First off, welcome to the wonderful world of Civil War Reenactment. At first things will seem both exciting and confusing. The best thing I can tell you is to just hang in there.

This is a good place to interject this. Get used to being referred to as a "fresh fish" because that is what you will be called until you are dirtied by at LEAST your first reenactment. Just a little tip there for ya!

The first and foremost thing is to do just what you are doing, get on the Internet, research, and try to find a local unit. You would not be here otherwise. You don't want to go out and buy a bunch of stuff only to have very little of it fit in with your new unit.

Below I am including a basic list of items you will need to get. They are broken into stages, each by level of importance. Yes, this can be an expensive hobby, but here is the best piece of advice yet...1) don't buy this stuff online, and 2) don't buy this stuff alone. The cloths you will want to try on. You will also want to take along a veteran with you who can point out what is junk, what is a great deal, and (most importantly) what fits in with that Regiment. Most Regiments have loner equipment to get you through the first event or two. At those events, and through the connections in your unit, you can usually find GREAT deals from people looking to get out.

BE PATIENT!!! (I have problems with this one)...the good deals will come! Happy Hunting!