how to join a civil war reenactment group

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. Are you looking for a highly immersive experience that puts you right in the shoes of a Civil War soldier? Living History Archive. 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. 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. Many reenactors are completely outfitted with clothing, packs, gear, and vehicles their typical persona would carry. Infoplease is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational and reference sites for parents, teachers and students. Also, merchants who set up during reenactments and sell period-style goods to reenactors and the public. 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. You can buy relatively cheap U.S. uniforms from the World Wars. Colorado Connecticut. BROOKSVILLE, Fla. - Each January, Hernando County scrambled to put out the welcome mat for what has been called the largest Civil War reenactment in Florida the Brooksville Raid. 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. Check your local newspaper or reenactment Web sites for listings of upcoming reenactment events in your area. Eric Tetreault/Connecticut Renaissance Faire. A love of history of all time periods is common though reenactors focus on the 19th century. Just how much does it cost to be a Civil War reenactor? Most units will be eager to help you select gear that fits with their authenticity standards and will offer up the unit commander, a non-commissioned officer, or another senior member to mentor you through your initial purchases. The ones below have been in business for years and may be considered the mainstays of the hobby. 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. A reenactor is a special breed of person. One note for reenactors living in states with strict gun laws. That is also the reason why most leather gear is black, the standard Union color. Once you invest time and money into historical volunteerism, you'll likely find great reward from all your efforts. Cavalry reenacting is the most expensive branch to portray as the mounted soldiers have to buy period saddles, bridles, carbines, shotguns, pistols and sabers in addition to owning and transporting the horses to the events. The United States Marines wear distinctive crossed white belts. During fights with frequent firing, muskets have been known to cook off, a pre-mature explosion of the black powder poured down the barrel caused by a still-burning spark. Some people do take the "authenticity" to an extreme, but most groups welcome anyone with an interest. Check your laws! Women reenactors portraying soldiers are not uncommon, just as there were women in ranks during the Civil War. Rivers might be crossed. The same uniforms worn in the summer are worn in the winter. 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. We had a weekend with perfect weather and many exciting and educational activities. Powell, Kimberly. 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. That means single reenactors in a specialty uniform must search out similar reenactors to fall in with at events. But if you've got the mettle and undying enthusiasm for history, we'll walk you through the basics of how to get involved. The persona you select should have some personal significance to you. Some larger units will have majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels. Typically, the age restriction for most events is 16 years old to carry a musket/rifle. Reenacting for many is a serious, but fun, event. 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. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. 5) Purchase Slowly and Strategically: When you are ready to start purchasing gear, take your time and make your purchases strategic. A police officer grips a corner of a torn U.S. flag at a memorial ceremony in New York on Sept. 11, 2004. Sutlers set up large tents at reenactments and also sell on-line. By joining such a society, you'll have time to try out your persona before committing to any major purchases for your own kit. 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]. Finding a reenactment group isn't as easy as looking at a map and finding the unit closest to you. The persona is sometimes referred to as an impression. To a CIVIL WAR reenactment. We strive for accurate historical depiction of our original unit." YouTube Video Creator "History Boy" Drummer, 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Co. 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]. So, many die-hard history-lovers volunteer in historical reenactments for an action-packed and enlightening experience. By Robert Arvay. 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). Becoming a historical re-enactor requires an unquenchable thirst for history and abiding patience with uncomfortable accommodations and ridiculous outfits. If you are up to the task, here's some information to get you started. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. Civilian - A person, male or female, who reenacts any non-military impression during Reenactments. 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. No detail about a reenactors appearance should be ignored. Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Italy, Denmark . New reenactors start as privates and promotion to non commissioned officer or officer status depends on passing tests and demonstrating an ability to command larger bodies of men in maneuvers on the field. Reenacting units organized around a specific regiment with a general type of uniform will not allow a Berdan sharpshooter or a Louisiana Tiger in the ranks. (May 8, 2009) http://www.salary.com/personal/layoutscripts/psnl_articles.asp?tab=psn&cat=cat011&ser=ser032, Miller, John. Alright, as a black man I have to say this: * ahem * IF. They'll have fun watching the excitement, and you'll get to teach them about history. Reenactors wanting to get as close as possible to how the soldiers lived will use this resource. What did the Gettysburg artillery barrage sound like? . There's nothing volunteering in a historical reenactment to experience the sights, sounds and smells of history. Winter reenactors will want heavy overcoats which can cost upwards of $300. Reenactors take their jobs very seriously. During the Civil War Native Americans, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics fought on both sides. Civil War Reenactment Groups The American Civil War, fought between 1861 and 1865, continues to live on in the form of living history reenactments. CIVIL WAR REENACTING | How to Join a Unit 9,438 views Premiered Mar 6, 2019 405 Dislike Share Save Studio T Reenacting 3.33K subscribers https://28thmass.org Lately I've noticed quite a. They are encouraged to buy their opposite impression as soon as they can afford the cost. 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. 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. Subscribe to our newsletter * indicates required. Living like a person in 1863, even if only for a few hours or a few days, would surely sharpen your skills as a historian, actor, and citizen. Our way to offer tribute to these great men of the Civil War is to study as much as possible . Some civilian reenactors may choose to portray professions such as mortician or battlefield surgeon with some women roaming the field as nurses. 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. In historical reenactments, people from all walks of life gather together, dressed head-to-toe in period clothing. Most will sleep/camp at the reenactment event. Can one really hear a Civil War era term the rattle of musketry? That will mean pushing long hair under a hat, taking off ear rings, and doing their best to hide the evidence of being female. 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. Don't be overwhelmed! Learn more about the world with our collection of regional and country maps. While those shows inspired then young, now-middle aged reenactors to study the war, the producers paid little attention to authenticity. Check out our article How to Join a Reenactment Group. BOOK TIP: "The Illustrated Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era". 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. Threadcounter A reenactor who insists on a historically accurate impression, down to fabric and buttonholes having the same threadcount typical of the time. It is particularly valuable for its calendar of upcoming events, and book reviews. How do war reenactments work? They are wondering if sleeping on the ground is as much fun as it was when they were young. In particular, take notice of the grisly conditions a reenactor has to deal with -- especially in battle reenactments. Whoever is physically able can take to the battlefield with certain age restrictions. Infoplease knows the value of having sources you can trust. 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 ]. Take the time to fully research your character and period, considering where yourpersonalives, his age, hisoccupation, and his social status, before purchasing items which may or may not be authentic or appropriate. Reenacting remained a small hobby during the mid-1970s when events numbering several hundred reenactors were common. Once you've chosen a time period and character, you need to learn everything you can,from the way they dressed and ate, to their manner of speech, cultural beliefs, and social interactions. It was I who asked historian Shelby Foote some 20 years ago: Is there anything about The War you dont know? I got the quick answer: I still dont know how they did it.. All races and ethnicities can reenact. If the unit is a horse-drawn battery, the reenactors are expected to help groom, water, and feed the horses. Finding a reenactment unit has gone 21st century. Reenactors often do more interacting with the visiting public such as performing drill and firing demonstrations, and giving flag and equipment talks.