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. This list is by no means complete. Need a reference? Are you really excited about being a part of large battle reenactments? While reenacting is fun, it is also a physically taxing hobby. Hundreds of . A reenactor is a special breed of person. Two TV mini-series, Blue & Gray (1982), and North & South (1985) drove interest in reenacting in the early 1980s. Speculation among reenactors is that smaller, focused events is where the hobby is headed. All races and ethnicities can reenact. That is also the reason why most leather gear is black, the standard Union color. st croix zillow dollar genetal near me bnha x innocent reader. While doing their impression many will do a first-person impression. 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. 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. Typically, the age restriction for most events is 16 years old to carry a musket/rifle. Reenactors recreate history by portraying the look, actions, and lives of a person from a particular time period of history. Now that the sesquicentennial is over, the future of reenacting is being debated. Three factors come into play, and the United States demonstrates all of them. 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. It is common to find Black reenactors sprinkled in the Confederate ranks. Family Friendly Units - If reenacting is to become your next family adventure, you're going to have to find a family friendly unit. If you are up to the task, here's some information to get you started. Some units have fifers and drummers. 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. The most stare-inducing women reenactors are those ladies portraying Catholic nuns who served as nurses during the war. Reenacting units are organized in companies and regiments by reenactors from the same geographic area, much as Civil War companies and regiments were organized. By now you are probably wondering, "how much is all of this going to cost me? Historical reenactment groups and living history groups offer an insight into how men and women lived in past times. Keep attending reenactments until you find a period that suits your specific interests and talents. The weapons that reenactors carry are real -- and loaded. Their website is: www.campchase.com), The Citizens Companion focuses on civilian reenacting and is also published by the same company that publishes Camp Chase Gazette. Your mentor can also assist you in finding used gear either from unit members or outside resources like eBay or Facebook. Learn fife or drum. Living Histories at original battlefields are by invitation by the National Park Service or the states that also maintain battlefields. "How to Volunteer in Historical Reenactments" Hard-core reenactors give up all amenities of modern life, from deodorant to modern wristwatches. Reenacting the Civil War as a hobby got off to a shaky start during in the 1960s when authenticity was ignored in favor of doing something, anything, to commemorate the Centennial. 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. That means single reenactors in a specialty uniform must search out similar reenactors to fall in with at events. 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. Impression Many reenactors will choose an impression during a reenactment. Only a handful of men will make generals and they must know how to command at that level. In addition to special uniforms, some reenactors will be tempted to get special firearms. Leather cartridge box, belt, bayonet scabbard and cap box come in a variety of types and colors such as russet brown, but most men choose black so the same accoutrements can be used for both Confederate and Union impressions. Some people do take the "authenticity" to an extreme, but most groups welcome anyone with an interest. The NPS decided that mock battles detracted from the commemorative nature of the battlefields. The easiest way for children to get involved in reenacting is to do it as a family. Many units have loaner gear or special requirements. 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. These organizations will often have a camp life where young ones can partake in 1860's life styles. Being a Civil War reenactor is about stepping back in time to create believable characterpersonaor what reenactors call an impression. But, there are legitimate roles for reenactors in their early teens to act as runners, or fifers or drummers if they are musically inclined to join units which have field musicians. Finding an organization for a child to partake in is not difficult. Wearing historically accurate clothing is essential to your impression and attention to details is important, i.e. Any unit you contact should be extremely welcoming and do everything they can to have you join their ranks. Units portraying the Vietnam War aren't nearly as prolific as World War 2 or Civil War impressions. BOOK TIP: "The Illustrated Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era". The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. 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. Some civilian reenactors may choose to portray professions such as mortician or battlefield surgeon with some women roaming the field as nurses. 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. You'll also have to brush up on the language and customs specific to the era. 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). American Civil War Society. Get a feel for the atmosphere and conditions of a living history event before you rush to buy vintage style military uniforms & equipment. Most reenacting units have both a website and a Facebook page, making it easier for people to find local units. *This post may contain affiliate links. Some states require even single shot, reproduction muskets to be registered with the government. How do war reenactments work? - Confederate States or Confederate States Army. Once the basics are purchased, reenactors move on to acquire other gear like a canvas dog tent, or a larger A-frame tent, a gum or rubber blanket/poncho for putting down on the ground or wearing as rain gear, and cooking gear like tin frying pans and cooking grates. Confederate Zouaves called Louisiana Tigers wear striped baggy pants. Aside from physical distance, a reenactor needs to take into consideration a few factors. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Or, Dad can stay in the military camp while Mom and the kids stay in a civilian camp. "I decided to join the Civil War reenacting group that helped to make the movie." . While we are based in Middle Tennessee, we have active and semi-active members in many states from Florida to Arizona and Alabama to Iowa besides our core Tennessee and Kentucky group. "How to Become a Re-Enactor." Sutlers set up large tents at reenactments and also sell on-line. Then, the reenactors, tourist bureaus, and entrepreneurs realized that starting in 1991 they could stage larger-than-usual events at five-year intervals starting with the 130th anniversary of the start of the War. Learn about one of the world's oldest and most popular religions. The 150th Manassas, Virginia event was held when the temperature on the field was 114 degrees. A colonial shopkeeper will have a pretty simple costume compared to a Civil War general's uniform. Mainstreamers cheerfully accept the nickname TBG- which stands for Tubby Bearded Guys. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links at no additional cost to you. We come from in and around Shelby County. It is up to reenactors to know if they have the stamina to participate in the action. Powell, Kimberly. 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. All reenactors come into the unit as privates. 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. Here you can find a list of groups that portray the American Civil War period. 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. For a great description of womens clothing and textiles during the Civil War, read this Civil War Fashion piece by Kathy Dhalle on the Bits of Blue & Gray website. Arkansas Infantry Reenactors. The Event Wire - Information. 4) Read As Much As You Can: The best way to start your career in reenacting out right is to read extensively. For the sake of authenticity, women do not bear arms. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. Camping with ones friends can be an attractive incentive to pack up the gear and drive away rather than staying home doing chores. The United States Marines wear distinctive crossed white belts. A reenactor could choose that impression by joining a reenacting unit following those uniform guidelines. Required fields are marked *. And many battle reenactment societies require that you acquaint yourself thoroughly with the manual of arms. This Forum is for Posting Civil War Event Information. Reenacting does require a commitment, however, in both time and resources. Too far forward, and the percussion cap is exploding in his ear. With the exception of events where rains flood the battlefield, reenactments are rarely cancelled for heat or cold. Just about anyone with an interest in reenactment can become a reenactor. 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. 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. Reenacting. Civil War Reenactment is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States, and with good reason. And finally, muskets are real guns. Finally, there is the largest investment of all, the musket and bayonet. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. WELCOME TO THE 49TH INDIANA CO.F. R. Lee Hadden. 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. Reenactor A person, male or female, dedicated to recreating the War Between the States or Civil War. How to join a reenactment group is not the hardest part of this journey, it's just the beginning. Prospective reenactors should research units to judge how accepting they are of family participation. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Germany . Most reenactment groups have extra clothing, uniforms,costumes, and props that they are willing to loan to newcomers. 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 . Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Jane McGrath That could be in California, Wisconsin, or even Russia. 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. Muster A gathering, especially of troops, for service, inspection, review or roll call. Not all organizations allow family's along for the ride. Horses, though trained to expect loud noises from cannons, rifles, pistols and clanging sabers, sometimes throw their riders to the ground. The main thing one has to learn is the infantry drill, and to follow orders to execute maneuvers. Reenactors enjoy camping, cooking over an open fire, guns, loud noises, marching, military discipline, and telling stories. The gear does not stop at just a firearm either. In a reenactment, a persona is a character and role that you choose to portray. These events help reenactors immerse themselves in the reenacting experience, gaining first-hand knowledge of war, battle strategy, and the hardships of combat. 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. clear this with both units and dont just show up expecting to be ok. 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. For those men who need vision correction and who do not wear contact lens, there are sutlers who deal in eye glasses which are correct for the period. Farby is a Civil War Reenactment term for anything not typical of the period. Most reenacting units are equipped to act as either Federal or Confederate troops in order to be able to balance numbers at reenacting events. 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. Not all reenactment groups will offer the same experiences. 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. 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 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. Special Thanks Immersion events are small reenactments where reenactors carry everything with them with no resupply from vehicles. Take your hits (deaths) If you wish to fight in a different unit that a family member fought in during the civil war. There are alternative ways to get your history education. Active members, either military or . But if you're more interested in other wars or time periods, don't despair. 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. 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. Company B, the reenacting group, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer . Authentic Campaigner is a blog dedicated to events, impressions, goods, etc.