To become an authentic participant of the community, one must have the right stuff. "You want to collect all the things you are going to portray," Ruth says.

One of the resources where interested buyers can purchase everything from military and civilian garments, leather and metal good, candles, and other items is the "Sutlers Area" at a Civil War encampment. "Sutler" is the expression for merchants who would travel with the troops to accommodate their needs.

The community offers numerous entertaining activities for participants. Attending the military ball on Saturday evening can be the highlight of the weekend. Typically held at a nearby hall, women dress in their finest period ball gowns and gentlemen in their military uniforms or other fine clothing.

"Attending is wonderful," Ruth says. "There is period music, sometimes played by local bands, dancing, socializing, food and usually punch and cookies."

Other activities for the ladies include holding a fashion show and Ladies Tea with lemonade, tea, and pastries. A guest speaker or music will be performed at the tea.

Ruth took a few minutes to talk about the lifestyle of women during the Civil War. She noted that spectators are always interested in the day-to-day life of women in the 19^th century. I was surprised to hear of another group of people who are curious about women’s daily life.

While giving presentations at the Downers Grove Historical Museum (Downers Grove, Illinois), Ruth stated that "I’ve found that children around ten years old are particularly interested in this period. The boys are curious about the practical concerns of women, their clothes, how they went to the bathroom, etc."

Ruth reminded me that women during this period were required to do things they had never done before. She discussed that "seeds of the Women’s Movement began during the Civil War." Women knew that their "men were often gone for a long period of time. They had to take care of themselves."

Visitors to Civil War re-enactments are certainly given a tremendous opportunity to learn about the Civil War by speaking to its participants!

Stan mentioned that Civil War re-enactors can read about upcoming movies that require extras. Although extras are not paid much, Stan and Ruth said they don’t care. They have too much fun!

Stan portrays a clerk who keeps track of the wounded in the movie "Gettysburg"

The encampment for "Gettysburg" was set on an original Confederate field hospital site at Gettysburg. Participants were costumed in period clothes for the entire two weeks. It would be an experience they would never forget. So that I didn’t miss a syllable of their two week experience, I’ve outlined our discussion as it occurred.

Stan: We had been bused from the main camp to film Pickett’s Charge. When we were walking in the area, I had an overwhelming feeling of sadness. It was like an invisible cloud of sadness.

Stan and Ruth standing on the field where Pickett's charge took place.

Ruth: I spoke with one of the participants. He told me that his great-grandfather and great-uncle had fought at Pickett’s Charge. One had died, the other survived and had written about his experience. This man was so moved having read about the experience and then witnessing the re-enactment.

Pickett’s Charge.
Note: For the movie, Pickett’s Charge was filmed in the exact place that it happened. No one was supposed to be on the field on the day of the shoot except for the soldiers and direct participants in the movie. To enter the field, Ruth woke up at 3:00 a.m. and partook in the food service activity that day. "It was an honor to be on the field that day to see the re-enactment, Ruth said.