American Civil War reenactment American Civil War reenactment is an effort to recreate the appearance of a particular battle or other event associated with the American Civil War by hobbyists known ( in the United States ) as Civil War reenactors , Civil War recreationists , or living historians . Although most common in the United States , there are also American Civil War reenactors in Canada , the United Kingdom . Germany , Australia , and Italy . History . Reenacting the American Civil War began even before the real fighting had ended . Civil War veteran s recreated battles as a way to remember their fallen comrades and to teach others what the war was all about . The Great Reunion of 1913 , celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg , was attended by more than 50 , 000 Union and Confederate veterans , and included reenactments of elements of the battle , including Pickett ' s Charge . Modern reenacting is thought to have begun during the 1961 – 1965 Civil War Centennial commemorations . Reenacting grew in popularity during the 1980s and 1990s , due in large part to the success of the 125th Anniversary reenactment near the original Manassas battlefield , which was attended by more than 6 , 000 reenactors . That year , " Time magazine " magazine estimated that there were more than 50 , 000 reenactors in the U . S . In 1998 , the 135th anniversary re - enactment of the Battle of Gettysburg took place near the original battlefield . There have been several estimates on the number of participants , but it is widely agreed that it was the largest re - enactment ever held anywhere in the world , with between 30 , 000 and 41 , 000 re - enactors participating . This event was watched by about 50 , 000 spectators . Participation . American Civil War reenactments have drawn a fairly sizable following of enthusiastic participants , young and old , willing to brave the elements and expend money and resources in their efforts to duplicate the events down to the smallest recorded detail . Participants may even attend classes put on by event sponsors where they learn how to dress , cook , eat , and even " die " just as real Civil War soldiers would have . Most reenactments have anywhere from 100 to 1 , 000 participants , portraying either Union or Confederate infantry , artillery , or cavalry forces . Some people , though uncommon , may portray Engineers or Marines . The 135th anniversary Gettysburg reenactment ( 1998 ) is generally believed to be the most - attended reenactment , with attendance estimates ranging from 15 , 000 to over 20 , 000 reenactors . Reasons given for participating in such activities vary . Some participants are interested in getting a historical perspective on the turbulent times that gripped the nation , particularly if they can trace their ancestry back to those who fought in the war . In some cases , if there are not enough reenactors present on one side , reenactors from the other side are asked to change sides , or " galvanize " , for the day / event . Although many periods are reenacted around the world , Civil War reenactment is , by far , the most popular activity in the US . In 2000 , the number of Civil War reenactors was estimated at 50 , 000 , though the number of participants declined sharply through the ensuing decade , to around 30 , 000 in 2011 . Possible reasons for the decline include the cost of participating and the variety of other entertainment options . Although women and children commonly participate in reenactments as civilians ( portraying , for example , members of a soldiers ' aid society ) , some women also take part in military portrayals . This is controversial within the reenactment community ; while there were a small handful of women who may have fought in the conflict , almost all of them did so disguised as men . Attitudes on this topic seem to vary widely . Categories of reenactors . Reenactors are commonly divided ( or self - divide ) into three categories , based on the level of concern for authenticity . Farbs . Some , called " Farb s " or " polyester soldiers " are reenactors who spend relatively little of their time or money maintaining authenticity with regard to uniforms , accessories , or even period behavior . The ' Good Enough ' attitude is pervasive among farbs , although even casual observers may be able to point out flaws . Blue jeans , tennis shoes , polyester ( and other man - made fabrics ) , zippers , velcro , snoods , and modern cigarettes are common issues . The origin of the word " farb " ( and the derivative adjective " farby " ) is unknown , though it appears to date to early centennial reenactments in 1960 or 1961 . An alternative definition is " Far Be it for me to question / criticise " , or " Fast And Researchless Buying " . Some early reenactors assert the word derives from German " Farbe " , color , because inauthentic reenactors were over - colorful compared with the dull blues , greys or browns of the real Civil War uniforms that were the principal concern of American reenactors at the time the word was coined . According to Mr . Burton K . Kummerow , a member of " The Black Hats , CSA " reenactment group in the early 1960s , he first heard it used as a form of fake German to describe a fellow reenactor . The term was picked up by George Gorman of the 2nd North Carolina at the Centennial Manassas Reenactment in 1961 , and has been used by reenactors ever since . The term " FARB " was commonly used during the Bicentennial Celebration of the Revolutionary War and stood for Far Off Resembles British , as comment on the lack of authenticity of some of the groups who participated at that time . It became after that a statement as to the commitment of the authenticity of any group whose lack of attention to detail was obvious . Mainstream . Another group of reenactors often is called " Mainstream . " These reenactors are somewhere between farb and authentic . They are more common than either farb s or authentics . Most mainstream reenactors make an effort at appearing authentic , but may come out of character in the absence of an audience . Visible stitches are likely to be sewn in a period - correct manner , but hidden stitches and undergarments may not be period - appropriate . Food consumed before an audience is likely to be generally appropriate to the early 1860s , but it may not be seasonally and locally appropriate . Modern items are sometimes used " after hours " or in a hidden fashion . The common attitude is to put on a good show , but that accuracy need only go as far as others can see . Progressive . At the other extreme from farbs are " hard - core authentics " or " progressives " , as they prefer to be called . Sometimes derisively called " stitch counters " , many people have misconceptions about hardcore reenactors . Hard - cores generally seek an " immersive " reenacting experience , trying to live , as much as possible , as someone of the 1860s might have . This includes eating seasonally and regionally appropriate food , sewing inside seams and undergarments in a period - appropriate manner , and staying in character throughout an event . The desire for an immersive experience often leads hard - core reenactors to smaller events , and to setting up separate camps at larger events , which other reenactors often perceive as elitism . Character reenactors . Some reenactors portray a specific officer or person such as General Robert E . Lee , General Ulysses S . Grant , President Abraham Lincoln , Jefferson Davis , or a less well known officer such as Col . Abram Fulkerson . Character reenactors may also portray a civilian man , woman , or child of significance . These reenactors often do not participate in the actual combat portion of the reenactment and serve as narrators to the audience during the battle . Often , character reenactors have extensively researched the person they portray and present a first - person narrative of his story . Civilian reenactors . In addition to military reenactment , a significant part of Civil War reenactment includes the portrayal of civilians , including men , women , and children from infants to young adults . This can include portrayals as diverse as soldiers ' aid societies , sutler s , saloon proprietors , musicians , and insurance salesmen . Types of Civil War reenactments . Public events . A typical Civil War Reenactment takes place over a weekend with the reenactors arriving on Friday and camping on site while spectators view the event on Saturday and Sunday . Usually each reenactment is centered around a Saturday battle and Sunday battle ( often , but not always , intended to recreate an actual battle from the Civil War ) in addition to many of the activities listed below . Essentially , a traditional public reenactment is a three - day - long affair that incorporates elements from each of the following categories . Living histories . Living histories are meant entirely for education of the public . Such events do not necessarily have a mock battle but instead are aimed at portraying the life , and more importantly the lifestyle , of the average Civil War soldier . This does include civilian reenacting , a growing trend . Occasionally , a spy trial is recreated , and a medic too . More common are weapons and cooking demonstrations , song and leisure activities , and lectures . These should not , however , be confused with Living history museums . These outlets for living history utilize museum professionals and trained interpreters in order to convey the most accurate information available to historians . Living history is the only reenactment permitted on National Park Service land ; NPS policy " does not allow for battle reenactments ( simulated combat with opposing lines and casualties ) on NPS property . " Public demonstrations . Public demonstrations are smaller mock battles put on by reenacting organizations and / or private parties primarily to show the public how people in the 1860s lived , and to show the public civil war battles . The battles are only loosely based on actual battles , if at all , and may consist of demonstrations of basic tactics and maneuvering techniques . Scripted battles . Scripted battles are reenactment in the strictest sense ; the battles are planned out beforehand so that the companies and regiments make the same actions that were taken in the original battles . They are often fought at or near the original battle ground or at a place very similar to the original . A common question of non - reenactors concerns the determination of who " dies " over the course of the battle . Reenactors commonly refer to the act of being killed or wounded as " taking a hit " and is typically left up to the individual ' s discretion , although greatly influenced by the events of the battle . Because most battles are based on their historical counterparts it is generally understood when to begin taking hits and to what extent . Closed events . Total immersion events . Total immersion events are made up solely of progressive ( " hard - core authentic " ) reenactors , who often refer to them as " Events By Us and For Us " or " EBUFU " . As the names imply , these events are held for the personal edification of the reenactors involved , allowing them to spend an extended time marching , eating , and generally living like actual soldiers of the Civil War . Total immersion events generally require participants to meet a high standard of authenticity , and in most cases little or none of the event will be open to public viewing . Tactical battles . Tactical battles , which are not usually open to the public , are fought like real battles with each side devising strategies and tactics to defeat their opponent ( s ) . They have no script , a basic set of agreed - upon rules ( physical boundaries , time limit , victory conditions , etc . ) , and onsite judges or referees , and so could be considered a form of live action role - playing game . Tactical battles might also be considered a form of experimental archaeology . Reenactment and media . Motion picture and television producers often turn to reenactment groups for support ; films like " Gettysburg " , " Glory " and " Gods and Generals " benefited greatly from the input of reenactors , who arrived on set fully equipped and steeped in knowledge of military procedures , camp life , and tactics . In a documentary about the making of the film " Gettysburg " , actor Sam Elliott , who portrayed Union General John Buford in the film , said of reenactors : At times , however , the relationship between reenactors and filmmakers has been contentious . Although reenactors for " Gettysburg " were unpaid , money was contributed on their behalf to a trust for historic preservation ; however , some subsequent productions have offered no such compensation . Also , in some cases reenactors have clashed with directors over one - sided portrayals and historical inaccuracies . Some producers have been less interested in accuracy than in the sheer number of reenactors , which can result in safety issues . Finally , large film productions , like " Gettysburg " , can draw enough reenactors to cause the cancellation of other events . Tony Horwitz covered Hardcore reenacting in Confederates In The Attic , which was released in 1998 . On April 4 , 2013 , Jeffrey S . Williams released Muskets and Memories : A Modern Man ' s Journey through the Civil War . The book is described as follows : The story of the American Civil War as told through the eyes of a veteran Civil War reenactor and historian . By mixing the modern reenactment narrative with historical facts , the author presents a fresh examination of the war , along with its causes and consequences . Incidents . In 1998 , a re - enactor at a Battle of Gettysburg recreation borrowed a handgun that contained a " squib " . ( A bullet lodged half - way down the barrel ) . Without having inspected the gun before loading the blank charge , the re - enactor wounded another re - enactor in the neck .