Yuku free message boards

1) I began reenacting in 1971 at the age of 14. I participated in reenacting from the age of 14 until I was about 24 years old. I became a reenactor because of my interest in history generally and my interest in the history of the Civil War in particular. In 1971, I saw a display in a bank window of Civil War artifacts and clothing sponsored by a local man, John Eckerd, who had been a reenactor in California during the 1960s (Captain of Battery A, 1st California Volunteers, headquartered at Fort Tejon). He had moved to Greene County, Pennsylvania (my home county) and was trying to start a similar organization. My imagination was immediately captivated, and my parents, who always encouraged me in my studies, gave me permission to join.

2) Our organization was formed as a nonprofit Civil War memorial organization designated as Independent Battery E, Pennsylvania Light Artillery (Knap's Battery). We had a charter and bylaws and were registered with the Pennsylvania department of State as an educational and memorial nonprofit corporation. I was one of the charter members. We chose to reenact Knap's Battery because this was an artillery unit serving in the Civil war that was originally recruited in 1861 from men who lived in western Pennsylvania. Joseph Knap, the captain of the original Civil War battery, was a Pittsburgh ironmaster. Later, as members of our group ("the Battery") researched the history of Independent Battery E, we found that one of its lieutenants, Edward Geary, was the son of General John Geary. We also found that the battery, as part of the 12th Corps of the Army of the Potomac fought in both the Eastern and western theaters of the War. In addition to reenactments, the Battery also helped set up Civil War displays at the local Greene County Historical Society Museum, encouraged historical and genealogical research in the local history of the Civil War period, marched in various local parades, presented gun firing demonstrations at local county fairs, and presented Civil War history demonstrations to local schools and community organizations. Some of the older members even helped start a local chapter of the Sons of Union Veterans (SUV). As a participant, I learned a lot about arms, equipment, drill, clothing, camp life, etc., that supplemented my reading about the subject of the Civil War.

3) On a few rare occaisons I have participated in reenactments as a Confederate artillerymen. I must admit that my sympathies are with the northern soldiers, but there were times when the number of reenactors available made it imperative that some of our members put on gray uniforms to make a more valid presentation.

4) I suppose I was influenced in my choice of Union artillery by the circumstances of my home county in Pennsylvania. Years later, after joining the Battery, I discovered that my mother's great grandfather served with the 8th Pennsylvania reserve Infantry regiment. No one in my father's immediate family served in the War, although I later discovered that my grandmother's uncle was killed in Virginia in 1864 while serving with the 140th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Our organization was formed to commemorate a northern artillery unit from western Pennsylvania.

5) Although I have never personally served in the military, there is a long tradition of military service in my family. Two of my brothers served in the US navy. I have a nephew who is in the navy now. I have a niece who served a year with the 1st US Division (the "Big Red One") in Iraq. My father served with the 99th Division in the European theater in WW II. I have a great-great uncle who flew combat aircraft in WW I, my great-great grandfather in the Union army during the Civil War, a great-great-great grandfather was in the Maryland Flying Camp during the revolutionary War, and one of my ancestors that I know of served in the French and Indian War. I have had a long-standing interest in military history, and I am convinced that much of that interest is based on a desire and a psychological need to understand my father's experiences in WW II. He served in a combat infantry regiment and like many combat veterans, he never talked about his experiences. I could tell, however, even as a kid that his army life had had a deep impact on him.

6) I have not participated in reenacting any other era than the Civil War. I have no desire to reenact modern warfare (i.e. 20th century +) and I do not have the intense interest in earlier periods. Why the Civil War? I think what attracts me to this era is the pure emotion of the age. The tragedy of brother fighting againast brother, the tenacity of the southern soldiers, the mixed motives and emotions of the northern soldier, the liberation of four million people held in bond slavery, the mixed emotions of people on the homefront--both North and South--the difference between the United States in 1860 and the United States after 1865. There is a great deal of history in the Civil war period to even begin to understand in a lifetime.

7) Reenacting to me is a celebration of the lives of those men and women who fought on both sides. Through reenacting, and reenactors, social history of the era has been enriched. We now have a much better understanding of the lives and motivations of the ordinary citizens of the US at that time. As a historian, I learned much that I never would have gotten by simply reading. I believe that it makes me a better teacher, a better researcher, and a better writer. From reenacting I have a better sense of the smells, the sounds, the sights, etc., experienced by the people of that era. It is as close to time travel as we will ever get.

My favorite aspect of reenacting is the ability it gives my imagination to experience some inkling of what the past may have been like. I also enjoy the comradship of comparing notes with fellow reenactors, sitting by a campfire on a summer evening, listening to music from another century and discussing any topic you care to name. My experience with the Battery for those ten years gave me a lot.

9) My least favorite aspect of reenacting is the commercialization that I have seen over the years. I once remember going to an event at Fort Niagra and being greeted by one of the sponsors who, while rubbing his hands together, gleefully told us how we were there for the weekend "to sell some History." I wanted to turn around and go home. As time went on, I also noticed that in addition to the normal waivers of liability and consent, reenactors were increasingly being required at events to sign consent forms allowing their images to be used in films, DVDs, publicity photos, etc., all so the sponsors of the event could capitalize on the dedication of these people to their craft.

I hope this helps in your research.

DKF