So, many die-hard history-lovers volunteer in historical reenactments for an action-packed and enlightening experience. Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist and the author of The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy. Depending upon your reenactment scenario, this may be a real individual or a fictional one who could have lived during your time period of interest. The 125th anniversary of the start of the war in 1986 saw reenacting turn into a serious hobby. https://www.thoughtco.com/getting-started-with-reenacting-1422852 (accessed March 5, 2023). Do your research before making any purchases to ensure that you get the most authentic bang for your buck. Get a feel for the atmosphere and conditions of a living history event before you rush to buy vintage style military uniforms & equipment. Most reenactors join the infantry, which is followed in popularity by the artillery, then the cavalry and there are a few naval interpreters. There are reenactment groups for almost any era that captures your interest, such as ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, the American Revolution or either of the World Wars. If youre interested in an immersive, authentic experience, joining a mainstream unit will be a poor fit. Attend a few such reenactment events and talk to members of the involved groups to learn more about their reenactment focus and activities. Find WW1 Reenactment groups to join now! Battle reenactments are scripted recreations of actual Civil War engagements, which spectators pay to come and watch. 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. 4) Read As Much As You Can: The best way to start your career in reenacting out right is to read extensively. Reenacting. They will speak as though the War Between the States is current. Following are some useful terms to acquaint you with Civil War Reenacting. 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. That could be in California, Wisconsin, or even Russia. How to join a reenactment group is not the hardest part of this journey, it's just the beginning. Rivers might be crossed. 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. Reenacting gear includes the uniform, accoutrements, a musket, shoes, hat and more, all purchased from sutlers, merchants specializing in reproduction products for reenactors. Threadcounter A reenactor who insists on a historically accurate impression, down to fabric and buttonholes having the same threadcount typical of the time. Authentic Campaigner is a blog dedicated to events, impressions, goods, etc. A love of history of all time periods is common though reenactors focus on the 19th century. Photos from the time period show some men marching in ranks with M-1 Garands, World War II semi-automatic rifles. Check your local newspaper or reenactment Web sites for listings of upcoming reenactment events in your area. Youre obviously interested in the Civil War, otherwise you wont be considering reenacting. The future of reenacting rests on the shoulders of younger generations. If you asked to galvanize (switch sides) for a battle or event, dont complain. Events Could Include: Reenactments, Living Histories, Round Tables, Battlewalks, Shows, Lectures & More. A colonial shopkeeper will have a pretty simple costume compared to a Civil War general's uniform. Infoplease knows the value of having sources you can trust. Are you looking for something you can do with your family? Hard-core reenactors give up all amenities of modern life, from deodorant to modern wristwatches. Check with your reenacting unit before buying any gun. Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom,. Shopping online is a good alternative to making purchases at a reenactment. While headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, our membership encompasses Maryland, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Brush up on your geography and finally learn what countries are in Eastern Europe with our maps. That will mean pushing long hair under a hat, taking off ear rings, and doing their best to hide the evidence of being female. That means most Union forces on Southern battlefields likely talk with Southern accents even though they are in blue. Here you can find a list of groups that portray the American Civil War period. 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. When brigaded with other units, a reenactor general may command 200-300 men. Civil War Traveler lists a variety of events, including reenactments, searchable by state so newcomers can see some reenactments in person and talk to unit members. This video brings you to the historic battlefields of Aike. A Civil War Reenactment is the recreation of past battles for the education and entertainment of both spectators and hobbyists alike. We had a weekend with perfect weather and many exciting and educational activities. Units portraying the Vietnam War aren't nearly as prolific as World War 2 or Civil War impressions. For those men who need vision correction and who do not wear contact lens, there are sutlers who deal in eye glasses which are correct for the period. These events help reenactors immerse themselves in the reenacting experience, gaining first-hand knowledge of war, battle strategy, and the hardships of combat. We have committed ourselves to the education of the company membership and general public as to the lifestyle, military service and general values of the Black Civil War soldier through an authentic presentation of living history activities including battle reenactments, interpretive programs, training seminars, and similar programs. C.S. Used by permission of Kathleen Smith. . Did you have ancestors who participated in a particular war? Reenactors need a shirt, coat, pants, wool socks, and a hat. The dues are an important aspect of keeping reenactment groups operating. Powell, Kimberly. With the exception of events where rains flood the battlefield, reenactments are rarely cancelled for heat or cold. Speculation among reenactors is that smaller, focused events is where the hobby is headed. 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. Powell, Kimberly. Mega-events made it hard to lose ones self in the moment when a narrator was giving blow-by-blow accounts of the battle over loud speakers. They should also have a list of recommended vendors that sell uniforms and equipment that meet their units standards. These events were often staged with paying spectators in mind, leading to sights that irritated reenactors such as rushing the enemy in a chargebut with multi-tiered bleachers behind the enemy. Home Research Top Five Tips for Getting Started in Civil War Reenacting. Immerse yourself in the time period by reading books and primary source documents related to the area, and the type of person you've chosen to portray. Arch supports were not invented in the 1860s, but feel free to put anything inside that helps you march. Work with your unit point of contact to ensure that the items you select even from these vendors are appropriate, since not every jacket a particular vendor offers will fit your units desired impression. Active members, either military or . 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. The largest event was likely the 135th Gettysburg reenactment where an estimated 15,000 attended. How to Get Started on a Literature Review, Discovering the Occupations of Your Ancestors, Ancient Sources on Persian or Iranian History, Fun Family History Activities for Family Reunions, 3 Practical Ways to Become a Better Homeschooling Teacher, Certificate in Genealogical Research, Boston University. *This post may contain affiliate links. They are encouraged to buy their opposite impression as soon as they can afford the cost. 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 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 website uses cookies to improve your experience. Reenactors wanting to get as close as possible to how the soldiers lived will use this resource. This list is by no means complete. "How to Get Started With Historical Reenacting." American Civil War Reenactment Groups Historical reenactment groups and living history groups offer an insight into how men and women lived in past times. Leather cartridge box, belt, bayonet scabbard and cap box come in a variety of types and colors such as russet brown, but most men choose black so the same accoutrements can be used for both Confederate and Union impressions. 2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. Modern day work boots are not acceptable. If the unit is dedicated to historical accuracy, the accommodations will be meager. 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. The largest event was the 135th Gettysburg reenactment which involved 15,000 reenactors. We come from in and around Shelby County. While this material is of interest to reenactors, our hobby requires a detailed knowledge of the daily experience of individual soldiers. If you have an interest in our American History during the period of 1861-1865, we invite you to join our ranks. They are wondering if sleeping on the ground is as much fun as it was when they were young. 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. Infoplease is a reference and learning site, combining the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas and several almanacs loaded with facts. Brogans are broad-soled half boots with leather soles worn by the common foot soldier. Some larger units will have majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels. As a Civil War reenactor you will become a soldier, or a civilian, wearing authentic 1860s period clothing and learning to live as . There are essentially three types of reenactors; mainstream, campaigners, and stitch counters. There are Federal Zouave units who wear bright red pants, red trimmed jackets, and turbans. The state of Pennsylvania hosted thousands of former Union and Confederate soldiers during the weeklong event. Salary.com. 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. 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. People come to Civil War reenacting in a myriad of ways. While the three-banded musket is standard, there might be the occasional chance to carry something else. It is where the Civil War soldier carried his food and where the reenactor will carry his food, wallet and car keys. Reenactors enjoy camping, cooking over an open fire, guns, loud noises, marching, military discipline, and telling stories. For a great description of womens clothing and textiles during the Civil War, read this Civil War Fashion piece by Kathy Dhalle on the Bits of Blue & Gray website. Time and place generally work together, so while you're picking your time period, you will generally have a certain location in mind as well. "Dream Job: Historical Reenactor." Also: Post Your Event Photos, Reviews, & Wrap-Ups. Historical reenactment groups and living history groups offer an insight into how men and women lived in past times. Short of actually traveling back in time, however, there is no better way to learn about history than by living it first-hand as a reenactor. Most reenacting units have both a website and a Facebook page, making it easier for people to find local units. The unit you ultimately join should be in a position to provide the elements that you want to get out of reenacting. American Civil War Reenactment Groups. This manual includes such things as company tactics and firing details [source: Miller]. If you are up to the task, here's some information to get you started. Infantry is the easiest branch to learn and to finance. They are great foundational introductions to the topic. And finally, muskets are real guns. I. Delaware. Reenactments are only fun if there are enough enemies on the other side. How the Civilian Conservation Corps Worked, Historical Reenactment Costumes and Equipment, 2nd Rhode Island Regiment. The Event Wire - Information. The website also lists a number of sutler websites. To a CIVIL WAR reenactment. 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. As a spectator, you have a great opportunity to get a preview of what volunteering is like. Check your local newspaper or search the Internet to find a reenactment near you. While those shows inspired then young, now-middle aged reenactors to study the war, the producers paid little attention to authenticity.
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