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Thank you for your interest in becoming a Civil War re-enactor and for viewing the Arizona Civil War web page.

Becoming a member of the Arizona Civil War Council is an exciting and learning experience for you and your family. We are a historically based reenacting group, portraying Union, Confederate and Civilian groups. We are not a hardcore group, but an organization that likes to share with the public, and schools of the history of the Civil War. With the knowledge of “The Battle of Picacho Pass” and the surrounding battles that took place in the New Mexico Territory under the leadership of Kit Carson the famous mountain man, explorer and scout in which he formed the Union forces and recruited throughout the Rio Grande valley to defend the Union from the threat of invading Confederates from Texas. With your completion of the membership application below, you’ll be able to carryon the great history of this Nations only Battle on American soil known as the Civil War.

We currently have men, women and children with the ACWC, all of whom portray a variety of authentic impressions. Although you have the choice of Infantry groups, Artillery or a Civilian group the choice is yours. If you wish to join one or all the groups, that is also fine. The main thing we want you to do is have fun, learn, live and teach the history of the past with your new hobby.

Membership and Medical forms:
Word version
PDF version

Rules and Regulations:
Word version
PDF version

Re-Enactor Essentials

Here are the basic items needed by an Infantry Civil War Re-enactor.

	Item	Notes	Picture
Clothing and Supplies	Hat, Kepi, Hardee Hat	There are three main types. The Kepi is a small cap like hat with a short brim made of leather. They were the most common. There is the Hardee hat which was issued earlier in the Civil War and became more of a dress hat as time progressed. And then wide brim hats. These were more common in the western states and are more practical as far as shade for your face. Usually of felt or straw.
	Brogans	Brogans were made from leather and usually had heel plates attached to the bottoms to decrease wear of the leather soles. There are no left and right shoes- they were all made from the same form!
	Shirt	Most were cotton. Calico and checked patterns were common but some units were issued white. Any type that is a pull over with no pockets, a small collar and 3 or 4 buttons is good.
	Wool pants with suspenders	All the uniforms were made of wool. They have a 5 button front, buttons for suspenders front and back and a slit in the rear upper seam with button holes to allow the waist to be adjusted. Suspenders: white usually. With either single or double button ends.
	Coat or Frock coat	2 basic types; Sack coat. A 5 button wool coat with a pocket sewn into the front inside. Comes to just below your waist line. Frock Coat. Longer version of the sack coat. Usually comes to just above your knees. Later in the war used for dress uniforms.
	Great Coat	For the cold. A multi layer coat worn over your uniform. There are infantry and cavalry versions.
	Haversack	Your carryall. used for food, drink, etc.
	Belt	For carrying your cap pouch and bayonet. Also need a buckle. There are many styles to choose from.
	Cup	Made of stainless steel or tin.
	Canteen	Covered with wool of various colors and slung with either a cotton or leather strap so you can carry it. The steel ones are more expensive but also last longer and are easier to maintain.
	Earplugs	Ear protection. Essential item on the field of battle with cannons roaring and firing lines shooting volleys. Remember that hearing loss in painless. You don't know it's gone until it's too late.
Weapons	Rifles	Enfield rifle: used primarily by the Confederacy, a 58 cal muzzle loading rifle. Springfield rifle: used primarily by the Federal forces, a 58 cal muzzle loading rifle.
	Bayonet and Scabard	For looks only. Never drawn on the battlefield. But a useful tool none the less.
	Paper Cartridges and Caps	Caps and cartridges. The caps are purchased in tins of 100. They are a drop of fulminate of mercury that creates a spark that detonates the powder charge in the rifle. Cartridges are the powder charge for the musket. Usually 70 grains of black powder. You have to either make these by hand or you can purchase ones already made.
	Cartridge Box	Leather box suspended on a leather strap that you put your cartridges in.
	Cap Pouch	For carrying the percussion caps needed to fire your weapon. Usually has a small piece of sheeps wool inside to keep the caps from falling out.