I started reenacting at the 125th First Manassas. The battle of the wilderness was one of my favorite events. The best part of those fights was the non-stop rattle of musketry. Lots of good memories with some of the best friends a man could have. Still fighting 37 years later. Jim Dog, 12th Ga
This was my first battle in my first major event as a member of the 8th Ohio. I went down with the heat half way through but recovered thanks to some ice, water, and a restorative dunking in a horse trough at the hands of the Rebs. Watching again, I am struck by the numbers, the intensity of the fighting, and the scary safety violations on both sides. The Spotsylvania fight (another video in the series) was even more spectacular. Great to see these revived after Jack Foley (who was an officer in the 8th) sold the rights a few years back.
Being in the woods for this reenactment was disorienting, such heat and stagnant air and humidity and smoke. The massive scale of this event hasn't been done since and probably never will be, it was an amazing experience. I was present for the Lee to the rear scene. The 125th was a great series! Great to see this video, my VHS tape is no longer viewable.
My great-great grandfather was wounded on the first day of the May 1864 Battle of the Wilderness - and he was taken about 115 miles to Lynchburg where he suffered a month in Burton’s Factory Hospital (a converted, former-tobacco warehouse) and then died from his wounds. He's buried in the Confederate section of the Old City Cemetery of Lynchburg. I've been to his grave several times (I'm "only" in my 60s). One thing I've always wondered about whether he was transported to Lynchburg by wagon or train - I don't know if the Confederates still controlled the rails back to Lynchburg. My GG GF was a farmer and succumbed to his wounds at 41 years old. He'd served in the 46 NC Infantry, Company I. If he'd not fathered my great grandfather before dying, I'd not be typing this! It's still terribly sad to think about. Amazingly, I have a photo of him and his wife.
Thank you so much for the story, I live in Lynchburg and serving as a member of the 11th Virginia Infantry, Company G, Lynchburg Home Guard reenactment unit and have done many ceremonies at the Old City Cemetery in the past. Would love to place flowers at your ancestors grave site next time we have a ceremony!
I was at the 135th Wilderness reenactment. Went into the woods with the entire Longstreet's Corp organization. A few minutes later it was just the company I belonged to, suddenly facing a line of Yankees.
Awesome video! Does anyone know the name of the tune they use in this video (as well as the 125th Battle of Bentonville video). It is in the beginning following the period photos and you hear it again at about the 17:00 mark....
I had an ancestor named Mark Wilcox who was a captain in the 49th Georgia Infantry Regiment who lost a leg at the Battle of the Wilderness and as a result died from amputation
@marknewton6984 Thank you sir I believe it's time that those who had ancestors that fought in the war on both sides came together in order to stop Political Correctness
My Great-Grandfather's cousins and brothers-inlaws went to Virginia,were in Hood's Brigade,4th Regiment,Co.K. They scrapped from Eltham's Landing to Appomattox. My fourth cousin John David Rounsavall was wounded twice @Gaines Mill in the Seven Days,after Lee took command. He survived, and left this earth in 1895,minus his left forearm. DEO VINDICE
Well, Gentlemen, I mean I was satisfied to see a General that finally doesn't retreat like the last ones. He fights, and I'm satisfied to see a fighting man. Fight and the war might end sooner.
Is it possible to add the sound of Minie balls whizzing by and hitting trees? Has anyone made an audio of these sounds? Great re-enactment footage! Could it be made more realistic by adding the screaming of the wounded and the shouting and cursing of the soldiers? My great grandfather fought at The Wilderness and Spotsylvania with the 8th Louisiana and was finally wounded and captured at Monocacy.
Foley enhanced the sound of cannon and musket fire since it didn't sound as imposing on the raw recordings. The zipping of minie balls was used in Glory and other Hollywood productions that had the budget for such things.
Ramrods were forbidden due to safety issues. An accidentally fired ramrod was a deadly missile. Unlike the staged scenes in other Civil War videos where ramrods appear, these were actual reenactments with those safety rules in place.
I miss ths big civil war reenactments without farbs messing up with their usual crap like bagpipes women Reenactors can just can't have Cannons Just Randomly line up dam it they are group in Batteries of same type stupid camp follower It's not accurate women or wives in the middle of a campaign. Can we be Can we Accurate for once
I started reenacting at the 125th First Manassas. The battle of the wilderness was one of my favorite events. The best part of those fights was the non-stop rattle of musketry. Lots of good memories with some of the best friends a man could have. Still fighting 37 years later. Jim Dog, 12th Ga
A powerful documentary. You hardly ever see anything like this. They don't make it like this anymore. I love it.
Lest we forget!
Grant the Butcher. Lee won with less.
This needs to be archived for all time.
This was my first battle in my first major event as a member of the 8th Ohio. I went down with the heat half way through but recovered thanks to some ice, water, and a restorative dunking in a horse trough at the hands of the Rebs. Watching again, I am struck by the numbers, the intensity of the fighting, and the scary safety violations on both sides. The Spotsylvania fight (another video in the series) was even more spectacular. Great to see these revived after Jack Foley (who was an officer in the 8th) sold the rights a few years back.
Being in the woods for this reenactment was disorienting, such heat and stagnant air and humidity and smoke. The massive scale of this event hasn't been done since and probably never will be, it was an amazing experience.
I was present for the Lee to the rear scene. The 125th was a great series!
Great to see this video, my VHS tape is no longer viewable.
I live right next to that field of lee to the rear. I wish I could see another reenactment there. Lived here since I was a kid.
I fondly recall watching these videos back in the eArly 90s during the re-enacting off season. Thanks for posting this blast from the past.
Awesome Content! Never forget their sacrifice, on both sides... Please keep on making these great documentary's! ; )
Brave men on both sides!
Thank you for posting! I grew up watching these videos on VHS.
My great-great grandfather was wounded on the first day of the May 1864 Battle of the Wilderness - and he was taken about 115 miles to Lynchburg where he suffered a month in Burton’s Factory Hospital (a converted, former-tobacco warehouse) and then died from his wounds. He's buried in the Confederate section of the Old City Cemetery of Lynchburg. I've been to his grave several times (I'm "only" in my 60s). One thing I've always wondered about whether he was transported to Lynchburg by wagon or train - I don't know if the Confederates still controlled the rails back to Lynchburg. My GG GF was a farmer and succumbed to his wounds at 41 years old. He'd served in the 46 NC Infantry, Company I. If he'd not fathered my great grandfather before dying, I'd not be typing this! It's still terribly sad to think about. Amazingly, I have a photo of him and his wife.
Salute from Alabama
Thank you so much for the story, I live in Lynchburg and serving as a member of the 11th Virginia Infantry, Company G, Lynchburg Home Guard reenactment unit and have done many ceremonies at the Old City Cemetery in the past. Would love to place flowers at your ancestors grave site next time we have a ceremony!
I love re enactments. In the U.K. we’ve got the sealed knot that do English civil war.
I was at the 135th Wilderness reenactment.
Went into the woods with the entire Longstreet's Corp organization.
A few minutes later it was just the company I belonged to, suddenly facing a line of Yankees.
My grandfather fought in this battle and then at chancellorsville
I got this on dvd when I was 9
4:37 The Ken Burns documentary said "He would always cut into a stick of wood making nothing."
ken burns, radical commie....
@@marclayne9261 what
I used to have these on vhs. I re-enacted from 1987-2012
02-2010
I participated with the 64th New York. I was 26 years old......
Greetings from Germany
Now on for the next battle in spotsylvania
Been there. Brave men on both sides.
This war was sad but the soliders were fighting for the country and risking their lives in the army.
William Washington Duff & Thomas Jefferson Duff, died, at this battle.....1864.....CSA Forever!!!! my direct ancestors....
Awesome video! Does anyone know the name of the tune they use in this video (as well as the 125th Battle of Bentonville video). It is in the beginning following the period photos and you hear it again at about the 17:00 mark....
I had an ancestor named Mark Wilcox who was a captain in the 49th Georgia Infantry Regiment who lost a leg at the Battle of the Wilderness and as a result died from amputation
Brave guy!
@@marknewton6984 Thank you sir
As someone who fought on both sides, I admire your Johnny Reb!
@marknewton6984 Thank you sir I believe it's time that those who had ancestors that fought in the war on both sides came together in order to stop Political Correctness
My Great-Grandfather's cousins and brothers-inlaws went to Virginia,were in Hood's Brigade,4th Regiment,Co.K.
They scrapped from Eltham's Landing to Appomattox.
My fourth cousin John David Rounsavall was wounded twice @Gaines Mill in the Seven Days,after Lee took command. He survived, and left this earth in 1895,minus his left forearm.
DEO VINDICE
Cary West I’m related to Hood
My great great grandfather was a captain in the confederacy. Captain Henry Roberts of the 24th Mississippi Infantry Company A (Gaines Warriors).
Think bodies are still found in this area...2021.
Great video.
Texans always move them
“The Texans are always ready” General R.E. Lee
I was satisfied that day.
Well, Gentlemen, I mean I was satisfied to see a General that finally doesn't retreat like the last ones. He fights, and I'm satisfied to see a fighting man. Fight and the war might end sooner.
Out numbered out gunned no food and they fought
You fought all the way, Johnny Reb!
deo Vendice!!!
Is it possible to add the sound of Minie balls whizzing by and hitting trees? Has anyone made an audio of these sounds? Great re-enactment footage! Could it be made more realistic by adding the screaming of the wounded and the shouting and cursing of the soldiers?
My great grandfather fought at The Wilderness and Spotsylvania with the 8th Louisiana and was finally wounded and captured at Monocacy.
Foley enhanced the sound of cannon and musket fire since it didn't sound as imposing on the raw recordings. The zipping of minie balls was used in Glory and other Hollywood productions that had the budget for such things.
Irish brother against Irish brother.
amazing...didn't see a ram-rod used once, in all that shooting.
it was way more chaotic, than imagination provides.
Ramrods were forbidden due to safety issues. An accidentally fired ramrod was a deadly missile. Unlike the staged scenes in other Civil War videos where ramrods appear, these were actual reenactments with those safety rules in place.
The CSA felt only half the force of the USA
sometimes it sounded like they had 2 soundtracks playing together at the same time...
I always wonder what a couple of wireless would have achieved in those days. And also what if the confederacy had won....
Those blue bellies.
I miss ths big civil war reenactments without farbs messing up with their usual crap like bagpipes women Reenactors can just can't have Cannons Just Randomly line up dam it they are group in Batteries of same type
stupid camp follower It's not accurate women or wives in the middle of a campaign. Can we be Can we Accurate for once
Glory to the Confederacy