War reenactors

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Many of today’s reenactors are history buffs. Around the campfire in the evenings they tell stories based from the relevant time period — but also talk about more recent history, like previous events that were fun or memorable or both.

Some sing songs and play music, too, particularly drums and fifes, which were used as signals during battle because not much else could be heard through the commotion.

“I just love the immersion into the Civil War for two straight days,” Schwetje said. “We wind up talking about books we’ve read and movies about the war. It’s great information sharing, but it’s mostly the friendships that keep me coming back.”

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A family tradition for some

It isn’t uncommon for people to get involved in what’s called “the hobby” due to family members’ interests. A few even choose to join specific regiments their ancestors belonged to.

“I was pulled into reenacting because my husband was reenacting, and his dad was reenacting, and his grandfather was reenacting,” said Baltimore County resident Amanda White, a member of the First Maryland Regiment, a Revolutionary War group.

“And now my children [ages 9 and 7] are reenacting as well.” White’s 89-yearold grandfather, John White, has been bringing his family to reenactments since shortly before the American Revolution Bicentennial in 1976.

Eventually, White started his own business selling goods to reenactors. These

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purveyors of period goods are called sutlers, “a term that was used for guys who had a wagon and went out and sold goods to the soldiers: canned oysters, pies, pieces of uniform, buttons, whatever,” Hart explained. Today’s sutlers also sell souvenirs like coffee cups, flags, hats and T-shirts.

Annapolis resident Dawn Giovannini initially attended Civil War-era events to mind her young stepson while her husband was on the battlefield. She made herself a period-appropriate dress and joined other women as a “camp follower.”

Later, when her stepson was old enough to be on the battlefield as a bugler, Giovannini found herself “sitting in camp, in layers of cotton in the heat, cooking over a campfire while all the men are out, and they’re coming back…with huge grins on their faces,” she recalled. “What’s wrong with this picture?” Giovannini asked herself.

Giovannini then read the book They Fought Like Demons: Women Soldiers in the Civil War, a historical account of hundreds of women who adopted male personas and fought as soldiers.

Deciding to follow their lead as a reenactor, she began going out in uniform with the men. “It’s much easier to wear pants than a dress in camp,” Giovannini said with a chuckle.

Before the ban on women in combat was lifted in 2015, Giovanni would listen to talking heads debating “about women not [being] fit for combat. And I’m sitting here in a Civil War uniform going, ‘Um, I beg to differ. They did it…150 years ago; they did it successfully.’” Giovannini enjoys sharing this lesser-known piece of history with the kids at the educational events where her regiment participates.

It’s not exactly a cheap hobby, however. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own uniforms and battle gear. Fortunately, items ranging from axes to shoe horns and all types of uniforms (from vintage to replicas) are available online.

Assembling a “kit,” a uniform and accessories, can cost about $1,000. But beginners usually can borrow items from seasoned reenactors to give it a try before going all in.

Why do reenactors step out of the 21st century for a weekend to don period clothing, sleep in un-airconditioned tents and cook over an open fire?

“It’s fun to be an amateur historian,” White explained. “It’s a nice hobby for any age… from the little itty bitties to our older generation.”

For more information about local reenacting groups, visit 7thmaryland.com (for Civil War-era reenacting) and 1mr.org (for Revolutionary War-era reenacting).

Members of the public can observe a Revolutionary War reenactment in October, including living history presentations and craft demonstrations; see mountharmon.org. To learn about the 160th Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary reenactment event, visit gbpa.org.

Ed. Note: Bill Hart is the author’s fatherin-law.