This is a glossary of commonly used terms in the world of reenacting. It will help you understand what the "veterans" are talking about when you hear these words used around camp, during drill or on the battlefield.
Artillery - The branch of an army that specializes in the use of large-caliber weapons, such as cannon, howitzers, and missile launchers that are operated by crews.
Battalion – An army unit typically consisting of a headquarters and two or more companies, batteries, or similar subunits or a large body of organized troops.
Brevet – To appoint a soldier to a higher rank, often done in the field of combat to replace an injured or dead officer.
Brigade - a military unit having its own headquarters and consisting of two or more
regiments, squadrons, groups, or battalions.
Cadet - a boy or young man, usually a younger son, who entered the army to prepare for enlistment and often serve as drummers, buglers, flag bearers and runners until they reach the required service age.
Carbine - A lightweight rifle with a short barrel primarily used by cavalry.
Cavalry - The part of a military force composed of troops that serve on horseback.
Civil War - A war between political factions or regions within the same country.
Civilian - A person who is not on active duty with a military, naval, police, or fire fighting organization.
Chaplain - A member of the clergy attached to a branch of the armed forces.
CO – Short for Commanding Officer, which refers to an enlisted man put in charge of a company, regiment, or battalion who is typically a commissioned officer.
Commissioned Officer – An officer who receives a commission to command appointed by a higher officer.
Company - A subdivision of a military regiment or battalion that constitutes the lowest administrative unit & is usually under the command of a captain.
Confederacy - An alliance between persons, parties, states, etc., for some particular purpose often referred to as the Confederate States of America.
Corps - a military unit of ground combat forces consisting of two or more divisions and other troops.
Depot - A storage installation for military equipment and supplies, or a station for assembling military recruits and forwarding them to active units.
Division - a major administrative and tactical unit, larger than a regiment or brigade and smaller than a corps: it is usually commanded by a major general.
Drill - To instruct and exercise in formation marching and movement, in the carrying of arms during formal marching, and in the formal handling of arms for ceremonies and guard work.
Earthworks - An earthen embankment, especially one used as a fortification
Encampment - An act or instance of encamping; lodgment in a camp or the place or quarters occupied in camping; to camp.
Farby – Short for “Far Be It From The Truth” meaning that something is not within the correct period or timeframe.
Federal (Union) - Pertaining to or of the nature of a union of states under a central government distinct from the individual governments of the separate states; supporting the Union government during the American Civil War.
Flag (Color) Bearer – A position of honor amongst a unit, a soldier who carried the flag of his unit to or during battle.
Flank - The extreme right or left side of an army, fleet, or a fortification.
Fortification - Military works constructed for the purpose of strengthening a position; called a fort for short.
Galvanize - A period term that means to switch sides at events, which helps to maintain the proper ratio of Confederate and Union troops.
Living History – A historical portrayal of some aspect of the past; typically not in conjunction with a battle.
Impression – An image one attempts to portray for a particular event or timeframe.
Infantry – The branch of an army made up of units trained to fight on foot.
Ironworks - An establishment where iron is smelted or where it is cast or wrought.
Kepi – Derived from the French, a military cap with a flat circular top and a nearly horizontal visor.
Manual of Arms - How to move the rifle around your body.
Marine – A soldier trained to serve on land or sea, typically a member of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Military - Of, for, or pertaining to the armed forces of a nation.
Musket - A heavy, large-caliber smoothbore gun for infantry soldiers, introduced in the 16th century and used through the 19th century.
NCO – Short for Non-Commissioned Officer, which refers to an enlisted man who is given a rank, or made an officer, but not by way of an appointed commission.
Period - An interval of time characterized by the prevalence of a specified culture, ideology, or technology.
Quartermaster - An officer charged with providing quarters, clothing, fuel, transportation, etc., for a body of troops.
Re-enactment – A term that refers to a historical enactment of an event from the past.
Re-enactor – A person who acts out a historical event from the past.
Rebel - A person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions). Often called Johnny Reb.
Regiment - a unit of ground forces, consisting of two or more battalions or battle groups, a headquarters unit, and certain supporting units.
Sabre - A stout sword with a curved blade, thick back, and a slightly curved handle.
Slouch – A type of hat that has a droop or downward bend.
Spectator – A person who watches a re-enactment, also known as a civilian.
Sutler - A person who followed an army or maintained a store on an army post to sell provisions to the soldiers.
Wall (Officer’s) Tent – A tent that was typically used by an officer, and commonly used by families today, that has straight walls for about 3 feet high, then goes up to vertex in the similar fashion of a wedge tent.
Wedge (A-Frame) Tent – A tent that was typically 7 feet tall, 8 feet wide, and 9 feet long shaped like an “A” made with treated canvas and has usually doors at both ends.
Yankee - A native or inhabitant of a northern U.S. state, esp. of one of the northeastern states that sided with the Union in the American Civil War. Often called Billy Yank.