how to join a civil war reenactment group

Tacticals are unscripted battles which are usually not open to the public. This can mean everything from uncomfortable clothes and terrible food to inclement weather and a poor excuse for a bed. Eric Tetreault/Connecticut Renaissance Faire. You can buy relatively cheap U.S. uniforms from the World Wars. Muster A gathering, especially of troops, for service, inspection, review or roll call. "How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting." While the uniforms are generallywelluniform, hats (at least for Confederate portrayals) can be a matter of personal choice. Stan Honda . List of historical reenactment groups - Wikipedia Youre obviously interested in the Civil War, otherwise you wont be considering reenacting. Most reenacting units require members to own dual impressions; both Union and Confederate. Learn how your comment data is processed. A Captivating Reenactment Of The Civil War Skirmish in Aiken - YouTube The only difference between the Civil War and the reenacting firing is that no Mini ball is rammed down the barrel. Not all reenactment groups will offer the same experiences. 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). Military reenactors will choose infantry, artillery, cavalry or medical (and a few others such as engineers or sharpshooters) and many will choose a civilian impression. American Civil War reenactment - Wikipedia For the sake of authenticity, women do not bear arms. Becoming a Civil War Reenactor - InfoPlease AUTHENTIC Civil War Flag General W.F. 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. Whoever is physically able can take to the battlefield with certain age restrictions. Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom,. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. These events help reenactors immerse themselves in the reenacting experience, gaining first-hand knowledge of war, battle strategy, and the hardships of combat. Cavalry and artillery reenactors have the added burden of worrying about their horses and mules stepping into holes on the field. If you're portraying a poor farmer during the Revolutionary War, then don't purchase a fancy rifle that would have been out of his financial grasp. Some people do take the "authenticity" to an extreme, but most groups welcome anyone with an interest. The largest event was the 135th Gettysburg reenactment which involved 15,000 reenactors. Muskets are real guns and fire a full powder charge but no bullet. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses. BOOK TIP: "The Illustrated Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era". Reenacting does require a commitment, however, in both time and resources. *This post may contain affiliate links. Choose a Persona Some larger units will have majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels. Scouring the sutlers' goods may also set you up for an impulse buy that your historic persona doesn't really need. Just as in the Civil War armies, men who take on the rank must be able to perform at that rank. 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. 7th Florida Infantry Regiment, Company F. 21st Georgia Volunteer Infantry Civil War Reenactment Unit, 24th Georgia vols Company B civil War reenacting group, Company A, 2nd Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters, 104th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Company H, First Maryland Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 28th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Company B, 4th Texas Co. E / 16th Michigan Co. B Civil War Reenactors, Reynolds' Battery L 1st New York Light Artillery, 75th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company A, Company "C" 2nd Regiment Berdan Sharpshooters. For instance, the 26th Regiment of North Carolina Troops also portrays the 24th Michigan of The Iron Brigade when it reenacts as Federals. Welcome! Confederate reenactors armed with single shot muskets have no choice but to fall or withdraw in the face of men using rifles that could carry upwards of 13 rounds that could be fired in a matter of seconds. 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. 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. There is no poll showing where reenactors live, but observation would put a majority of them in The South. We come from in and around Shelby County. 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. 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. Read our groups about historical places and reenactment events - Living Still, the best plan for new reenactors is to join a unit and ask for help from the old hands in selecting uniforms and equipment. The derogatory term for this same person is stitch nazi.. .com/us/military/civil-war-reenactor.html. Now that the sesquicentennial is over, the future of reenacting is being debated. How the Civilian Conservation Corps Worked, Historical Reenactment Costumes and Equipment, 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist and the author of The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy. The most famous reenactment of the 1960s was the July 1961 Battle of First Manassas or Bull Run, held on the Manassas National Battlefield. 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. 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. Do your research before making any purchases to ensure that you get the most authentic bang for your buck. As you become more engaged with the unit, it's time to think about acquiring your own reenactment kit so that new recruits can use the spares while they test the waters. Winter reenactors will want heavy overcoats which can cost upwards of $300. It is up to reenactors to know if they have the stamina to participate in the action. 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 other words, you can try it out and see how you like it. 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. 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. These organizations will often have a camp life where young ones can partake in 1860's life styles. Two TV mini-series, Blue & Gray (1982), and North & South (1985) drove interest in reenacting in the early 1980s. 9th KY . These can range anywhere from $5 a month to $25 a month. For example, most reenactors portray common soldiers, but maybe someone wants to portray a foreign-born ancestor so their impression will be augmented by speaking in an accent. Since 1974, we have represented Indiana's civil war heritage in movies and documentaries, for newspapers and TV, and at schools, museums and reenactments across the US. 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. 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.. 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. 21st Virginia, F Company, inc., is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c)3 , living history, educational and Civil War re-enactment organization. There are a wide variety of canteens including wooden ones that Confederate soldiers carried, but which would not be appropriate for Union soldiers. Not all organizations allow family's along for the ride. Invitation events are smaller with limited numbers of participants making them easier to manage. 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. "How to Volunteer in Historical Reenactments" A reenactor could choose that impression by joining a reenacting unit following those uniform guidelines. Reenactors adopt what they call impressions based on the type of person they want to portray. A local company commander will be assigned to recruit new members, train them in the basics of military drill, and guide them in the purchase of the correct gear. WW1 Reenactment Groups. While some of the research is now a bit dated, there is no better place to start than Bell Wileys classicsThe Life of Johnny Reb: The Common Soldier of the Confederacyand The Life of Billy Yank: The Common Soldier of the Union. Each unit has a different function and will provide a much different experience. Units Groups of Civil War reenactors who participate as an actual unit that fought during the War, i.e., the 7th Texas Infantry, the 69th New York or the 19th Alabama. How to join a unit, where and how to k. 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. Georgia Division Reenactors Association, Inc. - Welcome The Texas Rifles are seeking men and women of valor to join us and thousands of other history-minded hobbyists to experience, first hand, one of the country's fastest-growing, most unique recreational activities. The best first purchase you can make is a pair of well-built shoes, usually called brogans or bootees. Some units are thinking of staging parts of battles as authentically as possible, complete with the scaled down, but statistically correct numbers of casualties, and the maneuvers mentioned in survivor accounts. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. 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.

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how to join a civil war reenactment group

how to join a civil war reenactment group