younger reenactors

[utahreenactor]

Dear campainers,
I was wondering your opinion on something. I am a 14 year old lad who has been into the hobby for almost 2 years. I am musician/regualar infantry. I am from utah where there is a shortage of reenactors. Do you think it is ok for me to fall in as regular infantry even with my young age? I would be very greatful for your feed back.

sincerely,
chase pinkham

[I. Hogg]

Re: younger reenactors

No.
It is just not safe for people your age to be running around
with dangerous weapons.

Are you sure your name isn't Stebbins?

Steve Parrish

[K Bartsch]

Re: younger reenactors

Dear campainers,
I was wondering your opinion on something. I am a 14 year old lad who has been into the hobby for almost 2 years. I am musician/regualar infantry. I am from utah where there is a shortage of reenactors. Do you think it is ok for me to fall in as regular infantry even with my young age? I would be very greatful for your feed back.

sincerely,
chase pinkham

Chase,
A couple of observations.
1) Most reenacting organizations (even those with small numbers) require folks to be at least 16 (sometimes older) before they're allowed to shoulder a musket. Frankly Chase, and this is sort of a "Catch 22" (look it up ;) ) you shouldn't wish to be part of one that would allow you at 14 to fall-in as an armed infantryman.
2) The above fact notwithstanding, do you LOOK like you're 14? If so, and with empathy for your situation because there's probably never been a healthy 14 year old young man in America who wasn't in a hurry to grow-up; how could we reconcile your appearance with the fact that 14 year-olds --especially those who looked their age, were not permitted to enlist?

Hang in there, and be patient. You'll get there. In the meantime, be the best field musician you can be and study a good drill manual. You'll be a better field musician for it and will have a leg-up when you are old enough to take the field as an infantryman.

Cordially,

[ElizabethClark]

Re: younger reenactors

In Utah, especially SLC, you have a better option: be a citizen until you're (historically) old enough to enlist. Focus on music as well, if you like, but participate in the perfectly accurate capacity of a citizen, rather than in a military capacity. The UCWA has a citizen's wing that I'm sure would welcome a young fellow, and find plenty to keep you busy at events.

The others have listed plenty of reasons to wait, including insurance and safety precautions, etc... the best one of all is that a 14yo young man is too young, historically, to legally enlist. And the historic record is the first and final resource for the progressive mind.

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

Re: younger reenactors

Not to usurp the advice that's already been posted here, as they all raise legitimate points as regards our current safety standards, I'd heartily recommend Dennis M. Keesee's book Too Young to Die: Boy Soldiers of the Union Army 1861-1865. It's a great piece of work, and gives historic insight into the roles younger folks played in the military during the war.

[62nd ALA Pvt]

Re: younger reenactors

I know for safety its not that good for him to be on the field with a musket but historically at the end of the war in Alabama the 62nd ALA was formed with exempts as young as 14 and the officers new it.


"
All the rank and file of the original 62nd Alabama Infantry regiment were 17 years old and younger. These boys were volunteers who were not yet subject to subscription (the Draft). Some were as young as 14 when they enlisted. Lockhart's Battalion, which was the Nucleus of the regiment was organized in January of 1864. The Battalion fought its first action at Chehaw Station, Ala. on 18 July, 1864. The Battalion (at this time 5 companies), numbered around 400 effectives and constituted the main force in this battle. Though most credit for the Confederate victory now goes to the Cadets from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, they actually spent most of thier time trying to set up a field piece that became stuck near a rail line. This ad hoc force of Southern farm boys was able to not only keep the Yankee cavalry from capturing the Arsenal, but put them to route using no more than out dated smothbores and some Southern Nerve. For this the Govenor of Alabama credited them with saving the capitol. The battalion was shortly sent to Mobile, but on the way stopped in Selma for about 5 days. There they were issued Enfield rifles in place of thier old smoothbores. From there they were sent to Mobile and placed on Provost Duty for a short time, after this, they were placed in the various defenses ringing the city. In August, the Battalion was consolidated with 4 other companies of conscripts, and was redesignated the 1st Alabama Reserves. These 4 new companies were sent to Fort Gaines and placed in garrison at that place. While there they endured the Bombardment and siege, now known as the Battle of Mobile Bay. After being compelled to surrender, they were sent to Ship Island, where they were brutally treated by USCT for 5 months, and suffered 38 deaths, at least one being murdered by the guards. In Jan. the 4 companies were exchanged and the regiment redesignated the 62nd Alabama. They were then assigned to Spanish Fort, and suffered some loss in the siege and capture of that place. The regiment, now part of Thomas' brigade, was complemented in special orders by Gen. Liddel for their conduct in that action. They were amoung the few regiments able to withdraw to Blakely, 5 miles north, where they were placed in redoubt 9, on the extreme right flank. On April 9, 1865, 30,000 federal Infantry assaulted the works, just an hour after R.E. Lee surrendered in VA. After the entire left flank had fallen to this assault, the 62nd formed a line perpendicular to their original and continued to fight on two fronts until orderded to surrender. At this point, many fled and tried to swim for the Confederate gunboats in the river, fearing another interrement at Ship Island, however, few made it. In May 1865 the last remnants surrendered at Merridian Miss. "

Mr. Pierce, would you be so kind as to edit in the source for this useful summary? Regards, Elizabeth Clark, Moderating Team

[RebelReefer]

Re: younger reenactors

Dear Chase,

I started off reenacting in Connecticut with a well established Naval Living History unit. I started at age Ten...but i was a powder monkey, an accurate rank and job for my age. As i started to grow older, "around age 13", my unit started letting me participate as a rifleman. Around age 16, i was a Sgt in an Army Infantry unit aswell as previously being their drummer and Cpl. Now at age 20, i'm a 2nd L.T. in a ALL Federal progressive authentic unit in south Alabama and North Florida and i'm on a Battalion Staff too. The point i'm trying to make is.....TAKE YOUR TIME. Learn, Learn, Learn. Thats the key thing. Nothing blows people away more than having a "Kid" who knows more about running a company than their Captain does. I know where you are and how you are feeling, but if i had it to do over again..i would go slow, research my tail off, and have fun being a Kid again. As you will find out, life's really long so have fun and take your time. Two more years of not being able to tote a musket will not kill ya. Besides, it's ten more pounds of crap you won't have to shoot, carry, clean, and take care of.

[K Bartsch]

Re: younger reenactors

Dear Chase,

I started off reenacting in Connecticut with a well established Naval Living History unit. I started at age Ten...but i was a powder monkey, an accurate rank and job for my age. As i started to grow older, "around age 13", my unit started letting me participate as a rifleman. Around age 16, i was a Sgt in an Army Infantry unit aswell as previously being their drummer and Cpl. Now at age 20, i'm a 2nd L.T. in a ALL Federal progressive authentic unit in south Alabama and North Florida and i'm on a Battalion Staff too. The point i'm trying to make is.....TAKE YOUR TIME. Learn, Learn, Learn. Thats the key thing. Nothing blows people away more than having a "Kid" who knows more about running a company than their Captain does. I know where you are and how you are feeling, but if i had it to do over again..i would go slow, research my tail off, and have fun being a Kid again. As you will find out, life's really long so have fun and take your time. Two more years of not being able to tote a musket will not kill ya. Besides, it's ten more pounds of crap you won't have to shoot, carry, clean, and take care of.

Hey Ethan,

You wrote above:

Now at age 20, i'm a 2nd L.T. in a ALL Federal progressive authentic unit in south Alabama and North Florida and i'm on a Battalion Staff too.

Who are they? I live in central Alabama and was not aware there was an authentic unit in th southern part of the state. What events have you all done lately? I promise, not trying to pick a fight. Honestly curious.

Cordially,

[Gallinipper]

Re: younger reenactors

it's ten more pounds of crap you won't have to.... carry, clean, and take care of.

You don't have children yet, do you? ;)

Rich Croxton

[CJDaley]

Re: younger reenactors

Not to usurp the advice that's already been posted here, as they all raise legitimate points as regards our current safety standards, I'd heartily recommend Dennis M. Keesee's book Too Young to Die: Boy Soldiers of the Union Army 1861-1865. It's a great piece of work, and gives historic insight into the roles younger folks played in the military during the war.

I agree with Mark about the historical context of young boys in battle, but in the 21st century our concept of young is very different than 140 years ago.

The driking age in NY in 1861 was 14. At 14 a young boy was either in an apprenticeship or he was working full time and bringing in an income for the family. At 14 he was treated like a man within the family and church and at 14 he was bound by contracts and the legal system to act like a man.

Back to Mr. Pinkham's question; I would suggest doing what other 14 year olds were doing in the 1860's. When I was in high school I volunteered at Old Bethpage and I did civilian interpretation and learned 19th Century skills for years before even thinking about picking up a musket. You are in a unique situation where you are young enough and smart enough to incorporate a wide variety of skills into your impression at an early age. Good luck to you and I hope you consider looking into volunteering for local museums as a way to expand your living history options.

[Spinster]

Re: younger reenactors

Late war accounts of extreme military bravery and sacrifice of very very young men are not uncommon in the Deep South.

What is often ignored is the very vital role these farming class boy/men played in the homefront. Often, they were the primary breadwinner of a household, plowing and planting and harvesting crops at a rate that would have normally been considered beyond their strength. The depiction of the 'little man of the house' , carrying economic and emotional responsibility far beyond his years, is an impression that is as sorely underrepresented as that of slave or hired servant.

And, a careful reading of some accounts sometimes indicates a higher sense of responsibility by commanders for the welfare of these young troops. There's no doubting the bravery or the foolhardiness of the boys in the University of Alabama Corps of Cadets who answered the call of the 'long roll' . But a close reading of the further account shows that the old men who commanded them quickly moved them away from town, across Hurricane Creek, destoyed a bridge, and then disbanded them, with orders to reform in Marion a month later. By then the war was over.

Excavations in recent years of the Cadets dormitory area on the UA campus found what was considered to be an unusual number of small pottery dolls--the 1860 version of today's 'action figures'--in short, a toy for children. Certainly these boys, of a higher socio-economic standing that those boys who were making a family living , were allowed to remain children for a longer time.

In short--there's a heck of a lot a young man can do without shouldering a gun. And its a part of society with equal sacrifices in the war that should be equally remembered.

[RebelReefer]

Re: younger reenactors

We are the 7th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Our web site is on my profile.

Hey Ethan,

You wrote above:


Who are they? I live in central Alabama and was not aware there was an authentic unit in th southern part of the state. What events have you all done lately? I promise, not trying to pick a fight. Honestly curious.

Cordially,

[utahreenactor]

Re: younger reenactors

thank you all for your feedback. Just so you know I have been into the civil war since i was about 9. I just in the last 2 years joined the reenactors. The one thing that disapoints me is I meet people every day who think I am 16. (probably because i have a deep voice and i am relitivly tall) I am also told that I act quite a bit older that 14. (i had one man in conecticut think i was 19) also study 2 grade levels above 8th. Also the problem is Utah. We have 3 reenacting groups: The UTCWA who portrays the 4th texas and 81 pennsilvania, The 3rd calafornia volentiers who are VERY VERY farb fife and group which in some ways i am ashamed of being apart of. And the last group is the mormon battalion which is basicly a gentilmens club. I enjoy playing the fife i just want to learn more about the infantry than portray it. (I have fallen in with the infantry for local events only just in case you thought i was going to major reenactments) I love the civil war, it is my passion and my hobby I just wish i was a year or so older.

Sncerely
Chase Pinkham

[ElizabethClark]

Re: younger reenactors

The good news is, you'll get a few years older in time. :)

I've heard tell of an actual progressive unit in Utah, but I'm not sure they have a citizen's wing for underage folks.

A few years of study won't hurt anything--you'll just have a chance to learn about the life of a citizen, and study on the military aspect as well, and take your time gathering gear--and you can start in with age-appropriate infantry when the time comes, having had all that much more preparation.

[theknapsack]

Re: younger reenactors

No.
It is just not safe for people your age to be running around
with dangerous weapons.

Not trying to pick a fight either, but what is that supposed to mean? I know some 14 year olds that are more responsible than many 16 year olds or many adults. The fact of the matter is, if a 14 year old can pull off a good impression, and is responsible enough to carry a musket, give him a chance! Otherwise, if he has a parent that is willing to or already reenacts, that would be fairly authentic. Example (from a writing of Henry C. Houston Pvt, Company C, 32nd Maine):
"The writer is willing to confess now that he was himself guilty of having "borrowed" something near a year and a half to add enought to actual age to enable him to "Pass Muster." And he is sure he was by no means the youngest man, or boy, in the regiment, but there were many that had seen fewer years than himself. Indeed the honor of having been the youngest soldier from the state of Maine who carried a musket, and did duty in the ranks, has for some time past been generally conceded to Edwin C. Milliken of Co. H, who was but a few days more than fourteen when he and his father, Benjamin F. Milliken, entered the service together. And there were many others in our ranks, who while somewhat older than Comrade Milliken, would have yet have never served their country as soldiers if they had waited till they were actually eighteen before enlisting. The collapse of the rebellion, and the end of the necessity for soldiers in the field would have come before they had arrived at that age.

Another good (unwritten) example is Ransom P. Stowe of Company I, 33rd IL Inf. He enlisted in 1861 when he was 14 and he was discharged for dissability in June of 1865, after he got hurt in a train crash.

I would also agree with Mr. Hermann that you should read Too Young to die: Boy soldiers in the Union Army by Dennis M. Keesee

Technically 16 is not the correct enlistment age?