Colorado Connecticut. 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. Also: Post Your Event Photos, Reviews, & Wrap-Ups. The age restriction on handling firearms does not prevent one from taking part in the hobby. Our way to offer tribute to these great men of the Civil War is to study as much as possible . Civil War Reenactment Groups The American Civil War, fought between 1861 and 1865, continues to live on in the form of living history reenactments. John Miller, a veteran reenactor who specializes in the Civil War, warns prospective volunteers that the hobby can get dangerous [source: Miller]. Youre obviously interested in the Civil War, otherwise you wont be considering reenacting. These organizations will often have a camp life where young ones can partake in 1860's life styles. 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. WELCOME TO THE 49TH INDIANA CO.F. In addition to special uniforms, some reenactors will be tempted to get special firearms. Civil War reenacting group in Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, and New Hampshire. Be prepared to be footsore! 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. Florida. Subscribe to our newsletter * indicates required. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Most reenactors are everyday people from all walks of life, with ages ranging from 16 to people in their sixties. Learn about one of the world's oldest and most popular religions. Alright, as a black man I have to say this: * ahem * IF. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1999. Join us for a captivating reenactment of a Civil War skirmish, brought to life in stunning detail! 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). - Confederate States or Confederate States Army. 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. An Authentic Civil War Living History Association, Top Five Tips for Getting Started in Civil War Reenacting. To a CIVIL WAR reenactment. Most units have a list of acceptable gear and approved sutlers. We are a Union regiment of the Southern Skirmish Association which aims to bring the history of the American Civil War to life with battles, drill displays, and a taste of 19th century camp life. It is where the Civil War soldier carried his food and where the reenactor will carry his food, wallet and car keys. Invitation events are smaller events where organizers limit the number of participants in order to better manage the scale. By joining such a society, you'll have time to try out your persona before committing to any major purchases for your own kit. 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. Arkansas Infantry Reenactors. How to join a unit, where and how to k. 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. For further reading suggestions and links to many of these online resources, please see the Stonewall Brigades Recommended Reading list. 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. Their website is: www.campchase.com), The Citizens Companion focuses on civilian reenacting and is also published by the same company that publishes Camp Chase Gazette. 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. 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. *This post may contain affiliate links. Infoplease is a reference and learning site, combining the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas and several almanacs loaded with facts. California. 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 do not dwell on that terrible human cost. This is especially important when it comes to clothing and weaponry, as we'll see on the next page. If the idea of volunteering in historical reenactments is appealing to you, the first thing you should do is attend some of these events as a spectator. Once youre sure that the discomfort (sleeping on cots or bedrolls, wearing uncomfortable clothes, and generally avoiding anything farby) is worth it, then find a unit to join. .com/us/military/civil-war-reenactor.html. In particular, take notice of the grisly conditions a reenactor has to deal with -- especially in battle reenactments. They like to bring tents, camp chairs, hidden ice chests, and other gear that the original army would never have had. 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. That could be in California, Wisconsin, or even Russia. Unit Type - Not all organizations are the same. 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. American Civil War Reenactment Groups Historical reenactment groups and living history groups offer an insight into how men and women lived in past times. Muskets are real guns and fire a full powder charge but no bullet. Oftentimes, a young person will find themselves interested in living history but struggle to get involved. Reenactors take their jobs very seriously. While still too small in numbers to simulate actual Civil War battles, the mega-events at least gave reenactors a sense of what the major battles would have been like. Take your hits (deaths) If you wish to fight in a different unit that a family member fought in during the civil war. We are a Civil War reenactment group based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that portrays the 9th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry (US). 8th Confederate Cavalry / 7th Kentucky Cavalry, 3rd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Company A, 1st Arkansas US Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment, Co. 2) Consider What You Want Out of Reenacting: Spend some time thinking about what aspects of reenacting interest you. clear this with both units and dont just show up expecting to be ok. American Civil War Society. Historical reenacting gives you that chance. Don't buy a uniform or other equipment until you've joined a unit, which might have its own particular rules for attire. 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. Photos from the time period show some men marching in ranks with M-1 Garands, World War II semi-automatic rifles. Each unit has a different function and will provide a much different experience. "I decided to join the Civil War reenacting group that helped to make the movie." . Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. 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. Brush up on your geography and finally learn what countries are in Eastern Europe with our maps. 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. 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. Units portraying the Vietnam War aren't nearly as prolific as World War 2 or Civil War impressions. 5) Purchase Slowly and Strategically: When you are ready to start purchasing gear, take your time and make your purchases strategic. "How to Become a Re-Enactor." Reenactors wanting to get as close as possible to how the soldiers lived will use this resource. Families wishing to stay together all weekend can portray civilians. Reenactors adopt what they call impressions based on the type of person they want to portray. Just as in the Civil War armies, men who take on the rank must be able to perform at that rank. Once you invest time and money into historical volunteerism, you'll likely find great reward from all your efforts. By the time Ken Burns PBS special The Civil War debuted in 1990 interest in the War was on an upswing. The persona you select should have some personal significance to you. If you are up to the task, here's some information to get you started. 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. There is no poll showing where reenactors live, but observation would put a majority of them in The South. The granddaddy of all Civil War sutlers started outfitting reenactors in the mid-1970s. The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. Too far forward, and the percussion cap is exploding in his ear. As a spectator, you have a great opportunity to get a preview of what volunteering is like. It might be a good idea to spring for the unit's annual fee for insurance coverage in case of an injury. The state of Pennsylvania hosted thousands of former Union and Confederate soldiers during the weeklong event. Used by permission of Kathleen Smith. Welcome! 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. 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. Most people take their roles seriously and pride themselves on representing history as accurately as possible. Little children have no business on the field because they can become separated from parents. Local living histories at venues such as historically themed parks are where many potential reenactors see their first living historians. If looking to dive into Vietnam reenacting, the number one piece of advice is to speak to a unit before making purchases. Discover more about American history at one of these events. 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. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. 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. 2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. Shopping online is a good alternative to making purchases at a reenactment. 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. Civil War Traveler lists a variety of events, including reenactments, searchable by state so newcomers can see some reenactments in person and talk to unit members. Beginners should start by attending Civil War Reenactments and observing what goes on. When you're starting out as a volunteer, the unit you're working with will probably have a spare uniform you can borrow. . Encampments allow visitors to wander through a Civil War camp and observe soldiers training, resting, playing, and simply relaxingall without television, iPods, or computers! And, if one wants, one can carry original muskets if they are safe. Learn more about the world with our collection of regional and country maps.
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