Many re-enactment groups put on school events that teach students about the lives of soldiers during the war and other components of the war. Reynolds Battery travels to many schools to do this. They also participate in parades and memorials to honor the soldiers of the Civil War.
Here is an example of a soldiers camp from a re-enactment. By seeing this, students can learn that life for the soldiers was not glamorous. There was not a lot of luxuries and that anything a soldier wanted to bring, he had to carry thus restricting soldiers to the bare essentials.
Though re-enactments and re-enactors are not always completely authentic, they do their best to portray the War as accurately as possible. Though this picture looks old and original, it was taken with in the last year. Re-enactors try hard to hide their 21st century gear (if they even bring it with them) in order to preserve the look of a soldier.
Majority of re-enactors are not professional historians, they are not even paid re-enactors. Most re-enactors are self-taught, highly educated in their craft, and have a passion that they wish to share with the world. They have a love for history, a love for re-enacting and a love for educating people of all ages.
Re-enactors come in all shapes and sizes. They come from all different professions and all different walks of lives. Yet when they are on the field together, there is a since of comradery that can be felt. when observing up close, these units feel and sound like an actual military unit.
There is more to re-enacting then just military battles and drilling. The soldiers must eat during re-enactments. This means fire pits are dug, cast iron pots and skillets and prepared in order to feed the unit.
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The Reynolds Battery has two kitchens prepared by two different cooks. One is the standard kitchen, and the other is the special dietary kitchen, which actually existed during the Civil War.
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Re-enactors are not all military either. Some play the roles of politicians, some play the role of businessmen and women, and some women play the roles of civilians.
There are even roles for kids.
Re-enacting isn't all fun and nap time.
Its a lot of hard word and dedication. There is a lot of time devoted to re-enactments by both the facilitators who host the events, and the re-enactors who drive from all over to participate.
Of course it's a lot of fun and very interesting to see the uniforms and weaponry that was used.
Who wouldn't like seeing a cannon fired?
Re-enactments are meant to be educational. They are meant to be fun for both the re-enactors and the audience. Please remember to be respectful to all re-enactors, and their equipment.
Below is a slideshow of more pictures from different re-enactments that the Reynolds Battery has participated in. There are also photos from Gettysburg that show where Reynolds Battery was positioned.
Below is a slideshow of more pictures from different re-enactments that the Reynolds Battery has participated in. There are also photos from Gettysburg that show where Reynolds Battery was positioned.