Recruiting
Office
he
recreated
28th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry is actively recruiting new
members to its ranks and I can tell you from experience that there is no better way to learn
about the history of the American Civil War than by living
it.
Ours is
one of the
largest and longest serving Civil War living history units in the
Northeast, currently numbering
more than 50 military members from all
six New England states, other parts of the country, and Canada.
We accurately portray Union infantrymen by
outfitting
ourselves with authentic reproduction uniforms, weapons and
accoutrements, maintaining a military bearing at all times, excelling
in drill and battlefield tactics, and avoiding 21st century
anachronisms.
The Web site you are visiting now provides a
good deal of information about the original regiment, the unit today,
and reenacting
in general. Our recruiting
video is a good
starting point. Next, you'll want to review the following
pages:
You might also want to read "The Little Book
of Civil War
Reenacting" (download
the PDF here) by
William J. Watson of Broken
Lance Enterprises, who has
authored and
edited several books to help people with an interest in living history
get the most out of it, including "Seize the (Reenacting) Day."
Perhaps after all of this reading, you'll
have decided to
enlist in
the 28th
Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in which case, all you'll need to do
is:
- Demonstrate sincere interest in
Civil War
history and a desire to portray the period accurately.
Although our impression is of an Irish unit, you do not need to be of
Irish
ancestry to field with us.
- Be 16 years of age or older to field as an
infantryman, at least 12 to serve as a functional musician, and join
along with an
adult sponsor, meaning a parent or guardian, if under 18.
Membership in the Irish Soldiers
Relief Society
is available for those wishing to portray wartime civilians.
- Complete
an enlistment form and
send it to
the unit with $50 (annual dues of $35 and a recruit fee of $15).
Once
you join the 28th Massachusetts, a couple of things will
happen. First, we'll set you up to receive all regimental
communications and introduce you to other members of the unit.
Then, we'll assign you a mentor: a veteran from our ranks who
will be your "go-to guy" for whatever advice and assistance you might
need as you prepare to take the field with us and participate in your
first several events.
Next, it's time to "kit up." We like
to see new members acquire their basic uniform
and equipment within one year of enlistment. This shows us their
commitment. We do have limited items available for loan, to help
recruits through their early events, but certain items, such as brogans
(shoes) and trousers, should really be purchased from the get-go.
I have fielded with the 28th Massachusetts as both a drummer and a soldier. Serving in the regiment is not only one of the
best things I have ever done, but also has introduced me to most of my
closest friends.
As with anything else, you get out of Civil
War living
history what you put into it. The men of the 28th Massachusetts
Volunteer Infantry hope that if you decide to join our ranks, you will
put your all into learning the drill, looking the part, and honoring
the memory of the original regiment.
Please send me a telegram
if you
cannot find the answers to your questions on this web site, or want to
begin a conversation about reenacting with the 28th Massachusetts.
Your servant, &c.,
Cpl. Tyler Wilkins
Recruiter
28th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
P.S. You can help us add to our ranks by distributing our recruiting posters
in your
community.
