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The 10th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Companies A-L, Inc

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 10th Virginia, and who constitutes the membership?

Who were the original men of the 10th VA?

Who are we?

Why are we re-enactors?

How do I join the 10th Virginia?

Why should I join the 10th Virginia instead of another organization?

What types of activities is the 10th Virginia involved with?

If I join the 10th Virginia, how involved in its programs must I become?

How much does it cost?

How much time does it require?

What are the age requirements?

What if I join and then decide not to continue?

Do you receive any funding from government agencies or other groups?

How realistic is the unit?




Q. What is the Tenth Virginia, and who constitutes the membership?

A. The Tenth is an educational historical organization, incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit group. Our purpose is to educate the public about the history of the original unit and the Shenandoah Valley.

Our members are individuals who are interested in the War Between the States and the role played by the men of Rockingham, Shenandoah, Page, and Madison counties in that history. Some of us had ancestors who fought in the original unit. We come from different professions and families, much like our historic counterparts. We share a common desire to learn what cannot be learned from reading a book: what the common foot soldier in the Southern army endured on a daily basis. We also desire to educate the public about this most pivotal time in our Nation�s history.

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Q. Who were the original men of the 10th Virginia?

A. The Tenth Virginia was made up of companies mustered from Rockingham, Shenandoah, Page, and Madison counties. Throughout the War some 1,350 men served in the 10th. Most of these men were farmers from the Shenandoah Valley, the "Breadbasket of the Confederacy," although laborers, carpenters, merchants, doctors, clerks, tinners and printers also served, as well as three men who listed their profession as 'gentleman'. These men served from the first to the last: Manassas Junction to Appomattox. Of the once strong, proud regiment, there were some 45 men present with only 11 of them armed and in the ranks at the surrender.

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Q. Who are we?

A. We are volunteers who have an intense interest in the War Between the States; some of us had ancestors who fought in the original 10th. We come from different professions and families - much as our historic counterparts did. We share a common desire to learn what cannot be learned from reading a book: what the common soldier in the Southern army endured on a daily basis. Reading alone will not let you taste salt pork, or smell and taste gun powder.

The desire to live as ordinary foot soldiers did has brought us together. Join us if you believe you have the time and interest to learn for yourself.

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Q. Why are we re-enactors?

A. Most of us feel we have an obligation to interpret this important event in Virginia history. We feel there's much more to the struggle than today's educational system tells today's students.

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Q. How do I join the 10th Virginia?

A. The first step is to contact Lieutenant Jeremy Hilliard either by email, surface mail, or phone. This information is on the Contacts page. You should also look over the Application (in the menu on the left).

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Q. Why should I join the 10th Virginia instead of another organization?

A. There are many units in existence, a number of them in the Shenandoah Valley. However, we are the most correct in interpreting the time period. We pride ourselves on our authenticity. We wear clothing made of historically accurate material and made using historically correct patterns. We use the same gear and accoutrements, sleep on the ground in the same manner as the original soldiers, and eat the same rations they would have eaten.

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Q. What types of activities is the 10th Virginia involved with?

A. We participate in living history programs at demonstrations, reenactments, camp displays and community festivals; educational programs for schools, historical organizations, and other interested parties; and appropriate ceremonies, especially memorial services. We support and actively assist in the preservation of local, state, and national historical sites involved during the War Between the States. We also provide direct support to historical organizations, including the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society, the Elkton Historical Society, the Page County Heritage Association Inc., the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the National Park Service. One of our recent successful projects was our partnership with the Civil War Preservation Trust at the McDowell battlefield property, which preserved the battlefield for generations to come.

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Q. If I join the 10th Virginia, how involved in its programs must I become?

A. That�s up to you. Obviously, we would like for you to become involved in as many activities as possible. Most of our members participate as actively as they can, because of their personal interests. However, we appreciate the restrictions on busy schedules, so we let you control the level of your involvement. We ask you to attend one event, or program, every two months.

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Q. How much does it cost?

A. Annual membership dues for the Tenth are $15; associate membership dues are $7.50. Currently liability insurance, to which you must contribute if you want to participate as a soldier, costs $15 per year, and covers you at every event.

Event registration fees vary, but usually run between $5-$15 per event, events being battle reenactments and some living histories. At those events, rations cost around $3-$5. For most living histories, parades, and demonstrations, however, there are no fees.

To become an authentic Civil War-era soldier, the cost can be considerable, but can also be borne over time. The musket alone will cost $500 or more. Uniform costs depend on whether you can sew or must buy your uniform ready-made, and whether you want to purchase uniform and gear second-hand, if it becomes available. You should plan on at least $250 for your uniform (self-sewn or second-hand), although, obviously, the cost can go higher. Check the Uniform Requirements page to see the kinds of uniforms and gear we use. Often, current members will loan some clothing and gear to new recruits until they are able to get their own. You will have a year after joining to get your own impression together.

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Q. How much time does it require?

A. You are asked to attend one event every two months, when we have events scheduled. Winter events are scarce; the summer schedule is crowded.

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Q. What are the age requirements?

A. Most events require you be at least 16 years old to carry a musket. However, our unit requirement minimum age is younger, if the recruit will be a musician or message-runner. If you want to participate in a battle reenactment, however, and are younger than 16, whether you can join the field depends on permission from the commanding officer and requires that you be an observer, usually attached to a surgeon. You cannot carry a musket in the field until you are at least 16, and then only with your parents' or guardian's permission.

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Q. What if I join and then decide not to continue?

A. You have one year after joining to purchase all of your gear. Present members have some extra items that they may be willing to loan you. You can resell your gear if you stop participating.

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Q. Do you receive any funding from government agencies or other groups?

A. NO!! Our unit is made up of volunteers who spend their own money. We are completely self-supporting.

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Q. How realistic is the unit?

A. We pride ourselves on our authenticity. We wear clothing made of the historically-correct material and made according to the historically-accurate patterns. We are a campaigning unit, like the original 10th. We sleep on the ground the way they did, without tents, and eat the same rations the original soldiers would have been issued. At all times, we strive to present the public with an historically accurate impression of the Civil War-era soldier while at the same time we experience for ourselves the conditions they would have endured.

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a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational historical corporation


Copyright 2000-2003, 10th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Companies A - L, Inc.