Reenactment groups and societies can be found all over the world, although they are especially active in the U.S., UK, Germany, Sweden, Canada, and Australia. "How to Become a Re-Enactor." 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. That is what reenacting is all about; trying to live for a weekend like a Civil War soldier or civilian to figure out how they did it. California. Before you start investing cash in reenacting, attend enough events to ensure that its a hobby that you truly enjoy and want to purse. 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. All reenactors come into the unit as privates. or C.S.A. 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. Our Organization - 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment The gear does not stop at just a firearm either. To take part in high quality reenactments a reenactor should expect to drive at least a day for quality events. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Jane McGrath Speculation among reenactors is that smaller, focused events is where the hobby is headed. 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. Here you can find a list of groups that portray the American Civil War period. Need a reference? Their website is: www.CivilWarNews.com, Camp Chase Gazette is a how-to magazine for authentic reenactors. American Civil War Reenactment Groups. The only difference between the Civil War and the reenacting firing is that no Mini ball is rammed down the barrel. Only a handful of men will make generals and they must know how to command at that level. You'll have the Web at your fingertips to research an object's authenticity -- and to compare prices from multiple vendors. A haversack, a kind of handbag worn over the left shoulder, is generally black. 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. Our editors update and regularly refine this enormous body of information to bring you reliable information. *This post may contain affiliate links. In 2014 the name was changed to North Florida Artillery Historical Foundation, Inc. was established as a non profit/IRS organization. Living history events include encampments, parades, and school enrichment programs. Reenactors need a shirt, coat, pants, wool socks, and a hat. 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 reenacting group in Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, and New Hampshire. Some states require even single shot, reproduction muskets to be registered with the government. The Texas Rifles - Civil War Reenacting - Reenacting Home | 49th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Co.F Event Dues - This can really depend on the event and what is provided with the fee. While family involvement may be the goal of some reenactors, others enjoy the freedom of being away from the family on the weekend. Are you looking for a highly immersive experience that puts you right in the shoes of a Civil War soldier? Most reenactors are everyday people from all walks of life, with ages ranging from 16 to people in their sixties. Be prepared to be footsore! And that's not including weaponry: An M1 Garand will put you out $700 to $900, while other period guns cost less than $100. Powell, Kimberly. These would be reproduction arms originally manufactured by Springfield and copied by the Confederates, or Enfield, which was an English import used by both sides. Spectators wont see much action, but the reenactors will see only other reenactors and no more bleachers. Think about who you are in real life,or the person you secretly want to be, and translate that to an individual who lived during your time period of interest. One asked the obvious question to a man who had written more than 3,000 pages seemingly covering every aspect of a war that stretched from New Mexico to New York: Is there anything about the War that you dont know?, Footes response was immediate: I still dont know how they did it. The United States Marines wear distinctive crossed white belts. 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. Check your local newspaper or search the Internet to find a reenactment near you. 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). That model Springfield was not developed until 1869. At some late-war battles such as Bentonville, North Carolina and Saylers Creek, Virginia, Federal units armed with repeating rifles chewed into Confederate ranks. WELCOME TO THE 49TH INDIANA CO.F. C.S. Young Civil War Reenactor (photo by D. Farr). By the time Ken Burns PBS special The Civil War debuted in 1990 interest in the War was on an upswing. 5) Purchase Slowly and Strategically: When you are ready to start purchasing gear, take your time and make your purchases strategic. It was anticipation of the 125th anniversary events, starting in 1986, when reenacting turned into a serious hobby. The largest event was likely the 135th Gettysburg reenactment where an estimated 15,000 attended. How do I join a unit as a reenactor? - "A Union Civil War Living History and Reenacting organization located in the greater Connecticut area. 21 Virginia F-Company Powell, Kimberly. How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting. American Civil War reenactment - Wikipedia Period clothing and accessories can be very expensive -- depending on the period and figure you're portraying. 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. Mainstream is exactly what it sounds like, reenactors ranging in age from teenagers to well-beyond middle age who like the hobby, but who also do not fit the Civil War image of soldiers being thin and between the ages of 18-25. 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. Reenacting does require a commitment, however, in both time and resources. Mega-events, reenactments where reenactors number several thousand, are likely gone forever now that the 150th anniversary events ended in 2015. Once the leather gear, muskets, and bayonets are purchased, only the opposite sides coat and pants are a necessary purchase to correctly portray the other side. One place to find equipment for sale is at the reenactment events. While headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, our membership encompasses Maryland, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Reenacting units staged living histories to explain weapons and uniforms at venues like schools and public parks to recruit new hobbyists. 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. Being a Civil War reenactor is about stepping back in time to create believable characterpersonaor what reenactors call an impression. While the majority of soldiers were in the 1840 age range, in many enlistment cases birth years were overlooked, or were fabricated. Just as in the Civil War armies, men who take on the rank must be able to perform at that rank. When you're starting out as a volunteer, the unit you're working with will probably have a spare uniform you can borrow. 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. Most units have a list of acceptable gear and approved sutlers. Many organizations, particularly Civil War, offer family friendly scenarios. Not all organizations allow family's along for the ride. The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. As a spectator, you have a great opportunity to get a preview of what volunteering is like. Immerse yourself in the time period by reading books and primary source documents related to the area, and the type of person you've chosen to portray. If you are up to the task, here's some information to get you started. Check with your reenacting unit before buying any gun. Reenactors adopt what they call impressions based on the type of person they want to portray. Check out our article How to Join a Reenactment Group. 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. 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. Special Thanks Check your laws! If its not, consider trying another group. 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. Reenactment, appropriately called "living history," also means living under the same conditions encountered during the past. There is no age requirement for being a Civil War reenactor, but, of course, minors will need to have their parents approval and support. Reenacting - 9th Pennsylvania Reserves Reenacting Civil War battles began during the War when both sides staged mock battles when heavy snows kept the men in camp from going out and killing each other. 2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. Scouring the sutlers' goods may also set you up for an impulse buy that your historic persona doesn't really need. Finding an organization for a child to partake in is not difficult. 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. A reenactor is a special breed of person. 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. Should I join a Civil War reenactment group? Is it fun? - Quora I show up. The North Florida Artillery was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the state of Florida in March 2007. A canteen holding about two quarts of water is critical. Whats not to like? For the Bray family in Brunswick, American Civil War reenactment is more than just a historical hobby it's a family affair. How To Get Started With Historical Reenacting - ThoughtCo In historical reenactments, people from all walks of life gather together, dressed head-to-toe in period clothing. 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. American Civil War Reenactment Groups - Living History archive 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". Get a feel for the atmosphere and conditions of a living history event before you rush to buy vintage style military uniforms & equipment. We are active from Virginia to New England. The youngest vet eran was 61 and the oldest was 112. Thanks for reaching out John we just got in touch to provide you some additional information. Now i ma Most reenacting units have both a website and a Facebook page, making it easier for people to find local units. Take your hits (deaths) If you wish to fight in a different unit that a family member fought in during the civil war. . If you've gotten this far then hopefully you've put some thought into this endeavor. The 49th Indiana, Company F is Indiana's oldest and largest nonprofit organization devoted to portraying life during the American Civil War. Living History Archive. Invitation events are smaller events where organizers limit the number of participants in order to better manage the scale. Reenactments and national parks help reimagine what life was like for Its educational and, finally, its a great way to escape the worries of today and pretend in the great outdoors. To submit a reenactment group for consideration, please contact us here. These characteristics can be challenging to identify by examining a units website or Facebook page or by chatting with the members at an event. 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. Dressing Up as Slaves for a Civil War Reenactment : r/TikTokCringe - Reddit Almost every reenactor can tell you stories about uniforms or equipment they rushed to purchase when they first started out and later regretted after they learned it was of poor quality or didnt fit the impression they ultimately pursued. 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. Threadcounter A reenactor who insists on a historically accurate impression, down to fabric and buttonholes having the same threadcount typical of the time. 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. Mega events involve thousands of reenactors. Units of mainstreamers may number from 20 to 100. If you asked to galvanize (switch sides) for a battle or event, dont complain. As they learn how to be a soldier, they take tests and advance through the non-commissioned ranks to corporals and sergeants. Welcome to the official website of the Georgia Division Reenactors Association! Reenacting gear includes the uniform, accoutrements, a musket, shoes, hat and more, all purchased from sutlers, merchants specializing in reproduction products for reenactors. Finally, there is the largest investment of all, the musket and bayonet. 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. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. 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]. There are essentially three types of reenactors; mainstream, campaigners, and stitch counters. One note for reenactors living in states with strict gun laws. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. How does a starving man march 20 miles then go into a three-hour battle? [1]. Historical reenacting gives you that chance. Many groups may bridge these labels and there is a great degree of variation within the clusters, but generally reenacting organizations fall into one of the following categories: 3) Do Your Research on Units: The current reality of the reenacting hobby is that every unit is eager, if not borderline desperate, to add new recruits to their ranks. Civilian reenactors are the least expensive impressions to achieve, and have the most flexibility since the clothes chosen can range from elegant to simple. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. Too many curious volunteers have spent hundreds of dollars on costumes and equipment only to find out that the experience is more grueling than they bargained for. But, for whatever reason, something about recreating the life of a Civil War soldier resonates with you and youre interested in joining the hobby. They will speak as though the War Between the States is current. 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 ]. We come from in and around Shelby County. Immersion events are small reenactments that attract campaigners. How To Join A Civil War Reenactment Group | TooIF 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.
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