While military reenacting is popular in many countries and covering many wars, Civil War Reenacting has been a growing hobby since it began in the 1960s spurred on by the Centennial. Reenactments are only fun if there are enough enemies on the other side. 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. Reenactments are family events, so feel free to bring the kids, too. 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. Required fields are marked *. That could be in California, Wisconsin, or even Russia. Be sure to look into this. Reenactors do not dwell on that terrible human cost. "Become a Member." I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links at no additional cost to you. For many people, there's nothing drier than a dense history book. 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, or living historians.. How do war reenactments work? Germany . Some units are thinking of staging parts of battles as authentically as possible, complete with the scaled down, but statistically correct numbers of casualties, and the maneuvers mentioned in survivor accounts. 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. Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. It was anticipation of the 125th anniversary events, starting in 1986, when reenacting turned into a serious hobby. Florida. They'll have fun watching the excitement, and you'll get to teach them about history. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. 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. All races and ethnicities can reenact. If looking to dive into Vietnam reenacting, the number one piece of advice is to speak to a unit before making purchases. Gear - How much a reenactor spends on their gear is a product of individual means, love for the hobby, and type of unit. Welcome! Particularly welcomeand neededat reenactments are Black reenactors. 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 ]. Can one really hear a Civil War era term the rattle of musketry? Focused events try to recreate parts of battles. Winter reenactors will want heavy overcoats which can cost upwards of $300. Stan Honda . First-person - When a reenactor speaks to fellow reenactors and the public as a person during the 1860s. I. Delaware. American Civil War Reenactment Groups Historical reenactment groups and living history groups offer an insight into how men and women lived in past times. They are great foundational introductions to the topic. If youre interested in an immersive, authentic experience, joining a mainstream unit will be a poor fit. These characteristics can be challenging to identify by examining a units website or Facebook page or by chatting with the members at an event. Since the war took place in the South, it is more difficult for Yankees in Northern states to make the events in the Southern states. 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). Some larger units will have majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels. Their website is: www.CivilWarNews.com, Camp Chase Gazette is a how-to magazine for authentic reenactors. Few units allow people in 21st century garb to camp in the military camp as it detracts from the reenactment atmosphere. If you are having any kind of encampment and want it in a certain order, let them know ahead of time. In summer, many men carry two. The basic costs of outfitting an infantryman are between $1,500 and $2,000 which rises to $2,500 to $3,000 with the purchase of tents, ponchos, cooking gear, overcoats and other additional gear. Just as in the Civil War armies, men who take on the rank must be able to perform at that rank. Brush up on your geography and finally learn what countries are in Eastern Europe with our maps. While reenacting is a hobby, it has some of the trappings of operating in an actual army. 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. 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! It is one of the rich ironies of reenacting that Black Confederates march side by side with white Confederate reenactors, while Black Union troops usually only participate in battles where the USCTs were present such as New Market Heights, Virginia., and Olustee, Florida. That is my indication and EXPRESSED consent to be treated like a slave by all participating confederate soldiers. 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 problem with these specialty impressions is that they only operate as units. Buy at a reenactment or with the help of an experience unit member. 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. Artillery reenactors are expected to know how to work all of the positions of the cannon, which can cost upwards of $15,000 and likely belongs to one person. The youngest vet eran was 61 and the oldest was 112. 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. Eric Tetreault/Connecticut Renaissance Faire. A colonial shopkeeper will have a pretty simple costume compared to a Civil War general's uniform. To volunteer in historical reenactments, you'll be dedicating your time, sacrificing your modern comforts and paying a pretty penny. *This post may contain affiliate links. While some historians downplay or even deny the existence of gun-toting Black Confederates, insisting the only Blacks in Confederate gray were body servants, Black reenactors often have family knowledge that their ancestors did fight for the Confederacy. 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. The exhaustion felt at the end of that reenacting march brings home the realization that the soldiers of the Civil War were tough. Check out our article How to Join a Reenactment Group. John Miller, a veteran reenactor who specializes in the Civil War, warns prospective volunteers that the hobby can get dangerous [source: Miller]. Tacticals are unscripted battles which are usually not open to the public. Reenactors accept discomfort, port-a-johns, close quarters, and the aches that come with carrying gear that weighs 20 pounds or more. By Robert Arvay. If you crave intrigue and a dash of melodrama, historical fiction can make the past come alive. Finding an organization for a child to partake in is not difficult. 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. Each unit has a different function and will provide a much different experience. Discover more about American history at one of these events. You'll have the Web at your fingertips to research an object's authenticity -- and to compare prices from multiple vendors. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. 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. Being a Civil War reenactor is about stepping back in time to create believable characterpersonaor what reenactors call an impression. A love of history of all time periods is common though reenactors focus on the 19th century. 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. Threadcounter A reenactor who insists on a historically accurate impression, down to fabric and buttonholes having the same threadcount typical of the time. All reenactors come into the unit as privates. While the vast majority of reenactors are standard uniformed Confederate and Union soldiers, there are some small numbers who wear unique uniforms. But if you want to portray a German soldier from World War II, the uniforms are pricier -- typically $300 to $400 [source: Miller]. The easiest way for children to get involved in reenacting is to do it as a family. "I decided to join the Civil War reenacting group that helped to make the movie." . A haversack, a kind of handbag worn over the left shoulder, is generally black. That means most Union forces on Southern battlefields likely talk with Southern accents even though they are in blue. Prospective reenactors should research units to judge how accepting they are of family participation. This is especially important when it comes to clothing and weaponry, as we'll see on the next page. There's nothing volunteering in a historical reenactment to experience the sights, sounds and smells of history. 2 nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment, Co. A reenactor could choose that impression by joining a reenacting unit following those uniform guidelines. This video brings you to the historic battlefields of Aike. 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. Now i ma and then went into battle to save Lees army, but until one has marched that same route, it is all theory. The important thing to remember is the child still needs adult supervision. Uniforms are all wool for Federal portrayals, and a wool and cotton blend for Confederates. Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. Cavalry reenactors have uniforms that are patterned after original cavalry uniforms. The 150th Manassas, Virginia event was held when the temperature on the field was 114 degrees. 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. 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. Perhaps you have a friend in the hobby who has encouraged you to give it a try. olg pick 4 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. Reenacting units keep a list of approved sutlers that have proven to stock authentic and well-made goods. It was I who asked historian Shelby Foote some 20 years ago: Is there anything about The War you dont know? I got the quick answer: I still dont know how they did it.. In addition to having to wear hot, uncomfortable clothing, participants can forget about sleeping in comfortable beds, eating decent food and taking hot showers. Civil War Reenacting makes an effort to list the websites of reenacting units, but, as might be expected, many units are not listed here. Still, American Civil War reenactments can take place wherever the hobbyists can find ground. Most reenacting units have both a website and a Facebook page, making it easier for people to find local units. Members may portray either a military impression, or one of many civilian roles which are appropriate to the Civil War period. What period of history most grabs your interest? The 26th North Carolina Troops and the 24th Michigan ran head-on into each other on the first day of Gettysburg in McPhersons Woods. 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. 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. Authentic Campaigner is a blog dedicated to events, impressions, goods, etc. Not all organizations allow family's along for the ride. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. While the three-banded musket is standard, there might be the occasional chance to carry something else. 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. Typical costs for reenacting might include the following. This manual includes such things as company tactics and firing details [source: Miller]. Civil War reenacting group in Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, and New Hampshire. Your mentor can also assist you in finding used gear either from unit members or outside resources like eBay or Facebook. Beginners should start by attending Civil War Reenactments and observing what goes on. Scouring the sutlers' goods may also set you up for an impulse buy that your historic persona doesn't really need. 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. 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. 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. How do I join a unit as a reenactor? The gear does not stop at just a firearm either. Events Could Include: Reenactments, Living Histories, Round Tables, Battlewalks, Shows, Lectures & More. Reenactors living near each other form around a company that comes from that same geographic area. Civil War reenactors attempt to answer Footes rhetorical question by putting their 21st century selves into the roles of 19th century people.
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how to join a civil war reenactment group