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These are some of the more commonly asked questions of civil war re-enactors. I hope you find the information useful. Coming Soon--- Ladies FAQ sheet.
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- Are those uniforms hot?
- Did you really sleep out here?
- Why do you re-enact?
- Is that fire real?
- Do you really eat out here?
- Is that real?
- Do you really shoot at each other?
- Where do you get your gear?
- When is the re-enactment?
- What is there to see at a re-enactment?
- Do you get paid?
- Where can I go to get more information?
Are those uniforms hot?
Usually. The civil war saw many different styles of uniforms. Most of the members of King's Battery wear a kersey wool blend that was very common in the 1860s. It is typically very warm. Our shirts are made from a cotton or calico homespun type material. These can be very cool in the right conditions. The heat associated with a typical uniform comes from layers. You would typically wear a cotton type underwear that would either be a one piece "union suit" covering from your shoulders to your ankles with full length sleeves, or a two piece sleep shirt and drawer cotton underwear. These also would cover your entire body with the exception of your head, hands, and feet. The kersey wool britches (pants) worn by the typical civil war soldier were very warm. There are some other "homespun" materials that were a wool/cotton mix that did breath better. A long sleeve cotton work shirt or uniform shirt was worn under a vest. Typically Confederate vests were of "civilian" style, they were a three or four button vest buttoning from your waist to mid chest. Materials varied on the vest. As was common both North and South, jacket styles were numerous. A typical private would wear either a sack coat, long coat covering from your shoulders to about mid thigh, or a shell jacket, shorter coat covering from your shoulders to your waist. A waist belt, head cover, and leather shoes completed the uniform.
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Did you really sleep out here?
YES! For most civil war re-enactors anyway. We do sleep in the same style of tent made from the same materials as our ancestors did almost 150 years ago. There are those few that resort to modern campers or hotels. Personally, I think it takes away from the comradiere of the weekend. My favorite part has always been sitting around the camp fire at night swapping stories and fellowshipping with each other. After a short time in a re-enacting unit, the other members of the unit become members of your extended family. I think many re-enactors would agree with me in saying that they see their re-enacting family more often than they see actual family members.
Its not as bad as it sounds. Many re-enactors have built period beds. A straw tick on top of a rope support system sleeps very comfortably. Some re-enactors "cheat" and use air mattresses. (I will admit that many members of this unit use air mattresses and modern style camp beds) There are also many re-enactors would prefer to sleep on the ground. I have spent many nights with a ground cloth and wool blanket sleeping under the stars.
As typical for a garrison style camp, soldiers and re-enactors alike typically find themselves close to a farm. Hay can be acquired from these friendly farmers. A small pile of hay for one to two men. Or the whole company allowed to bunk down for the night in the farmers hay barn. Sleeps as good in many opinions as the family bed at home.
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Why do you re-enact the Civil War?
A valid question with many answers. We love history. We love to camp. We are somehow drawn to the American Civil War. We have ancestors who fought and died and this is our way or remembering them. Ask 25 different re-enactors this same question and I am sure you will find 25 different answers. We are NOT a hate group! We are NOT racist! We are simply a group of individuals who share a common interest who enjoy sharing our knowledge with others.
Is that fire real?
Yes, the fire is real. I think this is more of a favorite question of younger kids, but I have had some adults ask it. Firewood is in high demand around a Civil War Re-enactment. Re-enactors rely on these fires for a variety of purposes. We use them not only to cook our food, but also for light at night, heat when its cold, and as a gathering place for the unit. Typically re-enacting fires are much larger than a civil war fire. Soldiers of the 1860s were divided in their companies into a "mess group." These groups typically were composed of 4 to 6 men. These guys would share one tent and one small fire. If there was meat to be had in the Confederate Army it was scarce. A small quick fire in front of a tent to cook what you could get your hands on was all that was needed for cooking. Warmth was an issue and when camped in an area where wood was available, fires of the civil war were used the same way we use them today to keep warm. Large numbers of men gathered around an open fire to stay warm, or smaller fires burning inside a rare stove typically found in higher ranking officer's tents.
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Do you really eat out here?
Yes and no. Well yes really. At a typical re-enactment 100% of our meals are eaten in camp. There are a few re-enactors that venture out to local merchants for food. Look hard around camp and you just might catch a glimpse of a modern cooler or two. We do like to eat and we do like to eat fresh food. Some re-enactments even feed us. They raise money or get the food donated through local churches and organizations. To feed two armies of men, women, and children is no easy feat you know.
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Is that real?
This question applies to a variety of topics. Is that gun real? Is that tent real? Is that uniform real? See my point? There is not really a good answer to this question. Re-enactors know that the person asking the question really wants to know if that "whatever" was used during the war. But typically re-enactors try to make a joke from it. If you can see it it must be real. I'll answer the question you're really trying to ask. "Is that 'whatever' original?" For the mot part no. Although original relics of the Civil War are numerous, they are also valuable. The vast majority of the stuff you see around a re-enactment is what we call reproduction. Its made the same way and from the same materials as they did during the Civil War but it was made recently. Occasionally you will find a re-enactor or two that do have original equipment with them for display. Buttons, projectiles, and metal objects are the more common original products seen in camp.
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Do you really shoot at each other?
No. All weapons in Civil War Re-enacting shoot blanks. These are black powder charges that when set off make loud noises and smoke a lot. Although we do not actually fire a projectile, the weapons we use are still dangerous. The fire coming from the end of a barrel can reach temperatures of over 1000 degrees. If you were to be "shot" by this fire it would cause severe burns. Also the pressure caused when the black powder is ignited can send objects that may become lodged in the barrel out the end just like it were a real bullet. Re-enactors have several safety policies we use both on and off the field for proper handling and inspection of all weapons used in the hobby. This not only ensures re-enactor safety but also the safety of the spectators we are there to put on the show for.
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Where do you get your gear?
There are many way to get the equipment we use for re-enacting. Many events we go to each year have sutlers, or period shops selling equipment needed by the civil war re-enactor. These same sutlers are available online. You can also purchase patterns for different parts of the uniform as well as camp furnishings. These patterns can be quite simple to follow and most of the time an amateur craftsman or seamstress can complete the project in a few weekends. Personally I follow the believe that if it is made from period materials and from period style construction, who says the farmer from Missouri can't come up with is own design just because it isn't documented in a history book somewhere? There are numerous re-enactors who would strongly disagree with my viewpoint on this matter. As veteran re-enactors acquire more equipment, some of their older stuff occasionally comes up for sale. There are some events each year that host "yard sales" that are a place where re-enactors can lay out what they have for sale and allow others to come "shop."
You want to get into the hobby today and try it? Well that's not a problem at all. Typically you can ask any re-enactor, and definitely any member of King's Battery, and they would be more than happy to suit you up for the weekend. Most units in the hobby have extra uniform parts laying around just for this purpose. Oh, you brought your wife and she wants to dress to? Step on over to one of the ladies and they would be more than happy to help fit her into a dress for the weekend. Ah we can't forget the kids after all they are the future of civil war re-enacting. Although they are harder to fit, usually clothes can be borrowed from someone on sight to get them into the experience.
Right now! Events typically start on Friday afternoon and last until mid-afternoon Sunday. Although most events don't have battles going on all the time, there are many other activities to see at events. What is there to see at a re-enactment? The battle scenarios that draw the biggest crowd are normally sometime Saturday early afternoon and again on Sunday afternoon. Please bear with us, we travel far distances to come put on a show and most events try to give us the "okay" to leave by mid-afternoon Sunday so we can get back to our jobs on Monday morning.
What is there to see at a re-enactment?
Not all re-enactments are the same. I will try to describe the typical event. Fridays are usually school days. What re-enactors can make it out do to set up and give different demonstrations for the local school children. The rest of the day and night Friday is set up day. If you come on out Friday, please watch out for our vehicles as we travel in and out of camps. A typical Saturday opens to the public around 10am. This gives the re-enactors time to get up, eat and hide and modern convinces they may have hidden away. Saturdays are usually the big day of the event. A ladies tea perhaps around 11. This tea is a social event where re-enacting women and ladies from the 'modern' world are invited to meet and greet each other and share refreshments. Sometimes a demonstration or a talk pertaining to the women's role in re-enacting is given. Saturday afternoon offers a wide variety of activities. Camps are open to the public to look through, the sutler shops are open for your viewing or purchasing wants, men typically drill sometime before the battle, children may be seen playing period games, craftsman show their skills to all those interested in seeing. Re-enactors of all ages will gladly take the time to stop and answer and questions you may have so please don't be afraid to ask. The battle. Everyone enjoys the battle. Just stay behind the safety rope so no one gets hurt. Saturday evening there is typically a camp dance or grand ball. This is another social event open to everyone public included. Your invited to come out and enjoy all the festivities with us. Sunday mornings bring about a period church service that is open to the public. After church enjoy chatting with re-enactors as they demonstrate camp life until battle time. We fight again Sunday, don't be afraid to cheer on your favorite side! Typically after Sunday's battle re-enactors start preparing to leave to head home. They will however, stop again to answer any questions you have.
No. Most re-enactors do not get paid. We volunteer our time because we like what we do. We enjoy history. We enjoy teaching. .
Where can I go to get more information?
As always the internet offers a vast source of information on civil war re-enacting. The members of King's Battery welcome any and all questions in their Ask the Gunners section. We strive to do our best to answer any questions you have. I assure you we will respond to any question you submit. Still want more information? Well, go to an event! There is no better way to learn the history of the American Civil War than visiting a local civil war event.