A Brief History Of Our Reenactment Unit
The 69th New York State Volunteers was accepted in to the American Civil War Society (ACWS) Ltd as a new unit in November 1995. Since that time the unit has been commanded by 1st Sgt Noel Cooney, Captain Nigel Morgan, Captain Darren Paul, and is currently led by 1st Sgt Claire Morris.
Our unit has always been family orientated, and members who joined as 3 and 4 year olds, are now fully fledged infantry men / women, standing shoulder to shoulder in the ranks.
Would you like a new hobby?
Re-enacting and participating in living history displays
with us could ignite your passion for a new hobby, something different, and out
of the ordinary. You don’t need any
previous experience.
Would you like to meet new friends?
Many of us have been re-enacting with the 69th New York
for many years, and we have made great lifelong friends along the way. This is an ideal opportunity to meet new
friends, and experience the camaraderie only this hobby can give you.
Are you interested in American Civil War & Irish
History?
Many of our members are amateur historians, and are
experts in the Irish Brigade in the American Civil War. If you have similar interests this hobby
could be for you.
The Infantryman
Men (and women who dress as men) on the field and
participating in military drills, as well as living history displays. As a military unit our main function is to
reenact as soldiers of the American Civil War, 1861-1865 portraying the role of
veteran soldiers of the 69th New York, 1st Regiment Irish Brigade, around mid-1863.
Equipment and uniform can be loaned to new members until
you can arrange your own kit.
Medical & Drum Corps
Some of our members also portray Surgeons, Medical Corps,
resulting in exciting first aid clearing station displays, as well as
informative talks on field surgery, and first aid of the time.
We also have members whom play instruments, and are in
the Society’s Drum Corps as drummer, on the bass and snare drums.
Civilians
During the civil war civilians marched with the army, and
interacted with the troops as they passed through towns and cities, and we are
no different.
Roles as cooks, seamstresses, washer women, reporters,
war artists, etc are actively encouraged.
Our unit has always been very family orientated, so
family groups with children are most welcome.
We have recently started a display about Women’s history in
the Civil War (notable women, women who became spies, women who joined the army
as soldiers, and women on the northern home front), the US Christian Commission,
and the US Sanitary Commission.