The Civil War may long be over, but for certain history buffs, it never ended.  The infamous battle between the North and the South continuously gets played out over and over each year throughout various states.  Florida is no exception to Civil War reenactments.  Men and women throughout the “Sunshine State” take the historical reenactments very seriously, many making them part of their lifestyles instead of just being a hobby.  Some reenactors spend hundreds, even thousands each year on Civil War attire, accessories, weapons and camping gear.  They learn just what it was like to live in the days when the Yankees and Confederates were at war.  Reenactors dedicate their time to learning how the soldiers and their families spoke, what they spoke about, and also study authentic Civil War recipes and music.  And each year these reenactors visit various sites, performing mock battles to entertain and educate the public.  Typically at each event site, crowds can witness the infamous battle scene and walk around the campsite, learning about how the soldiers lived back in the day.  Sometimes there will be handmade goods for sale, such as soaps and clothing.

I recently caught up with Brooksville resident Bill Penkava, a Civil War reenactor and historian.  “I started four or five years ago doing living histories of Florida pioneers of the 1840s-1890s at the annual Pioneer Days celebration at Ft. Cooper, and the Chinsegut Hill Manor House.  Then, two years ago, I started Civil War reenacting at the Brooksville Raid (one of the largest reenactments in Florida),” says Penkava.

Penkava states that he became interested in reenacting simply because he is a “history nut.”  For years he has been studying various historical events throughout time, as well as geneology.  In addition to Civil War reenacting, Penkava belongs to the Seminole Wars Historic Foundation, the Hernando Preservation Soceity, and the Friends of Chinsegut Hill.  As a reenactor, Penkava says he started in the infantry, and has participated as both a Confederate and Union soldier at various Tampa Bay historical events.  “We try to realistically portray life in the Civil War camps, and follow the military drill and formations of that time.  I am in a unit that represents an actual unit raised in Hernando County in July 1861, Company C, 3rd Florida.  I now act with another man as a Provost Marshall and perform military police duties in the authentic Civil War camp,” explains the reenactor.  Penkava further goes on to say that his Civil War group, Company C, 3rd Florida, was once known as the Hernando Wildcats.  In addition to the infantry and provost jobs, Penkava says there are women in his group who dress in period clothing, while others serve as the medical corp.  Other Civil War units provide artillery and cavalry.  Company C, 3rd Florida is hardly the only Civil War reenactment group in the state.  If you are looking to join a Confederacy unit, there are many choices such as the 3rd Battalion, 5th Florida, Company B, 2nd Florida Infantry, 2nd Florida Artillery, as well as a listing of others.  Union groups include the 4th Brigade District of Florida, 8th U.S. Colored Troops, and the USS Ottawa, just to name a few.

Penkava says he does about six “battles” a year, but also takes part in other local events such as the Brooksville Christmas parade, history demonstrations at the Heritage Museum and at Chinsegut Hill.  Penkava also mentions that in November he will be participating in the first annual Veteran’s Day celebration in Brooksville.  “There will be about 1,000 reenactors from the Seminole Wars through today’s conflicts that will participate.”  Penkava attends reenactments all throughout the Tampa Bay area, however, he claims that some members will go to events all over the state and even elsewhere in the country, like Gettysburg.  Penkava has done the Brooksville Raid and the Crystal River Raid twice each, and has also done several smaller local skirmishes such as the Pioneer Village in Dade City.  The reenactor says he will be doing the Parrish Train Raid this year as well.

So, why do people choose to reenact?  According to Penkava, reenacting is the accurate representation of the way soldiers lived and fought during the Civil War.  People do it now to honor the sacrifices of those who served, and they enjoy sharing the history they are preserving.  And if you choose to reenact and become a history preservationist, what qualifications must you possess in order to join a unit?  Penkava tells me that nothing more than interest in the history of the period is needed, plain and simple.  Historically influenced clothing, accessories and weapons aren’t required before joining, but borrowing from other members and purchasing new items are necessary once becoming involved.  Penkava says he owns a Confederate uniform along with several different hats, leather belts, brass buckles, shoes, ammo pouches, a bayonet, musket, revolver, canteen and more.

Having many accessories and gear is definitely important as a reenactor, however, it can also be a hardship.  Penkava feels that there are physical challenges of carrying around all the heavy and cumbersome Civil War gear, as well as having to wear the hot wool uniform in the Florida heat, along with uncomfortable period shoes.  I’m sure some of the female group members have similar complaints of their own, regarding their heavy dress fabric and awkward, large hoopskirts.  As a native Floridian, I have endured many sweltering, hot summers and I honestly don’t know what I would do without my cotton tank tops, loose fitting shorts and cloth flip-flops.

But despite the difficulties that come with reenacting, especially in a state such as Florida, the joys of belonging to a Civil War group are far greater.  Penkava says that being  able to help teach history to those who attend these events is the best part of being a reenactor.  Many people, especially the younger generation, do not know our nation’s rich history, including that of the Civil War.  These kinds of reenactments help us to learn and understand history unlike any book or classroom teacher can.

So, will the South rise again?  It just depends on the day; perhaps on Saturday, but most likely the Confederacy’s win will be short-lived.  For on Sunday, while munching on a bag of sweet and salty kettle corn, the Yanks fight back… at least until the next event.

For more information on how to become a reenactor in Florida, and to find out more about other Civil War units in the state, visit www.floridareenactorsonline.com.