A Civil War Reenactment is the recreation of past battles for the education and entertainment of both spectators and hobbyists alike. 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. Time and place generally work together, so while you're picking your time period, you will generally have a certain location in mind as well. And, they must already have relationships with the brigades and divisions they want to command. Welcome to the home of the 52nd Tennessee Co. C. We are a group of living historians centered around the American Civil War. Reenactments are family events, so feel free to bring the kids, too. You may need to attend a handful of events with them before you get a good feel for the units personality and whether it is a good fit for you. While there are several models such as an early war smoothbore musket, or a mid-war rifle musket, there are really only two brand choices for infantry. 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. And that's not including weaponry: An M1 Garand will put you out $700 to $900, while other period guns cost less than $100. Infantry is the easiest branch to learn and to finance. 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. Civil War Unit Reenactment Links An Authentic Civil War Living History Association, Top Five Tips for Getting Started in Civil War Reenacting. Reenactors who claim: My ancestors would roll over in their graves if I portrayed the other side are frowned upon. The reason is obvious. Civil War reenactment in Florida ends after 40 years - WJXT We have committed ourselves to the education of the company membership and general public as to the lifestyle, military service and general values of the Black Civil War soldier through an authentic presentation of living history activities including battle reenactments, interpretive programs, training seminars, and similar programs. Tacticals are unscripted battles which are usually not open to the public. "How to Volunteer in Historical Reenactments" The 49th Indiana, Company F is Indiana's oldest and largest nonprofit organization devoted to portraying life during the American Civil War. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. 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. While the vast majority of reenactors are standard uniformed Confederate and Union soldiers, there are some small numbers who wear unique uniforms. Civilian reenactors are the least expensive impressions to achieve, and have the most flexibility since the clothes chosen can range from elegant to simple. Reenactors often do more interacting with the visiting public such as performing drill and firing demonstrations, and giving flag and equipment talks. Too far back and the soldier in the front rank is too close to the muzzle blast. Many reenactors are completely outfitted with clothing, packs, gear, and vehicles their typical persona would carry. By joining such a society, you'll have time to try out your persona before committing to any major purchases for your own kit. There is no age requirement for being a Civil War reenactor, but, of course, minors will need to have their parents approval and support. 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. To take part in high quality reenactments a reenactor should expect to drive at least a day for quality events. Your mentor can also assist you in finding used gear either from unit members or outside resources like eBay or Facebook. 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. What does it take to start a civil war? - American Thinker - "A Union Civil War Living History and Reenacting organization located in the greater Connecticut area. Most reenactment groups have extra clothing, uniforms,costumes, and props that they are willing to loan to newcomers. Spectators wont see much action, but the reenactors will see only other reenactors and no more bleachers. . If you have any specific ideas, try to make those known as far in advance as possible so the re-enactors know what to expect and can plan to do what you wish. 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. Most reenactment groups are very welcoming to new people and will show you the ropes and even outfit you until you can gradually acquire your own kit. 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 . Gear - How much a reenactor spends on their gear is a product of individual means, love for the hobby, and type of unit. Most reenacting units are equipped to act as either Federal or Confederate troops in order to be able to balance numbers at reenacting events. 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.. Stan Honda . Hand to hand combat is heavily scripted, never engage on your own. All reenactors come into the unit as privates. Once a prospective reenactor joins a unit the next step is to buy gear from sutlers, merchants specializing in the hobby named after the original civilian shop keepers who catered to the needs of Civil War soldiers. How does a starving man march 20 miles then go into a three-hour battle? [1]. That part of history cannot be changed. 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. In a reenactment, a persona is a character and role that you choose to portray. Authenticity, while ignored in the 1960s, is now universally required by reenacting units. 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. C.S. The N word season pass premium + membership is in full effect for the day. 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. Read more. Wearing historically accurate clothing is essential to your impression and attention to details is important, i.e. Of course, you might decide that Civil War reenactments aren't your cup of tea, and you'd prefer to dabble in the Colonial era. At some late-war battles such as Bentonville, North Carolina and Saylers Creek, Virginia, Federal units armed with repeating rifles chewed into Confederate ranks. The best first purchase you can make is a pair of well-built shoes, usually called brogans or bootees. 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 . The Event Wire - Information. Here you can find a list of groups that portray the Great War period. 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. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. Battle reenactments are scripted recreations of actual Civil War engagements, which spectators pay to come and watch. Then, the reenactors, tourist bureaus, and entrepreneurs realized that starting in 1991 they could stage larger-than-usual events at five-year intervals starting with the 130th anniversary of the start of the War. Marches can range from a mile or so from camp to the battlefield to more than 20 miles at special events. Invitation events are smaller events where organizers limit the number of participants in order to better manage the scale. Some units have fifers and drummers. 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. Reenactors adopt what they call impressions based on the type of person they want to portray. Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company. Reenactors living near each other form around a company that comes from that same geographic area. A reenactor is a special breed of person. Most people choose a reenactment group that operates fairly close to home - at least within a day's drive. Reenacting - 9th Pennsylvania Reserves 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. Mountains might be climbed. 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. Most units will be eager to help you select gear that fits with their authenticity standards and will offer up the unit commander, a non-commissioned officer, or another senior member to mentor you through your initial purchases. Cavalry reenactors have uniforms that are patterned after original cavalry uniforms. Encampments allow visitors to wander through a Civil War camp and observe soldiers training, resting, playing, and simply relaxingall without television, iPods, or computers! One note for reenactors living in states with strict gun laws. 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. Post Advance Schedules Up to 1 Year in Advance. 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. In addition to special uniforms, some reenactors will be tempted to get special firearms. Hard-core reenactors give up all amenities of modern life, from deodorant to modern wristwatches. Civil War soldiers or civilians didnt have digital watches or plastic frame eyeglasses. They like to bring tents, camp chairs, hidden ice chests, and other gear that the original army would never have had. One place to find equipment for sale is at the reenactment events. 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. 4. A typical period correct firearm will cost upwards of $1000. 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. How to Volunteer in Historical Reenactments | HowStuffWorks To volunteer in historical reenactments, you'll be dedicating your time, sacrificing your modern comforts and paying a pretty penny. How did my ancestors survive battles, diseases, and prison camps on far away battlefields then return home to produce me? Mega-events, reenactments where reenactors number several thousand, are likely gone forever now that the 150th anniversary events ended in 2015. WW1 Reenactment Groups. 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. Learning an instrument is typically the easiest way for children to get involved. You'll have the Web at your fingertips to research an object's authenticity -- and to compare prices from multiple vendors. Powell, Kimberly. Did you have ancestors who participated in a particular war? For instance, the Stonewall Brigades list is located here. "I decided to join the Civil War reenacting group that helped to make the movie." . There are three types of reenactors; mainstreamers who do not fit the Civil War image of young thin soldiers and bring extra gear for comfort, campaigners who pride themselves in living rough in the open and achieving authenticity and stitch counters who pay attention to details of the history of uniforms and equipment and who generally maneuver with either mainstreamers or campaigners. Mega-events made it hard to lose ones self in the moment when a narrator was giving blow-by-blow accounts of the battle over loud speakers. 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. Need a reference? Nothing spoils the look of a rank of men in a battle line then seeing someone wearing modern day glasses or ear rings. For further reading suggestions and links to many of these online resources, please see the Stonewall Brigades Recommended Reading list. First-person When a reenactor speaks to fellow reenactors and the public as a person during the 1860s. 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. The future of reenacting rests on the shoulders of younger generations. Living History Archive. Reenactments vary greatly in size, with events in New England typically showcasing 100500 infantry, while the 150th anniversary of Gettysburg in 2013 is expected to field more than 15,000 reenactors, plus thousands of civilian interpreters, 400 horses, and 100 cannon. 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. While it is rare, people have died from the exertion. 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. They are wondering if sleeping on the ground is as much fun as it was when they were young.