Real sticklers discourage men from wearing wedding bands as that custom was not around during The Civil War. The website also lists a number of sutler websites. They are great foundational introductions to the topic. Winter reenactors will want heavy overcoats which can cost upwards of $300. "Become a Member." The important thing to remember is the child still needs adult supervision. The three types seem to always be warring with each other in blog posts with the campaigners laughing at the age of the mainstreamers; the mainstreamers laughing at the campaigners with their dirty faces; and the stitch counters laughing at both of them for wearing a uniform that was proper in 1862, but which wasnt worn in 1864. 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). Whoever is physically able can take to the battlefield with certain age restrictions. Welcome! Cavalry reenactors have uniforms that are patterned after original cavalry uniforms. Reenactors generally participate in three types of events: Battle reenactments are scripted recreations of actual Civil War engagements, which spectators pay to come and watch. When you're starting out as a volunteer, the unit you're working with will probably have a spare uniform you can borrow. 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. Take your hits (deaths) If you wish to fight in a different unit that a family member fought in during the civil war. . Our principal reason for existence is to promote an authentic portrayal of Civil War history to the . 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. 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 would be reproduction arms originally manufactured by Springfield and copied by the Confederates, or Enfield, which was an English import used by both sides. If you have the time, it can even be fun to learn to make some of your clothing or items yourself, just as it was done in the past. 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. 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. Whats not to like? Infoplease is a reference and learning site, combining the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas and several almanacs loaded with facts. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. The 125th anniversary of the start of the war in 1986 saw reenacting turn into a serious hobby. How to Get Started on a Literature Review, Discovering the Occupations of Your Ancestors, Ancient Sources on Persian or Iranian History, Fun Family History Activities for Family Reunions, 3 Practical Ways to Become a Better Homeschooling Teacher, Certificate in Genealogical Research, Boston University. She teaches at the Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. For instance, the Stonewall Brigades list is located here. 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. By now you are probably wondering, "how much is all of this going to cost me? We do this by portraying soldiers and citizens at . At the reenactments of those battles, Federal reenactors with access to repeating rifles like the 1860 Henry or the Spencer rifle or carbine will brigade together to recreate those particular actions. This can mean everything from uncomfortable clothes and terrible food to inclement weather and a poor excuse for a bed. 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. "I decided to join the Civil War reenacting group that helped to make the movie." . It is where the Civil War soldier carried his food and where the reenactor will carry his food, wallet and car keys. The exhaustion felt at the end of that reenacting march brings home the realization that the soldiers of the Civil War were tough. Rivers might be crossed. Authentic Campaigner is a blog dedicated to events, impressions, goods, etc. Children were active participants in the Civil War. Active members, either military or . Brush up on your geography and finally learn what countries are in Eastern Europe with our maps. 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. Besides the weather elements, there may be holes in the field that twist ankles, yellow jacket nests that are disturbed, and poison ivy and poison oak lurking in the woods. Colonial-era muskets run a few hundred dollars, and with the rest of the necessary kit, you're looking at more than $1,000 [source: 2nd Rhode Island Regiment]. 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. The atmosphere is relaxed, allowing reenactors to recruit new members. I. Delaware. Reenactors sacrifice immense amounts of time, effort, and money to recreate history. This list is by no means complete. So, many die-hard history-lovers volunteer in historical reenactments for an action-packed and enlightening experience. Which branch reenactors join is up to their interest in each branchand their financial resources. (2020, August 26). Camping with ones friends can be an attractive incentive to pack up the gear and drive away rather than staying home doing chores. Living Histories at original battlefields are by invitation by the National Park Service or the states that also maintain battlefields. Find WW1 Reenactment groups to join now! Uniforms are all wool for Federal portrayals, and a wool and cotton blend for Confederates. 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. We come from in and around Shelby County. While the vast majority of reenactors are standard uniformed Confederate and Union soldiers, there are some small numbers who wear unique uniforms. 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 . And that will generally be a four-wheel-drive SUV as all reenactors will one day find themselves in a muddy field wondering if they will be able to get out in time to get back to work on Monday. 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. That model Springfield was not developed until 1869. Just about anyone with an interest in reenactment can become a reenactor. - Confederate States or Confederate States Army. One note for reenactors living in states with strict gun laws. This manual includes such things as company tactics and firing details [source: Miller]. Finally, there is the largest investment of all, the musket and bayonet. Civil War Traveler lists a variety of events, including reenactments, searchable by state so newcomers can see some reenactments in person and talk to unit members. 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. Short of actually traveling back in time, however, there is no better way to learn about history than by living it first-hand as a reenactor. Colorado Connecticut. Welcome to the home of the 52nd Tennessee Co. C. We are a group of living historians centered around the American Civil War. 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 canteen holding about two quarts of water is critical. 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. 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. By Robert Arvay. Don't buy a uniform or other equipment until you've joined a unit, which might have its own particular rules for attire. If you are having any kind of encampment and want it in a certain order, let them know ahead of time. What did the Gettysburg artillery barrage sound like? Each unit also has a slightly different personality and quirks they might be laid back or intense, their members may all have similar backgrounds and have known each other all their lives or they may be more diverse, they may be highly social at events and the life of the party or they may be more reserved. Germany . It is particularly valuable for its calendar of upcoming events, and book reviews. The problem with these specialty impressions is that they only operate as units. 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. To submit a reenactment group for consideration, please contact us here. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Merchants known as sutlers set up on-site to sell clothing, accessories and weapons. If youre interested in an immersive, authentic experience, joining a mainstream unit will be a poor fit. You must have a passion for history and an active imagination. 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. 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. Civil War reenactors attempt to answer Footes rhetorical question by putting their 21st century selves into the roles of 19th century people. Farby is a Civil War Reenactment term for anything not typical of the period. They carried Sharps rifles. *This post may contain affiliate links. The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. For the sake of authenticity, women do not bear arms. 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. Instead they staged brigade-sized snowball fights. Gear - How much a reenactor spends on their gear is a product of individual means, love for the hobby, and type of unit. The totally geared up reenactor will invest around $2 500 to $3 000 however that equipment with the exception of brogans will last as long as the reenactor will. Not sure about the geography of the middle east? Load more. 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. If you are up to the task, here's some information to get you started. Following are some useful terms to acquaint you with Civil War Reenacting. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 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. Women reenactors portraying soldiers are not uncommon, just as there were women in ranks during the Civil War. 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. 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. You'll have the Web at your fingertips to research an object's authenticity -- and to compare prices from multiple vendors. A love of history, a desire to better understand what Civil War era soldiers and civilians experienced, the pleasure of camping with friends and cooking over an open fire all explain why reenactors follow this hobby.