What reenacting does is give men and women a chance to walk in the footsteps of those people who came before us just a little over 150 years ago. Colorado Connecticut. I. Delaware. It is up to reenactors to know if they have the stamina to participate in the action. Reenacting gear includes the uniform, accoutrements, a musket, shoes, hat and more, all purchased from sutlers, merchants specializing in reproduction products for reenactors. Most units have a list of acceptable gear and approved sutlers. People come to Civil War reenacting in a myriad of ways. Tacticals are unscripted battles which are usually not open to the public. Too far back and the soldier in the front rank is too close to the muzzle blast. Reenacting. Reenacting for many is a serious, but fun, event. Threadcounter A reenactor who insists on a historically accurate impression, down to fabric and buttonholes having the same threadcount typical of the time. We had a weekend with perfect weather and many exciting and educational activities. We are active from Virginia to New England. There is at least one Civil War era brass band using period instruments and playing period music. They are designed to save you money, help you avoid some of the most common mistakes first time reenactors make, and give you the best chance at enjoying the hobby over the long-term. 2) Consider What You Want Out of Reenacting: Spend some time thinking about what aspects of reenacting interest you. 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. Mountains might be climbed. The United States Marines wear distinctive crossed white belts. Finding a reenactment group isn't as easy as looking at a map and finding the unit closest to you. Reenactors who claim: My ancestors would roll over in their graves if I portrayed the other side are frowned upon. It might be a good idea to spring for the unit's annual fee for insurance coverage in case of an injury. 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. The majority of reenactors choose to be soldiers, but even in a military reenactment group, there are other characters, such as wives, camp followers, surgeons, tinkers and sutlers (merchants). This video brings you to the historic battlefields of Aike. Merchants known as sutlers set up on-site to sell clothing, accessories and weapons. 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. After a near disaster where one reenactor was hit by a Mini ball fragment left in a musket that had been live fired before the event, the National Park Service thereafter banned reenactments from being held on its battlefields. If you have an interest in our American History during the period of 1861-1865, we invite you to join our ranks. A few options to consider. 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. A typical period correct firearm will cost upwards of $1000. I, Eighth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Company A, Incorporated, 11th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, Company G, Fourteenth Regiment Connecticut, Van Dyke's Howitizers 1st Florida Artillery. Family Friendly Units - If reenacting is to become your next family adventure, you're going to have to find a family friendly unit. The English Civil War Society UK: English Civil War: 1642 AD 1651 AD Combat reenactment, living history, educational visits, film and TV work Ermine Street Guard UK: Roman army: 50 AD 200 AD Combat reenactment, living history, TV and film work, education work, research Historia Normannis UK France USA: Middle Ages: 1100 1215 Combat reenactment . Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about. Subscribe to our newsletter * indicates required. 4 June 2009. Photos from the time period show some men marching in ranks with M-1 Garands, World War II semi-automatic rifles. 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. If you're thinking about volunteering in a historical reenactment, experienced reenactors will tell you that you shouldn't delve into this hobby without knowing what you're getting into. Most units will have a decent collection of clothes, gear, and even muskets that you can borrow, but it is often difficult to find loaner shoes since many reenactors only own a single pair. The state of Pennsylvania hosted thousands of former Union and Confederate soldiers during the weeklong event. Reenactor A person, male or female, dedicated to recreating the War Between the States or Civil War. Which branch reenactors join is up to their interest in each branchand their financial resources. You may want to speak candidly with your current units commander about what youre looking for in another unit, as they may have contacts or suggestions for other units that you can consider (if a unit commander isnt willing to do this, its probably a sign you should leave that unit anyways, as theyre not looking out for your best interests). Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. Whats not to like? Impression Many reenactors will choose an impression during a reenactment. Encampments allow visitors to wander through a Civil War camp and observe soldiers training, resting, playing, and simply relaxingall without television, iPods, or computers! 3 rd Florida Volunteer Infantry, Co. These organizations will often have a camp life where young ones can partake in 1860's life styles. And that's not including weaponry: An M1 Garand will put you out $700 to $900, while other period guns cost less than $100. Now i ma Reenactment, appropriately called "living history," also means living under the same conditions encountered during the past. 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. 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. Prospective reenactors should research units to judge how accepting they are of family participation. Women have to make the effort to disguise themselves as men. The most stare-inducing women reenactors are those ladies portraying Catholic nuns who served as nurses during the war. 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. What period of history most grabs your interest? You can buy relatively cheap U.S. uniforms from the World Wars. The persona is sometimes referred to as an impression. 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. Is there a list or quartermaster who do I need to contact to get involved as a reenactor for the civil war. Some of the young men who started reenacting decades ago when the 125th anniversary events attracted them are now passing through middle age. Many units have loaner gear or special requirements. Few units allow people in 21st century garb to camp in the military camp as it detracts from the reenactment atmosphere. A plastic mug would be farby as would a polyester uniform since they didnt have polyester in 1861. 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. 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]. https://28thmass.orgLately I've noticed quite a few of you showing more interest in Civil War reenacting specifically. Arch supports were not invented in the 1860s, but feel free to put anything inside that helps you march. Infoplease is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational and reference sites for parents, teachers and students. Instead they staged brigade-sized snowball fights. 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 ]. 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 take part in high quality reenactments a reenactor should expect to drive at least a day for quality events. 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. 53rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company C, Inc. Company B of the 71st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 87th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company C, 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company A, 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Co B, 151st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company D, 10th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 12th Virginia Infantry, Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and K, Co. E of the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, 33d Regiment - Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company K, 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Association, Company E, 3rd Regiment, Confederate Engineers. Sometimes, you'll be able to find authentic uniforms to wear to reenactments, especially for 20th-century wars. The basic costs of outfitting an infantryman are between $1,500 and $2,000 which rises to $2,500 to $3,000 with the purchase of tents, ponchos, cooking gear, overcoats and other additional gear. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We strive for accurate historical depiction of our original unit." YouTube Video Creator "History Boy" Drummer, 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Co. Perhaps you have a friend in the hobby who has encouraged you to give it a try. Most reenactors collect their kit over a period of time, borrowing from generous fellow soldiers until they are fully outfitted. The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. Most reenacting units have both a website and a Facebook page, making it easier for people to find local units. The same uniforms worn in the summer are worn in the winter. Brogans are broad-soled half boots with leather soles worn by the common foot soldier. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. How did my ancestors survive battles, diseases, and prison camps on far away battlefields then return home to produce me? The 26th North Carolina Troops and the 24th Michigan ran head-on into each other on the first day of Gettysburg in McPhersons Woods. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Jane McGrath Most reenactors are everyday people from all walks of life, with ages ranging from 16 to people in their sixties. Not only does it reinforce our sense of pride in our heritage, but its something in which the entire family can participate. To those who do not do it, reenacting may seem like an odd hobby; spending the weekend recreating a war that killed upwards of three quarters of a million people when the United States population was just 31 million. And, they must already have relationships with the brigades and divisions they want to command. Otherwise, the 60 grains of powder and a piece of paper wadding for each charge is authentic. https://www.thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852 (accessed March 5, 2023). 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. 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. 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. California. One place to find equipment for sale is at the reenactment events. Women participate as nurses, vivandieres, cooks, laundresses, or wives and sisters visiting the soldier in camp. 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.