If you're interested in volunteering as a Civil War reenactor, the entire kit (including uniform, canteen, weapon and leatherwear) will cost about $850 to $1,500 [source: Miller]. Reenacting can be a family hobby with Dad, Mom, and the kids all portraying 19th century roles. Events Could Include: Reenactments, Living Histories, Round Tables, Battlewalks, Shows, Lectures & More. Think about who you are in real life,or the person you secretly want to be, and translate that to an individual who lived during your time period of interest. Keep attending reenactments until you find a period that suits your specific interests and talents. Before you start investing cash in reenacting, attend enough events to ensure that its a hobby that you truly enjoy and want to purse. When looking through our list of reenactment groups, be sure to really think about what is important to you. If you wear eyeglasses, consider purchasing period frames high on your shopping list as well. Are you really excited about being a part of large battle reenactments? Arkansas Infantry Reenactors. To volunteer in historical reenactments, you'll be dedicating your time, sacrificing your modern comforts and paying a pretty penny. The important thing to remember is the child still needs adult supervision. A love of history of all time periods is common though reenactors focus on the 19th century. Company B, the reenacting group, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer . While the uniforms are generallywelluniform, hats (at least for Confederate portrayals) can be a matter of personal choice. . That means most Union forces on Southern battlefields likely talk with Southern accents even though they are in blue. Civil War Reenactment Groups The American Civil War, fought between 1861 and 1865, continues to live on in the form of living history reenactments. 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. Reenactors often do more interacting with the visiting public such as performing drill and firing demonstrations, and giving flag and equipment talks. Reenactors who claim: My ancestors would roll over in their graves if I portrayed the other side are frowned upon. Many reenactors are completely outfitted with clothing, packs, gear, and vehicles their typical persona would carry. Some units have fifers and drummers. 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. 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. While this material is of interest to reenactors, our hobby requires a detailed knowledge of the daily experience of individual soldiers. The 49th Indiana, Company F is Indiana's oldest and largest nonprofit organization devoted to portraying life during the American Civil War. 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. Do not buy from sutlers on-line then select which unit you want to join. and then went into battle to save Lees army, but until one has marched that same route, it is all theory. Some states require even single shot, reproduction muskets to be registered with the government. Used by permission of Kathleen Smith. 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. There is at least one Civil War era brass band using period instruments and playing period music. Reenacting Civil War battles began during the War when both sides staged mock battles when heavy snows kept the men in camp from going out and killing each other. Their website is: www.CivilWarNews.com, Camp Chase Gazette is a how-to magazine for authentic reenactors. Typically, the age restriction for most events is 16 years old to carry a musket/rifle. Living History Archive. Berdans Sharpshooters were a Federal unit of sharpshooters who wore dark green uniforms as an early form of camouflage. The Centennial created some interest in Hollywood, resulting in some Civil War era television shows like The Gray Ghost (1957) and The Americans (1961), and movies like Shenandoah (1965). 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. For official duties, these youngstersoften between 10 and 14were called on to fill supporting roles such as drummers, buglers, messengers, and field assistants. Spectators wont see much action, but the reenactors will see only other reenactors and no more bleachers. It is up to reenactors to know if they have the stamina to participate in the action. .com/us/military/civil-war-reenactor.html. 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. 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. Civilian - A person, male or female, who reenacts any non-military impression during Reenactments. Brush up on your geography and finally learn what countries are in Eastern Europe with our maps. And that's not including weaponry: An M1 Garand will put you out $700 to $900, while other period guns cost less than $100. Farby is a Civil War Reenactment term for anything not typical of the period. 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. Still, the best plan for new reenactors is to join a unit and ask for help from the old hands in selecting uniforms and equipment. 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. Its educational and, finally, its a great way to escape the worries of today and pretend in the great outdoors. Check your local newspaper or reenactment Web sites for listings of upcoming reenactment events in your area. Thanks for reaching out John we just got in touch to provide you some additional information. Just about anyone with an interest in reenactment can become a reenactor. Reenacting. 4 June 2009. Civil War Reenacting makes an effort to list the websites of reenacting units, but, as might be expected, many units are not listed here. 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. 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. Living Histories at original battlefields are by invitation by the National Park Service or the states that also maintain battlefields. Infoplease is a reference and learning site, combining the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas and several almanacs loaded with facts. Finding a reenactment group isn't as easy as looking at a map and finding the unit closest to you. Aside from physical distance, a reenactor needs to take into consideration a few factors. The stitch counters can belong in either the mainstream or the campaigner camp. With the exception of events where rains flood the battlefield, reenactments are rarely cancelled for heat or cold. 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. Eric Tetreault/Connecticut Renaissance Faire. They should also have a list of recommended vendors that sell uniforms and equipment that meet their units standards. Encampments allow visitors to wander through a Civil War camp and observe soldiers training, resting, playing, and simply relaxingall without television, iPods, or computers! They are great foundational introductions to the topic. The exhaustion felt at the end of that reenacting march brings home the realization that the soldiers of the Civil War were tough. Reenactors living near each other form around a company that comes from that same geographic area. Women reenactors portraying soldiers are not uncommon, just as there were women in ranks during the Civil War. This manual includes such things as company tactics and firing details [source: Miller]. Real sticklers discourage men from wearing wedding bands as that custom was not around during The Civil War. First-person - When a reenactor speaks to fellow reenactors and the public as a person during the 1860s. Not all organizations allow family's along for the ride. American Civil War Reenactment Groups. Mega events involve thousands of reenactors. With sound recordings, new generations could hear the Rebel yellyelped by 95-year-old men who still had the spunk to give it. Civil War reenacting group in Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, and New Hampshire. 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. Fit for Effective Service: Virginia Arms Her Stonewall Brigade, Its Ancient Reputation: The Stonewall Brigade at Cedar Mountain, The Stonewall Brigade at Gettysburg Part Four: The Fate of the Flags, How to Adapt a Confederate ANV Impression by Time Period, Top Tips for Transitioning From Mainstream to Authentic Reenacting. Only a handful of men will make generals and they must know how to command at that level. Hundreds of . The same uniforms worn in the summer are worn in the winter. Focused events try to recreate parts of battles. 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. If you have the time, it can even be fun to learn to make some of your clothing or items yourself, just as it was done in the past. This Forum is for Posting Civil War Event Information. 21st Virginia, F Company, inc., is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c)3 , living history, educational and Civil War re-enactment organization. Young Civil War Reenactor (photo by D. Farr). They carried Sharps rifles. As a Civil War reenactor you will become a soldier, or a civilian, wearing authentic 1860s period clothing and learning to live as . Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Italy, Denmark . Some people do take the "authenticity" to an extreme, but most groups welcome anyone with an interest. Campaigners are usually young and pride themselves in carrying a minimal amount of gear, sleeping in the open, and being as uncomfortable as they can be, which was the way it was. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. While headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, our membership encompasses Maryland, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. The weapons that reenactors carry are real -- and loaded. Is there a list or quartermaster who do I need to contact to get involved as a reenactor for the civil war. Most reenacting units are equipped to act as either Federal or Confederate troops in order to be able to balance numbers at reenacting events. Members may portray either a military impression, or one of many civilian roles which are appropriate to the Civil War period. 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. Rivers might be crossed. Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. Invitation events are smaller events where organizers limit the number of participants in order to better manage the scale. They like to bring tents, camp chairs, hidden ice chests, and other gear that the original army would never have had. A colonial shopkeeper will have a pretty simple costume compared to a Civil War general's uniform. Family Friendly Units - If reenacting is to become your next family adventure, you're going to have to find a family friendly unit. Marches can range from a mile or so from camp to the battlefield to more than 20 miles at special events. They are wondering if sleeping on the ground is as much fun as it was when they were young. Join us for a captivating reenactment of a Civil War skirmish, brought to life in stunning detail! This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Civil War Reenactment is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States, and with good reason. The atmosphere is relaxed, allowing reenactors to recruit new members. 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. City, county and state governments and private entrepreneurs with connections to those reenacting units saw the tourist potential of staging mock battles on private or public land. These can range anywhere from $5 a month to $25 a month. To a CIVIL WAR reenactment. "How to Become a Re-Enactor." Confederate reenactors armed with single shot muskets have no choice but to fall or withdraw in the face of men using rifles that could carry upwards of 13 rounds that could be fired in a matter of seconds. By Robert Arvay. Mega-events, reenactments where reenactors number several thousand, are likely gone forever now that the 150th anniversary events ended in 2015. Nearly all of the muskets available today are made in Italy, but some used ones manufactured back in the 1970s and 1980s are available from Japan and England. The 26th North Carolina Troops and the 24th Michigan ran head-on into each other on the first day of Gettysburg in McPhersons Woods. 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. 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. Reenacting is at a cross-roads. Their website is: http://www.citizenscompanion.com/. Be prepared to be footsore! Now i ma 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. Whether you've chosen to be a fur trapper, a soldier or a medieval princess, this clothing and accessories you select for your kit should match your persona. A musket will shoot a flame of fire and unburned powder out the muzzle. The N word season pass premium + membership is in full effect for the day. 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. As a spectator, you have a great opportunity to get a preview of what volunteering is like. Winter reenactors will want heavy overcoats which can cost upwards of $300. 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. 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. That is also the reason why most leather gear is black, the standard Union color. 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. Perhaps a particular company or regiment in the war had distinctive uniforms.