More than an act : Re-enactors relive War Between the States
Staff reporter
They pack their duffle bags on a Friday and head off to a weekend war.
They are part of a unique group — determined to keep history alive.
Tom Schmidt of Peabody has been a part of a 35-member 8th Kansas Volunteer Infantry Civil War re-enactment for the past 10 years.
"It's a great way to bring history alive for spectators," said Schmidt, "and a great way for a participant to get a feel for the way things might have been."
Why re-enact the Civil War?
"It was the only war fought on home soil with neighbor fighting neighbor and brother fighting brother," said Schmidt.
Re-enacting has been around for many years, recurring in the 1960s when the 100-year anniversary of the Civil War was recognized.
"It faded away and then came back when there has been television documentaries and movies that portrayed the war," said Schmidt, piquing people's interest.
Schmidt said he always has had an interest in the Civil War, even as a child.
"I've always been curious of how the war came about, how this could happen in our country, and what led people to choose up sides in the same country to fight a blood bath for four years," he said.
Commanding officers from both sides — Union and Confederate — meet and develop scenarios much like the ones in 1861.
"We try to do things that are similar to what happened at that time," said Schmidt, and sometimes re-enact battles near or at the same locations.
The company is comprised of typical soldiers and officers that were part of the Civil War era. At times it also has had a Civil War era photographer and some of the men formed a minstrel group called "Free Staters." Another group of men and women belong to the sanitary commission and provide aid to soldiers in the field and camp.
A typical weekend begins on Friday when the unit arrives for the encampment.
"There are two engagements on Saturday and one on Sunday," Schmidt said. The unit camps similar to the way it was done in the 1860s.
In the evenings, the men sit around a campfire, play musical instruments, and sing songs of that era.
So why does Schmidt do this?
"I enjoy the camaraderie, camping, and military tactics," he said. "We've slept outside when it was 19 degrees and when it was 95 degrees."
It's part of the experience.
The members of the 8th Infantry are from Wichita, Emporia, McPherson, Olathe, Topeka, and Kansas City. Loren Ratzloff of Goessel also is a member. About half of the participants have been in the military.
The company participates in encampments in Kansas (near Pleasanton), Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. The locations rotate every three to five years. Typically 500 to 1,000 people will participate in the weekend activities.
Authentic everything
Wearing wool uniforms complete with vests and jackets and carrying reproductions of a 61 Springfield or a 1858 Infield, every aspect of the experience is authentic.
It means big business for those who supply the troops with uniforms and accessories.
"Various sutlers are available across the country," said Schmidt. One in Liberty, Mo., is the closest.
To commit to this unusual hobby could cost the participant about $1,000.
Not sure if you want to commit?
"We drill every six weeks," Schmidt said. "Everything is very professional."
Those who want to try it before they buy into it can experience it for a weekend.
"We'll outfit newcomers for a weekend drill so they see if they want to do this," said Schmidt.
Schmidt, who currently is a first sergeant and at times the captain of the company, is a past commander of the Sons of Union Veterans of Civil War, Department of Kansas.
This organization is part of the national Sons of Union Veterans of Civil War (SUVCW).
"Members of these organizations are ancestors of Union soldiers and those interested in Civil War history," Schmidt said.
The SUVCW was created in 1881 by the Grand Army of the Republic to perpetuate its memory and carry on its traditions which included the creation of Decoration Day which is known today as Memorial Day.
Spreading the history
The group presents programs at area schools to impress the importance of history on students. It also camped overnight with sixth graders of St. Mary Elementary School of Emporia
The next presentation by the infantry will be Oct. 14-15 during Civil War Days at Cowtown in Wichita.
"It won't be a full-blown re-enactment," Schmidt explained, but the group will have a camp with historians, period music, and an artillery group from Lawrence and Topeka will portray artillery soldiers.
A formal dinner dance is held each January in Peabody where the wives of the re-enactors make and wear ball gowns while their spouses don formal attire from the Civil War period.
On Memorial Day, the group will participate in various ceremonies. At 8:30 a.m. they will be at Florence, in Peabody at 10 a.m., and at 2 p.m. the group will be part of a ceremony to dedicate tombstones at Memorial Cemetery in Emporia.
"This is a living history where people get to see, hear, touch, and feel," said Schmidt. "It makes history personal."
The group welcomes recruits. If interested, contact Schmidt at (620) 983-2264.
