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. A canteen holding about two quarts of water is critical. Nearly all of the muskets available today are made in Italy, but some used ones manufactured back in the 1970s and 1980s are available from Japan and England. The Past in the Present | National Geographic Society While this material is of interest to reenactors, our hobby requires a detailed knowledge of the daily experience of individual soldiers. 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. The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. If youre interested in an immersive, authentic experience, joining a mainstream unit will be a poor fit. Not sure about the geography of the middle east? These characteristics can be challenging to identify by examining a units website or Facebook page or by chatting with the members at an event. 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. The easiest way for children to get involved in reenacting is to do it as a family. Here you can find a list of groups that portray the Great War period. This Forum is for Posting Civil War Event Information. Check your laws! While it is rare, people have died from the exertion. 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 . Each reenactment is a unique experience that allows participants to see through the eyes of a historical person and undergo all the hardships that go along with the times -- short of actually being killed in battle or catching typhoid. John Miller, a veteran reenactor who specializes in the Civil War, warns prospective volunteers that the hobby can get dangerous [source: Miller]. How does a starving man march 20 miles then go into a three-hour battle? [1]. Confederate Zouaves called Louisiana Tigers wear striped baggy pants. Civil War Re-enactment Group - North Florida Artillery Historical Before showtime, pots and pans are some of the tools reenactor Tanya Haessly makes the most use of as a camp cook, feeding families and individuals taking part in a Civil War reenactment in Janney . Reenacting remained a small hobby during the mid-1970s when events numbering several hundred reenactors were common. Eric Tetreault/Connecticut Renaissance Faire. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links at no additional cost to you. These can range anywhere from $5 a month to $25 a month. Sutlers Merchants who followed troops during the Civil War. 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. Many units have loaner gear or special requirements. - "A Union Civil War Living History and Reenacting organization located in the greater Connecticut area. Reenactors often do more interacting with the visiting public such as performing drill and firing demonstrations, and giving flag and equipment talks. Artillery reenactors are expected to know how to work all of the positions of the cannon, which can cost upwards of $15,000 and likely belongs to one person. Still, American Civil War reenactments can take place wherever the hobbyists can find ground. 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". 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. That does not mean that single, unit-unaffiliated Black reenactors in blue will not be allowed in ranks at reenactments such as Gettysburg, but it is not historically accurate. That means most Union forces on Southern battlefields likely talk with Southern accents even though they are in blue. Powell, Kimberly. You've probably thought to yourself that reenacting sounds like fun, but you're just not sure about committing yourself due to time, money, and lack of know-how. While still too small in numbers to simulate actual Civil War battles, the mega-events at least gave reenactors a sense of what the major battles would have been like. By now you are probably wondering, "how much is all of this going to cost me? A reenactor is a special breed of person. The persona you select should have some personal significance to you. But if you're more interested in other wars or time periods, don't despair. Here is a sampling of an infantry soldier's kit from the website of the 28th Massachusetts, Volunteer Infantry, 4th Regiment, Irish Brigade: Federal issue forage cap (dark or indigo blue) Finding a reenactment group isn't as easy as looking at a map and finding the unit closest to you. In 1913 elderly Union and Confederate veterans met at the 50th anniversary of Gettysburg and put themselves through their pacesbut without the muskets they had used against each other. 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. A Civil War Reenactment is the recreation of past battles for the education and entertainment of both spectators and hobbyists alike. Children can usually even participate, although most reenactment groups have a minimum age (12 or 13 is common) for children to be allowed in more dangerous roles, such as on the battlefield. 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. While these stories may transport you to Elizabethan England or ancient Rome, they're still fiction, after all, and don't always provide authentic history lessons. If the unit is a horse-drawn battery, the reenactors are expected to help groom, water, and feed the horses. Check with your reenacting unit before buying any gun. It might be a good idea to spring for the unit's annual fee for insurance coverage in case of an injury. Most units have a list of acceptable gear and approved sutlers. A musket will shoot a flame of fire and unburned powder out the muzzle. The fully equipped reenactor will spend around $2,500 to $3,000, but that gear, with the exception of brogans, will last as long as the reenactor will. While the vast majority of reenactors are standard uniformed Confederate and Union soldiers, there are some small numbers who wear unique uniforms. Do other countries have war reenactments? - floreseagle.youramys.com Impression Many reenactors will choose an impression during a reenactment. Which branch reenactors join is up to their interest in each branchand their financial resources. If they try for officer ranks like lieutenant and captain, they must take even more rigorous tests to demonstrate that they know the commands that moved men around the field. The organization has grown to include dozens of civil war reenactors and their families. Camping with ones friends can be an attractive incentive to pack up the gear and drive away rather than staying home doing chores. Active members, either military or . 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. Two TV mini-series, Blue & Gray (1982), and North & South (1985) drove interest in reenacting in the early 1980s. Infantry is the easiest branch to learn and to finance. Events Could Include: Reenactments, Living Histories, Round Tables, Battlewalks, Shows, Lectures & More. Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about. They are encouraged to buy their opposite impression as soon as they can afford the cost. Most reenactment organizations also won't allow children under 16 to bear arms. For reenactments that span several days, this can be grueling. Tacticals are unscripted battles which are usually not open to the public. It is where the Civil War soldier carried his food and where the reenactor will carry his food, wallet and car keys. Whats not to like? 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. Immersion events are small reenactments where reenactors carry everything with them with no resupply from vehicles. California. Some civilian reenactors may choose to portray professions such as mortician or battlefield surgeon with some women roaming the field as nurses. American Civil War reenactment - Wikipedia Women have to make the effort to disguise themselves as men. Used by permission of Kathleen Smith. 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. American Civil War reenactment | Military Wiki | Fandom That means single reenactors in a specialty uniform must search out similar reenactors to fall in with at events. Only a handful of men will make generals and they must know how to command at that level. Required fields are marked *. If the idea of volunteering in historical reenactments is appealing to you, the first thing you should do is attend some of these events as a spectator. Threadcounter A reenactor who insists on a historically accurate impression, down to fabric and buttonholes having the same threadcount typical of the time. Prospective reenactors should research units to judge how accepting they are of family participation. In historical reenactments, people from all walks of life gather together, dressed head-to-toe in period clothing. 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. Reenactors accept discomfort, port-a-johns, close quarters, and the aches that come with carrying gear that weighs 20 pounds or more. There are alternative ways to get your history education. 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. That is my indication and EXPRESSED consent to be treated like a slave by all participating confederate soldiers. Figure the cost of your accessories into your budget, too. American Civil War reenactment is an effort to recreate the appearance of a particular battle or other event associated with the American Civil War by hobbyists known (in the United States) as Civil War reenactors, or living historians.. How To Join A Civil War Reenactment Group | TooIF Some states require even single shot, reproduction muskets to be registered with the government. 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. 5) Purchase Slowly and Strategically: When you are ready to start purchasing gear, take your time and make your purchases strategic. As a Civil War reenactor you will become a soldier, or a civilian, wearing authentic 1860s period clothing and learning to live as . Check out our article How to Join a Reenactment Group. It is common to find Black reenactors sprinkled in the Confederate ranks. The 49th Indiana, Company F is Indiana's oldest and largest nonprofit organization devoted to portraying life during the American Civil War. 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. If you have any specific ideas, try to make those known as far in advance as possible so the re-enactors know what to expect and can plan to do what you wish. Your email address will not be published. Mainstreamers cheerfully accept the nickname TBG- which stands for Tubby Bearded Guys. Many units will choose opposite unit impressions that have something to do with the primary unit they portray, or perhaps a unit that passed through their home area. A love of history of all time periods is common though reenactors focus on the 19th century. Your email address will not be published. Women participate as nurses, vivandieres, cooks, laundresses, or wives and sisters visiting the soldier in camp. 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). Across the United States, Civil War battles rank among the most popular events to reenact -- they're often held on the original battlefields for true authenticity. The N word season pass premium + membership is in full effect for the day. Your mentor can also assist you in finding used gear either from unit members or outside resources like eBay or Facebook. They like to bring tents, camp chairs, hidden ice chests, and other gear that the original army would never have had. Reenactment, appropriately called "living history," also means living under the same conditions encountered during the past. Civil War Reenactment Groups - Milsurpia Reenactors put themselves in the shoes of those from an earlier time where food was scarce, disease was rampant, and a good nights sleep might mean sleeping in the mud. Get a feel for the atmosphere and conditions of a living history event before you rush to buy vintage style military uniforms & equipment. How to join a reenactment group is not the hardest part of this journey, it's just the beginning. In particular, take notice of the grisly conditions a reenactor has to deal with -- especially in battle reenactments. 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. Our editors update and regularly refine this enormous body of information to bring you reliable information. For the sake of authenticity, women do not bear arms. Becoming a Civil War Reenactor - InfoPlease 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. Reenacting events come in varying categories. Extreme Points of the United States (States & Territories), Federal issue forage cap (dark or indigo blue), State issue forage cap with McDowell visor (dark or indigo blue), Federal fatigue blouse ("sack coat," dark or indigo blue) with four brass buttons, Federal trousers, foot pattern (sky blue), Issue muslin shirt (or other period pattern), USM1855 cartridge box, .58 caliber, mid-war model (black leather), USM1855 bayonet scabbard (black leather, one-piece Springfield style), M1853 three-band .577 caliber Enfield rifle musket and bayonet, Musket sling for M1853 Enfield (untreated leather), Haversack, U.S. regulation wartime issue (black tarred canvas), USM1858 smooth side canteen (jean cloth or dark blue wool cover) with strap (leather preferred over cotton drill or linen).