Information about active Missouri Civil War reenactment groups and links to their websites and social media pages are presented below. Text and images are from the groups’ website or Facebook page, unless otherwise noted. If you have any information to share, or know of other groups, please contact us.
The MCWRA
(Missouri Civil War Reenactors’ Association)
The MCWRA was organized in 1981 by reenactors who saw the need to set up a structured organization in response to the growing number of reenactors portraying the history of our country from 1861-1865, and to better serve potential sponsors who host living history events.
Website: https://mcwra.org/
Facebook
Affiliated Groups
Federal:
Confederate:
- 3rd Missouri Infantry
- 5th Missouri Infantry
- 9th Battalion Missouri Sharpshooters
- Elliott’s Scouts – dismounted cavalry
- 10th MO Infantry/Artillery
- 8th Missouri Cavalry
- Missouri Brigade Medical Service
Turner Brigade
The Turner Brigade is a reenactor organization that portrays infantry, artillery, cavalry, and engineer units of Missouri Union volunteers and civilians of the Civil War period. We are a family-oriented group, with members from all around the St. Louis metropolitan area and beyond. Our group is affiliated with and active in the Missouri Civil War Reenactors Association, the regional reenactors’ group.
Website: Turner Brigade
Holmes Brigade
The Holmes Brigade is a non-profit organization dedicated to promote historical, educational and literary activities by its members; emphasis and encourage the study of persons and events about the American Civil War; and to create, sponsor and promote living history events.
The Holmes Brigade portrays a typical Western Federal Infantry unit, who were the backbone of the army. Unlike other reenacting units, it does not portray only an individual regiment or company. Its range is not limited to Civil War reenactments, its members portray pre-war and post-war time periods as well, both military and civilian. It prides itself on the ability to represent authentic and diverse living history impressions.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holmesbrigade
Website: http://www.holmesbrigade.freeservers.com/
Muddy River Battalion (a.k.a. Irish Brigade)
We are a Civil War reenactment organization & our reenactment battalion portrays a western theater Union Army Infantry Regiment, or at least a scaled-down version of that. Most often though, at events, we portray actual historical regiments to the best of our abilities, & so we try to research the original regiments that are being portrayed so we can be as close as possible in our impression.
Overall the U.S. Muddy River Battalion is an umbrella organization made up of various company level (Civil War Re-enactment) units in our region that are working together to gain a better experience & give a more accurate portrayal.
Muddy River Battallion (aka Irish Brigade)
8th Missouri Infantry
The 8th Missouri Infantry (US) Reenactors are based out of the St. Louis bi-state area (Missouri/Illinois). Members honor the original regiment by teaching and preserving American Civil War history.
Third Missouri Infantry
We are a Civil War reenacting unit based around Kansas City Missouri, portraying and teaching the history of the American Civil War through living it. The Third Missouri, originally known as Crowley’s Clay County Company, is the oldest Civil War re-enactment unit in Missouri.
Established in 1976, the Third Missouri is dedicated to the preservation of our American Civil War heritage by accurately portraying the Civil War soldier from Missouri during the war of northern aggression. We are Company I, 3rd Missouri Infantry, a family oriented non-profit organization.
Fifth Missouri Infantry
Bill and Sandra Wayne have been involved in Civil War reenacting since 1986, but their interest in the era goes back much further. Their home, formerly Cedarcroft Farm Bed & Breakfast, was built by Sandra’s great-grandfather, John A. Adams, shortly after his return from service with the 7th Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, a Union regiment.
Bill’s great-grandfather, William L. Truman, settled in Louisiana after the war; he served with Wade’s 1st Missouri Battery (CS) throughout the South. The farm’s parlor displays some of John Adams’ war mementos; Bill uses W.L. Truman’s war memoir to support first person impressions. Cedarcroft’s book collection contains many pre-war and early post-war volumes.
Website: http://www.5thmoinfantry.org/cw/index.html
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064581104269
The 9th Battalion Missouri Sharpshooters
9th Battalion Sharpshooters was organized during the winter of 1862-1863 with two companies, later increased to five. The men were recruited from Missouri units in the field. It was assigned to Parson’s and S.P. Burns’ Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, and fought in Arkansas and Louisiana… During the spring of 1865, it disbanded. Major Lebbeus A. Pindall was in command.– nps.gov
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064696901063
Elliott’s Scouts
A Reenactment unit based on Major Ben Elliott’s Scouts 9th Regiment Missouri Cavalry C.S.A. of the U.S. Civil War, and were also known as the 1st Missouri Cavalry Battalion or the 10th Missouri Cavalry Regiment.
Elliott’s Scouts was mustered in 1994 and consists of men, women and family members. The name is derived from the actual cavalry scout unit under the famous General Joseph Shelby who never surrendered. Our company accurately demonstrates Confederate and Union mounted and dismounted cavalry, Bushwhackers/guerillas, Missouri State Guard, and Missouri Enrolled Militia (Union). Our dismounted cavalry unit maneuvers and battles as skirmishers and flankers. Our mounted troopers ride in support of our dismounted troopers and as regular cavalry as needed. Unlike most reenactment units who portray a single impression, our unit is very versatile and are prepared for a variety of impressions. When the camps are open to the public, we will be in living history mode and conduct camp like soldiers in the field as they did at that time.
http://www.elliottsscouts.net/
10th Missouri Artillery/ Infantry Reenactors
The 10th Missouri Artillery Reenactors are a group of people with a keen interest in our nation’s history.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063524379852
8th Missouri Cavalry Civil War Reenactors
The 8th MO Cavalry is a horse cavalry unit portraying both Confederate and Federal troopers from the Civil War Era. Our group participates in Civil War reenactments, living history events, rides in the Midwest and in National events. Its riders have been seen in various movies and documentaries. The group is based out of Springfield, MO and has riders from both KS and MO. We ride to honor those serving and those who have served. Keeping history alive through reenactments and educational events is our primary goal. The 8th MO Cavalry is always looking for new members who want to be trained as horse soldiers to carry on the important historical legacy of those who have gone before us.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/570620863287256
Missouri Brigade Medical Services (MBMS)
We are a Civil War reenactment unit based in Central Missouri but have members from all over.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064824487485
24th Missouri Infantry
The 24th MO is a Federal campaigner unit with members from Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. Established in 2009, the 24th Missouri was selected as the regiment that we would portray. We selected this unit due to its involvement in many of the engagements throughout the Western Theater of the Civil War. The 24th participates in reenactments and living history events across the country. We also work closely with the National Park Service and State Parks in organizing presentations and educational programs at several Civil War battlefields. The 24th Missouri prides itself on maintaining strict authenticity standards, being well drilled, and having high quality impressions that accurately represent the common soldier of the Civil War’s Western Theater. Due to this commitment to authenticity and desire to “Do it right,” the 24th has become one of the premier campaigner units in the United States. It is the goal of each of our members to preserve American history, and honor our ancestors who fought to save the Union.
[Not affiliated with mcwra]
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