Tips for Getting Started in Artillery Reenacting?

[OldReliable1862]

An artillery reenacting group is being formed in my local area, and I'm thinking about joining. Does anyone here have advice for those planning on doing an artillerist impression?

 

[Claude Bauer]

Hi--I have no idea what area you're in, but if you're near a national battlefield park, e.g. Gettysburg, Shiloh, Antietam, etc. sometimes the artillery reenactor units that provide demos there will have a school of artillery. They recently had one scheduled at a local State battlefield park, for example. If you're not close to any NPS battlefield parks, then I'd suggest contacting an established artillery unit and getting their advice--there are lots of them. I know of one in my town, but I don't participate in field artillery, although I'm usually on the crew that mans the Parrott Rifle on the USS Constellation when we do events there. I could get you some contacts if you need them--send me a PM. It's great that they're starting that group and that you're getting involved!

 

[3rd North Carolina]

well if you want to join one, my best thing would be start off as a powder monkey, the person who brings the rounds up to the cannon itself. Also, over time watch and learn different positions on the gun cause you would never know if you would be asked to hop in that spot. the infantry unit that i am, also does artillery as well and some times i am ask to help out when short staff. but above all else think smartly and do not do dumb ****.

 

[James Brenner]

Do your research. Read some books on ordnance (Peterson's, Roundshot and Rammers is a good introduction). Learn the nomenclature of the gun, the carriage, the limber, etc. Read some artillery unit histories and/or memoirs: Tidball's, The Artillery Service in the War of the Rebellion 1861 - 1865 is very good. Visit museums and ask questions.

Safety is, of course, paramount so check out the unit's gun/implements/drill/ before committing.

 

[OldReliable1862]

Hi--I have no idea what area you're in, but if you're near a national battlefield park, e.g. Gettysburg, Shiloh, Antietam, etc. sometimes the artillery reenactor units that provide demos there will have a school of artillery in conjunction with the NPS. They recently had one scheduled at the Monocacy National Battlefield for example. If you're not close to any NPS battlefield parks, then I'd suggest contacting an established artillery unit and getting their advice--there are lots of them. I know of one in my town, but I don't participate in field artillery, although I'm usually on the crew that mans the Parrott Rifle on the USS Constellation when we do events there. I could get you some contacts if you need them--send me a PM. It's great that they're starting that group and that you're getting involved!

Thanks, the idea of forming a reenacting group was brought up at a cannon class. A local man owns a repro mountain howitzer, and the small size was perfect to practice with. I got to serve as the man who rams home the charge, and then got to serve as the thumbhole person (I need to find out the proper for the position).

 

[Old Breck]

Most artillery reenactors use a made-up imaginary drill from the 1970s for what they believe is "safety reasons". The original 1860s drill was safe enough for the military, so it is just as safe today. I'd recommend studying actual manuals and not relying on what reenactors say

Also, if you insist on using a mountain gun, keep in mind that they were rare and are kind of a laughing stock in the hobby.

However, they were in fact used, particularly by Confederates in the western theater, so I'd do some research and find a unit that actually had them, and build an accurate portrayal of that unit

 

[OldReliable1862]

Most artillery reenactors use a made-up imaginary drill from the 1970s for what they believe is "safety reasons". The original 1860s drill was safe enough for the military, so it is just as safe today. I'd recommend studying actual manuals and not relying on what reenactors say

Also, if you insist on using a mountain gun, keep in mind that they were rare and are kind of a laughing stock in the hobby.

However, they were in fact used, particularly by Confederates in the western theater, so I'd do some research and find a unit that actually had them, and build an accurate portrayal of that unit

We're in a pretty sparse area for reenactors, so I'm afraid we're really stuck with whatever we have nearby. In our case, that means a mountain howitzer.

 

[thomas aagaard]

Artillery or infantry don't matter.
What matters is finding a group that want the same as you.
If you want to march in the mud and sleep on the ground under the open sky, joining a group that bring a huge tent camp and have cooler for the beer make very little sense. (and the other way around)

Another question is how much time you spend on drill.

And if this news group is the only real option, try to get everyone to agree on the level of authenticity and the balance between the social side and the authentic side.

I pretty much stopped doing acw reenactment (here in Denmark) exactly because of this issue. Too much camping in funny clothing and too little military stuff.

 

[unionblue]

An artillery reenacting group is being formed in my local area, and I'm thinking about joining. Does anyone here have advice for those planning on doing an artillerist impression?

Earplugs!

 

[7thWisconsin]

Given the cost of a gun, and if you're in an area where reenactors are scarce, well a mountain gun will have to do. Learn safety. Don't feel pressured to buy a pistol and sword - you don't need them to work the gun. Get very good at camp living if you can. Don't buy a red shirt, or red suspenders. That's a modern artillery thing. And not too much red trim on hat and jacket. Keep em plain and simple.

 

[lelliott19]

I got to serve as the man who rams home the charge, and then got to serve as the thumbhole person

I think these are the designations but you better find someone who knows for sure
No. 1 "the man who rams home the charge"
No. 3 "the thumbhole person"

 

[Reverend Ron]

Operating a piece of field artillery is kind of like flying a modern day hot air balloon. When you first buy the balloon, a lot of folks will initially and excitedly say that they will help you fly it. Then when they see how time consuming it is to launch, serve as ground chase crew, recover, and correctly pack the the thing away, most lose interest after a few flights.

If you think it takes 5 men to safely roll your cannon up onto a trailer and secure it for transport, you will need to recruit 3 times that many crew gun crew members. First to share in the costs and secondly for your unit to routinely have a sufficient number of strong bodies show up when needed for an event. The one thing you have working in your favor is that you have selected a small field piece and that will be immensely beneficial.

It takes a lot of dedicated people to get either a balloon or piece of field artillery off the ground and keep it flying. That being said... Go for it! Have fun and be safe : )

 

[UCVRelics]

The first thing you need is a cannon and it just so happen I have one I would part with.

 

[DixieRifles]

Also, if you insist on using a mountain gun, keep in mind that they were rare and are kind of a laughing stock in the hobby.
However, they were in fact used, particularly by Confederates in the western theater, so I'd do some research and find a unit that actually had them, and build an accurate portrayal of that unit

This OR says the 7th Illinois Cavalry was armed with 2 "iron howiters" and the 1st Illinois Light Artillery had 4 mountain howitzers.

 

[DixieRifles]

And if this news group is the only real option, try to get everyone to agree on the level of authenticity and the balance between the social side and the authentic side.

I pretty much stopped doing acw reenactment (here in Denmark) exactly because of this issue. Too much camping in funny clothing and too little military stuff.

And if a civilian comes up to ask what kind of cannon you have, be sure the crew can answer that basic question.

 

[bill shack]

it can be very expensive to be an artillery reenactor. first off you need a cannon , that can run from several thousand to 20-30 thou. then a limber, then you need a trailer with winch to transport both, and a pick up to pull the same. there are cheaper ways if you buy just a small howitzer that can be lifted into a truck . be for you even try to fire the cannon you must be fully trained by a real pro. in my unit we have to qualify every two years by the A N V artillery