The 25th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Company E
Kingsland/St. Marys, Georgia
 
Frequently Asked Questions

 


1. What do you do as Reenactors? 2. Do you uphold rasicm? 3. Do we allow women and children in camp?
4. What about women and children on the battlefield? 5. What equipment do I need to start? 6. What about sleeping/camping equipment?
7. What about a woman's clothing? 8. What about kid's clothing? 9. What about haircuts for men, women and children?
10. When is our 'season'? 11. Who make the decisions in regards to which events we will attend? 12. How often are the events?
13. Is it required to attend every event? 14. Can I come for just the day without camping? 15. What about food/cooking?
16. What about coolers or modern cooking appliances? 17. What about other modern equipment?


  1. What do you do as Reenactors?top
    Our goal is to portray as historically correct the life of the Union soldier during the American Civil War. By doing this we hope to educate and enlighten but more importantly to honor those brave men and women that fought and died during the War Between the States.

  2. Do you uphold racism?top
    No, we do not condone nor support racism in any form. We are trying to educate the public that the Civil War was NOT entirely about the issue of slavery.

  3. Do we allow women and children in camp?top
    Yes, we welcome families of all sizes. We do ask that anyone staying in camp, overnight or just for the day be dressed in authentic dress as to not distract from our overall presentation. Parents or guardians are responsible for the actions, safety, and whereabouts of their children at all times.

  4. What about women and children on the battlefield?top
    Yes, we allow women to be on the battlefield as soldiers, nurses, ice angels, or Hospital Stewards. All of these require proper uniforms to uphold the presentation. Children are allowed on the battlefield at age 14. As a combatant, children are allowed on the battlefield at age 16 to carry a rifle and shoot powder. They are to assume the responsibilities of a soldier. Again, this will require a proper uniform to uphold the presentation.

  5. What equipment do I need to start with?top
    The 25th Ohio has LIMITED items to use as “loaners” so you aren’t expected to carry the financial burden right off. However, please note that sufficient notice is required. Not everyone brings all of their loaner gear to every event. To begin with you will need the following as a Private Infantry Soldier:
    •    Dark blue forage cap or kepi, civilian or military slouch hat or felt bowler.
    •   Dark blue Federal Infantry frock coat or sack coat.
    •    Cotton or muslin, or flannel shirt, civilian or military style.
    •    Sky blue trousers, button fly with suspenders optional.
    •    Black leather shoes (brogans, reproductions preferred)
    •   Brogans of Civil War pattern, Cavalry boots or period style footwear.
      SOME modern footware will be permitted to begin with, but seek guidance from a unit member.
    •   Wool or cotton socks without elastic or color banding
    •   Black leather cartridge box with sling and breast/box plate.
    •   Black leather belt with appropriate federal buckle.
    •   Black leather cap box. M1855 or M1860 style.
    •   Black leather bayonet scabbard with brass tip, Springfield or Enfield type.
    •   Black tarred haversack.
    •   Tin oval canteen, wool blue or grey cover with cotton strap and large tin cup.
          No enameled or speckle ware will be permitted.
    •   Gray wool blanket
    •   3 banded musket, .69 cal Springfield or .58 cal Enfield with bayonet. (Springfield’s are the most correct).
    For a more detailed list please visit The New Recruit.

  6. What about sleeping/camping equipment?top
    Soldiers during the Civil War would at times sleep on the ground on just their blanket or poncho. Some reenactors still sleep in this fashion. Carry it in and carry it out. Others were issued shelter halves. They would put this together with another soldier to form a dog tent (open at both ends). If this is the type of tent you want to use (either a half or full dog tent) that is fine. Remembering that the tent is open from both ends and all of your equipment must be completely authentic in look as to not distract from the overall presentation. However, the use of ‘A’ frame tents are more used today, especially for couples or small families. They are approximately 6 ft high, 9 ft long and 6 ft across. They have tying flaps on one end (or both if so desired). This permits the tent to be closed off to the public. For larger families and N.C.O.’s the use of ‘Wall Tents’ are used. These tents are much larger at approximately 7ft high, 12 ft deep, and 10-12ft across. At all events there are areas set aside for “modern” camping such as modern tents or campers. Some events have electric and water hook-ups as well. You would need to check with each event beforehand. We want everyone to be happy and comfortable at each event, however, the Esprit De Corps that sleeping in authentic camp builds, cannot be replaced.

  7. What about a woman’s clothing?top
    Women during the period of the 1860’s that were around camps and garrisons (forts) would have been dressed in simple camp dresses. Simple pattern or solid pattern skirts, usually with tops to match (you can mix-and-match as well) or full dresses. The dresses would have been work dresses, not the elaborate ball gowns or ‘day dresses’ you may see with the hoops and underpinnings. They would have worn pantaloons, which served as underwear. Authentically speaking these would have been crotchless; however, they do make them with crotches to accommodate modern tastes. Then a ‘chemise’ gown would have been worn over the pantaloons. This chemise serves as an undershirt. In camp dresses they may or may not have worn at least one petticoat under the dress or skirt.

    In day dresses or ballgowns they would have continued with the following: over the chemise would have been a bodice or corset that framed the chest and cinched the waist. There were different kinds of corsets used during the time depending on the type of dress to be worn over all. Over the corset would have been the first layer of under-petticoats, then would have come the hoop. The hoop comes in choice of either 5 or 6 bones (hoops). The more bones in the hoops the fuller the skirt becomes. Over the hoop you would add a petticoat or two to cover the look of the bones. Then you would add your dress or skirt and shirt. Ladies would have worn high collars and long sleeves until around 4PM. After 4PM the necklines dropped and the sleeves shortened to the typical ball gown.

  8. What about children’s clothes?top
    Children between the ages of 0-4 (boys and girls both) would have worn gowns to facilitate crawling, walking, and ‘diapers’. BOYS, at about age 4 would have changed into knickers (knee high pants) with shirts and suspenders. At about age 9 boys would have started to wear long pants. GIRLS, at about age 4 would change into simple dresses. These dresses would have come down to about mid-calf with pantaloons underneath to the ankles. As the girl grew older the length of her skirt lowered until about the age of 16 when the skirt would be full length.

  9. What about hair cuts for men, women, and children?top
    The regulations of time for the U.S. Army read that all soldiers would have short hair and evenly cut. Beards and mustaches would be neatly trimmed and cared for.

    FOR WOMEN hair would have been put up as to not show the ends of the hair. A ‘fad’ of the time was the ‘snood’ or crocheted hair net of different colors. However, most women did not wear these and simply pulled their hair into a bun, braid, or twist. Ringlets were sometime worn for parties. The hair was usually pulled back from the face but arranged so it adorned the face on the sides.

    FOR BOYS the cuts would have been much like the adults. Short, simple and easy to manage.

    FOR GIRLS the style could be long and put up into pigtails, buns, braids, twists, or some girls even had short hair cuts and would let it grow as they got nearer to ‘dating age’ of about 16.

  10. When is our ‘season’?top
    The reenacting ‘season’ for Florida usually runs from late September through May. This eliminates the worst heat. However, the company may attend a National Battle during the summer.

  11. How are decisions made in regards to what events we will attend?top
    All decisions concerning which events we will attend are voted on by the members in good standing at the company meeting held usually during the summer months.

  12. How often are the events?top
    Again, it depends on what the company has voted on. Normally we do one event a month. There are some months when we do two or three. All members are welcomed to attend any event they wish, but it must not conflict with company events.

  13. Is it a requirement to attend all events?top
    We of course would like to have every person present for every event so we could make the best presentation possible. However we do understand that it is not always possible. The events the company votes on will have some that are marked ‘maximum effort’ which means that everyone should try to make these specific events. OFFICERS and N.C.O.’s are also required as part of their "Rank" to meet a certain amount of events to maintain that rank or position.

  14. Can I come for just the day without camping?top
    Yes, you can come out for just the day. However, we ask that you make it to camp by colors that morning. This will give you time to join us for drill and uniform and rifle inspection. These are requirements to meet the safety standards and without these things, you cannot join us on the battlefield. Again, we understand that sometime circumstances dictate otherwise and we are open to flexibility. But are also trying to present an accurate portrayal of camp life during the Civil War. If a soldier did not make it for roll call and colors, they would be marked absent, unauthorized. If and or when they were found, they would usually end up on fatigue detail or riding a log in the middle of camp.

  15. What about food and cooking?top
    You are responsible for your own food and always responsible for your own drinks. Although water is available at all events, its location and taste may not always be the easiest to handle. So we suggest bring at least a few bottles of your own. Again, see The New Recruit on food tips and suggestions.

  16. What about coolers or modern cooking appliances?top
    COOLERS are not a problem as long as they are kept hidden inside your tent. Keep all drink containers that aren’t authentic looking hidden as well. Such as Pepsi cans or chip bags. We can’t tell you what food to bring and what not to bring, however, common sense will tell you that they didn’t have pizza back in the 1860’s.

    COOKING APPLIANCES unfortunately aren’t allowed. The only way to cook is over the open fire in the center of camp. Unless you are camping in “modern camping”.

  17. What about other modern conveniences?top
    RESTROOMS are limited to Port-a-lets at most all events. SHOWERS are available at only a very few events throughout our season. CAMERAS are fine as long as they are hidden from public view. Disposable cameras are easy to hide in a sack coat pocket or haversack or inside a ladies purse.

 


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