The 31st Alabama & 17th Iowa Reenactors
United Sons and Daughters of the Gray and Blue
Recruiting New Members


How Do I Get Started?

Well, you've already taken the 1st step by asking about it!

If you're not sure yet that you want to join and only want to try it out first, then email us. We were all in your shoes at one time or
another, so we understand what you're going through.
We will review with you our upcoming schedule of events and try to pick one that would be convenient for you to participate in.

What Does It Cost Just to "Try It Out"?

Pretty much nothing. It all depends on if you are coming for the day or for the weekend.
You'll bear the expenses of traveling to the event and any purchases that you make during the weekend. If you are coming for the day,
we will provide lunch for you. If you decide to stay for the weekend, we will probably ask you to bring something to supplement a meal
(or evening meal). All other meals will be up to you. We will outfit you, as best we can and have a place for you to sleep. We will also
provide you with all you need so that you can be in the battles, if you are a potential soldier member.

Is There Anything I Should Bring Myself?

For sleeping, you should bring a quilt and/or one or two wool blankets, depending on weather. You may use a sleeping bag, pillows, air
mattress or other modern bedding, but we will want to keep these things out of sight during the day when the public is in and around
the camp.

What Will I Be Expected To Do At the Events?

As a potential soldier member, you will be assigned to an experienced member of the unit who will be responsible for your well-being and
safety. He will instruct you in the School of the Soldier including the Manual of Arms that you will need to know. You will be expected
to follow all reasonable instructions given you by the NCO's and officers in the unit. Your fellow reenactors in the ranks will also help
and coach you, especially on the battlefield. You'll be treated as a member of the unit in all respects, which means that you are expected
to participate in any drills and help out with guard and camp duties, as required. You will also have plenty of free time to relax, ask
questions, shop at the sutlers, and participate in any social activities at the event. Besides the soldier's impression, you can choose to
portray a civilian such as a spy, journalist photographer, preacher, undertaker, teamster, gentleman, farmer, refugee, or other period
civilian.

Are There Roles For Women and Children in Living History?

ABSOLUTELY!! Women played a key part in supporting the troops in the field, but remember that we are portraying the 19th century,
so the roles of women were different than modern attitudes.  
Women and young ladies can portray refugees, nurses, laundresses, cooks, seamstresses, wives or sweethearts visiting their men folk in
the army. Women can also go as spies, vivandieres, or disguise themselves as male soldiers in the ranks.
It is just as important for us to portray civilian roles authentically as it is the military roles, so correct period dress will be equally
important if your wife, girlfriend, or daughter would like to participate.

I'm Interested in a Civilian Impression. Where Do I Find the Appropriate Clothing?

Check out the website's page of Sutlers. There is a whole list of sutlers that have civilian attire.

I'm A Diehard Rebel (or Yankee). Will I Have to Wear the Uniform of the Other Side?

Our unit was founded as a Confederate unit foremost with a secondary Union designation. Although, we may register for an event as
Confederates, we may be asked to "Galvanize" - to portray Federals for the weekend so there are enough soldiers from BOTH sides to do
the battle reenactment justice (wouldn't be much of a battle with only one side portrayed!). We seek to honor the soldiers of both sides
who fought in that War, and most of us find that doing a Federal impression now and again adds another dimension to living history.
We mostly go as a Confederate unit though.

Can I Participate Before I Have Researched an Impression?

YES! Some of our members continue to research and work on their impressions, often changing from one to another. Until you decide on
the direction that you want to go, there are several generic impressions that you can do such as a farmer, farmer's wife, or family member
leaving home to visit other family or friends.

OK, I'm Sold! How Much Will It Cost Me Once I Join?

A single person pays $15, a couple pays $20, and a family pays $25. As for clothing and equipment, it's hard to give one figure because of
the variables involved. Used items and equipment are sometimes available depending on your size and luck. Ebay is an excellent location
for used equipment.
The list of sutlers on the website is another place to start. Most of them carry both military and civilian items.
Also, if you or someone else in your family is handy at sewing, you can purchase patterns and material for most of the clothing items and
make them yourself. Making your own civilian dress or suit is usually a little cheaper than purchasing from a sutler.
However, military uniforms and items are hard to reproduce and tend to actually be cheaper to purchase from a sutler than try to make
your own (wool runs about $20/yard in a fabric store).
In addition, most of your out-of-pocket expenses, including uniform and equipment purchases, are tax deductible as a charitable
contribution for your services in public education and living history.
SO KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS!  For a soldier, the single biggest expense is the rifle, which runs about $450 - $460 new. You can
check with some of the sutlers who, a lot of the time, have specials on uniform packages. This can run anywhere from $250 - $260,
including your leathers. If you are a soldier member, after you purchase your uniform, leathers, scabbard, bayonet, tent (depending on
what you buy) and musket, you would probably spend about $1000 - $1100. Thereafter, you would only incur expenses for consumables
(e.g. gun powder, caps, etc.) and maintenance of your gear.

Are There Any Other Costs of Membership?

The only other "cost" is your TIME to participate. Ours is a very active unit, and we sometimes have two activities on our schedule
during the same month. The only requirement that we have is that you must attend at least two events a year. We would like to have
you come to as many as possible, but we will recognize that this is a volunteer activity and that family and work responsibilities come
first. If you work almost every weekend, then this is probably not the activity for you, as most of our activities are weekend
encampments and living histories.

How Do I Join?

Give your name, address, and phone number to one of our current members or email us at
provost@the31stalabama.com
emily@the31stalabama.com

You will then be contacted and mailed an application. Just fill it out and mail it back to the address shown. Once you have attended an
event and decided to "officially join",then you are a member of our unit. SEE YOU ON THE FIELD.

Do You Have Unit Meetings or Gatherings?

We try to have at least two official meetings a year to plan events, discuss any problems, or to have elections. We do get together to roll
cartridges. We also try to have Camps of Instruction for the soldier members to drill so that they don't get rusty in the off season.

I'm New to Camping in General. How Do We Eat?

We usually let everyone do their own breakfast and lunch for Saturday. We try to plan a good supper where everyone brings something
to the event to cook. And usually for breakfast on Sunday, we will gather what everyone brought and cook it to have one big breakfast.
You will be responsible for your own drinks and any other food for you and your family. You can bring a cooler, but it has to remain out
of public view during the day.

Can I Bring My Pet to an Reenactment?

Our particular unit has a policy of NO PETS. LEAVE YOUR PET AT HOME. It is a liability to your pet; should your pet get hurt,
lost, or even stolen at an event and it is a liability to you and the unit if your pet injures someone. Also, incessant barking disturbs the
camp and other reenactors. Besides, no one would like stepping in dog poo all weekend.

Do You Have an Event Cancellation Policy?

Not really. It takes some really bad weather to drive us away from our love of the hobby! Usually, at events, there are Host Provost
Guards and Event Chairmen who keep an eye on the weather for all reenactors. Should a downpour of rain and hail, a tornado, or a bad
lightning storm crop up, they may "CALL" the event and recommend that every one leave for personal safety reasons. However, if it is a
storm that blows through and the sun will come out again, the we can continue reenacting. If an event is "CALLED" due to bad weather
and the weekend is a bust, registration fees, if there were any, are usually NOT refunded. This is an acceptable loss to maintain our
hobby.

What is Your Firearm Policy?

Anyone wishing to participate as a soldier in battle, drill, and firearm demonstrations must first pass a "School of the Soldier". This
training session will teach new recruits (and serve as a brush-up for veterans) on how to properly hold, load, and clean their weapons in
the safest way possible. You will also learn drill and commands, so that you can operate as a unit on the field and look professional. Our
firearm policy is strictly enforced to ensure safety at all times. We may not be firing real bullets, but blackpowder can cause a very nasty
burn if the weapon is not handled properly. Even if you are a transfer from another unit and know how to properly execute your firing
technique, you will still be required to participate in the "School of the Soldier" so we can observe your safety technique before turning
you loose on the battlefield. Refusal to participate will result in denial of participating in battles, drills, and firearm demonstrations. We
DO NOT discharge weapons in camp unless permission is gained by the unit commander to discharge fouled weapons or extra
ammunition. Camp space is tight quarters, so safety must be observed at all times.

What is Your Campfire Policy?

Campfires provide a means of cooking, warmth, light, and in some cases, trash disposal. Utmost care should be observed around a
campfire. No blackpowder flasks, tins, or percussion pouches are allowed within 5 feet of the fire to prevent accidental discharge.
Women cooking around the campfire should NOT wear their hoops, but rather their camp skirts to prevent their skirts from catching
fire. Children under 12 are NOT allowed to play in the fire, throw things in the fire, or help with the cooking so as to avoid burns.
Tents should be kept at least 8-10 feet away from the campfire (if the tent has been sprayed with a flammable water-proofing, the tent
should be kept at least 12 feet away).
Only biodegradable trash (food, cardboard, paper, etc.) can be thrown in the fire for disposal. All non-biodegradable items (glass, plastic,
foil, etc.) should be put in a trash bag to be disposed of later. W e must remember to put the fire completely out before we leave camp to
prevent a forest fire. We should do our best to leave camp better than we found it when we pack up and head home. If basic precaution
is taken around the campfire, it can be an enjoyable place to eat, drink, tell stories, and enjoy unit commaraderie.

If you have any other questions, please email the company President, Vice President, or Website Editor. They will be more than happy
to assist you in any way.

President Dan Cohen  provost@the31stalabama.com  
Vice President Eric Cleveland eric.cleveland@hotmail.com
Web Editor Emily Cohen  emily@the31stalabama.com