Becoming a reenactor
The following information is to help provide the potential new recruit with the basic information one needs in order to get started with reenacting in the Cascade Civil War Society. The first step might include attending one of our events or coming to one of our monthly meetings. General membership meetings are 2nd Thursday of every month at the Klamath County Museum (1451 Main St. Klamath Falls, OR). For those in the Rogue Valley (Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass and beyond) our chapter meetings are the 3rd Thursday of every month at Round Table Pizza in Medford (953 Medford Ctr, Medford, OR). If you have decided to join our organization, you can apply for membership as well.
Basic thoughts to keep in mind when reenacting:
- Find a mentor
- Keep It simple and straight forward - portray what you know, don't guess.
- Research the Civil War
- Read about social history
Click on the links to learn more.
Uniforms
Exactly what you'll need for a uniform depends in part on which unit you choose to join. Before buying anything it would be wise to talk to someone from the unit you're considering joining. Many members start out by using loaner gear from club members to get a feel for what it is actually like. Sutlers, the merchants who specialize in clothing and gear for the Civil War period reenactor, will carry most anything you might need. A basic uniform comprising trousers, shirt, hat, jacket can be acquired starting at about $160. It's a good idea to check out some of the Sutlers' websites to see what's what. Some of these items can be made at home, or adapted from modern clothing, but be sure to get advice from an experienced reenactor on the specifics. Footgear is black or brown leather unadorned shoes or boots. Period style brogans (also called Jefferson Bootees) and boots are sold by sutlers. Canteens are a requirement for all soldiers on the field. This is not just for period correctness, but the health and safety of the reenactor.
Firearms
Infantry: The two most common infantry shoulder arms during the war were the 3-band Springfield and the 3-band Enfield. Entry level reproductions of these arms cost between $480 and $525.
Cavalry: The Sharps carbine is the most often seen on reenactment battlefield, though there are other fine carbines available. The Sharps currently sells for between $800 and $950. Revolvers, either Colt or Remington sell for $165 and up.
Artillery: No small arms are required since you'll be manning the big ones, however, revolvers or carbines are sometimes carried.
Medical Impressions
- ASSISTANT SURGEON & SURGEON*: Medical officers with a rank of 1st Lt. or higher; will conduct medical presentations and hospital demonstrations including demonstrations and discussions of surgical technique. Must be at least 18 years of age.
- MEDICAL CADETS (Apprentice Surgeons)*: work under direct supervision of surgeon or assistant surgeon assisting with medical presentations and hospital demonstrations. Must be at least 14 years of age.
- HOSPITAL STEWARD*: Enlisted hospital administrator; may occasionally be utilized as assistant to surgeon. Must be at least 14 years of age.
- NURSES: Male or Female, military or civilian:
- Ambulance Corps*: Enlisted personnel assigned to the Medical Department as litter bearers and/or ambulance drivers.
- U.S. SANITARY COMMISSION & CHRISTIAN COMMISS1ON: These two civilian organizations provided civilian nurses, personal supplies for the troops, medicines & bandages, and other supplies to the Medical Department, managed kitchens and laundries for the hospitals and conducted inspections of camps and hospitals.
Males in nursing roles are enlisted personnel who are either convalescent patients or those deemed by their
commander to be unfit for combat. Female nurses are civilians under contract to the military and generally perform minimal duties as related to very basic patient care
* Females wishing to present one of these impressions MUST be willing to assume the role of a male.
Civilian Impressions
Female
Wives and Mothers, Sweethearts and Sisters
This was the role of most women in the 1860's, although this would not preclude you from doing any of the other roles. Remember, Harriet Beecher Stowe was a wife, mother, sister and daughter as well as a best selling author.
Town Women
Can include: post mistress; news paper editor; shop keepers; factory worker; public speaker on social issues and reform; laundress; seamstress; abolitionist; slave; escaped slave; freeman; Southern refugee; feminist; actress; chanteuse; phrenologist; town gossip; busybody; local character; grieving widows; society matron; social belle or ladies of the upper classes exhibiting their skills in watercolors or fine needlework; nun.
Military
Can include: hospital matron; nurse; spy; daughter of the regiment; cook; laundress; soldier in disguise; telegrapher.
Male
Telegraph operator, traveling medical show, phrenologist, blacksmith, carpenter, baker, tinker, barber, photographer, rum seller, brewer, postmaster, printer, newspaper reporter, saddler, dentist, doctor or nurse,
preacher or chaplain, patent medicine hawker, grouchy old man, town drunk, naysayer, actor, farmer selling produce. Congressman, mayors, councilmen, judge, justice of the peace, bureaucrats and other windbags.
Either Male or Female
Relief societies specific to a state or ethnic group; U.S. Christian Commission; US Sanitary Commission YMCA. Quaker and other pacifists; Bible Tract Society Member; Minister; Preacher. Anti war activist; copperhead; democrat; agitator; Southern sympathizer; feminist; abolitionist.
This page adapted from the "CCWS Manual For the New Recruit"
