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Membership in the
21st Michigan | An Overview of Civil
War Re-enacting
Membership Application
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MEMBERSHIP IN THE 21ST MICHIGAN
Interested in enlisting?
Ask
us a question!
The
21st Michigan Volunteer Infantry is a Civil War reenacting
regiment founded in 1979. The founders wanted to experience
first hand the Civil War soldier's life through authentic
reenacting and inform the public about the importance of the
role of the Civil War soldier in preserving the Union and
building our great nation.
The 21st Michigan continues today to be devoted
to public education. Our purpose is to foster and preserve
the history of the Civil War era (1861 - 1865). We conduct
Civil War battle reenactments, military drills, parades, memorials
and historically accurate living history portrayals of civilian
and military lifestyles.
We are a federally tax-exempt non-profit Michigan
corporation. We encourage family participation through a wide
range of civilian and military impressions of life in the
Civil War period. Civilian impressions are open to men, women
and children of all ages. Military impressions are open only
to men since no women served in the original regiment. Boys
under the age of 16 may participate in non-weapon-bearing
military roles, although under some circumstances this restriction
can be waived.
Civilian impressions are encouraged. For wives
and children of new members who are interested in creating
a civilian impression, the members of the Ladies Auxiliary
can provide extensive advice and information about the dresses,
accessories and clothing needed. The ladies of the 21st Michigan
take an active role in the activities of the regiment.
The 21st Michigan is funded through membership
dues, donations and fund raising activities such as parades
and living history portrayals and demonstrations. Current
dues are $10.OO per year per person or $20.00 for the entire
family.
Becoming a member in the 21st Michigan is simple. It
starts by contacting the recruiter listed at the end of this
membership section. This is a good time to ask any questions
you have about joining the 21st Michigan or reenacting as
a hobby. A membership application and information packet will
be sent to you after your call. If you prefer, a membership
application is included online. Complete the form and return
it by mail to the recruiter, Gary J. Cuttler.
Upon receipt of the membership application military
members are expected to attend a total of 5 drills during
your first year. We drill once a month from February through
September. At the drills you are expected to learn the manual
of arms, School of the Soldier, School of the Company and
skirmish drill. The First Sergeant and Non-Commissioned Officers
give new members special instructions. This is to help you
learn the above listed drills and bring your competence up
to the level of the other members. After completion of the
5 drills and your demonstrated competence, the Board of Directors
will vote to approve your membership. As a full member you
have a vote in all regiment business, are eligible to run
for an administrative office and apply to become a NCO. Your
membership continues as long as you pay membership dues.
The 21st Michigan has high standards in both
drill and equipment. Our members strive to maintain these
standards and help new members become a team member that reflects
our spirit and brings credit to us as Reenactor, and to the
men of the original 21st Michigan.
If you are interested in learning more about
the 21st Michigan or want to join us, please contact the
21st
Michigan.
AN
OVERVIEW OF CIVIL WAR REENACTING
We assume
that you have some interest in the Civil War period or you
wouldn't have indicated an interest in becoming a reenactor.
However, an interest in this period does not necessarily translate
into knowledge of what is involved in reenacting.
Reenacting has two focal points - the individual
AND the public. Individual reenactors attempt to perfect what
is called their "impression" of a person during the Civil
War period. This person can either be a real person who lived
during this period or a generic one. The impression can be
either military or civilian. Women and children generally
render civilian impressions, but men can participate in either
a civilian or military mode.
No matter whether you choose a civilian or military
impression, you will be recreating the culture of the Civil
War period as authentically as possible. Clothing, manners,
speech, food, music, religious worship, and many other areas
are studied to try to reach as high a level of authenticity
as possible. At reenactments, individuals put themselves into
a Civil War period frame of mind. Twenty-first Century anachronisms
(plastic water jugs, for example) generally are either not
used at all or are carefully hidden from view. The only compromises
with authenticity relate to aspects of health and safety.
If some kind of behavior or equipment is authentic but not
safe or healthful, re-enactors can opt for safety and health.
Much research has been done on these areas, and this information
is available to beginning reenactors from veterans of the
regiment.
This attention to authenticity relates to the
second focus - the public. Because re-enactors become highly
knowledgeable in the history and culture of the Civil War
period, they usually accept the responsibility of passing
on this information to the public at large. Most reenactors
will readily discuss their dress, cooking methods, handicrafts,
language, military skills, etc. with the public. AND the public
WILL ask questions - tons of them!!
Reenactors participate in a wide variety of events.
Some are small, such as festivals put on by towns or local
historical societies. Small military or civilian reenactments
are put on by individual reenactment groups. The reenactment
of a major battle near the site of the original battle can
involve thousands of reenactors. All types of events offer
their own appeal. There is nothing more exciting than being
part of reenacting a major battle. On the other hand, few
things are more pleasurable than the camaraderie at a small
encampment. Most reenactment groups, the 21st Michigan included,
try to schedule about one reenactment activity per month from
May through September.
If you were to ask 100 reenactors what they liked
most about this activity, you would probably get 100 different
answers. But one thing would remain constant - no other leisure
activity is more fascinating or rewarding.
Information about costs, tax deductions, and
other matters may be obtained by e-mailing the
21st
Michigan.
We hope you will
join us!
Printable Membership Application
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