In addition to these sites, look at some outstanding pages linked to my Awards Page.
Hard-core unit. An excellent
site with good resources for those seeking to upgrade their
impressions. I had a chance to fall in with them recently,
and can say that they are a fine unit! As with the Columbia Rifles,
this is a hard-core unit. Mike Murley and crew have
assembled quite a resource for aspiring
campaigners. A progressive group out of
New Jersey, my comrades for Burkittsville. This is the unit that really
introduced me to reenacting in 1984, when I attended their
home event at Genesee Country Museum. A fine unit with a
long tradition of excellence. Our unit web site, complete
with recruitment information, our schedule and the unit
Membership. This site has A great bunch of guys from
W.VA, this page gives perspective recruits an idea of what
is needed to join most units. This link will send you to
the articles page on the 33rd's site. Topics range from
improving one's uniform to proper rations. Links, articles and
discussions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to
progressive/hard-core reenacting. Choosing a good source for
information on firearms can be tricky, especially when
you're out shopping for that perfect rifle musket. This site
features a number of articles by Joe Bilby, Tom Kelley and
Tony Beck, and covers virtually the entire gamut of Civil
War era guns, reproductions, black powder shooting and
legislation. A website aimed at teen
reenactors with articles, photos and a discussion board. It
also has information regarding a teen reenactors web ring,
and associated links.
Historical
Preservation
We
recently joined this Pittsburgh-Area unit.
some outstanding links.
Please see the Historical Preservation page for additional sources.
Association
for the Preservation of Civil War
Sites (Civil
War Preservation Trust). A national level association
dedicated to preserving battlefields from development. The
APCWS owns publicly accessible land at a number of sites,
including McDowell, Glendale and Malvern Hill in Virginia.
They publish a quarterly magazine on preservation efforts,
and they are an excellent source for information on
preserving battlefields and historical sites. They also
provide information on threatened sites. When the Cedar Creek
Battlefield Foundation first met in the late eighties, plans
were well underway to build an industrial park on the
battlefield, much of which has already been lost to
industrial development. The organization worked closely with
reenactors to purchase and preserve 158 acres of the
battlefield. The CCBF organizes and runs the Cedar Creek
reenactment (one of the few reenactments held on the
battlefield), and recently announced that, with the
financial assistance from past reenactments, they were able
to pay off the property debts. Organizers of the excellent
Fire
on the Mountain
reenactment, the CMHL maintains property at Fox's Gap and
Turner's Gap on South Mountain. They are actively involved
in protecting and preserving this often overlooked
battlefield from development. While larger organizations
often have more financial resources, organizations like the
Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation and the Central Maryland
Heritage League provide a direct, grassroots means of
opposing development.
Vendors
A number of vendors have sites on the web. Based on my own observations, recommendations from friends and campaign-oriented units, The Watchdog and other sources, I have compiled a brief list of merchants who are well known for their quality products. My Product Reviews page has additional vendor sites, and the Rowdy Pards, Columbia Rifles and Kearny Guards all have extensive links on their pages.
Haversacks, shelter
tents. Shelter tents. Shelter tents. Uniforms, shelter
tents. Uniforms, leather
accouterments. Sack coats (page also
includes link to high quality trousers). Uniforms Material, kits. Leather accouterments,
tinware, gum cloths.
Discussion
Forums
Sometimes fine, sometimes feisty, these sites can be excellent sources of information. Threads on some of forums sites sometimes get interesting, if not outright outrageous, so let the viewer beware!
Possibly the largest of all
Civil War reenacting forums, the categories on this board
include general discussions of military and civilian
reenacting, equipment, classifieds, sutlers and modern
politics. Recently, the forums moderator has taken a more
active role in . . . moderating. Most of the vitriolic posts
are deleted rather quickly; however, in some cases, this may
have a deadening effect on discussions. The board's server
is often ornery. Nevertheless, this is a good
site for general information and posts. More loosely moderated,
particularly in "The Sinks" area, this is also a large and
informative board, with discussions of authentic events,
issues, civilians and various other aspects of the
progressive wing of the hobby. I've noticed a heavy focus on
the philosophical underpinnings of the progressive movement;
such threads often grow heated and long. Some writers are
provocative, others somewhat hostile, while most are quite
helpful. A must for those interested in a more authentic
form of reenacting (This site, as well as the next two, are
hosted by ezboard; although I checked an anti-spam button
when I created an account, I have received more unsolicited
e-mails since I joined; others have reported similar
problems. Don't hold this against the boards or their
moderators, just be aware of the problem). The discussion board linked
with the Teen Reenactors site above. Although not limited to
Civil War reenacting, the site tends to be dominated by
reenactors of that era. Discussions are more broadly
focused, and include general issues, history, assorted
topics and meetings. For those interested in
reenacting on the West Coast, this is a useful site aimed at
reenactors far removed from the East. There are no specific
sections dedicated to focused conversation; the posts cover
a broad range of topics.
