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. The largest event was likely the 135th Gettysburg reenactment where an estimated 15,000 attended. 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. 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. Invitation events are smaller with limited numbers of participants making them easier to manage. 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. Living Histories at original battlefields are by invitation by the National Park Service or the states that also maintain battlefields. Otherwise, the 60 grains of powder and a piece of paper wadding for each charge is authentic. But, for whatever reason, something about recreating the life of a Civil War soldier resonates with you and youre interested in joining the hobby. 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. 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. 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. We seek to commemorate the great hardships and sacrifices of the soldiers and citizens of Indiana during our nation's most turbulent and defining moment in history, the American Civil War. Reenactors sacrifice immense amounts of time, effort, and money to recreate history. 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. olg pick 4 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. To a CIVIL WAR reenactment. That means most Union forces on Southern battlefields likely talk with Southern accents even though they are in blue. 7th Florida Infantry Regiment, Company F. 21st Georgia Volunteer Infantry Civil War Reenactment Unit, 24th Georgia vols Company B civil War reenacting group, Company A, 2nd Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters, 104th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Company H, First Maryland Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 28th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Company B, 4th Texas Co. E / 16th Michigan Co. B Civil War Reenactors, Reynolds' Battery L 1st New York Light Artillery, 75th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company A, Company "C" 2nd Regiment Berdan Sharpshooters. The gear does not stop at just a firearm either. At some late-war battles such as Bentonville, North Carolina and Saylers Creek, Virginia, Federal units armed with repeating rifles chewed into Confederate ranks. Colorado Connecticut. 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. You must have a passion for history and an active imagination. A love of history of all time periods is common though reenactors focus on the 19th century. 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. Reenacting units are organized in companies and regiments by reenactors from the same geographic area, much as Civil War companies and regiments were organized. If you're thinking about volunteering in a historical reenactment, experienced reenactors will tell you that you shouldn't delve into this hobby without knowing what you're getting into. Mountains might be climbed. With the exception of events where rains flood the battlefield, reenactments are rarely cancelled for heat or cold. Most reenactment organizations also won't allow children under 16 to bear arms. Thats why reenactors, like Civil War soldiers, are trained to not put their hand over the muzzle of the musket; least they get a palm full of painful, burning powder. The English Civil War Society UK: English Civil War: 1642 AD 1651 AD Combat reenactment, living history, educational visits, film and TV work Ermine Street Guard UK: Roman army: 50 AD 200 AD Combat reenactment, living history, TV and film work, education work, research Historia Normannis UK France USA: Middle Ages: 1100 1215 Combat reenactment . Emmitsburg Area Historical Society.http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/misc/re-enactor.htm, Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security, How the Civilian Conservation Corp Worked. .com/us/military/civil-war-reenactor.html. Reenactors living near each other form around a company that comes from that same geographic area. Cavalry and artillery reenactors have the added burden of worrying about their horses and mules stepping into holes on the field. The USCTs fought as all Black units commanded by white officers. . Most people choose a reenactment group that operates fairly close to home - at least within a day's drive. How do war reenactments work? 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. 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). Finding an organization for a child to partake in is not difficult. Living histories take place at the actual battlefield by invitation from the National Park Service. Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Italy, Denmark . But if you want to portray a German soldier from World War II, the uniforms are pricier -- typically $300 to $400 [source: Miller]. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. 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. Take your hits (deaths) If you wish to fight in a different unit that a family member fought in during the civil war. The same uniforms worn in the summer are worn in the winter. Reenacting gear includes the uniform, accoutrements, a musket, shoes, hat and more, all purchased from sutlers, merchants specializing in reproduction products for reenactors. While these stories may transport you to Elizabethan England or ancient Rome, they're still fiction, after all, and don't always provide authentic history lessons. There are Federal Zouave units who wear bright red pants, red trimmed jackets, and turbans. Both sides tolerate them. It is common to find Black reenactors sprinkled in the Confederate ranks. Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. 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. or C.S.A. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. This Forum is for Posting Civil War Event Information. When events are not limited by the numbers of participants per side, some events have seen Confederates outnumber Federals by five to oneat battles which the Federals won. The 26th North Carolina Troops and the 24th Michigan ran head-on into each other on the first day of Gettysburg in McPhersons Woods. Just how much does it cost to be a Civil War reenactor? Whats not to like? 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. The easiest way for children to get involved in reenacting is to do it as a family. Reenactment, appropriately called "living history," also means living under the same conditions encountered during the past. Most reenactors collect their kit over a period of time, borrowing from generous fellow soldiers until they are fully outfitted. For further reading suggestions and links to many of these online resources, please see the Stonewall Brigades Recommended Reading list. 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. The youngest vet eran was 61 and the oldest was 112. 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. Spectators wont see much action, but the reenactors will see only other reenactors and no more bleachers. How to join a reenactment group is not the hardest part of this journey, it's just the beginning. On the downside in terms of authenticity, they operate in much smaller groups that sometimes preclude them from being able to do the complicated drills that Civil War regiments would have done, and which the mainstreamers relentlessly practice. The Event Wire - Information. Historical reenacting gives you that chance. . Both shows used reenactors for the first time, a revelation for Hollywood directors who suddenly realized that their extras knew how to act like Civil War soldiers. 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. C.S. Arkansas Infantry Reenactors. Some people do take the "authenticity" to an extreme, but most groups welcome anyone with an interest. Stan Honda . Your mentor can also assist you in finding used gear either from unit members or outside resources like eBay or Facebook. How the Civilian Conservation Corps Worked, Historical Reenactment Costumes and Equipment, 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1999. Special Thanks Children as young as 8 have been seen at many reenactments partaking in field music. Work with your unit point of contact to ensure that the items you select even from these vendors are appropriate, since not every jacket a particular vendor offers will fit your units desired impression. The stitch counters can belong in either the mainstream or the campaigner camp. 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. If you asked to galvanize (switch sides) for a battle or event, dont complain. Subscribe to our newsletter * indicates required. Prospective reenactors should research units to judge how accepting they are of family participation. WELCOME TO THE 49TH INDIANA CO.F. 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. 4 June 2009. Their website is: www.CivilWarNews.com, Camp Chase Gazette is a how-to magazine for authentic reenactors. "How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting." 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. Eric Tetreault/Connecticut Renaissance Faire. Immersion events are small reenactments that attract campaigners. 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.. We have members in four states Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Arkansas. 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. The state of Pennsylvania hosted thousands of former Union and Confederate soldiers during the weeklong event. Aside from physical distance, a reenactor needs to take into consideration a few factors. As a spectator, you have a great opportunity to get a preview of what volunteering is like. 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. The NPS decided that mock battles detracted from the commemorative nature of the battlefields. A police officer grips a corner of a torn U.S. flag at a memorial ceremony in New York on Sept. 11, 2004. 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. American Civil War Society. Most reenactors join the infantry, which is followed in popularity by the artillery, then the cavalry and there are a few naval interpreters. Authenticity, while ignored in the 1960s, is now universally required by reenacting units. 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. If you crave intrigue and a dash of melodrama, historical fiction can make the past come alive. 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. 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. This list is by no means complete. 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.
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