Who
are we?
Company
G is a group of men largely from the Pennsylvania
counties of Berks, Schuylkill, Lehigh, and Northampton
with a deep interest in portraying the lives and
experiences of soldiers of the American Civil War. Our
members come from all types of jobs and backgrounds, and
what binds the men together is the desire to portray
volunteer soldiers as accurately as possible. Within the
membership are professional and amateur historians,
voracious readers with extensive Civil War libraries, and
men with a wide variety of skills at such things as
cooking, singing, wood carving, story telling, artifact
hunting, drawing, and there are many more. Our members
are students of military history who are obsessed with
the desire to acquire and share knowledge and experiences
with the public and each other. Company G of the 96th PVI
is also a member of the umbrella group called the
National Regiment. The 96th PVI joins similarly organized
groups that are members of the National Regiment in order
to participate in events of a larger scale. Members of
our unit work closely with the National Regiment staff in
the planning and scheduling of events.
Who
do we portray?
In
September of 1861, men from all over Schuylkill, Berks,
and Dauphin counties responded to the call for troops to
serve for three years. Arriving at Lawton's Hill in
Pottsville, Pennsylvania, these men were formed into a
regiment that eventually was given the designation as the
96th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Colonel Henry Cake,
a veteran of the 25th Pennsylvania (a part of the First
Defenders) commanded this new unit. Ten companies of 100
men each plus field officers were mustered into Federal
service at Pottsville. Company G was one of those ten
companies. James Douden was its first captain but Jake
Haas succeeded Douden and led the company through most of
the war. The men came from varied backgrounds including
such occupations as clerks, hotel owners, miners,
carpenters, farmers, etc. The record of the 96th began
when they "saw the elephant" at West Point, on the
peninsula in the spring of 1862, and included Gaines
Mill, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Salem
Church, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, The
Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Cedar
Creek, Hatcher's Run, and Sailer's Creek. What made
Company G somewhat unique among the men of the 96th is
the fact that the bulk of them reenlisted as veterans in
1864, and when the units we consolidated that year,
Company G of the 96th PVI became Company G of the 95th
PVI, keeping their organizational integrity and honor. In
terms of tragedy of human loss, the battles of South
Mountain (Sept. 14, 1862), Salem Church (May 3, 1863),
and Spotsylvania (May 10, 1864) were the worst days for
the unit. Members of the modern Company G possess some of
the diaries, letters, and photographs of the numerous
members of the original 96th PVI. We strive to learn from
these resources and honor the deeds of these
men.
What
do we do?
The
activities of Company G of the 96th PVI fit into several
categories:
Living
History - These events tend to be our most numerous.
A "company street" is set up and the men eat, sleep,
drill, and demonstrate the life of the common Union
soldier. Ordinarily these are weekend events with the
members arriving on a Friday night or Saturday morning
and remaining in camp until Sunday afternoon. Like the
war itself, events are rain or shine. The focus of these
events is to offer visitors the opportunity to see us as
a living illustration of history. Life on the "company
street" often revolves around the cooking fire, a game of
checkers, washing clothes, shining brass, or sometimes
waiting for a shave. Evening hours are usually taken up
with sitting around the fire talking, telling stories,
music, and singing. *Note - In 1991, Company G of the
96th PVI was presented with one of its most cherished
awards by Antietam National Battlefield, the Living
History Group of the Year.
Battle
Reenactment - The battles of Gettysburg, Cedar Creek,
Wilderness, and others are recreated for thousands of
visitors on an annual basis. Company G schedules two or
three of these events each year. Reenactments offer the
members an unforgettable and highly educational
experience of joining hundreds or thousands of others in
realistic battle action. Both spectators and participants
alike experience the awesome sights and sounds of battle.
Like Living History events, reenactments involve weekend
encampments only on a much larger scale involving
volunteers from across the nation.
Other
Activities - These include participation in
rededication services each year. Every member agrees on
the importance of participating in ceremonies that honor
those that fought for our freedoms. Parades on Memorial
Day and Gettysburg's Remembrance Day (November) are a
certainty on each year's calendar. Historical societies,
genealogical societies, Boy Scout troops, schools, and
even community libraries have hosted contingents from the
96th. For those soldiers who enjoy doing these
presentations, there are often more opportunities and
invitations than our schedules can
accommodate.
What
is expected?
All
prospective members must be willing to:
1. Equip
themselves with the entire issue of clothing,
accouterments, arms, and camp and field kit. These items
must be purchased within the guidelines set down by the
company. Please download the
Uniform
and Equipment List
and
the Vendor
List.
2. Forego all 20th Century trappings including,
but not limited to, wristwatches, cigarettes, modern
eyeglasses, and any plastics. Anything deviating from the
mid 1860's is left behind when participating in drill,
field, or camp activities. Authenticity is the hallmark
of the 96th PVI.
3. Accept and comply with the discipline demanded
of an authentic military organization. We adhere to the
chain of command of authority as defined in the United
States Army Regulations of 1861. All brass and leather is
polished and clothing is brushed. The company street is
policed and equipment is neatly arranged in the tents
ready for inspection at all times. Only shelter tents
(dog tents) are allowed on the field. Military discipline
and decorum of 1861-1865 prevails, and the powers,
duties, and responsibility of each rank are preserved.
The emphasis on discipline contributes to the
authenticity of our portrayal which has earned us the
reputation we enjoy.
4. Study, learn, and perform all aspects of drill
and maneuvers of the Federal Army of the time.
5. Accept two basic tenets of the 96th: First, we
are not a family oriented hobby. Women and children are
not part of our impression. They do not participate with
us in camp or in the field. While our wives, female
friends, and children are encouraged to share our Civil
War era interests, their role comes no closer than their
involvement as an auxiliary or accessory. While the
ladies may set up a Sanitary Commission, Christian
Commission, or laundry service near the camp, they are
not part of the military camp. The demands of the
military impression are paramount. Second, allegiance to
the unit. We expect those soldiers who maintain
membership in other units to place the requirements of
the schedule of the 96th PVI as their first priority.
6. Pay dues of $20 per year (active membership) or
$10 (associate membership). This goes towards
preregistration for events, but mostly to the monthly
newsletter. Full time students are exempt from dues.
7. Attend events on a regular basis. A healthy
organization can not survive in an environment of chronic
absenteeism. The company does understand that the 96th
PVI is a voluntary organization of men, and so it
recognizes the demands of family, employment, vacations,
and health needs. The company asks only for an honest
effort to attend as many events as a "committed" member
can.
Now,
how do I get started?
If you
are interested in joining our organization as an active
or associate member, the company is eager to discuss
membership with you. Please see the "Contact Us" page for
further information on getting in touch with
us.