Hearthside - The House That Love Built

CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTORS OFFER TRAINING CAMP APRIL 20th

If you are a Civil War buff or have a deep interest in that period of our country’s history, here’s a chance to become a Civil War re-enactor. On Sunday, April 20 th, Friends of Hearthside welcomes the 12 th Georgia, a New England-based Confederate infantry unit, who will be hosting a one-day training camp and muster at Chase Farm Park on Great Road in Lincoln, R.I. This training camp offers a great opportunity to see what re-enacting is all about and experience the excitement of Civil War life first hand by becoming a Confederate soldier for a day.

Experience is not necessary, but participants must be at least 18 years old, or 16 if accompanied by an adult. The full-day training will include all the military maneuvers necessary for a re-enactment, such as weapons safety, manual of arms, and field drills. The hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and participants are asked to bring their lunch. Coffee will be available.

While the infantry is a critical component of a Civil War Re-enactment, camp life is equally as important since it helps depict what the daily lives of soldiers and civilians was like. And so, the recruitment campaign of the 12 th Georgia is extended to any history lover who would like to participate in other ways to enhance the battle and camp scenarios that are such a major part of a re-enactment. Specifically there is a need for musicians such as drummers, fifes, fiddlers, buglers, or just camp people who enjoy cooking over an open fire, listening to the soothing sounds of homespun tunes strummed on a guitar, and sleeping under the stars. Women and children are encouraged to join so that entire families may be involved in the living history events.

The 12 th Georgia sponsors Civil War events in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as other places. This year they will participate in the 145 th Battle of Gettysburg re-enactment. Those completing the training camp may participate in future re-enactment events with the 12 th Georgia. And they won’t have to wait long, since the 12 th Georgia and other re-enactment groups kick off their season in May when they will return to Chase Farm on May 2-4 for a weekend-long School of Instruction. All those new enlistees who completed the one-day training camp will be invited to try out their new skills and learn new ones at the workshops that take place during that weekend encampment, when over 150 re-enactors from throughout New England are expected to kick off their season by brushing up on their maneuvers and by refreshing their knowledge of what life was like in the 1860s.

Lincoln’s Chase Farm Park, located at 669 Great Road (Rt. 123), has been the site for many large-scale Civil War Re-enactments, hosted by the Town of Lincoln and Friends of Hearthside, over the past several years. Organizers are hopeful that by offering opportunities such as the one-day training camp, they will be able to encourage more volunteers to take up re-enacting in order to continue to bring this important turning point in our country’s history to life through the efforts of hundreds of dedicated volunteer re-enactors.

Registration for the April 20 th training camp is $9.00, which covers the cost of insurance, and the deadline for enlistments is April 16 th. To register for the training camp or for more information about becoming a re-enactor, contact 12 th Georgia Company F 1 st Sgt. David Pincins at 401-301-4341.

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