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Thank you for your Interest in the 39th North Carolina. We are a War Between The States reeanctment unit (we are also the 1st Maryland Infantry, Southern Campaign (see below)). It is a pleasure to hear from somone interested in reenacting. We hope you will join us to help perserve our rich American Heritage. This web site has been prepared for potiental members and other interested people. Most of your questions will be answered by thge information contained here on our website. However, feel free to contact any of the people listed in our Recruitment section, with any other questions. We look forward to you soon taking the field with us.
The 39th North Carolina is part of a non-profit, educational, historical organization dedicated to preserving and honoring the memory of the soldiers of the War Between The States era. (It is the War Between The States half of the group. The other half is the 1st Maryland Infantry, Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War era. To see specific information about that part of the group click here). Our goal is to portray the 39th North Carolina Confederate soldier as accurately as possible, through battle reeanctments, living history programs, parades, local festivals, school lectures and memorial services. Many of our rules/regulations may seem petty and insignificant but since our goal is to be as accuately as possible, we have to be that way. The more authentic we are, the better we can increase the public's awareness and understanding as to how and why they fought. To do any less would be doing our ancestors and ourselves a disservice.
This unit, organized in March 1997, was started because there was a considerable interest and a need for a good, local, family oriented, politic-free regiment that stresses quality events over quantity. There are one War Between The States headquartered in Western NC, all others being primarly Piedmont or Eastern units. Spouses and children are welcome to take part in all our events and encouraged to become voting members if they wish. Leave your politics at home (enough said). We plan to attend several good reenactments per year and have day trips to battlefeilds, musems, historic events and unit get-togethers make up the rest of our schedule. The bottom like is to make reenacting fun and not a chore.
While the 39th is open to anyone meeting the membership requirements (listed below), our recruiting will be concentrated in Western NC. Most current members are veteran reenactors bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience. Several members We have one member who has ancestors that fought in the 39th North Carolina but this is not a requirement for membership. This is another reason why we decided to reactivate the 39th NC.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
There are two types of membership: Regular (voting) and Associate (non voting). Regular members must: (1) Pay dues; (2) be at least 16 years old; (3) cannot be members of any other Revolutionary war reenactment unit; (4) female members can only do a female impression and (5) serve as probationary members for 9 months, durign which they must attend at least 3 unit events and be interviews by two council members. Associate members (persons desiring to keep in touch with and support the 39th NC must: (1) Pay associate dues; (2) be at least 16 years old and (3) those under 16 must have a parent/gaurdian's written permission and fully realize they are NON PARTICIPATING MEMBERS. All members (both regular and associate) must: (1) NOT NOW or EVER have been a member of aa radical extremist group. This being definedby us, but not limited to, any group that advocates or epouses: the overthrow of the US Goverment, the obstruction of Civil Rights, Racial Superiority, White Power, or Ku Klux Clan and (2) have membership applications approved by a majority vote of the council members.
Original Unit History
The original 39th North Carolina was organized as a battalion on 10 December 1861 at Camp Hill, outside of asheville an as a regiment on 19 May 1862 at Clinton, Tennessee. Composed of men from the following counties: Buncome, Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson and Macon; it was one of the few North Carolina regiments made up entierly of Western North Carolina men. Spending the entire war in the Western theatre, servign at various times in Tennesee, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. The 39th first was part of the Army of Kentucky and later the Army of Tennessee, it took part in most of the battles in the Western theatre including the following major battles: Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Resaca, New Hope Church, Peachtree Creek, Ezra Church, Altoona, Franklin, and Nashville, Part of North Carolina's famous Rebels boast from the War Between The States 'Farthest at Gettysburg and CHICKAMAUGA', refers to the 39th's advance against Union forces at Chickamauga, where it aptured 10 enemy cannon. After the Battle of Nashville, most of the remaining 39th was captured at Spanish Fort in Mobile, Alabama
ANSWERS TO A FEW FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT REENACTING WHY REENACT? WHAT ABOUT YOUR
UNIFORMS/EQUIPMENT? AND WHERE TO GET THEM? HOW MUCH WILL ALL THIS COST? WHAT OTHER EXPENSES ARE THERE? CAN ANY EXPENSES BE DEDUCTED FROM
MY INCOME TAX? WHAT TYPE OF ACTIVITIES DOES TTHE
UNIT PARTIPATE IN? HOW MANY EVENTS OR MEETINGS MUST I
ATTEND TO BE A MEMBER? WHERE DO YOU GO TO REENACT
BATTLES? WHY DO YOU PORTRAY THE 39TH NORTH CAROLINA? WHAT AREAS ARE YOUR MEMBERS FROM? WHAT MUST I DO TO JOIN? WHAT IF I HAVE SOME MORE QUESTIONS? PoC for Henderson & surrounding areas
Because you are obviously interested in history and what better way to learn about our
history, than to particpate rather than just read about it. You can go to historical sites
and see them from a different perspective. We are sometimes allowed to do things at
historic battlefields that tourists never have the opportunity to do--like camping on the
actual battlefield or staying in the barracks of some old fort. Besides, it's alot of fun.
14 items will get you started in the 39th North Carolina uniform guide). If your coming from
another unit most of your uniform/equipment will probably be correct for the 1st Maryland.
We do not require anyone to replace items unless they are totally incorrect for the 1st Maryland. You can buy these items or patterns from reenactors called Sutlers who recreate the merchants that
followed the armies and sold to the soldiers. Usually a good source of general knowledge,
sutlers sell at reenactments and by mail order and some do it via the Internet.
Uniform items will cost about the same as modern clothes. The cost of for your
uniform/equipment will run about $500. If you know of someone who can sew, it is possible
to get outfitted much cheeeper. The musket will be your most expensive purchase, running
from $375 to $450. It is possible to find muskets at local gun shows at more resonable
prices, sometimes. The total cost for everything is between $875 to $950. Since, most of
us do not have an unlimited supply of cash, new members have one year to acquire thier
basic uniform and equipment (exlusive of musket & bayonett). When you have the basics
the cost is very reasonable, sicne we sleep in tents and cook our own food. It is alot
like golf. Once you have the golf clubs, the cost is quite reasonable.
Membership dues are $15, due September 1st. After this date dues are prorated. This payes
for unit equipment (items that all members can use). Registration fees can run from zero
to $10, depending on the event.
Not at the present time. Our first priority is to become a non-profit corporation. When
chartered as such, most of yoru expense will be tax deductable.
Our main empasis is battle reenactment. However, we will also participate in living
history programs, parades, local festivals, memorial services, school lectures and trips
to battlefeilds, museums and historic events.
There is no minimum particpation requirement. However, most intrustion on drill, use of
the musket, helpful hints, unit buisness, etc. will be given at events and meetings. So
you should attend some, just to learn the basics.
Reenactments are held just about every weekend. Our schedule is planned with travel time
in mind There are quite a few good events are withina reasonable driving distance
from us including: Resca, GA; Flat Rock, NC; Charleston & Lexington, SC; Mosheim, TENN. However, for an important
event or one that holds sigficance tot he 1st Maryland, we may plan one event per year
that is farthest away.
Because the 39th was a local regiment, made up entirely of men from Western North Carolina and was tyical of the many Confederate units from North Carolina during the War Between The States.
We have members from Buncome, Graham, Henderson & Macon counties.
Read the information on this website, but do not make a hasty decision. It will requiure to make an intial Monetary outlay of some expense. Think it over. If you decide to join, print and fill out the application & medical form and send it with your check (payable to: Ron Norman/39th North Carolina) to: Ron Norman (CO) (see below).
Feel free to contact any of the PoCs (Point of Contact) below
Pvt. Billy Modlin
1429 Ridgecrest Drive
Hendersonville, NC 28792
Ph: 828-697-2503
PoC for General Info, Etc
Capt. Ron Norman [Cmdg. Officer}
135 Waddel Drive
Hendersonvile, NC 28792
Ph: 828-692-8918
Email: rfnorman@brinet.com
UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
The 39th North Carolina realizes most people do not have an unlimited supply of money and will need to purchase the required uniforms/equipment. (exclusive of the musket, bayonet, scabbard and bayonet frog). See acquisition schedule, it should take 1 1/2 years to get everything together REMEMBER that all uniform parts, equipment and accouterments must be approved by the unit.
The basic 39th North Carolina uniform/equipment consists of the following items: kepi or slouch hat, sack coat or shell jacket, shirt, pants, shoes, socks, suspenders, belt and buckle, cartridge & cap box, musket & bayonet, mess gear, haversack and canteen
UNIFORM AND EQUIMENT ACQUISITION SCHEDULE
The following 18 month acquisition schedule is designed to ease the financial strain for the purchase of the required unifoms and equipment. This schedule begins on the date of your applaication to the 39th North Carolina. The articles are subject to change without notice as this unit has no control over the policies of our suppliers. The cost are approximate figures, Any questions or contemplated substitutions of items specified below should be clreaed theough the Commanding Officer or the Founding Members Council
1st 6 month Period:
1. Slouch hat, forage cap or kepi .......$ 30.00
2. NC Issue sack coat or shell jacket.......$ 85.00
3. Infantry trousers .......$ 65.00
4. Period shirt .......$ 30.00
5. Socks .......$ 8.00
6. Canteen .......$ 40.00
7. Suspenders .......$ 10.00
** 1st period subtotal .......$268.00
8. Period eyeglasses (if needed) .......$ 75.00
** 1st period subtotal (with glasses).......$343.00
2nd 6 month Period:
1. Period belt and buckle .......$ 20.00
2. Cartridge box and strap .......$ 60.00
3. Cap box .......$ 20.00
4. Haversack .......$ 25.00
5. Mess gear .......$ 20.00
6. Brogans/shoes .......$ 80.00
7. Hardees Infantry Tactics .......$ 7.00
7. Wedge tent 6' x 6' x 6' .......$110.00
** 2nd period subtotal .......$342.00
3rd 6 month Period:
1. Musket .......$420.00
2. Bayonet & scabbard .......$ 55.00
3. Bayonet baldric .......$25.00
** 3rd period subtotal .......$500.00
*** Total expense .......$1,110.00
**** Total expense (with glasses) .......$1.185.00
It should be stressed that you DO NOT have to do 1st Maryland AND 39th North Carolina to be a member of the group. Some members do 39th North Carolina (War Between The States), some do 1st Maryland (Revolutionary War) and some both. It's entirely up to you.