how to join a civil war reenactment group

Typical costs for reenacting might include the following. Two TV mini-series, Blue & Gray (1982), and North & South (1985) drove interest in reenacting in the early 1980s. At some late-war battles such as Bentonville, North Carolina and Saylers Creek, Virginia, Federal units armed with repeating rifles chewed into Confederate ranks. The 26th North Carolina Troops and the 24th Michigan ran head-on into each other on the first day of Gettysburg in McPhersons Woods. The important thing to remember is the child still needs adult supervision. Reenactors do not dwell on that terrible human cost. 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 ]. The persona you select should have some personal significance to you. Events Could Include: Reenactments, Living Histories, Round Tables, Battlewalks, Shows, Lectures & More. Not only does it reinforce our sense of pride in our heritage, but its something in which the entire family can participate. Civil War Encampment & Reenactment 2021 - Westmoreland County The 52nd Tennessee Infantry Civil War soldiers or civilians didnt have digital watches or plastic frame eyeglasses. Just about anyone with an interest in reenactment can become a reenactor. Reenactors enjoy camping, cooking over an open fire, guns, loud noises, marching, military discipline, and telling stories. 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. All races and ethnicities can reenact. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. The derogatory term for this same person is stitch nazi.. Their website is: http://www.citizenscompanion.com/. When brigaded with other units, a reenactor general may command 200-300 men. 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. A typical period correct firearm will cost upwards of $1000. This is especially important when it comes to clothing and weaponry, as we'll see on the next page. Reenactors often do more interacting with the visiting public such as performing drill and firing demonstrations, and giving flag and equipment talks. The weapons that reenactors carry are real -- and loaded. Rivers might be crossed. Have you often wondered what it might have been like to actually live in the past? Powell, Kimberly. 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. It is common to find Black reenactors sprinkled in the Confederate ranks. Mega-events, reenactments where reenactors number several thousand, are likely gone forever now that the 150th anniversary events ended in 2015. 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. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852. R. Lee Hadden. 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. or C.S.A. 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 those shows inspired then young, now-middle aged reenactors to study the war, the producers paid little attention to authenticity. Children as young as 8 have been seen at many reenactments partaking in field music. 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). There is at least one Civil War era brass band using period instruments and playing period music. 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. The Past in the Present | National Geographic Society Reenactors sacrifice immense amounts of time, effort, and money to recreate history. 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. During the Civil War Native Americans, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics fought on both sides. 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. Still, American Civil War reenactments can take place wherever the hobbyists can find ground. 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. Check out our article How to Join a Reenactment Group. Reenactment Groups in Central Kentucky - American Civil War Forums 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. Whoever is physically able can take to the battlefield with certain age restrictions. Impression Many reenactors will choose an impression during a reenactment. 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. Or, Dad can stay in the military camp while Mom and the kids stay in a civilian camp. Gear - How much a reenactor spends on their gear is a product of individual means, love for the hobby, and type of unit. Which branch reenactors join is up to their interest in each branchand their financial resources. Most reenacting units are equipped to act as either Federal or Confederate troops in order to be able to balance numbers at reenacting events. 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. 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. Any unit you contact should be extremely welcoming and do everything they can to have you join their ranks. Top Five Tips for Getting Started in Civil War Reenacting 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. While reenacting is fun, it is also a physically taxing hobby. Load more. Invitation events are smaller events where organizers limit the number of participants in order to better manage the scale. 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. One of the last Civil War reenactments by Civil War vet erans was the Great Reunion of 1913, on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Then again in 1938, those same veterans returned. Immersion events are small reenactments where reenactors carry everything with them with no resupply from vehicles. AUTHENTIC Civil War Flag General W.F. Finding a reenactment unit has gone 21st century. We've got you covered with our map collection. Uniforms are all wool for Federal portrayals, and a wool and cotton blend for Confederates. 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. We come from in and around Shelby County. Georgia Division Reenactors Association, Inc. - Welcome Required fields are marked *. Period clothing and accessories can be very expensive -- depending on the period and figure you're portraying. Is there a list or quartermaster who do I need to contact to get involved as a reenactor for the civil war. Just how much does it cost to be a Civil War reenactor? - Confederate States or Confederate States Army. An Authentic Civil War Living History Association, Top Five Tips for Getting Started in Civil War Reenacting. They like to bring tents, camp chairs, hidden ice chests, and other gear that the original army would never have had. 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. In addition to having to wear hot, uncomfortable clothing, participants can forget about sleeping in comfortable beds, eating decent food and taking hot showers. Between a quarter and a third of the Union army was made up of European immigrants so real or imitation Irish and eastern European accents are welcome. *This post may contain affiliate links. Are you really excited about being a part of large battle reenactments? Living History Archive. No reenactor will respond to an unknown general who walks onto the field and tries to take command of units who do not know him. There is no poll showing where reenactors live, but observation would put a majority of them in The South. List of historical reenactment groups - Wikipedia Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Italy, Denmark . 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. Here you can find a list of groups that portray the Great War period. Unit Dues - Unit dues are typically the cheapest of all expenses.