How do I join a unit as a reenactor? Or, Dad can stay in the military camp while Mom and the kids stay in a civilian camp. 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. Arkansas Infantry Reenactors. 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. 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. A reenactor could choose that impression by joining a reenacting unit following those uniform guidelines. Confederate Zouaves called Louisiana Tigers wear striped baggy pants. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. Learning an instrument is typically the easiest way for children to get involved. In FULL SLAVE garb. Little children have no business on the field because they can become separated from parents. One can read the history of how Confederate Major General Ambrose Powell Hills Light Division marched 22 miles from Harpers Ferry, Virginia to Sharpsburg, Maryland. Three factors come into play, and the United States demonstrates all of them. Before you purchase a musket and show up to your first event, you may find the following tips useful. Any unit you contact should be extremely welcoming and do everything they can to have you join their ranks. 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. https://www.thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852 (accessed March 5, 2023). Hard-core reenactors give up all amenities of modern life, from deodorant to modern wristwatches. Reenactors carry everything with them with no resupply from a vehicle, speak in first person and essentially lose themselves entirely in the war for the weekend. By the time Ken Burns PBS special The Civil War debuted in 1990 interest in the War was on an upswing. To a CIVIL WAR reenactment. 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. Check out our article How to Join a Reenactment Group. Perhaps you have a deep interest in the Civil War and want to experience it and understand it in a way that books can never truly capture. Reenactors recreate history by portraying the look, actions, and lives of a person from a particular time period of history. The state of Pennsylvania hosted thousands of former Union and Confederate soldiers during the weeklong event. Civil War Reenacting makes an effort to list the websites of reenacting units, but, as might be expected, many units are not listed here. Civil War reenactors attempt to answer Footes rhetorical question by putting their 21st century selves into the roles of 19th century people. Once a prospective reenactor joins a unit the next step is to buy gear from sutlers, merchants specializing in the hobby named after the original civilian shop keepers who catered to the needs of Civil War soldiers. 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! Living Histories at original battlefields are by invitation by the National Park Service or the states that also maintain battlefields. Not sure about the geography of the middle east? 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. You must have a passion for history and an active imagination. A more specialized type of reenactment is living history, which requires reenactors to adopt specific historic personas and engage directly with the public to educate them about a certain period. While the three-banded musket is standard, there might be the occasional chance to carry something else. Are you looking for something you can do with your family? Just about anyone with an interest in reenactment can become a reenactor. Civilian - A person, male or female, who reenacts any non-military impression during Reenactments. 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. Authenticity, while ignored in the 1960s, is now universally required by reenacting units. 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. While reenacting is a hobby, it has some of the trappings of operating in an actual army. This Forum is for Posting Civil War Event Information. *This post may contain affiliate links. 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. If you have an interest in our American History during the period of 1861-1865, we invite you to join our ranks. Encampments allow visitors to wander through a Civil War camp and observe soldiers training, resting, playing, and simply relaxingall without television, iPods, or computers! 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. Mega events involve thousands of reenactors. 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]. Don't be overwhelmed! That inattention to historical details led to groan-inducing scenes (for reenactors anyway) in Shenandoah where Jimmy Stewarts teenaged son grabs a Trapdoor Springfield and starts fighting. However, it is important that you find a unit that is a good match for you if you want to continue to enjoy reenacting over the long-haul. 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. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. Perhaps you have a friend in the hobby who has encouraged you to give it a try. Reenacting gear includes the uniform, accoutrements, a musket, shoes, hat and more, all purchased from sutlers, merchants specializing in reproduction products for reenactors. If looking to dive into Vietnam reenacting, the number one piece of advice is to speak to a unit before making purchases. These organizations will often have a camp life where young ones can partake in 1860's life styles. Reenactors need a shirt, coat, pants, wool socks, and a hat. Is there a list or quartermaster who do I need to contact to get involved as a reenactor for the civil war. The largest event was the 135th Gettysburg reenactment which involved 15,000 reenactors. C.S. Some states require even single shot, reproduction muskets to be registered with the government. Civilian reenactors are the least expensive impressions to achieve, and have the most flexibility since the clothes chosen can range from elegant to simple. 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. While headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, our membership encompasses Maryland, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. 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. Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist and the author of The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy. Hand to hand combat is heavily scripted, never engage on your own. The age restriction on handling firearms does not prevent one from taking part in the hobby. AUTHENTIC Civil War Flag General W.F. and then went into battle to save Lees army, but until one has marched that same route, it is all theory. 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. Typical costs for reenacting might include the following. These events were often staged with paying spectators in mind, leading to sights that irritated reenactors such as rushing the enemy in a chargebut with multi-tiered bleachers behind the enemy. People come to Civil War reenacting in a myriad of ways. The most famous reenactment of the 1960s was the July 1961 Battle of First Manassas or Bull Run, held on the Manassas National Battlefield. Check your laws! Threadcounter A reenactor who insists on a historically accurate impression, down to fabric and buttonholes having the same threadcount typical of the time. To submit a reenactment group for consideration, please contact us here. Now i ma All races and ethnicities can reenact. While doing their impression many will do a first-person impression. How to join a reenactment group is not the hardest part of this journey, it's just the beginning. Battle reenactments are scripted recreations of actual Civil War engagements, which spectators pay to come and watch. Many units keep a stock of uniforms and other equipment on hand in order to let people try the hobby out rather than invest in it only to discover that they do not really like playing the role of a 1860s soldier. With the exception of events where rains flood the battlefield, reenactments are rarely cancelled for heat or cold. New reenactors start as privates and promotion to non commissioned officer or officer status depends on passing tests and demonstrating an ability to command larger bodies of men in maneuvers on the field. Here you can find a list of groups that portray the Great War period. Reenacting is at a cross-roads. In 2014 the name was changed to North Florida Artillery Historical Foundation, Inc. was established as a non profit/IRS organization. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Jane McGrath Reenactors enjoy camping, cooking over an open fire, guns, loud noises, marching, military discipline, and telling stories. They like to bring tents, camp chairs, hidden ice chests, and other gear that the original army would never have had. Reenactors accept discomfort, port-a-johns, close quarters, and the aches that come with carrying gear that weighs 20 pounds or more. They should also have a list of recommended vendors that sell uniforms and equipment that meet their units standards. There is no poll showing where reenactors live, but observation would put a majority of them in The South. 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. 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. Many organizations, particularly Civil War, offer family friendly scenarios. 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. 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. Reenacting for many is a serious, but fun, event. The NPS decided that mock battles detracted from the commemorative nature of the battlefields. The youngest vet eran was 61 and the oldest was 112. 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. Load more. 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. 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 exhaustion felt at the end of that reenacting march brings home the realization that the soldiers of the Civil War were tough. Immersion events are small reenactments where reenactors carry everything with them with no resupply from vehicles. Our way to offer tribute to these great men of the Civil War is to study as much as possible . Our principal reason for existence is to promote an authentic portrayal of Civil War history to the . Typically, the age restriction for most events is 16 years old to carry a musket/rifle. As they learn how to be a soldier, they take tests and advance through the non-commissioned ranks to corporals and sergeants. 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. We have members in four states Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Arkansas. Muster A gathering, especially of troops, for service, inspection, review or roll call. Reenacting events come in varying categories. When brigaded with other units, a reenactor general may command 200-300 men. Stan Honda . While this material is of interest to reenactors, our hobby requires a detailed knowledge of the daily experience of individual soldiers. 2) Consider What You Want Out of Reenacting: Spend some time thinking about what aspects of reenacting interest you. 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. A reenactor is a special breed of person. Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved by Milsurpia. 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. Most reenactment groups have extra clothing, uniforms,costumes, and props that they are willing to loan to newcomers. Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. 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". 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! There are three types of reenactors; mainstreamers who do not fit the Civil War image of young thin soldiers and bring extra gear for comfort, campaigners who pride themselves in living rough in the open and achieving authenticity and stitch counters who pay attention to details of the history of uniforms and equipment and who generally maneuver with either mainstreamers or campaigners. A plastic mug would be farby as would a polyester uniform since they didnt have polyester in 1861. This can mean everything from uncomfortable clothes and terrible food to inclement weather and a poor excuse for a bed. Reenacting units are organized in companies and regiments by reenactors from the same geographic area, much as Civil War companies and regiments were organized. Most reenacting units require members to own dual impressions; both Union and Confederate. 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). 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. 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. Can one really hear a Civil War era term the rattle of musketry? Most units have a list of acceptable gear and approved sutlers. Events Could Include: Reenactments, Living Histories, Round Tables, Battlewalks, Shows, Lectures & More. 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. Reenactors adopt what they call impressions based on the type of person they want to portray. 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. Historical reenactment groups and living history groups offer an insight into how men and women lived in past times. If you've gotten this far then hopefully you've put some thought into this endeavor. Reenactors who claim: My ancestors would roll over in their graves if I portrayed the other side are frowned upon. Aside from physical distance, a reenactor needs to take into consideration a few factors. After all, every one of the reenactors at an event arrived in a 21st century vehicle of some kind. You can buy relatively cheap U.S. uniforms from the World Wars. - Confederate States or Confederate States Army. 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. Some units focus on the military side of reenacting, preferring to keep civilian women in a separate camp while other units allow children to run around the military camp. By now you are probably wondering, "how much is all of this going to cost me? 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. Finding a reenactment group isn't as easy as looking at a map and finding the unit closest to you. The N word season pass premium + membership is in full effect for the day. Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about. Cavalry reenactors have uniforms that are patterned after original cavalry uniforms. In many war reenactments, there aren't roles for women on the battlefield, but some events have side attractions geared toward women, such as tea parties, craft activities and quilt shows. These reenactors can make a modest living by working in museums or historic sites such as Plymouth, Mass., or Williamsburg, Va. You'll also have to brush up on the language and customs specific to the era. We had a weekend with perfect weather and many exciting and educational activities. clear this with both units and dont just show up expecting to be ok. They are encouraged to buy their opposite impression as soon as they can afford the cost. Just as in the Civil War armies, men who take on the rank must be able to perform at that rank. While the majority of soldiers were in the 1840 age range, in many enlistment cases birth years were overlooked, or were fabricated. Perhaps the most famous civil war in history began on April 12, 1861, when secessionist Southerners attacked the United States Army garrison at Fort Sumter, South Carolina . Rivers might be crossed. Infantry is the easiest branch to learn and to finance. Invitation events are smaller events where organizers limit the number of participants in order to better manage the scale. 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 . "How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting." Powell, Kimberly. Learn more about the world with our collection of regional and country maps. Our editors update and regularly refine this enormous body of information to bring you reliable information. That means single reenactors in a specialty uniform must search out similar reenactors to fall in with at events. Infoplease is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational and reference sites for parents, teachers and students. Choose a Persona Civil War Reenactment is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States, and with good reason. Units of mainstreamers may number from 20 to 100. We've got you covered with our map collection. Find WW1 Reenactment groups to join now! 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. Just how much does it cost to be a Civil War reenactor? All races and ethnicities can reenact. Reenactor A person, male or female, dedicated to recreating the War Between the States or Civil War. Experience being part of bringing our nation's most turbulent and tragic era to life. Reenactors believe that a weekend playing soldier or civilian brings them closer to understanding the experiences of the men and women who lived in that time. Reenactments are family events, so feel free to bring the kids, too. Extreme Points of the United States (States & Territories), Federal issue forage cap (dark or indigo blue), State issue forage cap with McDowell visor (dark or indigo blue), Federal fatigue blouse ("sack coat," dark or indigo blue) with four brass buttons, Federal trousers, foot pattern (sky blue), Issue muslin shirt (or other period pattern), USM1855 cartridge box, .58 caliber, mid-war model (black leather), USM1855 bayonet scabbard (black leather, one-piece Springfield style), M1853 three-band .577 caliber Enfield rifle musket and bayonet, Musket sling for M1853 Enfield (untreated leather), Haversack, U.S. regulation wartime issue (black tarred canvas), USM1858 smooth side canteen (jean cloth or dark blue wool cover) with strap (leather preferred over cotton drill or linen).