By joining such a society, you'll have time to try out your persona before committing to any major purchases for your own kit. Arkansas Infantry Reenactors. If you can find material written by men from the unit you portray, even better. 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. 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. The easiest way for children to get involved in reenacting is to do it as a family. 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. Just as in the Civil War armies, men who take on the rank must be able to perform at that rank. The age restriction on handling firearms does not prevent one from taking part in the hobby. 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. People come to Civil War reenacting in a myriad of ways. We had a weekend with perfect weather and many exciting and educational activities. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. Here you can find a list of groups that portray the Great War period. The state of Pennsylvania hosted thousands of former Union and Confederate soldiers during the weeklong event. Learning an instrument is typically the easiest way for children to get involved. 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. Short of actually traveling back in time, however, there is no better way to learn about history than by living it first-hand as a reenactor. Our editors update and regularly refine this enormous body of information to bring you reliable information. A group of men this size can engage in brigade drill, practicing the same types of maneuvers the Civil War soldiers learned in order to face an enemy coming from any direction. 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, Civil War recreationists, or living historians. The only difference between the Civil War and the reenacting firing is that no Mini ball is rammed down the barrel. *This post may contain affiliate links. Confederate Zouaves called Louisiana Tigers wear striped baggy pants. The 49th Indiana Volunteer Infantry is Indiana's oldest, largest and best drilled civil war unit. Most people take their roles seriously and pride themselves on representing history as accurately as possible. 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. Do your research before making any purchases to ensure that you get the most authentic bang for your buck. In exchange for staging drill and firing demonstrations for the visiting public, the reenactment units (usually those with a reputation for authenticity) are allowed to camp on the actual battlefields. We do this by portraying soldiers and citizens at . That could be in California, Wisconsin, or even Russia. Units of mainstreamers may number from 20 to 100. Family Friendly Units - If reenacting is to become your next family adventure, you're going to have to find a family friendly unit. If the unit is dedicated to historical accuracy, the accommodations will be meager. While the majority of soldiers were in the 1840 age range, in many enlistment cases birth years were overlooked, or were fabricated. Reenactments are only fun if there are enough enemies on the other side. Too far forward, and the percussion cap is exploding in his ear. They are designed to save you money, help you avoid some of the most common mistakes first time reenactors make, and give you the best chance at enjoying the hobby over the long-term. C.S. Reenactors sacrifice immense amounts of time, effort, and money to recreate history. One of the last Civil War reenactments by Civil War vet erans was the Great Reunion of 1913, on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Most reenactors are everyday people from all walks of life, with ages ranging from 16 to people in their sixties. 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. Otherwise, the 60 grains of powder and a piece of paper wadding for each charge is authentic. 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. 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. WW1 Reenactment Groups. Mega-events also created problems for reenactors such as too little and too far away parking, too little drinking water, and too few port-a-johns. 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. Immerse yourself in the time period by reading books and primary source documents related to the area, and the type of person you've chosen to portray. 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. A reenactor could choose that impression by joining a reenacting unit following those uniform guidelines. 1) Put the Credit Card Away: The absolute best advice anyone can give you is to delay purchasing any gear. The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. 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. As they learn how to be a soldier, they take tests and advance through the non-commissioned ranks to corporals and sergeants. 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. They will speak as though the War Between the States is current. For reenactments that span several days, this can be grueling. 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! Please Keep Reenactment Discussions in Proper Forum! 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. Your email address will not be published. that appeal to campaigners. In addition to having to wear hot, uncomfortable clothing, participants can forget about sleeping in comfortable beds, eating decent food and taking hot showers. 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. In historical reenactments, people from all walks of life gather together, dressed head-to-toe in period clothing. There's nothing volunteering in a historical reenactment to experience the sights, sounds and smells of history. After a near disaster where one reenactor was hit by a Mini ball fragment left in a musket that had been live fired before the event, the National Park Service thereafter banned reenactments from being held on its battlefields. Threadcounter A reenactor who insists on a historically accurate impression, down to fabric and buttonholes having the same threadcount typical of the time. A plastic mug would be farby as would a polyester uniform since they didnt have polyester in 1861. 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. Period clothing and accessories can be very expensive -- depending on the period and figure you're portraying. 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. Invitation events are smaller events where organizers limit the number of participants in order to better manage the scale. Most units require members to be at least 16 years old before they can fall into ranks with a musket because of the maturity necessary to handle a firearm. Modern day work boots are not acceptable. Reenactors generally participate in three types of events: Battle reenactments are scripted recreations of actual Civil War engagements, which spectators pay to come and watch. Oftentimes, a young person will find themselves interested in living history but struggle to get involved. Events Could Include: Reenactments, Living Histories, Round Tables, Battlewalks, Shows, Lectures & More. Can one really hear a Civil War era term the rattle of musketry? . "How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting." Gear - How much a reenactor spends on their gear is a product of individual means, love for the hobby, and type of unit. 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. As you look at different reenacting units, you may see three terms in particular, which are commonly used to describe different segments of the reenacting spectrum. Just how much does it cost to be a Civil War reenactor? Brogans are broad-soled half boots with leather soles worn by the common foot soldier. Reenactors wanting to get as close as possible to how the soldiers lived will use this resource. Prospective reenactors should research units to judge how accepting they are of family participation. The ones below have been in business for years and may be considered the mainstays of the hobby. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. A few options to consider. Check your local newspaper or reenactment Web sites for listings of upcoming reenactment events in your area. If its not, consider trying another group. Little children have no business on the field because they can become separated from parents. Any unit you contact should be extremely welcoming and do everything they can to have you join their ranks. 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. Reenactment also takes time, but this can be as little as a 2-3 hour event once or twice a year, to a half-dozen three-day weekend encampments. 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. 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 should also have a list of recommended vendors that sell uniforms and equipment that meet their units standards. Each reenactor has a specific role to play, so volunteers are expected to have extensive knowledge of the historical event as well as the time period in which it occurs. Larger regiments will combine those companies to form a state-wide organization. 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. 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. 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. If you crave intrigue and a dash of melodrama, historical fiction can make the past come alive. They like to bring tents, camp chairs, hidden ice chests, and other gear that the original army would never have had. In a reenactment, a persona is a character and role that you choose to portray. Most reenactors collect their kit over a period of time, borrowing from generous fellow soldiers until they are fully outfitted. Learn more about the world with our collection of regional and country maps. If you're portraying a poor farmer during the Revolutionary War, then don't purchase a fancy rifle that would have been out of his financial grasp. Two TV mini-series, Blue & Gray (1982), and North & South (1985) drove interest in reenacting in the early 1980s. A haversack, a kind of handbag worn over the left shoulder, is generally black. Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom,. Some states require even single shot, reproduction muskets to be registered with the government. Finding a reenactment group isn't as easy as looking at a map and finding the unit closest to you. Infoplease is a reference and learning site, combining the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas and several almanacs loaded with facts. Most organization will not watch your 10 year old kid all day. 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. That is also the reason why most leather gear is black, the standard Union color. While this material is of interest to reenactors, our hobby requires a detailed knowledge of the daily experience of individual soldiers. Many groups may bridge these labels and there is a great degree of variation within the clusters, but generally reenacting organizations fall into one of the following categories: 3) Do Your Research on Units: The current reality of the reenacting hobby is that every unit is eager, if not borderline desperate, to add new recruits to their ranks. 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". Most reenactment organizations also won't allow children under 16 to bear arms. All reenactors come into the unit as privates. How to join a unit, where and how to k. That is my indication and EXPRESSED consent to be treated like a slave by all participating confederate soldiers. Their website is: http://www.citizenscompanion.com/. 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 . Authenticity, while ignored in the 1960s, is now universally required by reenacting units. The United States Marines wear distinctive crossed white belts. 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. All races and ethnicities can reenact. The weapons that reenactors carry are real -- and loaded. Then again in 1938, those same veterans returned. Reenacting units are organized in some of the same ways as Civil War companies and regiments. A typical period correct firearm will cost upwards of $1000. 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. The stitch counters can belong in either the mainstream or the campaigner camp. The 125th anniversary of the start of the war in 1986 saw reenacting turn into a serious hobby. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. Just about anyone with an interest in reenactment can become a reenactor. Before you purchase a musket and show up to your first event, you may find the following tips useful. 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. Families wishing to stay together all weekend can portray civilians. Reenacting. Mountains might be climbed. Keep attending reenactments until you find a period that suits your specific interests and talents. or C.S.A. This Forum is for Posting Civil War Event Information. Merchants known as sutlers set up on-site to sell clothing, accessories and weapons. Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. BROOKSVILLE, Fla. - Each January, Hernando County scrambled to put out the welcome mat for what has been called the largest Civil War reenactment in Florida the Brooksville Raid. Perhaps you have a friend in the hobby who has encouraged you to give it a try. Don't be overwhelmed! 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. Need a reference? Learn about one of the world's oldest and most popular religions. A musket will shoot a flame of fire and unburned powder out the muzzle. While it is rare, people have died from the exertion. How do war reenactments work? For example, most reenactors portray common soldiers, but maybe someone wants to portray a foreign-born ancestor so their impression will be augmented by speaking in an accent. There is nothing inherently better or worse about any of these clusters they are each different ways of experiencing the hobby and it is important that you pick the one that most closely matches what interests you. Once you do, it's time to create your own historical persona. Sutlers set up large tents at reenactments and also sell on-line. The USCTs fought as all Black units commanded by white officers. The future of reenacting rests on the shoulders of younger generations. One place to find equipment for sale is at the reenactment events. Reenactment, appropriately called "living history," also means living under the same conditions encountered during the past. Are you looking for something you can do with your family? By Robert Arvay. Are you interested in conducting research into tiny details of soldiers lives? Do not buy from sutlers on-line then select which unit you want to join. Real sticklers discourage men from wearing wedding bands as that custom was not around during The Civil War. You must have a passion for history and an active imagination. The problem with these specialty impressions is that they only operate as units. Finally, there is the largest investment of all, the musket and bayonet. Powell, Kimberly. They will take on the persona of one who is living through the period and will not speak in modern language. If you wear eyeglasses, consider purchasing period frames high on your shopping list as well. These organizations will often have a camp life where young ones can partake in 1860's life styles. 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. With sound recordings, new generations could hear the Rebel yellyelped by 95-year-old men who still had the spunk to give it.