The early 1860s was a time unparalleled in U.S. history. Abraham Lincoln was elected to the presidency, the South seceded from the Union, and before long the country was at war with itself, the North against the South, kin against kin, brother against brother. The North called it the War of the Rebellion. To the South it was the War Between the States. To everyone, however, it became known as the American Civil War, the most significant historical event in the history of the nation. In the end, slavery was outlawed, the country was reunited under one flag, and some 600,000 soldiers had lost their lives.

Since then, not only has the historical aspects of the Civil War captured the imagination of millions, but also the social and cultural perception of that time-period itself. Since the 100th Civil War centennial commemoration, interest in preserving this most important and fascinating period in our history has steadily grown. This enormous interest developed into a program where “Union and Confederate soldiers”, along with their artillery, cavalry, and mounted commanders, engaged in a mock battlefield conflict that brought back to life every historical detail of a Civil War battle.

Reenactments Attempt To Stay True To History

Today, Civil War battle reenactments are held throughout the country. But there’s much more involved than just recreating the artillery fire, the reverberating discharge of hundreds of muskets, and the battle cries of charging cavalry and infantry troops as they clash and “die” on the battlefield. Reenactment enthusiasts of all ages, from eight to sixty-five, are also willing to endure the elements, the expense, and the time to duplicate the civilian aspect of living in a Civil War era camp. Their custom-made clothes, like the uniforms on the troops in the field, are as close to authentic as the real thing. They cook their period-style meals exactly as it was done in an 1860s army camp, their eating utensils are reproductions of the original tin versions, and they sleep under the same conditions as everyone did in a Civil War bivouac. The so-called serious “hard cores” are even known to leave reality completely behind by thinking and speaking as though they were actually experiencing life in a Civil War era camp.

Entertainment is also a large part of the reenactment experience. For instance, there are artillery demonstrations, at times with authentic Civil War guns, infantry drills, mule rides, rope making, leatherwork exhibitions, craft shows, lectures, book signings, vintage fashion shows, quilting, and of course the Civil War Ball complete with period music, attire, and dances. It goes without saying that the mother of all Civil War battle reenactments is the annual affair at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Held over three days every July, in 1998 the largest Civil War reenactment to date drew over 41,000 participants and over 45,000 spectators. Too many of the participants, the mere presence as a spectator to a Civil War battle reenactment may have been just the motivation they needed to consider joining the fraternity of these “Living-History” aficionados. But what does a person have to do to take part and what will be the approximate cost just to get started?