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| How many members belong to the MIB? |
| The Brigade currently numbers about 40 Soldiers from 4 different states. This puts our average event turnout right around 16 to 18 Rifles. The MIB is more of a regional unit as opposed to a local unit which may get together for non-event meetings. |
| Who may join? |
| Membership is open to any serious minded person who honestly wants to join, and whom is willing to put forth the effort and subscribe to the customs and principles of the Missouri Irish Brigade. Boys must be 16 to carry a rifle (May serve as a musician if they can play the bugle, fife, or drum and can keep up with the men). Women are generally not allowed to serve as soldiers, unless they can build a believable impression and actually pass for a soldier. Women may portray civillians of the time. |
| Do you have to be Irish to Join? |
| NO! It is perfectly acceptable to belong to an Irish Regiment and not be an Irishman. "Americans" as well as immigrants born in lands other then Ireland joined Irish units for a variety of reasons. While many things can be said about such impressions, one would not find a blatantly anti-irish bigot within the ranks of an Irish Regiment. Yelling, "Fall in, you bloody micks!" in an Irish unit would be a very good way to quickly make a lot of enemies. If you portray or are, a non Irish person, then tolerance for foreign born Celts and Catholics would be an essential part of your public personality. |
| Where do members come from? |
| The majority of MIB's live in Missouri, but the states of Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa are well represented. For more on this subject, please visit our "MIB Region" page. There is a nice map and more information about our realist unit area. |
| How much dose it cost? |
| Dues vary according to the typr of membership one holds, and how many combatants and civillians reside in a single household. But on average, due's are $10 per year and includes issue's of the "An Bealac" Newsletter. Dues money funds the newsletter and pays for special items to improve our living history presentations, hardtack, equipment for the mess, etc. Paid membersship also demonstrates a commitment on the individuals part that they fully intend to support the unit and are proud loyal members. Assoc. Membership is $8, but dose not include voting or Veteran status or other privledges. |
| Do the Men of the Brigade portray an actual unit? |
| YES!!! We portray the only known Irish Brigade to have served in the Western and Trans-Mississippi Theaters. Although, the actual name, "Missouri Irish Brigade" was more of a nickname, then any type of actual military designation. Please visit the 7th Missouri and 30th Missouri's historical sketches, to learn about our historical counterparts. |
| How is the Brigade organized? |
| The majority of the Brigades business is conducted through the "An Bealac" Newsletter and at occasional event meetings when called for. An election is held annually to elect Officers and N.C.O.'s for the year. The "Veterans" elect positions that are determined that are needed according to our units average strength. This usually turns out to be for the ranks of Captain, 1st Lieutenant, 1st Sergeant, a Sergeant and 2 Corporals. The men elected are expected to assume the authentic responsibility's of there ranks throughout a Re-enactment weekend. In this way, the Brigade functions smoothly and everyone knows what is expected of him to provide the best possible experiance for the entire group. |
| How "Hard Core" is the attitude of the MIB towards Authenticity? |
| The first thing you have to understand about Civil War Reenacting is that due to a recent movement with-in the hobby, units are traditionaly classified as either "Progressive" or "Mainstream". A lot can be said about both classifications and in fact the debate between the two has raged for many years. The MIB, although probally closer to a "Mainstream" type unit, dosent view it that way. We respect both forms of the hobby, and believe that both provide a valuable contrubution to reenacting as a whole. In our opinion, the only debate should not be of "whose form of Reenacting is more authentic or more correct", but should actually be that of "How do we find the right balance between the two"? We view ourselves as a unit that somehow falls in between Progressive and Mainstream Reenacting. Some call us a Progressive Mainstream unit. The MIB's approach to the hobby of Reenacting attempts to balance service to the public with providing a 1st Class "Living History" experiance for its members. Every Reenactment or Encampment weekend is structured to provide time for "Living like it was", for interacting with the public, and enjoying the fellowship of other Civil War enthusist. MIB Members are exspected to look authentic and to strive to act in an authentic manner whenever possible - especially before the public. The emphasis is on "doing it right" when it counts and reserving times when the public is not present for other forms of enjoying our hobby. The Brigade attempts to function as an authentic Civil War Military unit from Reveille until dark. But except for times when we draw Guard Mount, the evenings are generally free for relazation and refighting old battles around the campfire. |
| Do I have to acquire all the neccisary equip. before participating? |
| NO! Since it can easily cost over $1,000 to acquire the basic uniform, weapons, and equipment for an Infantry Private's impression. Many Brigade members, and to an extent the unit itself, have extra items to loan to new recruits. If a person thinks they are interested in Re-enacting, it is a good idea to attend at least one event with borrowed gear to be sure that they enjoy the hobby enough to make the required financial commitment. Once someone decides to join, the Brigade will normally work with recruits and loan gear out for a year or so as long as a bonna fide effort is demonstrated that the new recruit is outfitting themselves. Contact the Brigade if you would like to borrow some gear and give the hobby a try. |