Getting started

[Robert Gretter]

My and my wife have been going to some reenactments for a few years now, and really enjoy it. We would like to get a little involved. I have started to gather a few clothing items, and my wife has a few period dresses. Looking for advice on this from the veterans out there. I know the Keokuk, IA reenactment is coming up, and I will attend this one. Just not sure how to go about getting involved, and I don't want to look out of place right off the bat. I want to reenact the right way. I have two great, great, great grand fathers that fought, one north, one south. Thanks.

 

[ole]

My and my wife have been going to some reenactments for a few years now, and really enjoy it. We would like to get a little involved. I have started to gather a few clothing items, and my wife has a few period dresses. Looking for advice on this from the veterans out there. I know the Keokuk, IA reenactment is coming up, and I will attend this one. Just not sure how to go about getting involved, and I don't want to look out of place right off the bat. I want to reenact the right way. I have two great, great, great grand fathers that fought, one north, one south. Thanks.

Welcome. Be sure to look up Albert Sailhorst when in Keokuk. He'll be with Scott's Battery.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Welcome to CivilWarTalk.
@Albert Sailhorst would be a good contact.

 

[thomas aagaard]

Find a unit/group first. Borrow gear for the first event. Find out if you have fun. Then talk with your group before getting any more gear. A

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Thanks Ole and 7th Mississippi!!

Chris, I will be at Keokuk, IA serving with Scott's TN Battery. We are Confederate artillery and would be happy to have you with us!....When you get to Keokuk, go the battlefield part of the park. We will be the only Confederate Artillery camped with the Union Artillery......IF event staff make us move and we're not there (as could happen, but hopefully doesn't) then ask around in the Conf. Artillery camps.

Here is a link to our unit's website: http://cptscott.angelfire.com/Feel free to ask me questions or use the "start a conversation" feature of this site with me!
Where are you from?

 

[Robert Gretter]

Keota, SE Iowa, would like to find a unit that does reenactments in my area.

 

[frontrank2]

Welcome from the Lincoln Forum, and the state of NJ.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

We are based out of Davenport.....In fact, we have a member of our unit that lives in Keokuk!!

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Keota, SE Iowa, would like to find a unit that does reenactments in my area.

Some of the events that we do are: Galesburg, IL, Delevan, IL, Waukon, IA, Orion, IL, Boscobel, WI, Mason City, IA, etc.....

 

[MRB1863]

Welcome to the forum! Wish you much success and happiness in your future reenactments!

 

[yellowthornoftexas]

Welcome and good luck!! Looks like you've been guided successfully!

 

[Camp Randall Armory]

Don't buy anything yet. Decide what impression and what type of group you want to join, and then ask them for advice. When I moved to a new area, what I did was go to the first larger regional event, saw several units, how they operated, asked questions, got many contacts and followed up after the event with the unit I thought was best for me.

 

[Patrick H]

Hi, Chris and welcome from Missouri. I'm not a reenactor, but it sounds to me like you've already received excellent advice. I'm sure you'll get good input from Albert and you've already received a nice invitation from him. You are on your way!

You just made me think of the best reenactment impression I ever saw in person. I was wandering around a public barbecue during a folk music festival here in my home town a few years ago. I glanced over and saw a confederate soldier emerge from the crowd and walk down the sidewalk. He wasn't in full uniform--just a kepi, a checked shirt, shapeless and worn pants and very worn shoes. He was smoking a clay pipe and he had a home made, tack head banjo slung over his back. He had a mop of curly red hair and a very curly beard. He looked like he'd been in those same clothes for months. The effect was unexpected, but very convincing. People sort of stepped aside and let him pass. It was rather like seeing a ghost walk through the crowd. The young man had a smile, too. I think he was enjoying his startling effect on the crowd.

 

[ole]

Ask, and ye shall receive. Reenactors are generally a very friendly bunch.

Some years ago, I stopped at a reenactment in Iowa. There was a Union group with a 6-pounder. It was in the movie Gettysburg. I looked at him kinda cross-eyed and he knew what I was thinking. He immediately said his unit portrayed Confederate artillery. There were no Union 6-pounders there.

 

[Harrisblake]

First you should find a unit. Once you do that you should borrow the uniform from the unit so you can figure out if this is something you wish to continue. Once you do all that then go about finding your own gear.