Hello
@Whizbang, welcome to the Forum! Lots of great folks here.
I am from Lycoming County, PA
I participated in the Cedar Creek event once with the people of Cooper's Battery B; 1st PA Light Artillery unit. That was years ago, however, they are still active as far as I know. Great folks. I believe they are based out of Shamokin, PA, however, they had lots of members from all over when I met them. I have also met with members of the 87th PA, Company C reenactment unit. They are based out of the southern part of the state near York, however, again, they have members from all over.
I do like the idea of you attending the Cedar Creek event. It is a wonderful event that I have been attending as a spectator since the early 1990's. Actually it is a straight shot for you because is is just off of I-81 a little south of Winchester, VA. It takes me about 4 hours to get there from near Williamsport, but I don't pick up I-81 until Harrisburg. You could hop on it near Scranton and not stop till the Middletown, VA exit! I like that idea because I always walk the camps all day talking to people. I have met many good folks and you could ask if there are any Pennsylvania units around and someone would tell you. You would also get to see what kind of gear the units are using. There is also always a suttler village set up where you can buy uniforms and anything you might need. However, I would let some of the actual reenactors talk to you about that. Gear isn't cheap and they could tell you some of the better places to get things.
The 87th PA and Coopers Battery B both have Cedar Creek on their schedules; so they will be there. Or, you can look at their schedules and see where they will be before that if you want. I know the 87th will be doing some living history at Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry in August and September. I think they will be at the Pry House museum near Antietam at Keedysville, MD too. I am interested in the 87th PA because my great grandfather served in the actual unit during the war and was actually at the real battle of Cedar Creek.
I don't know of any units right near you? There used to be a 2nd Virginia Infantry Confederate unit in Wilkes-Barre years ago, but I didn't see them when I was searching the web. There are also units in the Philadelphia area as well. The 71st PA is somewhere in that area. A lot of people are interested in the Philadelphia Brigade units because they were right at the wall during Pickett's Charge.
I am really glad to hear that you are interested in reenacting. I am not a reenactor myself, however, I really appreciate what they are doing. I have studied the war for years yet there is nothing like being in those camps experiencing all the sights, sounds, smells, and yes, tastes that the soldiers experienced that you can't get from a book. And that one time with Coopers Battery B at Cedar Creek totally blew me away. (pardon the pun..lol) I couldn't join at the time but would have if I could. Wow. Pulling the lanyard of a 10lb Parrot cannon up on the hill behind the Heater House with Confederates fighting their way toward us! And I could look to my right, over to Red Hill maybe a half mile away, and see exactly where my great grandfather was fighting. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life.
Enjoy!
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