Planning for War

War is hell­, and reenacting one—the Civil War in particular—is no piece of cake, either. Cannons, horses by the hundreds, wagons, hay, tents, firewood, and clean water, not to mention thousands of “soldiers” in period dress and the use of historical, often landmarked battlefields ... the supplies, accommodations and logistics that must be addressed are legion. And as this year marks the start of the 150th anniversary of the storied conflict that threatened to destroy the United States, the pressure is on for planners to get it right. 

“I’ve planned events, but not on this scale and not of this type,” says Ann Marie Maher, executive director for the Discover Prince William County/Manassas (VA) CVB. After just three months on the job, Maher was charged with planning the 150th Civil War Commemoration of the Battle of Bull Run, a reenactment of one of the major early battles of the war. 

“I assisted with Sail Boston and ASAE when I was with the Boston CVB, and I helped organize the annual Revolutionary Run when I was with the Valley Forge [PA] CVB,” says Maher, “but this is a totally different animal in terms of event planning. There are more than 80 separate events we’re promoting in the area this year alone.”

This commemoration also marks the first time since 1961 that Prince William/Manassas has hosted a reenactment on this scale. Some 30,000 visitors are expected over a two-day period, including up to 10,000 reenactors. “This is the maximum we can safely accommodate given our transportation, parking, and other resources,” notes Maher. 

Like many SMERF meetings, events such as this require lots of detailed planning and a strong commitment from all involved—just like the original battle. Here’s how modern reenacted warfare is waged.

For planners, social meetings—the “S” in SMERF—often have an especially high bar to meet given the deep level of attendee interest. “We have very devoted reenactors and spectators coming from all over,” says Maher. 

“For the reenactors, this is their passion, hobby, and craft.” 

Not only did Maher enlist a meetings and events company for help, but also the Mason/Dixon Alliance, a nonprofit organization of Civil War reenactors. Jake Jennette, a retired Marine and Confederate Commander of the Alliance, proved an invaluable resource.  Early on, he met with Maher and her staff, along with Dave Childs, a Union reenactor, and walked the landmarked battlefield to get a feel for the scope of the project.

“This is my 28th year as a reenactor,” Jennette notes, “and Childs has been at it for 30 years. That’s 58 years of experience between us. They turned to us for direction on setting up the Confederate and Union camps and organizing the battle scenarios.”

Among the factors Maher, Jennette, et al, have to address are hay for the horses, straw to line the floors of tents, firewood, potable water, and portable toilets. Vendors must be contracted, and a unique feature of Civil War reenactments is the appearance of sutlers, 19th-century dealers in goods such as coffee, paper, writing instruments, confections, tobacco, and reading materials, who followed and supplied armies on the march. 

In addition to the Bull Run reenactment, Maher is overseeing a program of lectures, living history demonstrations, historic tours, a parade, and a recreation of the 1911 National Jubilee of Peace at the old Manassas Courthouse July 21-24. “And this is just the first year in a four-year commemoration,” she notes. 

Reenactments can translate to major revenue for host towns. Case in point: the Battle of Selma, AL.

James Hammonds, president of the April 1865 Society, which sponsors the event, says that based on data from previous years, each participant spends an average of $100 per day in town and stays an average of three days. Each dollar spent turns over seven different times, so the economic impact of 500 “soldiers” is substantial, according to Hammonds. “And this is just from the reenactors,” he says. “There also are usually between 4,000 and 5,000 

spectators for all events.” 

The Battle of Selma reenactment is held, as it has been throughout its 25-year history, near the actual site of the conflict that occurred on April 2, 1865, when Union troops overwhelmed the Confederate defenders in one of the final battles of the Civil War.

Most Civil War reenactors are devoted to authenticity. They do their best to realistically bring to life the period between 1861 and 1865. Wearing historically accurate clothing is essential—Civil War-era soldiers and civilians didn’t sport digital watches or plastic frame eyeglasses; polyester hadn’t yet been invented.

Reenacting has evolved considerably from the early days, when uniforms were haphazard assortments of period and contemporary clothing. From the era of the 125th anniversary (1986-1990) to today, standards of authenticity in uniforms, weapons, and equipment have become much higher. Reenactors who don’t turn out in proper attire are called “Farbs,” a mystical epithet of uncertain origin. Some say it stems from the phrase, “far be it for me to criticize,” while at least one old-timer claims it means “fast and research-less buying.”

Reenactors who use organized campsites, with tents and lots of extra equipment, are known as “mainstream.” The guys who try to keep it real by sleeping in the open and carrying the minimum amount of gear, like real Civil War soldiers, are called “campaigners,” or “hardcore.” Most reenactors today are mainstream, explains Scott H. Harris, director of the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park and the Shenandoah Valley Tourist Information Center in Virginia.

Apart from the soldiers, plenty of other men, women, and children take part, acting as civilians on the “home front” in the guise of musicians, 

doctors, and preachers, says Harris. 

“Reenacting the American Civil War is not limited to Americans,” Harris adds. “People around the world portray Civil War soldiers and civilians. We’ve had reenactors from Canada, Germany, Great Britain, France, and even Australia. This is usually a positive experience, but at a reenactment about 20 years ago, a Frenchman took part with a borrowed pistol that turned out to be loaded with real bullets, and he managed to wound another reenactor—not lethally, thank God. The whole thing sent shudders through the reenacting community, prompting even stricter procedures for participant 

registration and weapons checks.”

Most reenactments draw large numbers. At New Market Battlefield State Historical Park in New Market, VA, the site of the oldest annual battle reenactment in the nation, “We generally have 1,500 to 2,000 military and civilian reenactors, which is a good number for the portion of the battlefield we utilize,” says Harris. “Larger events, like Manassas or Gettysburg, can draw 10,000 to 20,000, especially in anniversary years. The 150th anniversary of the war will bring out perhaps the largest number of reenactors ever.”

Most reenactors generally portray one side, Union or Confederate. However, it is sometimes necessary for some participants to switch sides to even the playing field. In reenacting, this is called “galvanizing.” 

Reenactors organize themselves roughly along the lines that Civil War armies did. “Within encampments, the courtesies of rank and chain of command are usually observed, both as a mark of mutual respect and to ensure efficiency,” says Harris. “After all, a group of several hundred to several thousand reenactors presents many of the organizational and logistical challenges of a real army.

“During battle scenarios,” he continues, “the chain of command and drill execution are closely followed to better depict the battle and to ensure safety. Because these are scripted events, the opposing commanders and their key staff members usually utilize walkie-talkies that are hidden within their uniforms, an advantage their historical counterparts certainly didn’t have.”

Women are relatively new to the world of reenactments, Harris notes. “A growing number don uniforms and portray male soldiers. This is something that has been documented for both sides during the war. It was controversial for women to reenact as soldiers when it began in the 1980s, but it’s generally accepted today, except by campaigners.”