Who is Company K (recreated)? Company K is a unique and progressive organization of experienced Civil War living historians and re-enactors. Like many similar organizations, we are a "not for profit" corporation. Also, like other similar organizations, we attend battle reenactments and living history programs throughout New England and the Eastern United States. Like some Civil War Reenacting groups, we are dedicated to the highest levels of safety and the authentic exhibition and portrayal of the drill techniques and battlefield tactics that were employed during the American Civil War. Beyond that, the comparison between Company K and other Civil War Reenacting groups starts to break down.   Click here to see our members

Company K sets its own innovative and challenging standards for Civil War living history portrayal. Extraordinary times and events are ultimately defined in the study of the lives of ordinary people. Our philosophy recognizes the Civil War soldier first as a person – an ordinary person in an extraordinary time. A person whose ordinary life and loves, hopes and realities, values and aspirations are all the more fascinating and deserving of honor because of, rather than in spite of, their ordinary qualities. Every soldier came into his military experience as an individual with his own culture, experiences, prejudices, knowledge, training and education - all of which must have, of necessity, shaped his military service. In order to portray a Civil War soldier, we must first know him as a person. Company K has adopted a mission statement that further describes our philosophy and goals. The effect of these ideals is to create an organization that respectfully portrays, and thereby honors, the social, cultural and military history of the members of the original Company K, 28th MVI.

How does the Company K philosophy translate on to the field?

Company K has adopted a "scenario driven" style of Civil War reenacting. That is, we adapt and conform our impression to the overall historical scenario that is portrayed at each event. Therefore, Company K will be prepared to do both "base camp" portrayals and "campaign camp" portrayals. When the event is a "generic" battle scenario, Company K will designate its own specific scenarios for our members to portray.  Under the Company K philosophy, we specifically reject the 9:00 to 5:00 "commuter style" reenacting of many mainstream reenacting groups. Likewise, Company K does not believe the only purpose of reenacting is to portray drill and battlefield tactics as is the case in many other mainstream reenacting units. Company K members enjoy "full time" authenticity at all events and strives to create accurate and enjoyable portrayals of camp life at all times, not only when spectators are about. Company K embraces the creation and expression of a 19th century ATTITUDE and DEMEANOR in all activities at all times. Consequently, Company K does not allow modern eye glasses, visible modern equipment of any kind, smoking of cigarettes, eating non-period food, vehicles in camp during event hours, and other modern intrusions into an otherwise 19th century atmosphere. The importance of maintaining a 19th century mindset both in and out of camp is perhaps best explained through the following illustration:

A young spectator eyeing a Civil War reenactor in full gear standing in sutler row drinking "Coke" directly from the can turns to his dad and says, "Look, there is a guy dressed up like a Civil War soldier." The same lad, upon spying another reenactor in full kit drinking his now unrecognizable but refreshing drink from a tin cup exclaims to his dad, "Look, there IS a Civil War soldier."

During events, Company K members strive to think, act, and be as much like Civil War soldiers in manner, attitude, demeanor, dress and surroundings as is reasonably possible in the modern world. To that young lad, a Company K member IS a Civil War soldier, not just a costumed actor.