While family involvement may be the goal of some reenactors, others enjoy the freedom of being away from the family on the weekend. Reenactment, appropriately called "living history," also means living under the same conditions encountered during the past. As a spectator, you have a great opportunity to get a preview of what volunteering is like. Do not buy from sutlers on-line then select which unit you want to join. Across the United States, Civil War battles rank among the most popular events to reenact -- they're often held on the original battlefields for true authenticity. What did the Gettysburg artillery barrage sound like? 2 nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment, Co. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. *This post may contain affiliate links. Otherwise, the 60 grains of powder and a piece of paper wadding for each charge is authentic. 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. 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. These events help reenactors immerse themselves in the reenacting experience, gaining first-hand knowledge of war, battle strategy, and the hardships of combat. Following are some useful terms to acquaint you with Civil War Reenacting. Welcome to the home of the 52nd Tennessee Co. C. We are a group of living historians centered around the American Civil War. Reenacting remained a small hobby during the mid-1970s when events numbering several hundred reenactors were common. 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. . 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. Most reenactment groups have extra clothing, uniforms,costumes, and props that they are willing to loan to newcomers. Stan Honda . R. Lee Hadden. How to Get Started on a Literature Review, Discovering the Occupations of Your Ancestors, Ancient Sources on Persian or Iranian History, Fun Family History Activities for Family Reunions, 3 Practical Ways to Become a Better Homeschooling Teacher, Certificate in Genealogical Research, Boston University. In many war reenactments, there aren't roles for women on the battlefield, but some events have side attractions geared toward women, such as tea parties, craft activities and quilt shows. Then again in 1938, those same veterans returned. 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). 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. Here is a sampling of an infantry soldier's kit from the website of the 28th Massachusetts, Volunteer Infantry, 4th Regiment, Irish Brigade: Federal issue forage cap (dark or indigo blue) While headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, our membership encompasses Maryland, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Battle reenactments are scripted recreations of actual Civil War engagements, which spectators pay to come and watch. C.S. 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. Learning an instrument is typically the easiest way for children to get involved. Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Italy, Denmark . I show up. Both sides tolerate them. Reenactors carry everything with them with no resupply from a vehicle, speak in first person and essentially lose themselves entirely in the war for the weekend. 53rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company C, Inc. Company B of the 71st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 87th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company C, 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company A, 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Co B, 151st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company D, 10th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 12th Virginia Infantry, Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and K, Co. E of the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 33d Regiment - Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company K, 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Association, Company E, 3rd Regiment, Confederate Engineers. Infoplease is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational and reference sites for parents, teachers and students. "I decided to join the Civil War reenacting group that helped to make the movie." . How do your feet feel after marching 22 miles in a single day in thin-soled brogans? 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. Sutlers Merchants who followed troops during the Civil War. To submit a reenactment group for consideration, please contact us here. 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. 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. Reenacting units staged living histories to explain weapons and uniforms at venues like schools and public parks to recruit new hobbyists. In FULL SLAVE garb. The Texas Rifles are seeking men and women of valor to join us and thousands of other history-minded hobbyists to experience, first hand, one of the country's fastest-growing, most unique recreational activities. New reenactors start as privates and promotion to non commissioned officer or officer status depends on passing tests and demonstrating an ability to command larger bodies of men in maneuvers on the field. The persona you select should have some personal significance to you. Their website is: http://www.citizenscompanion.com/. Youre obviously interested in the Civil War, otherwise you wont be considering reenacting. The thinking is that events where only several hundred troops are participating can be much more manageable and affordable to stage than the huge events that required hundreds of acres of land for the reenactment itself, plus parking for thousands of participants and spectators. 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. Some of the young men who started reenacting decades ago when the 125th anniversary events attracted them are now passing through middle age. 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. Reenactors refer to their clothing and equipment as theirkit. These reenactors can make a modest living by working in museums or historic sites such as Plymouth, Mass., or Williamsburg, Va. 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. Reenactors sacrifice immense amounts of time, effort, and money to recreate history. You can buy relatively cheap U.S. uniforms from the World Wars. Horses, though trained to expect loud noises from cannons, rifles, pistols and clanging sabers, sometimes throw their riders to the ground. The most famous reenactment of the 1960s was the July 1961 Battle of First Manassas or Bull Run, held on the Manassas National Battlefield. By Robert Arvay. Do your research before making any purchases to ensure that you get the most authentic bang for your buck. Odds are that youve already read a decent amount about the war, but most Civil War books focus on the movements of vast armies and the leaders who directed them. The only difference between the Civil War and the reenacting firing is that no Mini ball is rammed down the barrel. Reenactments are only fun if there are enough enemies on the other side. At some late-war battles such as Bentonville, North Carolina and Saylers Creek, Virginia, Federal units armed with repeating rifles chewed into Confederate ranks. 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. The exhaustion felt at the end of that reenacting march brings home the realization that the soldiers of the Civil War were tough. 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. 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. Both firearms are basically the same, but it is critical that reenactors choose the longer 3-banded models over the sometimes available two-banded models. 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. 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]. Here you can find a list of groups that portray the Great War period. Women participate as nurses, vivandieres, cooks, laundresses, or wives and sisters visiting the soldier in camp. 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. 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. AUTHENTIC Civil War Flag General W.F. 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.. 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. Farby is a Civil War Reenactment term for anything not typical of the period. 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. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. 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). Invitation events are smaller with limited numbers of participants making them easier to manage. Some states require even single shot, reproduction muskets to be registered with the government. The 150th Manassas, Virginia event was held when the temperature on the field was 114 degrees. Mega events involve thousands of reenactors. Reenactors enjoy camping, cooking over an open fire, guns, loud noises, marching, military discipline, and telling stories. Required fields are marked *. olg pick 4 How the Civilian Conservation Corps Worked, Historical Reenactment Costumes and Equipment, 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. Oftentimes, a young person will find themselves interested in living history but struggle to get involved. A canteen holding about two quarts of water is critical. 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. Reenacting. BOOK TIP: "The Illustrated Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era". While those shows inspired then young, now-middle aged reenactors to study the war, the producers paid little attention to authenticity. Being a Civil War reenactor is about stepping back in time to create believable characterpersonaor what reenactors call an impression. Some civilian reenactors may choose to portray professions such as mortician or battlefield surgeon with some women roaming the field as nurses. Over the past weekend, the Brays hosted the first encampment training of 2021 at their home for the 3rd Maine reenactment unit, the largest in Maine. Some units focus on the military side of reenacting, preferring to keep civilian women in a separate camp while other units allow children to run around the military camp. Units of mainstreamers may number from 20 to 100. (May 8, 2009) http://www.salary.com/personal/layoutscripts/psnl_articles.asp?tab=psn&cat=cat011&ser=ser032, Miller, John. Impression Many reenactors will choose an impression during a reenactment. 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. Experience being part of bringing our nation's most turbulent and tragic era to life. The Event Wire - Information. And, if one wants, one can carry original muskets if they are safe. They are great foundational introductions to the topic. Rivers might be crossed. 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. There are scores of sutlers who operate regionally and nationally. Active members, either military or . Reenacting units keep a list of approved sutlers that have proven to stock authentic and well-made goods. The persona is sometimes referred to as an impression. American Civil War Reenactment Groups. or C.S.A. Gear - How much a reenactor spends on their gear is a product of individual means, love for the hobby, and type of unit. Not all reenactment groups will offer the same experiences. 21st Virginia, F Company, inc., is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c)3 , living history, educational and Civil War re-enactment organization. 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. Check out our article How to Join a Reenactment Group. Too far forward, and the percussion cap is exploding in his ear. Reenacting does require a commitment, however, in both time and resources. Confederate Zouaves called Louisiana Tigers wear striped baggy pants. It is where the Civil War soldier carried his food and where the reenactor will carry his food, wallet and car keys. The state of Pennsylvania hosted thousands of former Union and Confederate soldiers during the weeklong event.
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