Camp Scenes 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Chickamauga '99

The Wergeland Guards at Chickamauga '99 .
The Civil War reenactors who portrayed Company B.
Photo used with permission of Pete Flessas of The Stragglers.

The following photos were taken at a reenactment of the September 19-20, 1863, Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia -- the second bloodiest battle of the American Civil War. They were taken in the camp of the Army of the Pacific (AoP) reenacting group, which was designated as the Federal 1st Brigade. One battalion in the Brigade portrayed the 15th Wisconsin as its 'guiding impression' for the event and in the "Assault of Heg's Brigade." The reenactment was held on September 17-19, 1999, just a few miles from where the original fighting took place.

Below are 'behind the scenes' images of camp life at the reenactment; they are believed to look very similar to what the original Civil War soldiers saw in 1863. Many reenactors strive to experience 'moments in time' during which they feel they have been transported back to the Civil War period. These moments occur infrequently and unexpectedly. They are usually very brief, but very striking. And they are greatly prized and sought after. The presence of anything modern seems to make such moments impossible, so great efforts are made to recreate situations in which all seems to be as we think it would have been back then.

The images below give a small sense of such 'moments in time.' They are scenes the modern-dressed public (and even many 'authenticity-challenged' reenactors) rarely gets to see. Enjoy looking at them; we certainly enjoyed living them!

Preparing to issue ammunition to Co. B, 15th Wisconsin Sergeant Brown Syvertson portrayed by John Atkinson. Photo courtesy of John Atkinson, 33rd Wisconsin.

This image above shows something extremely rare: a reproduction of a wooden Federal Army ammunition crate filled with 1,000 rounds of .58 caliber rifle musket ammunition packed in 100 identical bundles. Each of these bundles contained 10 paper cartridges and 12 metal percussion caps, and had a St. Louis Arsenal stamp on top. Except for the fact that they were all blanks (they contained black powder explosive, but no bullets), these looked just like original Civil War rounds did. The box and the ammunition were handmade by The Stragglers, a small, Midwest-based group of reenactors. This was one of 5 similar boxes (5,000 rounds total) that they made, which was issued out to Co. B at the event. The creation of this ammunition involved a very considerable amount of work and dedication by those involved, all of whom volunteered their time.

The Federal 1st Brigade (AoP) Commissary Reproduced Civil War U.S. Army rations in period correct containers Photo courtesy of Scott C. Meeker, 33rd Wisconsin.

The image above shows something almost as rare: a functioning, period-correct commissary. The photo shows authentic reproductions of wooden crates and barrels containing properly packaged and labeled food of the type issued by the Federal Army at the time of the Battle of Chickamauga. This is the AoP commissary, which is known for its emphasis on authenticity. At the Chickamauga reenactment the AoP commissary staff issued rations once on Friday and once on Saturday to each company in the AoP Brigade, a total of over 400 reenactors. This commissary exists and functions through the very considerable efforts of a small, dedicated staff of AoP members, all of whom volunteer their time.

Preparing to issue rations on the company street. Company B of the 15th Wisconsin, 1st Brigade (AoP). Photo courtesy of John Atkinson, 33rd Wisconsin.

This image also shows something rarely seen: a company issue of period-correct rations. This is what the AoP commissary issued to feed the 30 reenactors portraying Co. B for 1 day. It consists of (front to rear): 9 cans of stewed tomatoes; 4 small cloth sacks of salt; 8 packages of candles; a dozen solid cones of brown sugar; a large pile of hard crackers (also known as 'hard tack'); 4 cloth bags of uncooked rice; 7 small cans of 'Essence of Coffee' (a paste made of dehydrated coffee); a dozen apples; a dozen onions; and several large chunks of salted beef. The rations are lying in the 'company street' on 2 gum blankets (heavy cloth with rubber on one side), which were used to carry them up from the AoP commissary. After this photo was taken the rations were carefully divided up by the Co. B Commissary Sergeant and issued to the individual reenactors under the watchful eyes of the Co. B Orderly Sergeant.

Preparing their evening meal on the company street. Company B of the 15th Wisconsin, 1st Brigade (AoP). Photo courtesy of Scott C. Meeker, 33rd Wisconsin.

This image shows the reenactors of Co. B preparing their evening meal over a small fire in the company street. By combining some of the beef, rice, onions, and tomatoes, several made a passable stew. Cooking was done by individuals or by small groups, each of which was known as a 'mess' (a self-explanatory term). Civil War soldiers became quite adept at making meals from whatever was issued, and/or whatever they were able to buy or 'forage' (i.e., steal).

Preparing to 'form up' on the company street. Companies B and E of the 15th Wisconsin, 1st Brigade (AoP). Photo courtesy of Scott C. Meeker, 33rd Wisconsin.

The image above shows the reenactors getting ready to form up in companies on the road. The command "First Call" has been given by the Orderly Sergeants, after which the soldiers have 5 minutes to get their uniforms and equipment (their 'traps') on and be ready to line up in the 'company street' in 2 ranks with their weapons when the order "Fall In" is given. While some are already standing in the road fully prepared, several others are hurrying to get ready. Soldiers who are late to formation can expect to be assigned extra duty. At Chickamauga '99 the company street was a rutted dirt road on a rocky, forested hillside. The 1st Brigade was camped along this road by battalion, with the individual companies sleeping in the woods.

No 'tenting tonight' at Chickamauga 1999. Campground of Co. B of the 15th Wisconsin, 1st Brigade (AoP). Photo courtesy of John Atkinson, 33rd Wisconsin.

The original soldiers of the 15th Wisconsin did not have tents with them at the time of the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863. After a day spent marching over the Tennessee and Georgia hills it was common for the soldiers to be ordered to camp beside whatever road the Army had halted on for the night. At the Chickamauga reenactment the AoP campsite was in the woods on either side of a dirt road, and the reenactors slept in them on the ground, without tents.

The image above was taken from the road and shows part of the Co. B campsite. About a dozen reenactors were camping in between the rocks and trees in the area shown. One reenactor is just barely visible lying on his back in the lower left corner of the photo. His musket is leaning up against a tree and his hat and coat are hung in a tree.

At the Chickamauga '99 reenactment the camp scenes were made possible by the combined efforts of: the event organizers, who chose such a great site for the camp; the AoP, which strove to create an authentic Civil War military camp experience; and the individual reenactors involved, who worked very hard to accurately recreate camp life on a personal level. Their combined efforts helped to create a very authentic campaign camp experience, one in which many 'moments in time' could and did occur.

Back to Chickamauga After Action Reports Page

Back to Chickamauga 1999 Page

Back to 15th Home Page

This page Copyright 1999 Scott Cantwell Meeker, Deep Vee Productions.
All Rights Reserved. Last updated November 26, 1999.