Two major hobbies have evolved around the interest concerning the period of American history from 1861-1865: miniature wargaming and living history reenacting. They seem to be two different hobbies in their approach to recreating the Civil War. However, as a participant in both reenacting and wargaming, I have seen many likenesses. Here are the ten most important similarities between Civil War reenacting and wargaming:

#10. Participants think they know all about leadership and fancy themselves as the next Bobby Lee. Wait a minute . . . this is just like the real Civil War generals like Sickles, Butler, Hood, Pemberton, et al.

#9. Zouave uniforms. Wargamers like to paint them. Reenactors like to shoot at them.

#8. We spend lots of money on miniatures and extra accouterments that we don't really need and hardly ever use: unpainted miniatures, dice and rules, dress uniforms, horseflesh, the odd full-scale artillery piece.

#7. Reenactors and wargamers subscribe to the same type of specialty hobby-related magazines like The Zouave, The Courier, Camp Chase Gazette, American Civil War, etc. This kind of ties in with reason #8.

#6. Research, research, research. Gotta love history to do this one. We try to see what it was really like to live and fight during the Civil War. Also, both wargamers and reenactors need to know the most arcane and obscure facts with which to impress our friends.

#5. Both wargamers and reenactors will go away to weekend events and camp out, be it in Sibley tents or hotel rooms. Relief comes when you get home, in order to take a shower and to sleep in your own bed.

#4. Most reenactors and wargamers seem to try to make the South win the war. An example is the special rule in the Fire & Fury rules, giving a benefit for Confederate charges. Reenactors are always talking about the nobility and bravery of Confederate troops.

#3. Both wargamers and reenactors try to recruit members from the fantasy ranks. Wargamers try to get the D&D ® players, whilst the reenactors try to draw from the Society of Creative Anachronism.

#2. Both hobbies offer a chance to partake in male bonding. Very few chicks.

#1. The general public thinks that both wargamers and reenactors are crazy. It is really hard for us to explain what both these hobbies are all about and why we do what we do.

Editor's Note: Joseph is a member of the 7th Virginia Volunteer Infantry and of the American Civil War Society.

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