Confederate Living History Units
On 6 March 1861 the Confederate Provisional Congress established the Army of the Confederate States of America. This army, poorly organized when the war began, was soon overshadowed by the volunteer forces known officially as the Provisional Army.
On the outbreak of the American Civil War, 313 officers left the United States Army to join the Confederate Army. President Jefferson Davis called for 82,000 volunteers but this was clearly not enough and in August, 1861, the Confederate Congress authorized the recruitment of 400,000 men. It was the responsibility of the individual states to recruit these men.
On 28 February and 6 March the Confederate Congress gave the president control over military operations and the power to muster state forces and volunteers. On 8 May it authorized enlistments for the war, and on 8 August, after four more states had joined the Confederacy, it called for 400,000 volunteers to serve for either one or three years. In April 1862, congressmen passed the first conscription act, which drafted men directly into the Provisional Army.
The decentralized political structure of the Confederacy forced lawmakers to clarify its military chain of command from the start. On 16 May 1861 the Confederate congress established the rank of general to give Confederate commanders control over state troops. Under an act passed on 28 February 1861, the military gained the power to appoint major generals in the Provisional Army. Finally, in September 1862, Confederate legislators created the rank of lieutenant general in the Provisional Army.
At the beginning of 1862 Davis announced that the South could not win the war without conscription. In April, the Confederate Congress passed the Conscription Act which drafted white men between eighteen and thirty-five for three years' service.
In the Confederate Army all officers below the rank of brigadier were elected by the troops. There were no medals awarded as it was claimed they were all heroes and it would be wrong to single anyone out. The highest honor was to be mentioned in dispatches.
Some soldiers in the Confederate Army was willing to defend the South from the Union Army but objected to offensive operations. When Robert E. Lee decided to take the war to the north in the summer of 1863, an estimated 50,000 men deserted. This number increased after the defeats at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. By the end of the war there were an estimated 100,000 deserters at large in the South.
The Confederacy faced serious challenges outfitting its troops and planning a vast military campaign throughout the Civil War. The government had little access to modern weaponry and was forced to hire privateers to run the Union blockade and purchase arms abroad. The fledgling government also faced the task of procuring shoes, clothing, and blankets for soldiers at a time when wool and leather were scarce. Furthermore, the region's dearth of railroads and canals made it difficult for the government to ship goods and to feed its troops. The South's weak infrastructure also affected Confederate military strategy. By 1863, horses and mules were scarce, which limited the mobility of the army's cavalry, artillery, and baggage trains. These difficulties were exacerbated by a divided leadership structure that limited prompt coordination between military departments. All of these challenges dictated how Confederate generals would wage war against Union leaders, who could draw recruits from a larger population and enjoyed access to better transportation and resources.
A total of 1,406,180 men enlisted in the Confederate Army during the war. An estimated 52,954 men who were killed in action, 21,570 died of their wounds and 59,297 were the victims of disease. At the end of the war 174,223 men surrendered to the Union Army.
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And... if your unit is not listed here, PLEASE fill out the form located here.
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 The Orphan Boys Mess (Midwest Chicagoland)
A group of progressive / hardcore campaigning reenactors that love going to events and accurately portraying soldiers from the Army of Tennessee, especially those from Louisiana. We also love recreating battles and have made it a quest in our area to switch from long drawn out casualty free battles, to short intense attacks that leave most of us lying on the field screaming in agony, our bodies having been cut down by nasty little pieces of lead. After the battle many of us also take part in the field hospital, sometimes spitting up blood due to a pierced lung, or holding in stomach wounds that ooze with puss and guts. We also have people film our battles and field hospital scenes, and professionally edit them into mini movies that are posted on our webpage.
All that said you would think we were a strict unit, but really we aren’t and after watching us for a few events this year many reenactors came to us from other units and asked to join. We also have brought some of the hardcore, immersion event only reenactors back into the public events, which is great, because without them and all the other reenactors who take this hobby seriously, the events in our area would continue to decline into laughable cowboy shootouts. |
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Edenton Bell Battery (USA, NC) -- Edenton Bell Battery, 3rd Battalion Light Artillery. We are a battery that actually was formed in Edenton NC in 1862. Bells from the towns churchs provided the castings for the cannon. We are deep in history and strive to keep it alive. Our cannon is a Vicksburg cannon which of course we named "Miss Vickie". She is an exact replica of the "St. Paul" which was named after the church that donated the bells and was the only cannon to survive the war until it was surrendered to Sherman for him to destroy. The original barrel of the "St. Paul was found in 2002 and returned to Edenton, NC where it proudly stands guard on the battery in front of St. Paul's Parrish. We have obtained the names on the original muster rolls and keep with us at all times so others especially decendants can see their ancestors names and know what happened to them. We travel up and down the Southeast to living histories, reenactments. We are an active, family oriented group and recruiting is open. We do certified training on the cannon for everyones safety. Please come see us or better yet come join us. We would love to have you. |
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10th Virginia Co.B "Rockingham Rifles" (USA, DE) -- We are a family-friendly unit, actively seeking new members, with a progressive mindset. We are constantly striving to acquire new information to improve our impressions. Our unit is based in Northern Delaware and North East Maryland. Our membership also hails from parts of PA and NY. We are proud members of the Fighting First Regiment. Our unit participates in living histories, parades, school programs and battle reenactments. We host both a livning history which benefits a local museum and a school program in the fall for an area school that allows the students to get a closer look at life during the civil war. We would gratefully appreciate if you would add us to your listing. |
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The Living History Alliance (USA , NJ ) --The Living History Alliance is a non profit organization that is made up of re-enactors , skilled craftsmen and historians who express history through the lives of our forefathers . The groups provides lectures , school programs and events that are historically based representing the Revolutionary and Civil Wars , Colonial Militia and both World Wars with period dressed interpreters , artifacts and hands on demonstrations to create realistic portrayals of life during those periods. |
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The 3rd South Carolina Battalion (USA, NC) -- Our Reenacting group is part of the Palmetto Battalion of South Carolina. We galvanize as the 60th New York. We participate in reenactments in South Carolina and travel to national events as well. |
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Danville Artillery, CSA (USA, PA) -- The Danville Artillery is a Confederate reeactment unit which portrays the Danville, Virginia artillery battery of 1861-1865. We are based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and participate in regional reenactments as well as live-fire cannon and small arms shooting events. |
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26th North Carolina Troops (USA, NC) -- The 26th NC Troops, Reactivated is the largest single reenactment unit in North Carolina numbering around 400 members. Founded in 1981, we are primarily an infantry unit however we also have various other components including horse drawn artillery, cavalry, a full fife and drum field music, and civilian impressions. We participate in a variety of events from Georgia to Pennsylvania including battle reenactments, living histories, and ceremonies. Among the more fulfilling events on our resume, are the living histories we take part in on the Gettysburg battlefield, Sharpsburg battlefield, Fort Moultrie site, and Appomattox National Historic Park. We have the honor of being the first unit to be allowed to fire at Appomattox NPS site since the end of the war. Our unit also has alternate Federal impression as the 24th Michigan in tribute to the epic duel of these two units on the first day of Gettysburg. We offer many aspects of reenacting all within one unit while maintaining a strong comraderie and ties to those that went before us. The 26th NC also takes a very active role in historic preservation including the spearheading the restoration of the NC monument at Gettysburg, the placement of two monuments to the 26th NC at Gettysburg, the conservation of the battle flag of the 26th NCT, and currently the placement of a monument to the 26th NC on the newly preserved New Bern Battlfield in North Carolina. Come visit us and see what we can offer you. |
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1st Maryland Infantry, Company H (USA, CT) -- 1st Maryland Infantry is the largest Confederate Reenacting group (military & civilian)in New England. We participate in battle reenactments, living history events, school & community programs, and parades. Visit our JVC event website: www.geocities.com/jacksonvalleycampaign/ Since its inception, the new 1st Maryland Infantry has grown to be the largest Confederate reenacting group in New England, with membership reaching over 75 military and civilian members. The 1st Maryland is comprised of men, women and children ... a truly family-oriented unit. Although based in the state of Connecticut, the 1st Maryland travels throughout New England and beyond to participate in living history events, patriotic celebrations, parades and battle reenactments. With trips to Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and other states with Civil War historical significance, the unit also travels to these locations for social gatherings - to both study with and enjoy the company of our members and others in the hobby. Several members of the unit have participated in the filming of Civil War epics such as Gettysburg, Glory and Gods & Generals. |
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21st VA, F Co. (USA, ) -- Join one of the oldest and most authentic reenactment units in the field, based upon the book One of Jackson's Foot Cavalry by John H. Worsham. We strive for historical accuracy in our Drill, Uniforms and Impression. Come join our ranks and help us preserve the contributions made by the common soldier of the South during the War Between the States. When you are a member of F Company, you will experience the comradeship of a fine group of men, you will share the history of the period with others, and you will travel to some of the most interesting historical locations on the East Coast. When you are in this Company, you will find yourself on the firing line of a veteran combat unit. Plus you WILL BE in the middle of some truly unforgettable battlefield scenarios. |
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24th Georgia Volunteer Regiment, Company H (USA, MD) -- The 24th Georgia's goal is to properly portray a northern Georgia soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia (ANV). We have and maintain unit guidelines and authenticity standards (These guidelines and standards are available on our webpage) in order to achieve our goal of being a highly regarded reenacting regiment. The unit is dedicated to living history. We are serious about what we do and how we do it. Through the use of period correct clothing, equipment, and encampments we demonstrate to our viewing public the life and times of the southern soldier. The 24th Georgia Regiment, Company H is based in Central Maryland. Our current headquarters for the unit is centrally located between Gettysburg, Pa and Washington, D.C. in New Windsor, Maryland. The 24th Georgia Regiment, Company H Volunteers draws its members from Pennsylvania to South Carolina including Texas and Illinois. We are an active unit participating in one or more events each month throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Battle reenactments and living history encampments are all part of our yearly schedule of events. We travel to events in several states including Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, North Carolina, and sometimes points further south and west. |
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Trans-Mississippi West Territorial Indians (USA, OK, WA) --1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles. With the renewed interest in early US and Civil War history, we have re-activated the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles. We are looking for, and accepting recruits into the unit. It is a Civil War Confederate cavalry unit, dedicated to the preservation of the memory, history, and honor of the American Indians of the Indian Territory who fought for the Trans-Mississippi West, Army of the Confederate States of America. |
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Signal Corps Association Re-enactors' Division (USA, ST) -- The Signal Corps Association (SCA) 1860-1865 is a national group of private citizens sharing an interest in the signal and secret services of the North and South during the American Civil War. A period attired and equipped living history segment known as the Reenactor's Division also exists within SCA; hence the acronym “SCARD.” SCA provides a medium for students, researchers, historians and reenactors to investigate the signal, telegraphic and secret service developments during the War Between the States. Through signal training camps, reenactments, living history programs, visits to schools and libraries, lectures and memorial programs, SCA hopes to develop and share its archive with others through public awareness, the role and sacrifices of military and civilian telegraphists, signalmen and others who gathered, developed or conveyed intelligence communication on both sides of the conflict. |
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 Milton Light Artillery, Co. A (USA, FL) -- The Milton Light Artillery, Company A, is a Civil War re-enacting group based on an actual artillery unit that participated in many of Florida's major engagements, including the battles of Ocean Pond (Olustee) and Natural Bridge. The battery was named after Florida's 5th governor, John Milton, who served from Oct. 7, 1861 to April 1, 1865. Milton Light re-enacts over 15 battles every year, and includes civilian and nursing impressions. The unit is a member of the National Civil War Artillery Association. |
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46th Tennessee Inf. Company K (USA, ST) -- The 46th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Regiment is a group of men, women and children who are dedicated to the preservation of "true" history and the memory of our ancestors, North and South, who fought and died for what they believed in. It is our mission to make sure that southern history and the heritiage of the Confederate soldier is preserved and carried on for this and future generations. There are too many groups today that want to wipe out every symbol, memory and "true" history of Southern people. It is our responsibility, as living historians, to accurately portray the average soldier of 1861-65 in our living history camps and battle re-enactments of the War for Southern Independence, sometimes referred to as the War Between the States. We hope that our impression will help educate people in the ways of our ancestors, not just in how they fought, but why they fought.
Although the 46th Tennessee, Company K is dedicated to the authentic portrayal of the brave and honorable Southern Soldier, we do galvanize to portray the gallant boys in blue of the 2nd Tenn. Vol. Inf., USA when necessary for historical accuracy in a re-enactment. Because of our committment to historical accuracy, "true" history and honoring our ancestors, the same attentions to detail drives our Federal impression of the soldiers who fought to preserve the Union. |
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8th Virginia Regiment Co.'s F and I (USA, VA) -- The 8th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Inc. is a non-profit Civil War living history organization dedicated to the preservation of our Nation's Civil War heritage through battle reenactments, living history encampments. educational seminars and preservation efforts. Our family oriented unit strives for authenticity, proficiency in the manual of arms and drill of the period, firearms safety, and most importantly, presenting a historically accurate portrayal of a Virginia volunteer in the Army of Northern Virginia. |
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American Civil War Historical Reenactment Society (CANADA) -- The ACWHRS, or American Civil War Historical Re-enacting Society, is a non-profit living history organization based in South Western Ontario, and is dedicated to preserving and exploring the memory of Canada's contribution to the War Between the States. Between 1861-1865, approximately 50,000 subjects of Her Majesty Queen Victoria left the Dominion of Canada to enlist in America's bloody civil conflict. The majority of these men served in the Union armed forces, enlisting in regiments organized in the northern border states. Four Canadians attained the rank of general in Union service, and twenty-nine were awarded the Medal of Honor. Some also enlisted to fight for the Confederacy, and so Canadians too fought brother against brother. Today very few Canadians know about this chapter in our history, or about the men whose bones rest in quiet cemeteries in Ontario, New York, Virginia, or in thousands of graves known only to God.
As living historians, or re-enactors, we stage mock battles but, much more importantly, are dedicated to exploring and recreating the daily lives of soldiers and civilians from this era. We strive for a high degree of authenticity in our portrayals (we call them, impressions), and our members have amassed a high degree of knowledge and research. We frequently participate in events in the United States, and actively contribute to the cause of preserving America's battlefield heritage. |
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19th Alabama Infantry Co. I (USA, AL) -- The new 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment, C.S.A, Inc., is a non-profit, tax-exempt, living history and Civil War reenactment organization with Head Quarters in Huntsville, Alabama. Organized in 1982, the unit has grown to be one of the largest and most active reenactment groups in Alabama. Company I, "Cherokee Rangers", is the Head Quarters company, and primarily draws its members from the N. Alabama and S. Tennessee areas. We also have members in the Dallas, TX area and in Tallahassee, FL. The unit also does a Federal infantry impression as the 42nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry. |
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1st Florida Volunteer Infantry, Company "E" , CSA (USA, FL) -- CO "E", First Regiment of Florida Volunteer Infantry is a War Between the States Reenactors' organization that was founded on July 24, 1990 in Pensacola Florida. We are dedicated to the remembrance and authentic portrayal of the life and times of the people who lived in that turbulent and tragic era. We attempt to educate ourselves and the public about this this period of history by participating and staging Living History displays; a hands-on experience of what it was truly like back in the days of 1861-1865. It is our hope that through participating in these events that the lessons of the past will not be forgotten. We believe that Living History provides an excellent medium from which to educate the public about the realities of our great American Civil War. We are an unofficial military company, but we handle ourselves in the field the same way as the troops did in the war. We are constantly striving to perfect our impressions on the field of battle and in our camp life. We like to have fun and experience all the opportunities that this avocation has to offer, but we are also serious about being as professional as we can. We strongly believe that we have a sacred duty and trust to the men of both sides. We wish to do their memory justice and not mock the very ideals to which many gave their last true measure of devotion. |
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1st Louisiana Special Battalion, Company B (USA, IL-IO) -- We are a re-enactment group based out of Illinois and Iowa. The purpose of this site is to give a historical account of Wheat's Battalion, as well as information on the re-enactment group. The main focus will be on Company B, but information on all the companies in Wheat's Battalion will also be given. We are always looking for new members and we welcome both men and women. For more information contact us by e-mail which is located below. |
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1st North Carolina Cavalry (USA, ST) -- |
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1st Virginia Co H, "The Richmond Grays" (USA, ST) -- |
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20th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry (USA, ST) -- |
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25th North Carolina Infantry (USA, ST) -- |
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2nd Kentucky (USA, ST) -- |
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2nd Maryland Infantry Company "B" CSA (USA, ST) -- |
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2nd Mississippi, Company K (USA, ST) -- |
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2nd South Carolina, Company I, Volunteer Infantry (USA, ST) -- |
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37th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regimental Band (USA, ST) -- |
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37th Virginia Infantry, Co. K (USA, ST) -- |
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38th Virginia Volunteer Infantry (USA, ST) -- |
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3rd Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Co. G (USA, ST) -- |
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42nd Georgia Volunteer Infantry (USA, ST) -- |
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43rd Georgia Volunteer Infantry (USA, ST) -- |
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44th Virginia Infantry (USA, ST) -- |
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46th Virginia Infantry, Co. F, C.S.A., Inc. (USA, ST) -- |
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4Th. Tennessee Infantry Company E, Gainesboro Tennessee (USA, ST) -- |
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4th Texas Volunteers, Co. C (USA, ST) -- |
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