Ready to start reenacting? The first step is to let us know you're ready to join us be contacting Captain Derrick Sturgill (503-357-1861) for the mailing address.

Because the Sharpshooters belong to larger organizations that host events, you will need to join one of these clubs in order to participate. If you plan to attend events predominiately in the state of Washington, please complete the forms for the Washington Civil War Association (WCWA). If you will attend mostly Oregon events, please join the Northwest Civil War Council (NCWC). You may choose to join both clubs, but it is only required of officers and NCOs in our club.

Please complete one set of paperwork for each family member and send them with your check to Derrick Sturgill.

WCWA Paperwork - $25 for a single, $40 for a family

NCWC Paperwork - $15 for a single, $35 for a family

We encourage your whole family to sign up for membership, even if only one person is planning to reenact, because the membership will allow your family to attend events as a spectator at no additional cost.

Once you have filled out your paperwork, please let the Captain know which events you will be participating at. You will be included in the Berdan's email group and invited to join our Facebook Group to help stay in touch.

Loaner gear is available, but must be requested prior to the event to ensure we bring enough.

The first purchase a soldier makes should be a canteen. Staying hydrated is essential to health and enjoyment at events. A complete list of essenial gear for soldiers can be found here.

Civilian reenactors have a lot more flexibility in persona. The essentials for a civilian reenactor is one outfit and hat reflecting your social status, a basket or bag to carry items in, and any props essential to your persona. More information about your civilian reenacting experience can be found here.

A Soldier's Life For Me

The following are the ideal items for sharpshooter privates to have, roughly in order of importance:

• Civil War Style Canteen
• Black powder, cartridge papers and caps
• Comfortable black or brown boots, or brogans
• Thick socks, 1-2 pairs per day
• Long underwear or shorts (prevents chaffing)
• Green forage cap and black ostrich feather
• Green wool pants and bracers (suspenders)
• Green wool frock coat
• White dress gloves
• Leather belt with US belt buckle
• Leather Cartridge box, with or without sling
• Leather cap box
• Civil War appropriate shirts (cotton, long sleeve, no pockets)
• Sharps rifle (preferred), zouave rifle (useful if maintaining a second impression) or hawkins rifle
• Rifle cleaning and care supplies
• Haversack and personal items
• Tent: shelter half or a-tent
• Tin ware: plate, fork, knife, spoon and cup
• Blanket and bedroll
• Leather leggings
• Toys and games
• Second Canteen (useful in hot weather)
• Lantern and candles
• Greatcoat - gray with green trim (useful in cold weather)
• Knapsack - calf-skin
• Sharpshooter tin mess kit

As you reenact, you will find that certain items are more important to your persona than others, but hopefully this list will give you an idea of what you may want to have.

Soldiers are encouraged to invest in their uniform in the first year. There are many different sutlers to buy your uniform from, with a range of price and quality options. If you are able to sew, you could even make your own. Look at your options before selecting a source for your uniform.

A rifle will be one of your single biggest investments in your reenacting career, but it is also one that will best hold it's value when properly cared for. A rifle is source of pride. Soldiers are enouraged to purchase their rifle in their second year of reenacting.

The Art of Civility

There are infinite possibilities for the civialian reenactor. Civilians supported the army as nurses, laundresses, spies, steamstresses, tailors, barbers, sutlers, cooks... just about any way you can imagine.

Most civilian reenactors start without a specific role in mind. With a single simple outfit and bag or basket to carry personal items, a civilian is set for a day of reenacting.

Having a persona, a job role for your civilian life, helps add to the fun. Instead of just visiting the encampment, a civilian can be a representative of a Relief Society and spend the day inspecting military camps for sanitary conditions, with permission from the commanding officers. With a few props, a simple camp set up can become a laundry.

If you a woman getting started in reenacting, the first thing you will need is a dress. If you sew, there are patterns available from sutlers such as Timeless stitches, on line, or even from well-known pattern companies. Avoid any pattern that calls for a zipper in the notions list.

The least expensive dress to start with is a blouse and skirt. Blouses should be long-sleeved with short collars and no pockets. Looking at resale stores is a good way to get started. Skirts should be full and floor length, a simple skirt on a waistband. Hoops are not neccessary for this type of dress.

Alternately, you can purchase a work dress or camp dress from one of the many sulters available at reenactments or online.

Different styles suit different people, personas and ages. Then, as today, younger women wore more relaxed and brighter clothing. White blouses and zouave jackets are examples of things more appropriate for younger reenactors. Women should keep their shoulders, arms, ankles, and everything in between, covered during the day. In the evening, arms and shoulders can be uncovered. Fancy clothing and hoops should be reserved for personas of wealthier people, and for dances.

Civilian men have a wide variety of personas and clothing as well. A man's outfit consists of pants, shirt, vest, jacket, shoes and a cap. The fabric and quality can vary dramatically. A wealtier man or someone trying to draw attention to himself, such as a salesman, will wear nicer and brighter clothing, such as a lime green plaid suit. A spy or a peddler would likely wear rougher, duller clothing. A scout or a man of modest means would be somewhere in between.

Both men and women are encouraged to build their personas around natural interests and skills. Someone with an ability to sketch would do well to portray an artist. A person with a love of cooking would be appreciated as a camp cook.

Children under four, both boys and girls, wore dresses. Infants wore white gowns. Little boys would wear more natural colors, browns that wouldn't show dirt. Little girls wore brighter colors and cuts that more resemble the fashions of their mothers. Older children's clothing begins to look just like adult clothing. Simple clothing is usually best for children, who will enjoy running and playing outside just as children always have.

The best way to begin civilian reenacting is by talking with other reenactors, then jumping in with both feet. Reenacting is an experience that is hard to define. It is an experience in community, shared with others. It is camping with friends and elloborate preparation, and much more.