how to join a civil war reenactment group how to join a civil war reenactment group

Reenactors wanting to get as close as possible to how the soldiers lived will use this resource. 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. - Confederate States or Confederate States Army. . At some late-war battles such as Bentonville, North Carolina and Saylers Creek, Virginia, Federal units armed with repeating rifles chewed into Confederate ranks. Sometimes, you'll be able to find authentic uniforms to wear to reenactments, especially for 20th-century wars. The North Florida Artillery was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the state of Florida in March 2007. Now i ma Living history events include encampments, parades, and school enrichment programs. Read more. A canteen holding about two quarts of water is critical. Most will sleep/camp at the reenactment event. Mountains might be climbed. Reenacting units staged living histories to explain weapons and uniforms at venues like schools and public parks to recruit new hobbyists. Alright, as a black man I have to say this: * ahem * IF. 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. Or, Dad can stay in the military camp while Mom and the kids stay in a civilian camp. Merchants known as sutlers set up on-site to sell clothing, accessories and weapons. Little children have no business on the field because they can become separated from parents. Learn more about the world with our collection of regional and country maps. Berdans Sharpshooters were a Federal unit of sharpshooters who wore dark green uniforms as an early form of camouflage. The stitch counters can belong in either the mainstream or the campaigner camp. Members may portray either a military impression, or one of many civilian roles which are appropriate to the Civil War period. It is where the Civil War soldier carried his food and where the reenactor will carry his food, wallet and car keys. Reenacting units are organized in some of the same ways as Civil War companies and regiments. The 150th Manassas, Virginia event was held when the temperature on the field was 114 degrees. One note for reenactors living in states with strict gun laws. Few units allow people in 21st century garb to camp in the military camp as it detracts from the reenactment atmosphere. Being a reenactor can not only put you in touch with your inner soldier, drummer, or fifer, but can also deepen your understanding of our country's past. 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. The Event Wire - Information. Horses, though trained to expect loud noises from cannons, rifles, pistols and clanging sabers, sometimes throw their riders to the ground. If its not, consider trying another group. Reenactments are only fun if there are enough enemies on the other side. While some of the research is now a bit dated, there is no better place to start than Bell Wileys classicsThe Life of Johnny Reb: The Common Soldier of the Confederacyand The Life of Billy Yank: The Common Soldier of the Union. The basic costs of outfitting an infantryman will run between $1,500 and $2,000 with the bulk of the cost being in the $800 musket. Civil War Reenacting makes an effort to list the websites of reenacting units, but, as might be expected, many units are not listed here. The fully equipped reenactor will spend around $2,500 to $3,000, but that gear, with the exception of brogans, will last as long as the reenactor will. Not sure about the geography of the middle east? Be prepared to be footsore! 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. that appeal to campaigners. Once you do, it's time to create your own historical persona. Your mentor can also assist you in finding used gear either from unit members or outside resources like eBay or Facebook. 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. While those shows inspired then young, now-middle aged reenactors to study the war, the producers paid little attention to authenticity. Just about anyone with an interest in reenactment can become a reenactor. As a Civil War reenactor you will become a soldier, or a civilian, wearing authentic 1860s period clothing and learning to live as . Eric Tetreault/Connecticut Renaissance Faire. It might be a good idea to spring for the unit's annual fee for insurance coverage in case of an injury. *This post may contain affiliate links. The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. A haversack, a kind of handbag worn over the left shoulder, is generally black. or C.S.A. BOOK TIP: "The Illustrated Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era". Battle reenactments are scripted recreations of actual Civil War engagements, which spectators pay to come and watch. The persona you select should have some personal significance to you. They carried Sharps rifles. 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). 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. 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. Most reenacting units require members to own dual impressions; both Union and Confederate. "How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting." We strive for accurate historical depiction of our original unit." YouTube Video Creator "History Boy" Drummer, 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Co. Perhaps you have a friend in the hobby who has encouraged you to give it a try. Don't be overwhelmed! There are reenactment groups for almost any era that captures your interest, such as ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, the American Revolution or either of the World Wars. By Robert Arvay. The 49th Indiana, Company F is Indiana's oldest and largest nonprofit organization devoted to portraying life during the American Civil War. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. It is common to find Black reenactors sprinkled in the Confederate ranks. While reenactors do like authenticity, they draw the line at paying upwards of $30 for registration fees, but finding over-flowing port-a-johns by Sunday morning. All races and ethnicities can reenact. We are a Civil War reenactment group based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that portrays the 9th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry (US). She teaches at the Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. 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. And that's not including weaponry: An M1 Garand will put you out $700 to $900, while other period guns cost less than $100. For the sake of authenticity, women do not bear arms. Used by permission of Kathleen Smith. 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. Civil War Encampment & Reenactment 2021 August 5, 2021 | Education, Events and Programs, Historic Hanna's Town Thank you to everyone who joined us for the biannual Civil War Encampment and Reenactment! Colorado Connecticut. Families wishing to stay together all weekend can portray civilians. Check ourencyclopedia for a gloss on thousands of topics from biographies to the table of elements. While the majority of soldiers were in the 1840 age range, in many enlistment cases birth years were overlooked, or were fabricated. They will speak as though the War Between the States is current. Reenacting units are organized in companies and regiments by reenactors from the same geographic area, much as Civil War companies and regiments were organized. Becoming a historical re-enactor requires an unquenchable thirst for history and abiding patience with uncomfortable accommodations and ridiculous outfits. 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.. What period of history most grabs your interest? 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. 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! 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. Too far back and the soldier in the front rank is too close to the muzzle blast. Most reenacting units are equipped to act as either Federal or Confederate troops in order to be able to balance numbers at reenacting events. Some larger units will have majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels. Some units have fifers and drummers. 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. 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. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1999. A basic infantryman's kit can be assembled starting around $1,000, but once you start adding in costly replica weapons and period-authentic accoutrementsor you have your heart set on being a cavalry officeryou could easily spend many thousands. 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. The easiest way for children to get involved in reenacting is to do it as a family. 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. There's nothing volunteering in a historical reenactment to experience the sights, sounds and smells of history. Reenacting can be a family hobby with Dad, Mom, and the kids all portraying 19th century roles. Salary.com. Its educational and, finally, its a great way to escape the worries of today and pretend in the great outdoors. - "A Union Civil War Living History and Reenacting organization located in the greater Connecticut area. 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. The most stare-inducing women reenactors are those ladies portraying Catholic nuns who served as nurses during the war. These can range anywhere from $5 a month to $25 a month. 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. Wearing historically accurate clothing is essential to your impression and attention to details is important, i.e. The 49th Indiana Volunteer Infantry is Indiana's oldest, largest and best drilled civil war unit. In a reenactment, a persona is a character and role that you choose to portray. 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. A reenactor could choose that impression by joining a reenacting unit following those uniform guidelines. "Dream Job: Historical Reenactor." Aside from physical distance, a reenactor needs to take into consideration a few factors. Finding a reenactment group isn't as easy as looking at a map and finding the unit closest to you. Buy at a reenactment or with the help of an experience unit member. Civilian - A person, male or female, who reenacts any non-military impression during Reenactments. If you crave intrigue and a dash of melodrama, historical fiction can make the past come alive. 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. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. Now that the sesquicentennial is over, the future of reenacting is being debated. For further reading suggestions and links to many of these online resources, please see the Stonewall Brigades Recommended Reading list. The main thing one has to learn is the infantry drill, and to follow orders to execute maneuvers.