13thNC Co.B | About Us

On January 28th 1999, an obscure band of men gathered at the Robinson Volunteer Fire Department in Charlotte, NC for the purpose of planning a series of attacks across the United States.

No, these were not overseas terrorists, soldiers of fortune or members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. These radicals make up the 13th Regiment North Carolina, Civil War Reenacters.

Organized at Garysburg on May 27 1861, Company B joined the 3rd regiment NC Volunteers on November 14, 1861 and was renamed the 13th NC Troops. A part of the Living History Association of Mecklenburg, the reenacters of the 13th NC, take their hobby very seriously. From the Confederate Grey Kepi (caps), to the linen suspenders and richmond Muskets, every article of clothing, blankets and eating utensils are made to be an exact replica of that which was used during the Civil War.

Most events are staged from Fridays through Sundays and in most cases, on the actual field where the original battles were fought. During this weekend, each reenacter is completely absorbed in 18th century life. meals are prepared over an open fire the same way they were in 1862, and each night is spent covered in a wool blanket in an A-frame tent.

There are over twenty-five suppliers or Sutlers, to choose from to obtain the needed items. After the first year, the only costs are annual dues of approximately $30 for he entire family, and registration for each of the ten yearly events which averages around $5 - $10 per event. Transportation is shared by the close knit members of the unit and meals are usually provided at the major events. The Living History Association of Mecklenburg, Inc., also produces a monthly newsletter, The Ranaleburg Rifleman, which is the official publication of he 13th North Carolina, Company B and the 136th NY reenacters.

The purpose of Civil War Reenacting is in educating people of the life and times of a Civil War soldier through presentations, living history, and battlefield reenactments. Accurate reproductions of equipment and uniforms are used to inform and enlighten North Carolinians of their ancestors. For more information on scheduling a school presentation or to learn more about becoming a reenacter, contact Unit Commander Geary Shafer at 704-321-1243 or by email at 13thnc@13thnc.com.