American Civil War reenactment

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.

Confederate reenactors fire their rifles during a reenactment of the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 2008.
Confederate artillery reenactors fire on Union troops during a Battle of Chickamauga reenactment in Danville, Illinois.
A reenactor contemplates the Battle of Cedar Creek, 2015.

Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom,[1] Germany,[2] Australia,[3] Italy,[4] Denmark,[5] Sweden, and Poland.[6]

History

Reenacting the American Civil War began even before the real fighting had ended. Civil War veterans recreated battles as a way to remember their fallen comrades and to teach others what the war was all about.[7] The Great Reunion of 1913, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, was attended by more than 50,000 Union and Confederate veterans, and included reenactments of elements of the battle, including Pickett's Charge.[8] Modern reenacting is thought to have begun during the 1961–1965 Civil War Centennial commemorations.[9] Reenacting grew in popularity during the 1980s and 1990s, due in large part to the success of the 125th Anniversary reenactment near the original Manassas battlefield, which was attended by more than 6,000 reenactors.[10] That year, Time magazine estimated there were more than 50,000 reenactors in the U.S.[11]

In 1998, the 135th anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Gettysburg took place near the original battlefield. There have been several estimates on the number of participants, but it is widely agreed that it was the largest re-enactment ever held anywhere in the world, with between 15,000 and 20,000 re-enactors participating. This event was watched by about 50,000 spectators.[12]

Participation
See also: List of historical reenactment groups
Reenactment at the American Museum in Bath, England
Reenactor plays the fife at The Angle at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

American Civil War reenactments have drawn a fairly sizable following of enthusiastic participants, young and old, willing to brave the elements and expend money and resources in their efforts to duplicate the events down to the smallest recorded detail. Participants may even attend classes put on by event sponsors where they learn how to dress, cook, eat, and even "die" just as real Civil War soldiers would have. Most reenactments have anywhere from 100 to thousands of participants, portraying either Union or Confederate infantry, artillery, or cavalry forces. Some people, though uncommon, may portray Engineers or Marines. The 135th anniversary Gettysburg reenactment (1998) is generally believed to be the most-attended reenactment, with attendance estimates ranging from 15,000[13] to over 20,000 reenactors.[14]

Reasons given for participating in such activities vary. Some participants are interested in getting a historical perspective on the turbulent times that gripped the nation, particularly if they can trace their ancestry back to those who fought in the war. In some cases, if there are not enough reenactors present on one side, reenactors from the other side are asked to change sides, or "galvanize", for the day/event.[15]

Although many periods are reenacted around the world, Civil War reenactment is, by far, the most popular in the US.[16] In 2000, the number of Civil War reenactors was estimated at 50,000,[17] though the number of participants declined sharply through the ensuing decade, to around 30,000 in 2011.[18] Possible reasons for the decline include the cost of participating and the variety of other entertainment options.[18] The 150th anniversary of the war has regenerated interest and stimulated growth in the hobby. The numbers of reenactors steadily climbed to past levels.

Although women and children commonly participate in reenactments as civilians (portraying, for example, members of a soldiers' aid society), some women also take part in military portrayals. This is controversial within the reenactment community, although there are documented cases of women who disguised their gender to fight in the war. Lee Taylor Middleton, author of "Hearts of Fire: Soldier Women of the American Civil War" has documented hundreds of such female soldiers. DeAnne Blanton and Lauren M. Cook, authors of "They Fought Like Demons: Women Soldiers in the American Civil War" document 240 soldiers in this work. DeAnne Blanton, a Senior Military Archivist at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. is currently updating her book and believes the number may be closer to seven hundred women. Almost all of the women did so disguised as men. Attitudes on this topic seem to vary widely. Some "hardcore" reenactment units will not admit women at all; others allow their presence if a real woman soldier is known to have fought in its real-life counterpart regiment; other units admit anyone who wants to fight.[19]

Categories of reenactors

Reenactors are commonly divided (or self-divide) into three categories, based on the level of concern for authenticity.[16][20]

Farbs

Some, called "Farbs" or "polyester soldiers"[21] are reenactors who spend relatively little of their time or money maintaining authenticity with regard to uniforms, accessories, or even period behavior. The 'Good Enough' attitude is pervasive among farbs, although even casual observers may be able to point out flaws. Blue jeans, tennis shoes, polyester (and other synthetic fabrics), zippers, velcro, snoods, and modern cigarettes are common issues.

The term "FARB" was commonly used during the Bicentennial Celebration of the Revolutionary War and stood for Far Off Resembles British, as comment on the lack of authenticity of some of the groups who participated at that time. It became after that a statement as to the commitment of the authenticity of any group whose lack of attention to detail was obvious.

Mainstream

Another group of reenactors often is called "Mainstream." These reenactors are somewhere between farb and progressive. They are more common than either farbs or progressives.

Most mainstream reenactors make an effort at appearing authentic, but may come out of character in the absence of an audience. Visible stitches are likely to be sewn in a period-correct manner, but hidden stitches and undergarments may not be period-appropriate. Food consumed before an audience is likely to be generally appropriate to the early 1860s, but it may not be seasonally and locally appropriate. Modern items are sometimes used "after hours" or in a hidden fashion. The common attitude is to put on a good show, but that accuracy need only go as far as others can see.

Progressive

At the other end of the spectrum from farbs are "hard-core authentics" or "progressives", as they prefer to be called.[22] Sometimes derisively called "stitch counters",[23] many people have misconceptions about hardcore reenactors.[24]

Hard-cores generally seek an "immersive" reenacting experience, trying to live, as much as possible, as someone of the 1860s might have. This includes eating seasonally and regionally appropriate food, undergarments in a period-appropriate manner, and staying in character throughout an event.[25] The desire for an immersive experience often leads hard-core reenactors to smaller events, and to setting up separate camps at larger events, which other reenactors often perceive as elitism.[26]

Character reenactors

Some reenactors portray a specific officer or person such as General Robert E. Lee, General Ulysses S. Grant, President Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, or a less well known officer such as Col. Abram Fulkerson. Character reenactors may also portray a civilian man, woman, or child of significance. These reenactors often do not participate in the actual combat portion of the reenactment and serve as narrators to the audience during the battle. Often, character reenactors have extensively researched the person they portray and present a first-person narrative of his story.

Civilian reenactors

In addition to military reenactment, a significant part of Civil War reenactment includes the portrayal of civilians, including men, women, and children from infants to young adults. This can include portrayals as diverse as soldiers' aid societies, sutlers, saloon proprietors, musicians, and insurance salesmen.

Types of Civil War reenactments
See also: List of historical reenactment events

Public events

A typical Civil War Reenactment takes place over a weekend with the reenactors arriving on Friday and camping on site while spectators view the event on Saturday and Sunday. Usually each reenactment is centered around a Saturday battle and Sunday battle (often, but not always, intended to recreate an actual battle from the Civil War) in addition to many of the activities listed below. Essentially, a traditional public reenactment is a three-day-long affair that incorporates elements from each of the following categories.

Living histories

Living histories are meant entirely for education of the public. Such events do not necessarily have a mock battle but instead are aimed at portraying the life, and more importantly the lifestyle, of the average Civil War soldier. This does include civilian reenacting, a growing trend. Occasionally, a spy trial is recreated, and a medic too. More common are weapons and cooking demonstrations, song and leisure activities, and lectures. These should not, however, be confused with Living history museums. These outlets for living history utilize museum professionals and trained interpreters in order to convey the most accurate information available to historians.

Living history is the only reenactment permitted on National Park Service land; NPS policy "does not allow for battle reenactments (simulated combat with opposing lines and casualties) on NPS property."[27]

Public demonstrations
2014 public demonstration in a parade in Plainview, Minnesota

Public demonstrations are smaller mock battles put on by reenacting organizations and/or private parties primarily to show the public how people in the 1860s lived, and to show the public civil war battles. The battles are only loosely based on actual battles, if at all, and may consist of demonstrations of basic tactics and maneuvering techniques.

Scripted battles

Scripted battles are reenactment in the strictest sense; the battles are planned out beforehand so that the companies and regiments make the same actions that were taken in the original battles. They are often fought at or near the original battle ground or at a place very similar to the original. A common question of non-reenactors concerns the determination of who "dies" over the course of the battle. Reenactors commonly refer to the act of being killed or wounded as "taking a hit" and is typically left up to the individual's discretion, although greatly influenced by the events of the battle. Because most battles are based on their historical counterparts it is generally understood when to begin taking hits and to what extent.[28]

Closed events

Total immersion events

Total immersion events are made up solely of progressive ("hard-core authentic") reenactors, who often refer to them as "Events By Us and For Us" or "EBUFU". As the names imply, these events are held for the personal edification of the reenactors involved, allowing them to spend an extended time marching, eating, and generally living like actual soldiers of the Civil War.[25] Total immersion events generally require participants to meet a high standard of authenticity, and in most cases little or none of the event will be open to public viewing.

Tactical battles
Main article: Tactical event

Tactical battles, which may or may not be open to the public,[29] are fought like real battles with each side devising strategies and tactics to defeat their opponent(s). They have no script, a basic set of agreed-upon rules (physical boundaries, time limit, victory conditions, etc.), and onsite judges or referees, and so could be considered a form of live action role-playing game. Tactical battles might also be considered a form of experimental archaeology.[30]

Reenactment and media

Motion picture and television producers often turn to reenactment groups for support; films like Gettysburg, Glory and Gods and Generals benefited greatly from the input of reenactors, who arrived on set fully equipped and steeped in knowledge of military procedures, camp life, and tactics.[31]

In a documentary about the making of the film Gettysburg, actor Sam Elliott, who portrayed Union General John Buford in the film, said of reenactors:

I think we're really fortunate to have those people involved. In fact, they couldn't be making this picture without them; there's no question about that. These guys come with their wardrobe, they come with their weaponry. They come with all the accoutrements, but they also come with the stuff in their head and the stuff in their heart.[32]

At times, however, the relationship between reenactors and filmmakers has been contentious. Although reenactors for Gettysburg were unpaid, money was contributed on their behalf to a trust for historic preservation; however, some subsequent productions have offered no such compensation. Also, in some cases reenactors have clashed with directors over one-sided portrayals and historical inaccuracies.[33] Some producers have been less interested in accuracy than in the sheer number of reenactors, which can result in safety issues. Finally, large film productions, like Gettysburg, can draw enough reenactors to cause the cancellation of other events.[34]

Tony Horwitz covered hardcore reenacting in Confederates In The Attic, released in 1998.[35]

On April 4, 2013, Jeffrey S. Williams released Muskets and Memories: A Modern Man's Journey through the Civil War, a mix of modern reenactment narrative with historical facts.[36]

In 2016, a documentary called When To Die was produced and directed by Justin Miller and John Paul Pacelli. It followed four Civil War reenactors and explored their relationship with the hobby.[37]

Talene Monahon's 2020 play How to Load a Musket, is about Civil War reenactors.[38]

Incidents

In 1998, a reenactor at a Battle of Gettysburg recreation borrowed a handgun that contained a "squib" (a bullet lodged halfway down the barrel). Without having inspected the gun before loading the blank charge, the reenactor wounded another reenactor in the neck.[39][40][41]

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See also

Notes
  1. "The American Civil War Society" (PDF). ACWS Ltd. Retrieved 2014-09-24. More than 45,000 British citizens served during the American Civil War.
  2. "WBTS Forum". WBTS-forum.org. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  3. "62nd New York 'Anderson Zouaves' American Civil War Reenactment". The 62nd. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  4. "Who We Are". 14th Louisiana Infantry Regiment and Company. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  5. "American Civil War Reenactors of Denmark".
  6. "58th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment".
  7. Hadden, p. 4 "Civil War reenacting was done almost from the beginning of war, as soldiers demonstrated to family and friends their actions during the war, in camp, in drill, and in battle. Veterans organizations recreated camp life to show their children and others how they lived and to reproduce the camaraderie of shared experience with their fellow veterans."
  8. Heiser.
  9. Hadden. p 4 "Without a doubt, Civil War reenactment got its boost during the centennial, which also saw the birth of the North-South Skirmish Association (N-SSA)."
  10. Hadden, p. 6 "In 1986, the first of the 125th Anniversary battles was held near the original battlefield of Manassas. More than anything, this mega-event sparked an interest in the Civil War and reenacting."
  11. Skow.
  12. "Welcome to reenactor.net's Civil War time/area". reenactor.net. Archived from the original on 2014-10-16. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  13. Hadden, p. 15
  14. Stanton, p. 64
  15. Hadden, p. 220
  16. Strauss. "In the United States, hobby organizations participate in the public reenactment of historical events. The most popular is Civil War reenacting, which can be viewed as a manifestation of the unresolved nature of that war...Among reenactors, the quest for historical authenticity is considered a core value."
  17. "Massachusetts company still rolls out hardtack dough for Civil War enthusiasts". CNN. August 7, 2000. Archived from the original on 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2008-08-14. Word spread among roughly 50,000 Civil War buffs, and business boomed.
  18. Douban, Gigi (July 4, 2011), Fewer People Participate In Civil War Reenactments, National Public Radio, retrieved 2011-07-19
  19. "Women Military Reenactor's Homepage". Archived from the original on 2005-05-15. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  20. Stanton, p. 34
  21. Hadden p 209 and p 219
  22. Hadden, p. 138
  23. Hadden, p. 224
  24. Hadden, p. 138 "The hard-core movement is often misunderstood and sometimes maligned."
  25. Hadden, p. 138 "Like soldiers of the Civil War, progressives experience the same poor conditions that the original soldiers did, camping without tents and sleeping out exposed to the cold and rain. They spend weekends eating bad and insufficient food, and they practice a steady regimen of work, marching, and drill. They suffer the cold, carrying insufficient clothing and blankets as well as sleeping campaign-style by spooning with each other for warmth."
  26. Hadden, p. 139
  27. "Wilson's Creek National Battlefield FAQ". National Park Service. July 25, 2008.
  28. Farhi, Paul (July 15, 2011). "Civil War reenactment etiquette: How — and when — to die on the battlefield". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  29. Hadden, p. 224 "Sometimes they are closed events, in which the public is not invited to observe."
  30. Hadden, p. 23 "By living like the soldiers did, even for just a short time, the reenactors gain better understanding of how to wear the uniform and use the equipment."
  31. Details may be found in the "making of" features on the DVD versions of both films.
  32. This documentary can be found on the DVD of the film Gettysburg.
  33. Hadden, p. 7
  34. Hadden, p. 8
  35. Horwitz, Tony (February 22, 1999). Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War. Vintage. ISBN 978-0679758334.
  36. Williams, Jeffrey S. (April 4, 2013). Muskets and Memories: A Modern Man's Journey Through the Civil War. Antietam Creek Press. ISBN 978-0989042109.
  37. Miller, J., & Pacelli, J. P. (Producers). (2016). When To Die. Retrieved from https://www.whentodie.com/
  38. Soloski, Alexis (16 January 2020). "'How to Load a Musket' Review: A Play About Re-enactors Gets Real". New York Times. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  39. "Investigation continues into shooting of Civil War re-enactor". The Observer-Reporter. Washington, PA. July 6, 1998.
  40. "Re-enactor heals from mysterious shot Suspect fired gun belonging to stranger". July 19, 1998.
  41. "Frenchman Pleads Guilty In Gettysburg Shooting". The New York Times. July 11, 1998.

References
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