|
|
Recreating the Regular Infantry of the United States Army 1861-1865 |
|
 |
|
|
Reenacting or living history attracts participants for many reasons. We have history buffs, people interested in period firearms, wargamers wanting to feel what it was like on the battlefield and others who just enjoy the hobby! Firstly the hobby is about bringing history to life - by creating a spectacle for our audience to enjoy and by also educating them. You will hopefully, enjoy the battle reenactments but that is not all that the hobby is about. The atmosphere on the company street - our campsite; tactical skirmishes; discussing all aspects of the war - with a beer by the fireside once the public have gone home. All of these elements add to the experience. Yes , at times drill and polishing your buttons can get tedious but they are both necessary, particularly in the Regular Infantry - who were looked on in awe by many of the volunteer regiments in the civil war. Getting Started The company meets once a month in Birmingham, England and attends the various events organised by the American Civil War Society (ACWS). Your first task will be to join ACWS. After that your next requirement will be a shotgun certificate - yes the guns we use are real and cannot be used or owned without a valid licence. As loose powder is used in the guns a Black powder licence (Explosives certificate) is also required. Members of the Company will be happy to explain how to go about getting these licences. In the meantime you can still join the company - even on the battlefield - but without firing a musket. When your licences do come through you will be able to take part properly in a reenactment for the first time - an experience that will stay with you for a long time. We have not yet mentioned your uniform or the other accoutrements needed. To begin with you will be able to borrow all of the items necessary to get you started. You can then gather together your own kit throughout your first season. The company also owns a number of spare tents. Uniform and Accoutrements You will need to purchase all of the following items to reenact with the Company. As previously stated this can be a gradual process over your first seasons with the unit. Sack Coat Kersey Blue Trousers Brogans (Boots - polished desert boots will do for starters) Shirt Forage Cap Cartridge box and belt with breastplate Cap box and belt with oval buckle Springfield or Enfield 3 Band musket Bayonet and scabbard Knapsack (Breadbag) Gum Blanket Cup, plate, eating utensils There are a number of suppliers of civil war items in the UK, one of which is conveniently located in the West Midlands. If you are feeling braver you can obtain items direct from the USA where the range of choice is much greater. Drill At present all Union troops in ACWS use Hardees Infantry Drill. You will be taught the Manual of Arms and how to load and fire, before you go onto learn skirmish drill, bayonet drill and manoeuvring as a Company or Battalion. We all get this wrong from time to time but over time it will all sink in. As a Regular Army unit our drill would have been much tighter than in other units and this is something that we strive to portray. There are a number of useful, easily available books that will help you and in particular Hardtack and Coffee by Billings and Billy Yank by Wiley. The Regular Army in the American Civil War This is not the place to retell the history of the Civil War and many good accounts can be readily obtained. However in these you will find little reference to the Regular or Old Army. At the outbreak of the Civil War there were ten infantry regiments in the US army , the 2nd being the third oldest, originating from 1808. Of the 16,000 or so men in the Army only 26 are known to have resigned to fight for the South. The Regular infantry were scattered throughout the US mainly at outposts in the West. One battalion of Regulars was formed from various Regiments to fight at the Battle of First Manassas. Led by Major George Sykes, these eight companies did not break when the rest of the Union army disintegrated around them. Sykes formed his men into a square and fought his way to safety, gaining valuable time allowing the remainder of the Union forces to escape to Washington. There was a case that the Regular Infantry should have been split up to provide officers and NCOs for volunteer regiments. This was not to be the case and the Regiments were kept intact. In the east they formed two Brigades to become the nucleus of the 2nd Division of the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomac, better known as Sykes Regular division. Whether this was the right decision is still to this day the subject of much discussion and dispute. The division fought throughout most of the major engagements in the East. At Gettysburg the Regulars were engaged in the Wheatfield on the second day. They moved forward and were attacked frontally and from both flanks. As the best part of four Confederate Brigades attacked the First and Second Regular brigades fell back. Although they suffered great casualties, the Regulars did not break. According to an observer "They moved off the field in admirable style, with well aligned ranks, facing about from time to time to deliver their well-aimed fire and check pursuit". The two brigades suffered 829 killed, wounded or missing or 31.7% of their total force. The Regulars received severe casualties but showed their fighting qualities, discipline and steadiness under fire which gained them the admiration of many in the Army of the Potomac. By October 1864 all companies of the 2nd US were combined into Company C, for a total strength a 87 men. Three of these men had been with Company C since the battle of First Manassas. The Regiment was moved away from the front and saw no further action in the war. For further details contact Mark Hunt email mark@hunt25.freeserve.co.uk |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
