You've probably thought to yourself that reenacting sounds like fun, but you're just not sure about committing yourself due to time, money, and lack of know-how. Confederate States or Confederate States Army. Men and boys threw on gray and blue pants and work shirts, grabbed whatever arms they could find, and marched out onto whatever fields were handy to recreate battles. Battle reenactments are scripted recreations of actual Civil War engagements, which spectators pay to come and watch. All reenactors come into the unit as privates. And many battle reenactment societies require that you acquaint yourself thoroughly with the manual of arms. The 49th Indiana, Company F is Indiana's oldest and largest nonprofit organization devoted to portraying life during the American Civil War. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. Most reenactors are everyday people from all walks of life, with ages ranging from 16 to people in their sixties. How the Civilian Conservation Corps Worked, Historical Reenactment Costumes and Equipment, 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. It is particularly valuable for its calendar of upcoming events, and book reviews. Once you've chosen a time period and character, you need to learn everything you can,from the way they dressed and ate, to their manner of speech, cultural beliefs, and social interactions. Once you do, it's time to create your own historical persona. 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! Both shows used reenactors for the first time, a revelation for Hollywood directors who suddenly realized that their extras knew how to act like Civil War soldiers. Modern day work boots are not acceptable. 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. Your email address will not be published. . 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. The USCTs fought as all Black units commanded by white officers. or C.S.A. While the majority of soldiers were in the 1840 age range, in many enlistment cases birth years were overlooked, or were fabricated. 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. Once you invest time and money into historical volunteerism, you'll likely find great reward from all your efforts. 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. The majority of reenactors choose to be soldiers, but even in a military reenactment group, there are other characters, such as wives, camp followers, surgeons, tinkers and sutlers (merchants). 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. Sutlers set up large tents at reenactments and also sell on-line. Prospective reenactors should research units to judge how accepting they are of family participation. To volunteer in historical reenactments, you'll be dedicating your time, sacrificing your modern comforts and paying a pretty penny. Your mentor can also assist you in finding used gear either from unit members or outside resources like eBay or Facebook. Cavalry reenactors have uniforms that are patterned after original cavalry uniforms. Historical reenactment groups and living history groups offer an insight into how men and women lived in past times. What did the Gettysburg artillery barrage sound like? 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. We have members in four states Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Arkansas. Do your research before making any purchases to ensure that you get the most authentic bang for your buck. Keep attending reenactments until you find a period that suits your specific interests and talents. 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. 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. But if you're more interested in other wars or time periods, don't despair. In a reenactment, a persona is a character and role that you choose to portray. During the Civil War Native Americans, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics fought on both sides. 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. Did you have ancestors who participated in a particular war? Reenactments are only fun if there are enough enemies on the other side. 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. The exhaustion felt at the end of that reenacting march brings home the realization that the soldiers of the Civil War were tough. When brigaded with other units, a reenactor general may command 200-300 men. Some units have fifers and drummers. They are encouraged to buy their opposite impression as soon as they can afford the cost. Civilian - A person, male or female, who reenacts any non-military impression during Reenactments. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. Mainstreamers cheerfully accept the nickname TBG- which stands for Tubby Bearded Guys. 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. How did my ancestors survive battles, diseases, and prison camps on far away battlefields then return home to produce me? After all, every one of the reenactors at an event arrived in a 21st century vehicle of some kind. But, for whatever reason, something about recreating the life of a Civil War soldier resonates with you and youre interested in joining the hobby. There are essentially three types of reenactors; mainstream, campaigners, and stitch counters. It publishes articles such as how to cut and pack rations of raw pork, how to properly do bayonet drill, calendars of events, and how to contact different reenactment units. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. Invitation events are smaller events where organizers limit the number of participants in order to better manage the scale. Whoever is physically able can take to the battlefield with certain age restrictions. In 2014 the name was changed to North Florida Artillery Historical Foundation, Inc. was established as a non profit/IRS organization. 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. A colonial shopkeeper will have a pretty simple costume compared to a Civil War general's uniform. Most will sleep/camp at the reenactment event. They like to bring tents, camp chairs, hidden ice chests, and other gear that the original army would never have had. In historical reenactments, people from all walks of life gather together, dressed head-to-toe in period clothing. Powell, Kimberly. - "A Union Civil War Living History and Reenacting organization located in the greater Connecticut area. A Civil War Reenactment is the recreation of past battles for the education and entertainment of both spectators and hobbyists alike. Muskets are real guns and fire a full powder charge but no bullet. Any unit you contact should be extremely welcoming and do everything they can to have you join their ranks. The further that is away from the face, the better. CIVIL WAR REENACTING | How to Join a Unit 9,438 views Premiered Mar 6, 2019 405 Dislike Share Save Studio T Reenacting 3.33K subscribers https://28thmass.org Lately I've noticed quite a. Civil War reenactors attempt to answer Footes rhetorical question by putting their 21st century selves into the roles of 19th century people. 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. Learn fife or drum. The reason is obvious. Reenactors often do more interacting with the visiting public such as performing drill and firing demonstrations, and giving flag and equipment talks. We do this by portraying soldiers and citizens at . Their website is: http://www.citizenscompanion.com/. 4. Little children have no business on the field because they can become separated from parents. Before you start investing cash in reenacting, attend enough events to ensure that its a hobby that you truly enjoy and want to purse. If you crave intrigue and a dash of melodrama, historical fiction can make the past come alive. We had a weekend with perfect weather and many exciting and educational activities. If you can find material written by men from the unit you portray, even better. The future of reenacting rests on the shoulders of younger generations. 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. 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. The atmosphere is relaxed, allowing reenactors to recruit new members. We are a Civil War reenactment group based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that portrays the 9th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry (US). These reenactors can make a modest living by working in museums or historic sites such as Plymouth, Mass., or Williamsburg, Va. By Robert Arvay. 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. 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. Historical reenacting gives you that chance. While family involvement may be the goal of some reenactors, others enjoy the freedom of being away from the family on the weekend. Stitch counters are authenticity historians who know the history of hats, shoes, uniforms, muskets, buttons, even how a uniform was manufactured thus the nick name. 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. Or, Dad can stay in the military camp while Mom and the kids stay in a civilian camp. 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. 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 . 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. 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 . For official duties, these youngstersoften between 10 and 14were called on to fill supporting roles such as drummers, buglers, messengers, and field assistants. I show up. Here you can find a list of groups that portray the Great War period. 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. We strive for accurate historical depiction of our original unit." YouTube Video Creator "History Boy" Drummer, 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Co. 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. 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. 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. 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. A haversack, a kind of handbag worn over the left shoulder, is generally black. 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). Now i ma Historical reenactors are known for being sticklers for accuracy. 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. 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. Not only does it reinforce our sense of pride in our heritage, but its something in which the entire family can participate. For further reading suggestions and links to many of these online resources, please see the Stonewall Brigades Recommended Reading list. 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. The unit you ultimately join should be in a position to provide the elements that you want to get out of reenacting. Be sure to look into this. First-person When a reenactor speaks to fellow reenactors and the public as a person during the 1860s. This can mean everything from uncomfortable clothes and terrible food to inclement weather and a poor excuse for a bed. "Dream Job: Historical Reenactor." 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. 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 ]. Most reenacting units are equipped to act as either Federal or Confederate troops in order to be able to balance numbers at reenacting events. (2020, August 26). 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. The stitch counters can belong in either the mainstream or the campaigner camp. 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. Infoplease is a reference and learning site, combining the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas and several almanacs loaded with facts. As a spectator, you have a great opportunity to get a preview of what volunteering is like. Between a quarter and a third of the Union army was made up of European immigrants so real or imitation Irish and eastern European accents are welcome. The largest event was likely the 135th Gettysburg reenactment where an estimated 15,000 attended. There's nothing volunteering in a historical reenactment to experience the sights, sounds and smells of history. or C.S.A. Before you purchase a musket and show up to your first event, you may find the following tips useful. They are wondering if sleeping on the ground is as much fun as it was when they were young. The only difference between the Civil War and the reenacting firing is that no Mini ball is rammed down the barrel. "How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting." Can one really hear a Civil War era term the rattle of musketry? 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 ]. The 150th Manassas, Virginia event was held when the temperature on the field was 114 degrees. 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. 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. Reenacting units are organized in some of the same ways as Civil War companies and regiments. Mega events involve thousands of reenactors. Stan Honda . 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. 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.