American Civil War reenactment

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.

An 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 Civil War recreationists. Although most common in the United States, there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

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. 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.

Modern reenacting is thought to have began during the 1961-1965 Civil War centennial commemorations. These battles and events found a receptive audience, but public interest in reenactments faded by the late 1960's, possibly due to the growing involvement in the Vietnam War. Reenacting grew in popularity during the 1980's and 1990's, 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. That year, TIME Magazine estimated that there were more than 50,000 reenactors in the US.

Participation

See also: List of historical reenactment groups

Reenactment at the American Museum in Bath, England

American Civil War reenactments have drawn a fairly sizable following of enthusiastic participants, aged often between eight and 64, 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 1,000 participants, portraying either Union or Confederate infantry, artillery, or cavalry forces. Some people, though uncommon, can portray Engineers or Marines--some even choose to don the Veterans uniform, which is like the dress coat, but instead of dark blue with light blue trim, it is light blue with dark blue trim. The 135th anniversary Gettysburg reenactment (1998) is generally believed to be the most-attended reenactment, with attendance estimates ranging from 15,000 to over 20,000 reenactors.

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. Others participate merely for the escapism that such events offer. Some commentators have suggested that some Southerners are drawn to these activities for political reasons, because they represent a rejection of the North. Often, however, this is a false stereotype. In fact, some are Northerners that may have been "sympathetic" to the Southerners, who often are out-numbered in events in the North. In some cases, if there are not enough Union soldiers present, Confederate soldiers are asked to change sides, or become galvanized yankees, for the day/event.

Although many periods are reenacted around the world, Civil War reenactment is, by far, the most popular activity in the US, with an estimated 50,000 Civil War reenactors as of 2000.

Categories of Reenactors

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

Farbs

An American Civil War re-enactor talks about life in a typical army field camp. Hard-core reenactors would consider him "farby" because of his weight, as well as the modern cigarette he is holding.

Some, called "Farbs," are re-enactors 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 man-made fabrics), zippers, velcro, snoods, and modern cigarettes are common issues.

The origin of the word "farb" (and the derivative adjective "farby") is unknown. Some think that the origin of the word is a truncated version of "Far be it from authentic." An alternative definition is "Far Be it for me to question/criticise", or "Fast And Research-less Buyer". Some early reenactors assert the word derives from German farbe, color, because inauthentic re-enactors were over-colourful compared with the dull blues, greys or browns of the real Civil War uniforms that were the principal concern of American reenactors at the time the word was coined.

Mainstream

A mainstream Federal artillery reenactor.

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

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.

Hard-Cores/Super-Authentic

At the other extreme from farbs are "Hard-Core" or "Super-Authentic" reenactors, sometimes derisively called "stitch counters". Many people have misconceptions about hardcore reenactors, which spawn from a published book about hardcore reenactors, Confederates in the Attic. 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, sewing inside seams and undergarments in a period-appropriate manner, and staying in character throughout an event.

Hard-core reenactors generally value thorough research, and sometimes deride mainstream reenactors for perpetuating inaccurate "reenactorisms", such as buttoning only the top button of a uniform jacket/coat, or insisting that a vest, jacket, or coat must be worn over a shirt at all times.

Types of Civil War reenactments

See also: List of historical reenactment events

There are five loose categories of Civil War reenactments.

Total Immersion events (Events By Us For Us, or EBUFU)

Total immersion events are made up solely of authentic reenactors, who march, live, eat and act like actual soldiers of the Civil War. Theese events are usually not public, meaning that the public cannot come and watch (it is for the reenactors amusement only)

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."

Public demonstrations

Public demonstration in a parade for the sesquicentennial of Red Wing, 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.

Tactical battles

Main article: Tactical event

Tactical battles, which are not usually open to the public, are fought like real battles with both sides coming up with strategies and tactics to beat their opponents. They have no script, a basic set of agreed-upon rules (physical boundaries, time limit, victory conditions, etc.), and on-site judges or referees, and could be considered a form of Live action role-playing game. In one sense, tacticals might be considered a form of experimental archaeology.

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 the 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.

Reenactment and media

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

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.

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. Some producers have been less interested in accuracy than in the sheer number of reenactors, which can result in safety issues. Finally, large movie productions, like Gettysburg, can draw enough reenactors to cause the cancellation of other events.

Publications

A number of publications have covered American Civil War reenactment over the years. These have included the Camp Chase Gazette and, at various times, two different magazines named Living History (the most recent of which last appeared in 1997 and was published by Great Oak Inc. and edited by history author Michael J. Varhola).

Skirmish Magazine, edited by long time Living Historian Rachel C Evans, covers all periods of world history from the last 4000 years. Aimed at reenactors and living historians, it provides articles on topics including living history, reenactment, historical essays and archeology from leading living historians and historians such as Dan Snow, Tony Pollard and Jonathan Davies.

Civil War Historian is considered to be the premier magazine in the hobby.

See also

• Historical reenactment
• American Civil War
• Authenticity (reenactment)
• Farb (reenactment)

External links

• Reenactor.net
• Civil War Reenactment Photos
• The Civil War Reenactor's homepage
• The Young Campaigner
• ReenactorClassifieds
• The Authentic Campaigner
• http://www.thesewingacademy.org/
• The Camp Chase Gazette
• The Civil War Living History Institute
• Civil War Living History Reenactors

Notes and references

References

• Hadden, Robert Lee. Reliving the Civil War: A reenactor's handbook. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1999.
• Stanton, Cathy (1999-11-01). "Reenactors in the Parks: A Study of External Revolutionary War Reenactment Activity at National Parks" (PDF) National Park Service. Retrieved on 2008-07-28.