3rd
Battalion
Hardy's Brigade
5th
Florida Co. G.,
Co. I. and Kilcrease
Light Artillery
Attention Patriots: War Is Upon Us
Florida
has been driven from the Union formed by our fathers and so long
cherished by their descendants. We have now no other alternative
but to make common cause with our sister states of the South. The
hostile Lincoln is sending his Northern soldiers to invade our
state at this moment. Men of Florida arise from your
slumber. Show the world that the spirit of 1776 still burns in
your hearts. Come forward and enlist as Volunteers for the
defense of a free South. Our brothers to the North are gathering
for the fray. O, let us not be laggards when danger menaces the
liberties of our beloved Southern States. Stand with us in the
protection of our citizens, the sanctity of our hearths, homes, and the
safety of our wives and little ones. Come to my recruitment tent
where preparations are being made to form immediately brave
Artillery, Infantry and Cavalry Companies in the 3rd
Battalion of Hardy's Brigade. Demonstrate your loyalty to your
State and join us in this fight now.
29,
April, 1861
Lt.
Col. Robert A. Niepert
Civil War reenacting is an
interesting hobby. It ranges from just watching reenactments to
exact duplication of a soldier's life in the mid 1860's and a thousand
things in between. If you have any questions, please email
or call me (information below) and we can talk further.
The 3rd Battalion (5th Florida) is a growing Civil War
reenacting unit; presently, we have 64 members including
both soldiers and civilians. Our wives are active
participants and dress in period correct clothing most of the
time. The women are involved with things like the ladies tea, the
ball on Saturday night and other female things. Underage children
are welcome in camp with direct adult supervision (at all
times) and we presently have a couple of members under 16
years old within the company. Keep in mind those under 16 are
not allowed to take the field with a weapon. Some of
them may become drummers, a medical orderly or flag
bearers and some teenagers can help on the artillery piece in a very
limited capacity (if other regular crewmen are in short supply).
Very responsible teenagers under 16 may be considered for a position on
the field or with the artillery crew (14 to 16 - under their parents
direct supervision). Our companies are made up of all
age ranges, from a 72 year old Korean War veteran to a 16 year old boy.
I suggest that you go to several reenactments as a participant and
fall in with one of our different companies for each weekend to
see what suits you best. We have extra uniforms and weapons
that you may borrow for the weekend. Decide which branch you
would like to join after participating a few times and talking to a lot
of reenactors. Do not buy your uniform until you make sure it
falls within our uniform standards. There are many different
types of Confederate and Federal uniforms available and you want to
make sure to get the correct one the first time.
Most reenactments take place in the "Central Florida" area from Olustee
and Crystal River to Ft. DeSoto then from Brooksville to Mt. Dora and
locations in between. All "maximum effort Hardy's Brigade events"
are within one to three hours drive from the center of our
state. Your location will determine your drive time.
photo
above: Some of our members at the Brooksville Raid 2008
Local reenacting companies are not really "local".
Our members are spread out all over the state of Florida and you
should be able to find one of us close to you. Our 3rd
Battalion gets together once or twice in the "off-season" for a
company meeting or drill but otherwise we (as do other reenacting
companies) have our company meetings at events. We do,
however, keep in close contact by email and telephone with each other
all year long.
Keep in mind that all
new recruits start off as privates or troopers and if you would
like to achieve rank, you will have to work for it. In all
companies you will learn how to drill, shoot safely, attend morning
colors with the Brigade and standard military procedures. We try
to portray a military life style but are not as strict as some
reenacting companies. There are periods of "off time"
when you can relax and do whatever you like but we do at least attempt
to be military. Our group falls somewhere in the middle of the
reenacting community; we are not hard core living historians at every
event but we are certainly not "farbe". I would say we represent
a portion of the largest cross section of reenactors known as
progressives. The "progressive" groups may or may not camp modern
and enjoy the modern conveniences not allowed in the period correct
camps. We are a family oriented group, so excessive drinking is
not allowed (a few beers are fine), bad jokes (puns are excepted),
and loud noises late at night are to be avoided.
About Our
Confederate Reenacting Group
Our
3rd Battalion, 5th Florida (Confederate) Companies I., G., and
K. (Kilcrease Light Artillery) and medical unit offers
the reenactor an opportunity to participate in every aspect of the
hobby.
Our Company I. is an
infantry company that works basically the same as a
standard infantry company except we are considered the Hardy's
Brigade "shock troops" and are usually the first in and the last
out. Co. I. will
often
open the battles and may protect the artillery battery. They are
also called upon to work with our mounted troopers in
Co. G. and support any part of the battle wherever they are
needed. The infantrymen do not form up and march in battle
like most infantry companies but will move from area to area as
necessary. However, they do practice and know the basic
infantry drills. Our infantry company wears the standard
infantryman's gray wool uniform with leathers and they carry three
band Enfield muskets. Our infantrymen will (on Sunday)
wear their Federal uniforms and fight against the Confederate
soldiers. This is necessary due to the fact that the Confederates
usually outnumber the Federals. Company I. camps with the entire
unit in cavalry camp. For more information, contact
Capt. Fortner at gfortner@mail.com or Maj. Ron Schoner 3rd Battalion
Adjutant at schonerr@bellsouth.net The
5th Florida Co. G. is the mounted cavalry of Hardy's Brigade. Our
cavalrymen will fight as a squad or act as couriers according to our
numbers at the event. The mounted troopers usually start every
Hardy's Brigade battle and 
see plenty
of action throughout the entire conflict. They ride out all over
the field causing trouble for the infantry and the enemy's mounted
cavalry and at times will attempt to capture a Federal cannon or
two. They use pistols and sabers exclusively. We do not
dismount and use carbines as some other units do - we bring our horses
to reenactments to ride as cavalrymen not dismount and fight as
infantry. We will (on Sunday) wear our Federal uniforms and
fight against the Confederate troopers. This allows all mounted
troopers on both sides to experience the battle from the other side of
the field. You will need a horse and be able to transport it to
join this company. You should try to shoot around your horse
before you attempt to place him in action on the battlefield. The
event host usually supplies a hay ration for the participating horses
and water can be found at all events. However, we have found it
much better if you bring your own hay (two bales per horse per weekend)
and a plastic barrel of water. Keep in mind that most event hosts
are not horse owners and what appears to be good hay to them is not
good hay to us. There is a water hose or water supply somewhere
close but here again, it is much easier to fill a 55 gallon drum with
water at your home than it is to go out and bring it back one
bucket at a time. I have put a 12 volt DC pump on a 
drum and have enough water to easily last
the weekend. You may want to consider doing something like
that. Company G. does drill every so often between events when
time allows. In most cases, almost all horses can be taught to
tolerate and perform in battle but some will take a lot more training
than others. We have had our best results placing a new horse
between seasoned horses. The cavalrymen wear the standard gray
wool shell jacket with cavalry yellow trim, gray wool trousers
and black slouch hat. Our cavalrymen also
have their Federal uniforms composed of a dark blue jacket and sky
blue trousers topped off by a black slouch hat. The mounted men
and women carry pistols and sabers. Company G. camps modern in
the Hardy's Brigade cavalry camp with our 3rd Battalion infantry and
artillery companies. Women are welcome to ride with the company
as long as they dress like a man but there are no children in this
company. For any information about the 5th Florida Co. G. mounted
cavalry contact Capt. Jim McGlincy (commander of the unit) at oysSchKML@aol.com or
Lt. Col. Niepert at mayorbob@embarqmail.com
see plenty
of action throughout the entire conflict. They ride out all over
the field causing trouble for the infantry and the enemy's mounted
cavalry and at times will attempt to capture a Federal cannon or
two. They use pistols and sabers exclusively. We do not
dismount and use carbines as some other units do - we bring our horses
to reenactments to ride as cavalrymen not dismount and fight as
infantry. We will (on Sunday) wear our Federal uniforms and
fight against the Confederate troopers. This allows all mounted
troopers on both sides to experience the battle from the other side of
the field. You will need a horse and be able to transport it to
join this company. You should try to shoot around your horse
before you attempt to place him in action on the battlefield. The
event host usually supplies a hay ration for the participating horses
and water can be found at all events. However, we have found it
much better if you bring your own hay (two bales per horse per weekend)
and a plastic barrel of water. Keep in mind that most event hosts
are not horse owners and what appears to be good hay to them is not
good hay to us. There is a water hose or water supply somewhere
close but here again, it is much easier to fill a 55 gallon drum with
water at your home than it is to go out and bring it back one
bucket at a time. I have put a 12 volt DC pump on a drum and have enough water to easily last
the weekend. You may want to consider doing something like
that. Company G. does drill every so often between events when
time allows. In most cases, almost all horses can be taught to
tolerate and perform in battle but some will take a lot more training
than others. We have had our best results placing a new horse
between seasoned horses. The cavalrymen wear the standard gray
wool shell jacket with cavalry yellow trim, gray wool trousers
and black slouch hat. Our cavalrymen also
have their Federal uniforms composed of a dark blue jacket and sky
blue trousers topped off by a black slouch hat. The mounted men
and women carry pistols and sabers. Company G. camps modern in
the Hardy's Brigade cavalry camp with our 3rd Battalion infantry and
artillery companies. Women are welcome to ride with the company
as long as they dress like a man but there are no children in this
company. For any information about the 5th Florida Co. G. mounted
cavalry contact Capt. Jim McGlincy (commander of the unit) at oysSchKML@aol.com or
Lt. Col. Niepert at mayorbob@embarqmail.com
We
have a large full size 3" ordnance rifle (cannon) and
limber in our 3rd Battalion Kilcrease Light
Artillery. The 
ordnance
rifle represents the most common type of artillery piece used in the
Civil War. If necessary, we will add more artillery pieces as our
artillery company grows and funding is available. With
the Kilcrease battery, you may work a position on the
cannon if you choose (after being trained) or you may just want
to help with the ammunition in the limber box. All
artillerymen are cross trained in each position on the cannon so that
everyone feels confident anywhere on the gun. Women may
participate with the artillerymen (as long as they dress like a
soldier) on the gun in battle. The artillery crew practices
working the gun for a 1/2 hour before battle each day of the event.
The artillery uniforms are
made up of gray wool shell jackets (red trim), gray wool trousers,
artillery red shirt, and red kepi or black slouch hat with red hat
cord. Sometimes it is necessary for them to fight as
Federals (one day a weekend). Our artillerymen do not
need to buy a complete Federal uniform as the Confederate and Federal
artillery uniforms were not that different. No pistols or muskets
are needed as it is the gun crew's job to run the cannon and
not engage directly in one on one battle. In the "off" hours, the
gun crew socializes with everyone and the artillery women do hang
around with our women. Our artillery battery camps with the 5th
Florida Cavalry and Infantry Co. I. in both modern
RV's and modern tents. Contact Capt. Jim Wahl
(commander of the gun) at jimwahl@embarqmail.com
or
Lt. Col. Niepert at mayorbob@embarqmail.com
for more information.
ordnance
rifle represents the most common type of artillery piece used in the
Civil War. If necessary, we will add more artillery pieces as our
artillery company grows and funding is available. With
the Kilcrease battery, you may work a position on the
cannon if you choose (after being trained) or you may just want
to help with the ammunition in the limber box. All
artillerymen are cross trained in each position on the cannon so that
everyone feels confident anywhere on the gun. Women may
participate with the artillerymen (as long as they dress like a
soldier) on the gun in battle. The artillery crew practices
working the gun for a 1/2 hour before battle each day of the event. The artillery uniforms are
made up of gray wool shell jackets (red trim), gray wool trousers,
artillery red shirt, and red kepi or black slouch hat with red hat
cord. Sometimes it is necessary for them to fight as
Federals (one day a weekend). Our artillerymen do not
need to buy a complete Federal uniform as the Confederate and Federal
artillery uniforms were not that different. No pistols or muskets
are needed as it is the gun crew's job to run the cannon and
not engage directly in one on one battle. In the "off" hours, the
gun crew socializes with everyone and the artillery women do hang
around with our women. Our artillery battery camps with the 5th
Florida Cavalry and Infantry Co. I. in both modern
RV's and modern tents. Contact Capt. Jim Wahl
(commander of the gun) at jimwahl@embarqmail.com
or
Lt. Col. Niepert at mayorbob@embarqmail.com
for more information. Our
medical members work closely with the Hardy's Brigade medical
unit. Our medical people attend a meeting with the
Brigade medical group before each battle. At the meeting, they
report in and then get their assignments. As a medical orderly
you will not carry a weapon but will carry extra water and give minor first aid medical support to
the soldiers during the battle. Men and women are welcome to
participate in treatment of the soldiers on the battlefield during the
battles. This is a great way for the women and teenagers to get
involved while their father fights with our infantry or artillery
units. The medical support group dresses in period correct
uniforms or medical attire. They also camp with us in the 3rd
Battalion cavalry camp.
As
you can see, the 3rd Battalion, 5th Florida offers you the
opportunity to be an infantryman, mounted cavalryman,
artilleryman or on the medical team. We all camp together
within the same area, rarely more than 100 feet separate all three
branches of our 3rd Battalion. Most of our members camp
modern in campers with all the modern conveniences not allowed in the
period correct camps. We have a company pot luck dinner and
company meeting on Saturday night before the formal ball. We
always have more than enough food for the Saturday company dinner
(6pm.) and EVERYONE is encouraged to attend; especially new
members. This gives us all the opportunity to talk and get to
know each person in the different 3rd
Battalion companies.
If you would like to be added to the
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Lt. Col. Robert A. Niepert
Hardy's Brigade Cavalry Commander
3rd Battalion Commander
5th Florida Kilcrease Light Artillery
5th Florida Co. G.
5th Florida Co. I.
16935 W. Phil C. Peters Rd.
Winter Garden, Florida 34787
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