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. Time and place generally work together, so while you're picking your time period, you will generally have a certain location in mind as well. 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. "How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting." Hand to hand combat is heavily scripted, never engage on your own. 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 . Civilian A person, male or female, who reenacts any non-military impression during Reenactments. The ones below have been in business for years and may be considered the mainstays of the hobby. Little children have no business on the field because they can become separated from parents. 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. 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. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1999. 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. A Civil War Reenactment will have various units such as artillery, cavalry, or infantry units. We have committed ourselves to the education of the company membership and general public as to the lifestyle, military service and general values of the Black Civil War soldier through an authentic presentation of living history activities including battle reenactments, interpretive programs, training seminars, and similar programs. But if you're more interested in other wars or time periods, don't despair. In historical reenactments, people from all walks of life gather together, dressed head-to-toe in period clothing. Infoplease is a reference and learning site, combining the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas and several almanacs loaded with facts. 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 can find material written by men from the unit you portray, even better. It was I who asked historian Shelby Foote some 20 years ago: Is there anything about The War you dont know? I got the quick answer: I still dont know how they did it.. They are wondering if sleeping on the ground is as much fun as it was when they were young. Most reenacting units require members to own dual impressions; both Union and Confederate. And finally, muskets are real guns. The exhaustion felt at the end of that reenacting march brings home the realization that the soldiers of the Civil War were tough. Shopping online is a good alternative to making purchases at a reenactment. 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. 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. They will take on the persona of one who is living through the period and will not speak in modern language. 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. 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. 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". https://www.thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852 (accessed March 5, 2023). Salary.com. 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. Most reenactment groups have extra clothing, uniforms,costumes, and props that they are willing to loan to newcomers. How do your feet feel after marching 22 miles in a single day in thin-soled brogans? 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. Both sides tolerate them. Check your local newspaper or search the Internet to find a reenactment near you. 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. Hundreds of . Some states require even single shot, reproduction muskets to be registered with the government. Camping with ones friends can be an attractive incentive to pack up the gear and drive away rather than staying home doing chores. Powell, Kimberly. WW1 Reenactment Groups. Reenacting remained a small hobby during the mid-1970s when events numbering several hundred reenactors were common. Choose a Persona That is my indication and EXPRESSED consent to be treated like a slave by all participating confederate soldiers. The state of Pennsylvania hosted thousands of former Union and Confederate soldiers during the weeklong event. For many people, there's nothing drier than a dense history book. 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. To submit a reenactment group for consideration, please contact us here. "How to Volunteer in Historical Reenactments" 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. The 49th Indiana, Company F is Indiana's oldest and largest nonprofit organization devoted to portraying life during the American Civil War. We have members in four states Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Arkansas. While some historians downplay or even deny the existence of gun-toting Black Confederates, insisting the only Blacks in Confederate gray were body servants, Black reenactors often have family knowledge that their ancestors did fight for the Confederacy. 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! Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company. 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.. American Civil War Society. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. The gear does not stop at just a firearm either. The easiest way for children to get involved in reenacting is to do it as a family. The Event Wire - Information. This practice of changing uniforms to fit the reenactments needs is called galvanizing based on a real term applied to captured Confederates who were released from prison camps if they joined the Union army to go west to fight Indians. Powell, Kimberly. How does a starving man march 20 miles then go into a three-hour battle? [1]. Units portraying the Vietnam War aren't nearly as prolific as World War 2 or Civil War impressions. 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 . Their website is: http://www.citizenscompanion.com/. Are you really excited about being a part of large battle reenactments? Reenacting events come in varying categories. In other words, you can try it out and see how you like it. 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. 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. A plastic mug would be farby as would a polyester uniform since they didnt have polyester in 1861. Reenactment groups and societies can be found all over the world, although they are especially active in the U.S., UK, Germany, Sweden, Canada, and Australia. While those shows inspired then young, now-middle aged reenactors to study the war, the producers paid little attention to authenticity. 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. Find WW1 Reenactment groups to join now! Most reenacting units are equipped to act as either Federal or Confederate troops in order to be able to balance numbers at reenacting events. A haversack, a kind of handbag worn over the left shoulder, is generally black. clear this with both units and dont just show up expecting to be ok. The atmosphere is relaxed, allowing reenactors to recruit new members. Before you start investing cash in reenacting, attend enough events to ensure that its a hobby that you truly enjoy and want to purse. Invitation events are smaller events where organizers limit the number of participants in order to better manage the scale. The largest event was the 135th Gettysburg reenactment which involved 15,000 reenactors. Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. 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. Brush up on your geography and finally learn what countries are in Eastern Europe with our maps. 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. If you crave intrigue and a dash of melodrama, historical fiction can make the past come alive. Learn more about the mythic conflict between the Argives and the Trojans. Eric Tetreault/Connecticut Renaissance Faire. Women reenactors portraying soldiers are not uncommon, just as there were women in ranks during the Civil War. During the Civil War Native Americans, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics fought on both sides. After all, every one of the reenactors at an event arrived in a 21st century vehicle of some kind. You'll also have to brush up on the language and customs specific to the era. This can mean everything from uncomfortable clothes and terrible food to inclement weather and a poor excuse for a bed. and then went into battle to save Lees army, but until one has marched that same route, it is all theory. What did the Gettysburg artillery barrage sound like? Is there a list or quartermaster who do I need to contact to get involved as a reenactor for the civil war. Just about anyone with an interest in reenactment can become a reenactor. Like any hobby, there is a broad spectrum within reenacting with different informal clusters of individuals and groups focusing more or less attention on authenticity. You may need to attend a handful of events with them before you get a good feel for the units personality and whether it is a good fit for you. How to join a unit, where and how to k. The USCTs fought as all Black units commanded by white officers. Women participate as nurses, vivandieres, cooks, laundresses, or wives and sisters visiting the soldier in camp. At some late-war battles such as Bentonville, North Carolina and Saylers Creek, Virginia, Federal units armed with repeating rifles chewed into Confederate ranks. 2) Consider What You Want Out of Reenacting: Spend some time thinking about what aspects of reenacting interest you. Take your hits (deaths) If you wish to fight in a different unit that a family member fought in during the civil war. Alright, as a black man I have to say this: * ahem * IF. BOOK TIP: "The Illustrated Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era". Threadcounter A reenactor who insists on a historically accurate impression, down to fabric and buttonholes having the same threadcount typical of the time. A colonial shopkeeper will have a pretty simple costume compared to a Civil War general's uniform. Reenactors adopt what they call impressions based on the type of person they want to portray. Our principal reason for existence is to promote an authentic portrayal of Civil War history to the . We come from in and around Shelby County. Post Advance Schedules Up to 1 Year in Advance. Many reenactors are completely outfitted with clothing, packs, gear, and vehicles their typical persona would carry. Reenacting is at a cross-roads. Reenactor A person, male or female, dedicated to recreating the War Between the States or Civil War. The 125th anniversary of the start of the war in 1986 saw reenacting turn into a serious hobby. What reenacting does is give men and women a chance to walk in the footsteps of those people who came before us just a little over 150 years ago. That part of history cannot be changed. The Author (far right in a Derby) with Shelby Foote at a Reenactment in the Early 1990s, Photograph provided by: Color Sergeant Clint Johnson 26th Regiment of North Carolina Troops, Shelby Foote, a historian who spent more than 20 years writing a three-volume history of The Civil War, was surrounded by several reenactors outside of a university where he was speaking. Typical costs for reenacting might include the following. For the Bray family in Brunswick, American Civil War reenactment is more than just a historical hobby it's a family affair. (2020, August 26). While doing their impression many will do a first-person impression. Any unit you contact should be extremely welcoming and do everything they can to have you join their ranks. The unit you ultimately join should be in a position to provide the elements that you want to get out of reenacting. Civil War News is a monthly newspaper that covers news about battlefield preservation, and reenacting. olg pick 4 The 150th Manassas, Virginia event was held when the temperature on the field was 114 degrees. Learn about one of the world's oldest and most popular religions. Don't let that stop you! The same uniforms worn in the summer are worn in the winter. 4) Read As Much As You Can: The best way to start your career in reenacting out right is to read extensively. While reenacting is fun, it is also a physically taxing hobby. Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist and the author of The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy. Tacticals are unscripted battles which are usually not open to the public. They should also have a list of recommended vendors that sell uniforms and equipment that meet their units standards. There are scores of sutlers who operate regionally and nationally. Most reenactment organizations also won't allow children under 16 to bear arms. Finding a reenactment unit has gone 21st century. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Jane McGrath If you've gotten this far then hopefully you've put some thought into this endeavor. Reenactors do not dwell on that terrible human cost. Oftentimes, a young person will find themselves interested in living history but struggle to get involved. R. Lee Hadden. A love of history of all time periods is common though reenactors focus on the 19th century. The United States Marines wear distinctive crossed white belts. Did you have ancestors who participated in a particular war? 4 June 2009. How do war reenactments work? How do I join a unit as a reenactor? During fights with frequent firing, muskets have been known to cook off, a pre-mature explosion of the black powder poured down the barrel caused by a still-burning spark. Now that the sesquicentennial is over, the future of reenacting is being debated. We do this by portraying soldiers and citizens at . Sutlers set up large tents at reenactments and also sell on-line. We are active from Virginia to New England. By now you are probably wondering, "how much is all of this going to cost me? Active members, either military or . Now i ma 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. Local video entrepreneurs filmed those 125th anniversary reenactments on VHS tapes, selling them to the reenactors who hoped to see themselves acting as Civil War soldiers. For reenactments that span several days, this can be grueling. Perhaps you have a friend in the hobby who has encouraged you to give it a try. If the unit is a horse-drawn battery, the reenactors are expected to help groom, water, and feed the horses. The only difference between the Civil War and the reenacting firing is that no Mini ball is rammed down the barrel. 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. In particular, take notice of the grisly conditions a reenactor has to deal with -- especially in battle reenactments. They are great foundational introductions to the topic. Once you invest time and money into historical volunteerism, you'll likely find great reward from all your efforts. 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. While it is rare, people have died from the exertion. You must have a passion for history and an active imagination. *This post may contain affiliate links. These can range anywhere from $5 a month to $25 a month. 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. There's nothing volunteering in a historical reenactment to experience the sights, sounds and smells of history. 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. Reenactors sacrifice immense amounts of time, effort, and money to recreate history. Confederate States or Confederate States Army. While the three-banded musket is standard, there might be the occasional chance to carry something else. The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. While the majority of soldiers were in the 1840 age range, in many enlistment cases birth years were overlooked, or were fabricated. Check your local newspaper or reenactment Web sites for listings of upcoming reenactment events in your area. Invitation events are smaller with limited numbers of participants making them easier to manage. Horses, though trained to expect loud noises from cannons, rifles, pistols and clanging sabers, sometimes throw their riders to the ground. A musket will shoot a flame of fire and unburned powder out the muzzle. Rivers might be crossed. There is no poll showing where reenactors live, but observation would put a majority of them in The South. - "A Union Civil War Living History and Reenacting organization located in the greater Connecticut area. How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting. In addition to having to wear hot, uncomfortable clothing, participants can forget about sleeping in comfortable beds, eating decent food and taking hot showers. Marches can range from a mile or so from camp to the battlefield to more than 20 miles at special events. Finding a reenactment group isn't as easy as looking at a map and finding the unit closest to you. Do you have a passion for Ancient Rome, medieval fashion, or Colonial America, and the Salem Witch Trials? Your mentor can also assist you in finding used gear either from unit members or outside resources like eBay or Facebook. By the time Ken Burns PBS special The Civil War debuted in 1990 interest in the War was on an upswing. The most famous reenactment of the 1960s was the July 1961 Battle of First Manassas or Bull Run, held on the Manassas National Battlefield. The problem with modern day reenacting for USCTs is that they were not at many of the major battles because the original Union generals refused to put them into ranks beside white soldiers and because significant numbers werent enlisted or trained until the middle of 1863. You can buy relatively cheap U.S. uniforms from the World Wars. AUTHENTIC Civil War Flag General W.F. Many organizations, particularly Civil War, offer family friendly scenarios. 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. One note for reenactors living in states with strict gun laws. Reenactments vary greatly in size, with events in New England typically showcasing 100500 infantry, while the 150th anniversary of Gettysburg in 2013 is expected to field more than 15,000 reenactors, plus thousands of civilian interpreters, 400 horses, and 100 cannon. Your email address will not be published. The physically disabled cannot take the field as soldiers, but the impression of a wounded soldier in a period wheel chair being pushed by a civilian in period clothes is welcome. or C.S.A. Some larger units will have majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels. Immersion events are small reenactments where reenactors carry everything with them with no resupply from vehicles. In a reenactment, a persona is a character and role that you choose to portray. So, many die-hard history-lovers volunteer in historical reenactments for an action-packed and enlightening experience. Reenactors often do more interacting with the visiting public such as performing drill and firing demonstrations, and giving flag and equipment talks. 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. Military reenactors will choose infantry, artillery, cavalry or medical (and a few others such as engineers or sharpshooters) and many will choose a civilian impression. 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. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. Scouring the sutlers' goods may also set you up for an impulse buy that your historic persona doesn't really need. In summer, many men carry two. These events help reenactors immerse themselves in the reenacting experience, gaining first-hand knowledge of war, battle strategy, and the hardships of combat. Civil War Reenactment is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States, and with good reason. The 49th Indiana Volunteer Infantry is Indiana's oldest, largest and best drilled civil war unit. 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. 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. Living Histories at original battlefields are by invitation by the National Park Service or the states that also maintain battlefields. All races and ethnicities can reenact. If you have an interest in our American History during the period of 1861-1865, we invite you to join our ranks. Reliving the Civil War: A Re-enactors Handbook. We strive for accurate historical depiction of our original unit." YouTube Video Creator "History Boy" Drummer, 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Co. The 26th North Carolina Troops and the 24th Michigan ran head-on into each other on the first day of Gettysburg in McPhersons Woods. People come to Civil War reenacting in a myriad of ways. 2 nd Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery Regiment, Co. And that's not including weaponry: An M1 Garand will put you out $700 to $900, while other period guns cost less than $100. It is up to reenactors to know if they have the stamina to participate in the action. Used by permission of Kathleen Smith. https://28thmass.orgLately I've noticed quite a few of you showing more interest in Civil War reenacting specifically.