Merchants known as sutlers set up on-site to sell clothing, accessories and weapons. Units portraying the Vietnam War aren't nearly as prolific as World War 2 or Civil War impressions. How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting. Immersion events are small reenactments where reenactors carry everything with them with no resupply from vehicles. Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era is a Pulitzer Prize-winning work on the American Civil War. Otherwise, the 60 grains of powder and a piece of paper wadding for each charge is authentic. You will need to visit a sutlery (supply store run by a civilian, a "sutler"), either online or in person, in order to get your basic gear, called a "kit". I, Eighth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Company A, Incorporated, 11th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Company G, Fourteenth Regiment Connecticut, Van Dyke's Howitizers 1st Florida Artillery. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. When brigaded with other units, a reenactor general may command 200-300 men. - Confederate States or Confederate States Army. Take your hits (deaths) If you wish to fight in a different unit that a family member fought in during the civil war. For instance, the Stonewall Brigades list is located here. The gear does not stop at just a firearm either. Too far back and the soldier in the front rank is too close to the muzzle blast. Young Civil War Reenactor (photo by D. Farr). 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. Find WW1 Reenactment groups to join now! Reenactors put themselves in the shoes of those from an earlier time where food was scarce, disease was rampant, and a good nights sleep might mean sleeping in the mud. This is especially important when it comes to clothing and weaponry, as we'll see on the next page. Thats why reenactors, like Civil War soldiers, are trained to not put their hand over the muzzle of the musket; least they get a palm full of painful, burning powder. The youngest vet eran was 61 and the oldest was 112. 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. Some civilian reenactors may choose to portray professions such as mortician or battlefield surgeon with some women roaming the field as nurses. How to join a unit, where and how to k. One note for reenactors living in states with strict gun laws. In addition to special uniforms, some reenactors will be tempted to get special firearms. Since 1974, we have represented Indiana's civil war heritage in movies and documentaries, for newspapers and TV, and at schools, museums and reenactments across the US. 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. 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. If you are having any kind of encampment and want it in a certain order, let them know ahead of time. "Become a Member." For the Bray family in Brunswick, American Civil War reenactment is more than just a historical hobby it's a family affair. Check out our article How to Join a Reenactment Group. All races and ethnicities can reenact. Prospective reenactors should research units to judge how accepting they are of family participation. 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. By joining such a society, you'll have time to try out your persona before committing to any major purchases for your own kit. 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. The persona you select should have some personal significance to 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. While the three-banded musket is standard, there might be the occasional chance to carry something else. Most reenacting units are equipped to act as either Federal or Confederate troops in order to be able to balance numbers at reenacting events. Period clothing and accessories can be very expensive -- depending on the period and figure you're portraying. By Robert Arvay. ThoughtCo. Speculation among reenactors is that smaller, focused events is where the hobby is headed. Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. 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. Civilian - A person, male or female, who reenacts any non-military impression during Reenactments. 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. Reenactors wanting to get as close as possible to how the soldiers lived will use this resource. The unit you ultimately join should be in a position to provide the elements that you want to get out of reenacting. The granddaddy of all Civil War sutlers started outfitting reenactors in the mid-1970s. The Event Wire - Information. While reenacting is a hobby, it has some of the trappings of operating in an actual army. The best first purchase you can make is a pair of well-built shoes, usually called brogans or bootees. That part of history cannot be changed. With sound recordings, new generations could hear the Rebel yellyelped by 95-year-old men who still had the spunk to give it. Are you looking for something you can do with your family? Cavalry and artillery reenactors have the added burden of worrying about their horses and mules stepping into holes on the field. Unit Type - Not all organizations are the same. Children can usually even participate, although most reenactment groups have a minimum age (12 or 13 is common) for children to be allowed in more dangerous roles, such as on the battlefield. Muster A gathering, especially of troops, for service, inspection, review or roll call. 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 of all time periods is common though reenactors focus on the 19th century. 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. Before showtime, pots and pans are some of the tools reenactor Tanya Haessly makes the most use of as a camp cook, feeding families and individuals taking part in a Civil War reenactment in Janney . For many people, there's nothing drier than a dense history book. 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. 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. They carried Sharps rifles. One place to find equipment for sale is at the reenactment events. Can one really hear a Civil War era term the rattle of musketry? Just as in the Civil War armies, men who take on the rank must be able to perform at that rank. Load more. A typical period correct firearm will cost upwards of $1000. 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. The 125th anniversary of the start of the war in 1986 saw reenacting turn into a serious hobby. Local living histories at venues such as historically themed parks are where many potential reenactors see their first living historians. Most units will have a decent collection of clothes, gear, and even muskets that you can borrow, but it is often difficult to find loaner shoes since many reenactors only own a single pair. Many reenactors are completely outfitted with clothing, packs, gear, and vehicles their typical persona would carry. What's more, you could get hurt. or C.S.A. The problem with these specialty impressions is that they only operate as units. Used by permission of Kathleen Smith. Historical reenacting gives you that chance. Reenacting units staged living histories to explain weapons and uniforms at venues like schools and public parks to recruit new hobbyists. Civil War Reenactment Groups The American Civil War, fought between 1861 and 1865, continues to live on in the form of living history reenactments. How do war reenactments work? Muskets are real guns and fire a full powder charge but no bullet. 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. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. 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. Particularly welcomeand neededat reenactments are Black reenactors. that appeal to campaigners. Some larger units will have majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels. There's nothing volunteering in a historical reenactment to experience the sights, sounds and smells of history. Reenactors sacrifice immense amounts of time, effort, and money to recreate history. How do your feet feel after marching 22 miles in a single day in thin-soled brogans? Berdans Sharpshooters were a Federal unit of sharpshooters who wore dark green uniforms as an early form of camouflage. 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. 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. 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 . olg pick 4 Reenactors have a variety of reasons for dressing up on the weekends then plunging into their interpretation of a war that killed, by recent estimates, 750,000 people. 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.. Reenactors who claim: My ancestors would roll over in their graves if I portrayed the other side are frowned upon. 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. Perhaps a particular company or regiment in the war had distinctive uniforms. 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. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links at no additional cost to you. Finally, there is the largest investment of all, the musket and bayonet. Once you invest time and money into historical volunteerism, you'll likely find great reward from all your efforts. A musket will shoot a flame of fire and unburned powder out the muzzle. Most organization will not watch your 10 year old kid all day. If its not, consider trying another group. 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. Your email address will not be published. Any unit youre interested in joining should be eager to loan you a uniform and equipment for your first few events (if they are not or if youre pressured to purchase equipment right away, youre probably considering the wrong unit). 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. We've got you covered with our map collection. Hundreds of . Most units have a list of acceptable gear and approved sutlers. For further reading suggestions and links to many of these online resources, please see the Stonewall Brigades Recommended Reading list. Keep attending reenactments until you find a period that suits your specific interests and talents. 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. In particular, take notice of the grisly conditions a reenactor has to deal with -- especially in battle reenactments. In historical reenactments, people from all walks of life gather together, dressed head-to-toe in period clothing. Figure the cost of your accessories into your budget, too. No reenactor will respond to an unknown general who walks onto the field and tries to take command of units who do not know him. Reenacting does require a commitment, however, in both time and resources. Living histories take place at the actual battlefield by invitation from the National Park Service. 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. 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 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 . And that's not including weaponry: An M1 Garand will put you out $700 to $900, while other period guns cost less than $100. Don't be overwhelmed! Their website is: http://www.citizenscompanion.com/. Is there a list or quartermaster who do I need to contact to get involved as a reenactor for the civil war. Please Keep Reenactment Discussions in Proper Forum! 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.
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