To submit a reenactment group for consideration, please contact us here. Used by permission of Kathleen Smith. During the Civil War Native Americans, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics fought on both sides. AUTHENTIC Civil War Flag General W.F. The problem with these specialty impressions is that they only operate as units. Reenacting units are organized in some of the same ways as Civil War companies and regiments. Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about. First-person - When a reenactor speaks to fellow reenactors and the public as a person during the 1860s. 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. Horses, though trained to expect loud noises from cannons, rifles, pistols and clanging sabers, sometimes throw their riders to the ground. Our principal reason for existence is to promote an authentic portrayal of Civil War history to the . They will speak as though the War Between the States is current. Most reenactors are everyday people from all walks of life, with ages ranging from 16 to people in their sixties. or C.S.A. And many battle reenactment societies require that you acquaint yourself thoroughly with the manual of arms. At some late-war battles such as Bentonville, North Carolina and Saylers Creek, Virginia, Federal units armed with repeating rifles chewed into Confederate ranks. 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! Many organizations, particularly Civil War, offer family friendly scenarios. Don't buy a uniform or other equipment until you've joined a unit, which might have its own particular rules for attire. Just as in the Civil War armies, men who take on the rank must be able to perform at that rank. For instance, the 26th Regiment of North Carolina Troops also portrays the 24th Michigan of The Iron Brigade when it reenacts as Federals. Civil War Reenactment is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States, and with good reason. Sutlers set up large tents at reenactments and also sell on-line. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1999. Invitation events are smaller events where organizers limit the number of participants in order to better manage the scale. It was anticipation of the 125th anniversary events, starting in 1986, when reenacting turned into a serious hobby. Just as in the 1860s, some reenacting gear can be shoddy (a Civil War era word), so taking knowledgeable advice from other veteran reenactors in ones unit makes sure newcomers do not buy the wrong gear. 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. Reenactors recreate history by portraying the look, actions, and lives of a person from a particular time period of history. 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. 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. Do you have a passion for Ancient Rome, medieval fashion, or Colonial America, and the Salem Witch Trials? Both sides tolerate them. "Become a Member." document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A Civil War Reenactment is the recreation of past battles for the education and entertainment of both spectators and hobbyists alike. If you choose an active reenactment role, you'll need to be in good health, capable of the physical activity and lack of everyday comforts that are inherent in reenacting. There is no age requirement for being a Civil War reenactor, but, of course, minors will need to have their parents approval and support. Check ourencyclopedia for a gloss on thousands of topics from biographies to the table of elements. With the exception of events where rains flood the battlefield, reenactments are rarely cancelled for heat or cold. 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. 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. .com/us/military/civil-war-reenactor.html. While family involvement may be the goal of some reenactors, others enjoy the freedom of being away from the family on the weekend. Particularly welcomeand neededat reenactments are Black reenactors. It might be a good idea to spring for the unit's annual fee for insurance coverage in case of an injury. But if you want to portray a German soldier from World War II, the uniforms are pricier -- typically $300 to $400 [source: Miller]. We've got you covered with our map collection. They like to bring tents, camp chairs, hidden ice chests, and other gear that the original army would never have had. Aside from physical distance, a reenactor needs to take into consideration a few factors. 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. Most reenacting units require members to own dual impressions; both Union and Confederate. Our way to offer tribute to these great men of the Civil War is to study as much as possible . John Miller, a veteran reenactor who specializes in the Civil War, warns prospective volunteers that the hobby can get dangerous [source: Miller]. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. 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. 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. Confederate States or Confederate States Army. 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). There is nothing inherently better or worse about any of these clusters they are each different ways of experiencing the hobby and it is important that you pick the one that most closely matches what interests you. Being a Civil War reenactor is about stepping back in time to create believable characterpersonaor what reenactors call an impression. Most organization will not watch your 10 year old kid all day. Germany . Otherwise, the 60 grains of powder and a piece of paper wadding for each charge is authentic. 5) Purchase Slowly and Strategically: When you are ready to start purchasing gear, take your time and make your purchases strategic. 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. One of the last Civil War reenactments by Civil War vet erans was the Great Reunion of 1913, on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Many units have loaner gear or special requirements. In 2014 the name was changed to North Florida Artillery Historical Foundation, Inc. was established as a non profit/IRS organization. Women have to make the effort to disguise themselves as men. It is one of the rich ironies of reenacting that Black Confederates march side by side with white Confederate reenactors, while Black Union troops usually only participate in battles where the USCTs were present such as New Market Heights, Virginia., and Olustee, Florida. People come to Civil War reenacting in a myriad of ways. The website also lists a number of sutler websites. A reenactor could choose that impression by joining a reenacting unit following those uniform guidelines. 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. Reproduction clothing can cost several hundred dollars, and reproduction period rifles as much as $1000. 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. Reenactors refer to their clothing and equipment as theirkit. Then again in 1938, those same veterans returned. Eric Tetreault/Connecticut Renaissance Faire. Whats not to like? The state of Pennsylvania hosted thousands of former Union and Confederate soldiers during the weeklong event. 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. With sound recordings, new generations could hear the Rebel yellyelped by 95-year-old men who still had the spunk to give it. Hard-core reenactors give up all amenities of modern life, from deodorant to modern wristwatches. 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 asked to galvanize (switch sides) for a battle or event, dont complain. 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. "I decided to join the Civil War reenacting group that helped to make the movie." . For instance, the Stonewall Brigades list is located here. 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. Living History Archive. 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. Civil War soldiers or civilians didnt have digital watches or plastic frame eyeglasses. Their website is: www.CivilWarNews.com, Camp Chase Gazette is a how-to magazine for authentic reenactors. 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. These characteristics can be challenging to identify by examining a units website or Facebook page or by chatting with the members at an event. Many units will choose opposite unit impressions that have something to do with the primary unit they portray, or perhaps a unit that passed through their home area. In historical reenactments, people from all walks of life gather together, dressed head-to-toe in period clothing. The 49th Indiana, Company F is Indiana's oldest and largest nonprofit organization devoted to portraying life during the American Civil War. For official duties, these youngstersoften between 10 and 14were called on to fill supporting roles such as drummers, buglers, messengers, and field assistants. 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. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. The largest event was likely the 135th Gettysburg reenactment where an estimated 15,000 attended. There are Federal Zouave units who wear bright red pants, red trimmed jackets, and turbans. A police officer grips a corner of a torn U.S. flag at a memorial ceremony in New York on Sept. 11, 2004. There's nothing volunteering in a historical reenactment to experience the sights, sounds and smells of history. 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. This manual includes such things as company tactics and firing details [source: Miller]. Some of the young men who started reenacting decades ago when the 125th anniversary events attracted them are now passing through middle age. City, county and state governments and private entrepreneurs with connections to those reenacting units saw the tourist potential of staging mock battles on private or public land. 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! Wearing historically accurate clothing is essential to your impression and attention to details is important, i.e. Reenacting remained a small hobby during the mid-1970s when events numbering several hundred reenactors were common. By joining such a society, you'll have time to try out your persona before committing to any major purchases for your own kit. And that's not including weaponry: An M1 Garand will put you out $700 to $900, while other period guns cost less than $100. If youre interested in an immersive, authentic experience, joining a mainstream unit will be a poor fit.