AGE REQUIREMENTS:  You must be at least 16 years of age to be a soldier in the ranks. Children under the age of 16 must have a parent or legal guardian present at each event. This is a nation-wide requirement to ensure safety around blackpowder firearms.

 

IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULD BRING MYSELF?

You will need peroiod correct uniform/dress and weapon. See our Uniform Page for more info. For sleeping, you should bring a quilt and/or one or two wool blankets, depending on the weather. You may use a sleeping bag, pillows, air mattress or other modern bedding, but we will want to keep these out of sight during the day when the public is in and around the camp. (So hiding them under a quilt or wool blanket is good!) Also, bring a knife, fork and spoon to eat with, and a tin plate and tin cup. Depending where we are at, you may want some sunscreen and bug spray as well!

 

WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO DO AT THE EVENT?

As a potential soldier member, you will be assigned to a section with a Corporal or NCO in charge. Your Corporal will be responsible for your well-being and safety. He, or one of the experienced Privates in the section, will instruct you in the School of the Soldier including the manual of arms that you will need to know. You will be expected to follow any reasonable instructions given you by the NCOs and officers in the unit. Your fellow reenactors in the ranks will also help and coach you, especially on the battlefield. You'll be treated as a member of the unit in all respects, which means you are expected to participate in any drills and help out with guard and camp duties as required. You will also have plenty of free time to relax, ask questions, shop at the sutlers, and participate in any social activities at the event. Besides the soldier's impression, you can choose to portray a civilian such as a spy, journalist, photographer, preacher, undertaker, teamster, sutler, gentlemen, farmer, or other period civilian.

 

I'M A DIEHARD REBEL (OR YANKEE). WILL I HAVE TO WEAR THE UNIFORM OF THE OTHER SIDE?

Our unit was founded as a Confederate unit foremost with a secondary Union designation. Although we may register for an event as Confederates, we may be asked to "Galvanize"- to portray Federals for the weekend so there are enough soldiers from BOTH sides to do the battle reenactment justice. (Wouldn't be much of a battle with only one side portrayed!) We seek to honor the soldiers of both sides who fought in that War, and most of us find that doing a Federal impression now and again adds another dimension to living history. We mostly go as a Confederate unit though.

 

ARE THERE ROLES FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN LIVING HISTORY?

Absolutely! Women played a key part in supporting the troops in the field, but remember that we are portraying the 19th century so the roles of women were different than modern attitudes. Women and young ladies can portray refugees, nurses, laundresses, cooks, seamstresses, wives or sweethearts visiting their men folk in the army. Women can also go as spies, vivandieres, or disguise themselves as male soldiers in the ranks. It is just as important for us to portray civilian roles authentically as it is the military roles, so correct period dress will be equally important if your wife, girlfriend, or daughter wants to participate.

 

I'M INTERESTED IN A CIVILIAN IMPRESSION. WHERE DO I FIND THE APPROPRIATE CLOTHING?

Visit the Soldiers Uniform Guide page and the Ladies Auxiliary page for more information on BOTH Lady and Gentlemen dress guidelines. The page contains plenty of ideas for civilian re-enactors.
 

CAN I PARTICIPATE BEFORE I HAVE RESEARCHED AN IMPRESSION?

Yes! Many of our members continue to research and work on their impressions, often changing from one to another. Until you decide on the direction you want to go, there are several generic impressions you can do such as farmer, farmer's wife, or family member leaving home to visit other family or friends.

 

OK, I'M SOLD! HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ME ONCE I JOIN?

For clothing and equipment, it's hard to give one figure because of the variables involved. Used uniform items and equipment are sometimes available depending on your size and luck. Ebay is an excellent location for used equipment.

Our Sutler Row webpage has a list of sutlers that carry both military and civilian items. Also, if you or someone else in your family is handy at sewing, you can purchase patterns and material for most of the clothing items and make them yourself (or talk to one of the Ladies auxiliary members who are willing to sew). Making your own civilian dress or suit is cheaper then purchasing from a Sutler. However, military uniforms and items are hard to reproduce and tend to actually be cheaper to purchase from a Sutler than to try and make your own. (Wool runs about $20/yard in a fabric store!) In addition, most of your out-of-pocket expenses, including uniform and equipment purchases, are tax-deductible as a charitable contribution for your services in public education and living history (so keep your receipts!). For a soldier, the single biggest expense is the rifle which runs about $1000 new ($500-800 used) plus powder and paper ladies to make ammo for the event.

 

HOW DO I JOIN?

Give your name, address, and phone number to one of our current members or email the Captain, Dave Zarr.

 

WHAT IS CONSIDERED YOUR RE-ENACTMENT AREA?

We most frequently attend weekend events located in Michigan and occasionally attend events in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. We try to have at least one event every month, but sometimes schedule 2 or 3 which are Optional.

We usually schedule a National Event depending on which event is being held (Antietam, Manassas, Gettysburg, Perryville, Shiloh, Cedar Creek, or Vicksburg, Fredericksburg, Charleston, Atlanta.), these events take place near the actual historical battlefields on the East Coast and usually run 4 to 5 days long. Due to their travel distance, higher registration fees, and having to take time off from work to attend, these events are also Optional, but well worth attending!

 

DO YOU HAVE UNIT MEETINGS OR GATHERINGS?

We do not hold monthly meetings like some units do, because the majority of our re-enactors are located all over Michigan and it would not be practical to hold meetings. We communicate through email and our Facebook Page as well as information posted on this website.

 

DO I HAVE TO HAVE MY OWN VEHICLE TO PARTCIPATE OR DO YOU CARPOOL?

We do both. Carpooling is available to events, but you are responsible for arranging your own ride. Feel free to ask the unit if someone would be willing to split gas-cost and carpool to an event. However, if you have a ton of equipment (tents and tent poles, coolers, etc.) you may want to consider either asking a unit member who has a pickup truck and is attending the event to haul your equipment (in exchange for a few bucks in gas money) and carpool with someone, or drive your own vehicle, if space is limited.

 

I DON'T HAVE MY OWN COMPANY TENT, IS THERE MODERN CAMPING?

Purchasing your own company tent is not recommended unless you are serious about re-enacting as the tents cost between $150-300 to purchase. There are sometimes Modern Camping sections available at events where you can bring your (Coleman, Wenzer, Blue Mountain, etc) modern tent and camp in a section reserved just for non-period correct tents. Ask the Captain to find out about modern camping at events.
 

CAN I BRING MY PET TO AN RE-ENACTMENT?

It is not recommend to bring pets to events. Most events have a strict No-Pet policy.

 

WHAT IS YOUR FIREARM POLICY?

Anyone wishing to participate as a soldier in battle, drill, and firearm demonstrations must first pass a "School of the Soldier". This training session will teach all new recruits (and serve as a brush-up for veterans) how to properly hold, load, fire, and clean their weapons in the safest way possible. You will also learn drill and commands so you can operate as a unit on the field and look professional. Our firearm policy is strictly enforced to ensure safety at all times. We may not be firing real bullets, but blackpowder can cause a very nasty burn if the weapon is not handled properly. Even if you are a transfer from another unit and know how to properly execute your firing technique, you will still be required to participate in the "School of the Soldier" so that our Unit Commander and NCOs can observe your safety technique before turning you loose on the battlefield. Refusal to participate will result in denial of participating in battles, drill, and firearm demonstrations. We do not discharge weapons in camp unless permission is gained by the unit commander to discharge fouled weapons or extra ammunition. Camp space is tight quarters, so safety must be observed at all times!

 

WHAT IS YOUR CAMPFIRE POLICY?

Campfires provide a means of cooking, warmth, light, and in some cases, trash disposal. Utmost care should be observed around a campfire. No blackpowder flasks, tins, or percussion pouches are allowed within 5 feet of the fire to prevent accidental discharge. Women cooking around the campfire should not wear their hoops, but rather their campskirts to prevent their skirts from catching fire. Children under 12 are not allowed to play in the fire, throw things in the fire, or help with cooking so as to avoid burns. Tents should be kept at least 8-10 feet away from the campfire (if tent has been sprayed with a flammable water-proofing spray, tents should be kept at least 12 feet away.) Only biodegradable trash (food, cardboard, paper etc.) can be thrown in the fire for disposal. All non-biodegradable items (glass, plastic, foil, etc.) should be put in a trash bag (usually in the storage tent) to be hauled off later. We must remember to put the fire completely out before we leave camp to prevent a forest fire. We should do our best to leave camp better than we found it when we pack out and head home. If basic precaution is taken around the campfire, it can be an enjoyable place to eat, drink, tell stories, and enjoy unit camaraderie.