One of the best things about reenacting is getting to talk to the public at events. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions of us and our attempt at answering them.

Q: Are those uniforms hot?

A: YES! However, you learn to adapt and get used to it in a way. The properties of wool itself actually assist with this. Many re-enactors pour water on the insides of their coats before taking the field. As this evaporates out of the jacket, it helps keep the soldier cool (well, cooler than otherwise). During cold events, the benefits of the wool are obvious. Many times, you will see jackets completely unbuttoned except for the top button. The top button was required to be buttoned if the soldier left the company area. "Blousing" the jacket this way will allow for more ventilation and cooling. Heat exhaustion is a very real danger at many events.

Q: Are those guns real?

A: Yes. All members of our unit use reproduction weapons consisting of .577 caliber model 1853 British Enfield rifle-muskets or .58 caliber U.S. Springfield rifle-muskets. A few use the .69 caliber Springfields. The reproduction weapons will shoot the same Minie ball that was fired from the originals. In many aspects the reproductions are better than the originals due to the advancement in metallurgy over the past 140 years. We discourage the use of original weapons on the field due to safety concerns.

Q: Do you use real bullets?

A: We used to, but then we started to run out of re-enactors. Okay, not really, but believe it or not, we actually do hear this one from time to time and not just from school-age kids. For obvious reasons, the answer to this question is NO. We use blank, paper cartridges consisting of about 60 grains of black powder.

Q: Where do you get your uniforms and equipment?

A: Some re-enactors buy all of their uniforms and equipment from sutlers. Others make all of their clothes using as authentic as possible material and period patterns. You can find a list of sutlers to check out on our Links page.

Q: Okay, so what's a sutler?

A: Sutlers were privately-owned stores that followed the armies around during the Civil War supplying the troops with everyday items they couldn't normally find. Nowadays, sutlers are still small, privately-owned stores that specialize in making historically accurate Civil War uniforms and equipment. Most sutlers also sell reproduction muskets, pistols and swords. See our Links page to check out several sutlers.

Q: Why do you re-enact?

A: Every re-enactor participates in "the hobby" for different reasons. Talk to some of our members at the next event and find out why they re-enact. You may find out that most re-enact because it's a lot of fun. Hey, what other hobby allows you to dress up like soldiers, camp with your pards, and fire black-powder muskets?

Q: How do you know what your moves on the field will be?

A: At most events, the battles are scripted as close to actual movements as possible with the number of men available. "Scripted" meaning planned out. This refers to the overall general outline. Within this framework, officers are sometimes encouraged to use their own initiative and react to conditions that arise on the field. Usually, however, we take the field as part of a battalion, which may or may not be fielding with a brigade (depends on the size of the event). In this case, we usually don't know what's going to happen until we receive battalion orders. In special cases, the action is based on our own reactions and the orders given on our own initiative and knowledge of the tactics and formations of the Civil War regiment. We are schooled in the same drills they were - at the company, battalion, and brigade levels - including skirmish drill.

Q: What is a "Living History" and how is that different from a re-enactment?

A: A living history is simply a demonstration or encampment that is done entirely for educating the public. These do not include a battle reenactment. The living histories usually involve company-level drilling and firing demonstrations, but may also include camp life, such as cooking over the fire or the making of candles. Living histories are usually attended by only one side at a time - either Federal or Confederate - and portray the life of a common soldier. Reenactments, on the other hand, may involve thousands of both Federal and Confederate troops consisting of infantry, artillery and cavalry, and recreate actual battle scenarios, whether it is tightly scripted battle re-enactments or tacticals where the outcome is not decided beforehand.

Q: What is meant by "taking a hit?"

A: Taking a hit is when a re-enactor portrays being "wounded" or "killed" on the field - from either musket or cannon fire.

Q: How do you know when to take a hit?

A: That's a good question and one of the hardest to answer. Some units determine who will become a casualty by using colored cartridges (red meaning wounded and black meaning killed), some draw lots beforehand, and others rely on volunteer casualties. Other times there is nothing scientific about it. If you are running out of ammunition or are feeling like you are getting over-heated, then that would be a perfect time to take a hit. One safety precaution that we follow is that we do not go down with a loaded musket, so each re-enactor has to make sure that they have discharged their weapon first.

Q: Do you really dress like they dressed during the Civil War?

A: We attempt to duplicate the uniforms, clothes, accoutrements, and day to day tools as authentically as we possibly can. A lot of research goes into this whether you are a woman or a man.

Q: Do you really camp and live like they lived during the Civil War?

A: Yes - except for the disease and vermin running rampant throughout the camp. At most events you will see two types of camps. The more common is one with company streets outlined by neatly rowed A-frame tents. These resemble winter quarters or training camps where the army was to remain stationary for an extended amount of time. The other is a campaign camp. This will be a scattered group of small dog tents made from shelter halves or in many cases just a bedroll and blanket. There are some events or tacticals each year which have campaign-only camps. When we attend these events, everything we need for the weekend is carried on our backs.

Q: How far in depth do the re-enactors go?

A: Every re-enactor has the liberty to take his experience to whatever level he desires. If he wants to camp campaign for every event, so be it. His uniform and accoutrements are based somewhat on the unit he joins, but reflects personal preference at the same time. Living outdoors for sometimes as much as a week may seem extreme to some, but it helps bring about a closer link with our past - a bond with our ancestors.

Q: Do re-enactors get hurt?

A: Yes, occasionally they do. There have been everything from mild burns and broken bones to serious injury and death. In instances of the latter two, they were a result of either a medical emergency or a severe safety infraction. Once again, these are why we stress safety practices and remind everyone to help watch each other. The lesser injuries of cuts, scrapes, and bruises are much more common. Probably the greatest concern is heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Q: Do you eat authentic food?

A: Certainly. There are several different types of Civil War recipes we have tried at different times. Quite often, the type of event dictates the food we bring. A stationary A-frame camp would allow us to bring more than others would. For a campaign type event, all that might be taken would be some apples, hardtack, and some type of dried meat that won't spoil. At some events we have been given authentic rations of cornmeal, rice, and a chunk of salt pork. At others, just cold boiled beef and a square of cornbread.

Q: What is galvanizing?

A: At times during the Civil War, prisoners of war were offered freedom from prison in exchange for service in the captor's army under the condition that they would not bear arms against their own countrymen. These soldiers were referred to as galvanizers. This occurred most frequently out West with Southern soldiers galvanizing as Federal in order to protect the frontier settlers from hostile Indians. In re-enacting, galvanizing is a term used to describe fighting for the opposing side in order to make the troop numbers look more realistic at a given event. Typically, it's the Confederate units who don "the blue suit" in order to beef up the Yankee ranks. However, at some places, it is the reverse.

Q: Why galvanize?

A: It's kind of tough to portray an actual battle re-enactment and have 1500 Confederates lose to 50 Federals. By galvanizing, we are portraying the actual numbers involved more authentically and giving our ancestors on both sides of the lines the honor and remembrance they deserve. Galvanizing also gives you a feel for what it was like in both armies. You get a different perspective wearing blue and marching behind "Old Glory" than you do when you are wearing gray and singing the "Bonnie Blue Flag."

Q: Do you really sleep out here?

A: Yes. Most of the re-enactors sleep either in the A-frame tents or dog-tents, or campaign-style under the stars with just a bedroll and gum blanket. It's no different than going camping with your friends!

Q: So what's the best part about re-enacting?

A: The people you meet. Some of the best moments in re-enacting occur just sitting around the campfire at night with your pards after the day's activities have ended.

Q: So how do I get started in this?

A: Hey, it sounds like you might be interested in falling in with us at an event! Please see our New Member web page for more details and give us a call. We would be glad to have you in our ranks!