What is Civil War Reenacting?

Civil War Reenacting is a hobby dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of the American Civil War where the people who participate dress up or otherwise show what life would have been like during that time period through demonstrations, educational programs and battle reenactments.

Do I need prior experience to join?

No experience is necessary, new members are welcome. Officers and NCOs will be glad to help you learn the basics of military drill, camp life and historical interpretation.

What age do I need to be to participate?

Age requirements vary by activity. Minors will typically need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you are a member of the 46th, you have to be at least 10 years old to be on the field and 16 years old to fire a musket.

Does everyone portray a soldier?

Not necessarily. There are plenty of historical figures to portray, including civilians, medical personnel or musicians.

Do you only portray Confederate or Union?

Though the 46th TN was a confederate unit, we portray both sides. Our goal is to spread knowledge of history and honor those who fought and died in our nation’s most brutal conflict whether they wore gray or blue. If you only wish to portray Confederate, or only wish to portray Union, this is not the place for you.

How do I become a member?

Contact us here or through one of our social media pages. Also see our event schedule here and see what event(s) you may be able to attend.

Is there a membership fee?

There are yearly membership dues, the amount is reviewed and confirmed at the company meeting in January each year. At this time we only ask dues be paid by those who carry a rifle or otherwise participate in battles on the field.

How many events are there? Am I required to attend a certain number?

There are typically 3-4 events in the spring and 3-4 events in the fall, depending on the year. To be considered an active member of the company you must attend 2 events a year, with the company meeting counting as one of those events.

What equipment is needed?

While you can borrow most equipment starting out, there are some things you will need to get eventually. These consist of:

• Musket/Rifle and bayonet
• Leathers (belt, cartridge box, cap box and bayonet scabbard)
• Brogans (shoes)
• Uniform – consisting of pants, shirt, jacket. Sky blue pants work for both US and CS, you will need a US jacket and a CS jacket
• Canteen
• Hat

The company will try to offset the cost of as much equipment as possible but this is not an inexpensive hobby. If you would like to know where to start looking to get your own kit, we have a list of sutlers here.
Uniform guidelines for our unit can be found here.

Do I need to own a tent?

This is up to you. If you want to sleep under the stars, next to the fire you are welcome to, we have members who prefer exactly that. If you want to bring a big tent with an air mattress and a propane heater, that is fine too. If you need somewhere to stay dry and you haven’t purchased a tent, we can usually find room for you. The company will sometimes set up extra tentage specifically for this purpose, though we can’t guarantee privacy for mixed company.

What can I expect from the culture of the 46th?

We are a family-friendly unit that strives for a high standard of historical interpretation while maintaining a welcoming and enjoyable environment. We take our portrayal of Civil War soldiers seriously, but we also recognize that reenacting is about fellowship and building lasting friendships.

Our conduct is generally kept at a PG-13 level—and often closer to PG—especially when families and children are present. There is the occasional period-appropriate tobacco use or moderate alcohol consumption, however responsible behavior and respect for others are always expected.

Above all, we are a group of people who care about one another and share a passion for history.

Safety

Are the firearms real?

Yes, they are. We fire blanks, no live ammunition is allowed

Is reenacting safe?

Safety is a top priority. We provide extensive instruction for firearm safety, battlefield conduct and event rules

I’m interested, but…

• “I’m worried I can’t afford it.”
  Reenacting isn’t cheap. But it doesn’t mean everything has to be purchased all at once. Many people build up their kit over time, and the company tries to help with this as well by subsidizing the cost of gear where possible.
• “I don’t know anyone in the group.”
  We’ve all been there at some point. Reenacting is not a huge community, which does help people to get to know each other. We hope you will give us a chance to get to know you!
• “I don’t know anything about the Civil War.”
  Everyone has to start somewhere and has different strengths. Whether you choose to learn more is entirely up to you, but we think it’s worth it! It is definitely not a requirement to reenact.
• “I’m not sure I can attend every event.”
  We understand life is busy! To be considered an active member of the 46th we ask for you to attend 2 events a year, one of which can be the company meeting. Even if you can only do 1, we would still be glad to have you!
• “I’m too old to start.”
  While you know yourself better than we do, we have members in their 70s at the time of this writing that are still very active. As long as you are willing to learn, you are welcome.
• “I’m not physically able to march long distances.”
  No problem, we will work with you. There may be certain events you choose not to attend due to the physical requirements. At most events we are not marching very far, but you can fall out, go at your own pace and we will make it work if that is needed.