I think of the days when I was into Civil War re-enacting (Confederate) back in the late 1970s.......We did not have access to anywhere near the types & quality of uniforms and gear re-enactors have today. Back then, we used military school jackets, pants from the local thrift store, theatre prop rejects, and (post-Civil War) items picked-up at local antique shops. We were rag-tag for sure! My hat is off to you fellows (Particularly the soldier with the long hair and beard -- an excellent touch). Best of luck!
Outstanding post gentlemen, those brave butternut lads reallly look the part. I feel like the Confederate experience really captures and presents to the observer the personal experiences of the soldiers. The Federals were issued standard issue "uniforms" the South, with their limited supply lines often times might only have had access to homemade uniforms and scavenged equipment. You see the wear, the holes, and the dirt. For me it makes them real. (The wiskers look good too!!) Great job Thanks for bringing this to us!!
There were certainly variations in Federal uniforms: zouaves and the Iron Brigade with their distinctive black hats being two examples. On the Gettysburg campaign (and I am sure others), there are accounts of Federals being mistaken for rebels because their uniforms were covered in dirt, grime and dust. During the Appomattox campaign the Federals were so desperate to catch up to the Johnnies that their rations were meager. Common soldiers of both armies suffered depravations. It wasn’t just the Confederates. That said, these fellows have bully impressions.
Man this is cool, I swear the fella talkin looks like he just went through a time machine. Holy cow! The way he walks, talks and obviously his wears really bring it all together. Outstanding.
My gg granddad was Joseph Howard Powell. He was in Company H, 5th Alabama Cavalry. Fought at the Battle of Chickamauga, and other smaller scermishes. I imagine that he wore pretty much whatever he could get a hold of. He mustered out in May 1865, and took his family (what was left of it) to Itawamba County Mississippi, where my great granddad was born, and later my granddad. Everything I learned was from my granddad
Thank you so much for this effort. I believe visual and tactile accuracy is a critical assist to understanding history and you have achieved this very rare
The only thing better than the impressions shown and info given in this video are the gentlemen in the video. There is no place in America like Ft. Blakeley.
Great look, guys. You need to pose for a photo by a split rail fence like the famous photo of the three Texans captured at Gettysburg. You remind me of them.
Hi, I am based in Northern Ireland (UK). I was formally was in a NC reg. 22 NC. I have now Joined an Alabama reg. 8 Alabama company I (Irish Guard). Can you please signpost me to where I can find out more about Alabama regimental uniforms. Kind regards, Oscar
Each day goes by historic markers and monuments are being removed, renamed, put in storage or melted down entirely. What is the point of being preservationist when at this rate there isn't going to be anything left to preserve?
There is plenty to preserve, we just don't need to preserve a bunch of cheaply made statues built in the 1920s by the daughters of the confederacy in an attempt to accelerate the end of reconstruction and disenfrachise black. Educate yourself.
Very nice presentation. As a reenactor myself, supplied from the Richmond Depot for the Army of Northern Virginia, we wear the imported dark charcoal gray Kersey wool Type II shell jackets. A very different look for sure. From a distance, I'm often mistaken for a Federal.
For the 145th anniversary of Gettysburg in 2008, I got to meet a group of Confederate re-enactors. It still amazes me how they could wear those uniforms even in the middle of summer.
@@JimbobZ17 I'm sorry but what does son's of confederate vets have anything to do with reenacting? Number one, I didn't say I was interested in the Freemasons, I don't need to pass prerequisites. Or is that just a slow no because I don't meet your racial standards? No worries, come to find out you're not my kind of people either.
Interesting...and as a student in military history and artifact accuracy it always seemed that there was regression in general uniform appearance from the mid-18th century and Napoleanic era to the American CW. By the CW era it was almost rag-tag compared to baroque style and fashion.
although i have a fondness for the confederate side, gotta say the enlisted men certainly had a plain jane uniform compared to the Union forces. but realise they didn't have the same resources or industry as the north
I know I come with a British perspective, but when I see the Confederate soldiers against the oppressors, I think it’s in Eastwood and the film the outlaw Josey Wales it was several films within one, but it led a very interesting tale?🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸
yes the natives (american indian) mostly fought for the confederates. The south was defending against northern aggression. Funny the film did not take note of the black mans plight.
"Confederate soldiers against the oppressors". Considering your country's history of imperialism, and genocide, I guess it makes sense you think the south were the good guys.
The OR name given by the US War Department was "The War of Southern Rebellion" which is accurate as the 11 states didn't achieve independence...but instead achieved a great deal of oppression, military occupation and special regulations that continue to this very day. Likely would have been the same for the Sons of Liberty and Gen Washington if they had lost. The 13 colonies on the East Coast would be a distrusted and marginalized region of British North America to this day.
Not really. By the end of the war they were both quite similar. Both used blend cloth, both had uniform shortages and shoe problems. The USA had never fielded an army anywhere near 1million men, and half the Eastern US was in rebellion also uniforming 1million men. What Union soldiers had as advantage is issued accessory items. Packs, haversacks, cartridge kit, vulcanized gum cloth and other rain gear.
@@The45thpvi fair enough...still no. A good authentic Union uniform will cost the same and require obvious early, mid and late war differences. Deep South neoConfeds will often buy the cheapest generic sack coat kit and sky blues for their galvanizing impression....similarly Northern Indiana participants might buy a mix gray sack coat and kepi to galvanize Confed....when they spend a thousand or two on a good impression of the Iron Brigade in late war Army of the Potomac campaigns.
Thanks for your profound historical contribution. While your flippant comment may be considered overly negative, it is accurate to say that the Confederacy indeed lost the war.
Thank you for your comment. When looking back on history we should guard ourselves from passing hind-sighted judgment based on our modern notions of civil rights. While what you say is true, keep in mind that the reasons individual men fought varied. Many Confederates fought against what they perceived was an invasion of their homes. They saw their service as a defense of their way of life, which oftentimes included slavery. One day we too may be judged for things that are not currently predominant viewpoints.
@@gulfcoastcivilwarchannel9086 This is a fair point. However it's important to note that slavery is not only abhorrent and immoral to our modern viewpoints, but it was to Western viewpoints at the time as well. The Confederacy failed to secure military commitment from European powers because of this.
Dressing in period military attire for educational purposes isn't necessarily demonstrating pride for the Confederacy. Although, it is often the case. I only see pride in the comments, not the video.
Good points but alas your points distort the context of the time. The Northern population was a 98.8 % of which only a small fraction would describe themselves as abolitionists. Even though we find it repugnant today White supremacy, north and south, was accepted as normal during this era in America. There were those, absolutely, that voiced opposition to slavery. However, they were in the minority in America and were considered radical. In mid nineteenth century America, most residents of the slave holding states viewed the abolitionist movement kind of like most people view the PETA movement today. We know it exists but it is not the predominant viewpoint. Maybe, 160 years it might be?
@@gulfcoastcivilwarchannel9086 You are conflating 'white supremacy' with 'pro-slavery.' The overwhelming majority of white people in the 19th century, north, south, and abroad, were racist, yes. That doesn't mean they were pro-slavery or anti-abolition, however. 11 of 16 of northern states voted for an abolitionist presidential candidate, John C. Fremont, in 1856 (but, as someone who conducted numerous massacres against indigenous peoples, could hardly be considered a racial egalitarian). There were no polls conducted back them to determine what percent of the population personally identified as pro-abolition, but 70% of northern states either supported, or did not strongly object to, abolition by electing an abolitionist. Abolition could hardly be deemed a fringe or radical viewpoint on the eve of the Civil War. The Republican party was so closely tied to abolition that the South threatened to secede if a Republican won the presidency in 1856-- a threat they followed through on in 1860.
Please explain. How are they saddos ? Dress up I guess can be considered what Living HIstory is, but its living history. I think the only saddo is you.
