A plastic mug would be farby as would a polyester uniform since they didnt have polyester in 1861. 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. No detail about a reenactors appearance should be ignored. 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. The organization has grown to include dozens of civil war reenactors and their families. Prospective reenactors should research units to judge how accepting they are of family participation. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. You'll have the Web at your fingertips to research an object's authenticity -- and to compare prices from multiple vendors. Hundreds of . For the sake of authenticity, women do not bear arms. All races and ethnicities can reenact. In FULL SLAVE garb. They are also made from a relatively standardized style, so they can be used across a wide variety of impressions should you ultimately decide to join another unit or develop a different impression. Family Friendly Units - If reenacting is to become your next family adventure, you're going to have to find a family friendly unit.

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