Most Civil War re-enactments follow a basic pattern.  Usually on Friday, a living history program is presented to local school children.  Following this program, the event will open for re-enactor registration.  This normally takes place in a central location on the event site and is where one will sign up for the activities during the weekend.  Most of our members arrive on Friday afternoon or evening.

The first thing when the re-enactors arrive on location is to set up camp, get firewood and get things organized for the remainder of the weekend.  Once camp is set up, the members are free to socialize and wander around the event site, visiting the sutlers and checking out the scenery.

On Saturday morning, drill is usually around 10:00am CST.  All members who are participating in the weekend events MUST arrive before that time and be ready for drill.

Most of the events last two (2) days with a battle scenario each day.  There are period "vendors", called Sutlers, who come in and offer virtually everything that a re-enactor would need to outfit his/herself.  Sutler prices vary, so have an experienced re-enactor go with you when you make your first trip to "Sutler Row".

The battles normally take place in the early afternoon.  Sometimes there will be parades, memorial services, and even period dances on Saturday night with a live band performing music of the Civil War.

Sundays usually bring on another battle scenario in the early afternoon as well.  Following the Sunday battle, everyone packs up and returns home.

One of the facts of army life is drill. Soldiers would be drilled in marching, handling weapons, and firing their weapons. The purpose of drill was to ensure that the soldier would be ready for battle and know what to do in any given situation. When drilling with the weapons, a list of procedures was followed step by step. Each of these procedures was critical to the successful loading and firing of the weapon. The procedures were accompanied by commands during drill. During an actual battle situation, the commands would not have been given, but the procedures still needed to be followed.

Source: http://www.nps.gov/fosc/weapons_info3.htm

Drill with the 4th Alabama Cavalry, Company B...

One who isn't familiar with re-enacting may ask "What exactly is drill?".  Drill is a time where we learn the "Manual of Arms".   The "Manual of Arms" is how to move the rifle around your body.  It doesn't take too long to grasp as it is very basic stuff.

Then comes the hard part...tactics. Tactics are how we move on the field of battle. This is where the time comes in.  We usually spend about an hour to and hour and a half on this per day. We spend this amount of time so we look good on the field in front of the "speckled taters" (spectators).

The 4th Alabama Cavalry, Company B has been awarded "Best Dismounted Unit" for the past 3 years at Tannehill Re-enactment in the Drill Competition.