Is anyone aware of folks reenacting the Ohio Volunteer Sharpshooters?

[Strongbow]

I'm interested in portraying an Infantryman armed with a Spencer. I'm thinking the Ohio Sharpshooters look like a perfect fit for that kind of impression.  I'm not sure this is the right place to ask, but I figure as the focus of all things Spencer, this might be the place!

[Sean Thornton]

I'm interested in portraying an Infantryman armed with a Spencer. I'm thinking the Ohio Sharpshooters look like a perfect fit for that kind of impression.  I'm not sure this is the right place to ask, but I figure as the focus of all things Spencer, this might be the place!

You might contact Bob Mergel.

Bob Mergel rmergel@cscc.edu
Robert Mergel, Captain 110th OVI Sharpshooters

[Walksfire]

Interesting post, as I am on a similar journey researching the NY Volunteers 19th Cavalry company F.  Good luck on your search. Post a picture, once you have it together.

[Strongbow]

You might contact Bob Mergel.

Bob Mergel rmergel@cscc.edu
Robert Mergel, Captain 110th OVI Sharpshooters

Thanks for the lead! 

[Strongbow]

Interesting post, as I am on a similar journey researching the NY Volunteers 19th Cavalry company F.  Good luck on your search. Post a picture, once you have it together.

I will, if I ever do it.  Honestly, I gettin' a bit old for it, but I would like to do reenacting/living history again.  Lord knows I like to hear myself talk.  I was also thinking the 17th Indiana VI would be a good choice.  But they were mounted infantry once they got their Spencers, and I'd feel a bit cheesy doing mounted infantry without a horse, but it might have more local interest, being I live in Indiana. 

It also depends on if I can get the Spencer into Civil War configuration (except for caliber, of course) without any permanent mods to the New Model.  I'd consider a replica, but honestly, the old guns just have a magic spark in them...

[Sean Thornton]

I will, if I ever do it.  Honestly, I gettin' a bit old for it, but I would like to do reenacting/living history again.  Lord knows I like to hear myself talk.  I was also thinking the 17th Indiana VI would be a good choice.  But they were mounted infantry once they got their Spencers, and I'd feel a bit cheesy doing mounted infantry without a horse, but it might have more local interest, being I live in Indiana.  

It also depends on if I can get the Spencer into Civil War configuration (except for caliber, of course) without any permanent mods to the New Model.  I'd consider a replica, but honestly, the old guns just have a magic spark in them...

You must remember that the 17th Indiana mounted Infantry only used their mounts to get to a particular point. They dismounted to fight so the majority of the time they were dismounted. You really do not need a horse or mule to portray a member of Wilder's Brigade.

[Strongbow]

You must remember that the 17th Indiana mounted Infantry only used their mounts to get to a particular point. They dismounted to fight so the majority of the time they were dismounted. You really do not need a horse or mule to portray a member of Wilder's Brigade.

Yeah, I know, though they did apparently do some fighting on horseback at Hoover's Gap. 

But it comes from a sting years ago.  I was doing British WWI reenacting.... it was really REALLY hard to get P08 webbing gear at the time.  The only stuff available was originals, and it was very expensive IF you could find it.  So... we decided to do dismounted cavalry.  Cavalry units DID dismount and go in the trneches (there being little need for open field cavalry), and for the first couple of years, they used their cavalry leather gear, which was MUCH easier to replicate. We were accepted, but grudgingly, even though it was perfectly documentable.  Reenacting is its own social order.   But for the kinds of events I'd like to do, I'd think horses wouldn't even be practical.  Fortunately, I can basically just equip myself as a mid-war infantryman, and pretty much be either just on my say so!