Elizabethtown, PA

Officers of the Southern Division pose for a portrait during a 150th anniversary reenactment of the Seven Days Battles entitled, Lee Takes Command. June 2012

The Southern Division are a well respected Civil War reenactment organization with thousands of dedicated members from around the country who frequently gather to reenact battles of the American Civil War. The group is known for its authenticity, their attention to detail in the events they organize and simply by the look of the actors themselves.

The battle scenarios played out at this reenactment highlight the fighting which took place soon after Robert E. Lee took command of the Confederate Army – seven continuous days of hard fighting around Richmond Virginia in June 1862.

In 2012 the Southern Division planned scenarios of three principle engagements of the Seven Days Battles for their weekend commemorative reenactment. Illustrating this organizations commitment to the reenactors’ experience only one of these battle scenarios would be accessible to the public, the rest of the battles were exclusively for the enjoyment and immersion of the reenactors themselves.

Many of the reenactors of the Southern Division are termed “campaigners” or would be considered “hardcore” living historians. Sleeping in the field, no shelter, rain or shine, living at a stretch on hardtack, salt pork and water or whiskey.

These reenactors will stay in character, living as 19th century soldiers, drilling and fighting during the day and telling stories and singing period songs around the camp fire at night throughout these weekend events.

Image and text by Michael Falco