WHO ARE THE REGULARS

Regulars were the men who enlisted in the service of the United States. Their term of enlistment was for five years regardless of whether or not the Country was at war. The regular soldiers with their smart appearance, excellent drill, were well-trained fighting units and were seldom, if ever, surpassed by volunteer regiments.

4TH U.S. REGULAR INFANTRY - BRIEF HISTORY

The original Fourth U.S. was formed in accordance with an act of Congress dated the 30th May 1796. In 1855 there were three Regular Infantry Regiments and when war was inevitable in the spring of 1861, seven more Regiments were added.

At the start of the war the Fourth were ordered to Washington to form part of the City defences. By the spring of 1862 they were assigned to General Sykes' Division of Regulars to form part of the Army of the Potomac, Fifth Corps.

The Third, Fourth, and Sixth Infantry, joined the newly formed Twelfth and Fourteenth Infantry to form the First Brigade. The Second Brigade was formed by the Seventh, Tenth, Eleventh and Seventeenth Infantry. Because of their experiences the Regulars with their veterans of the Seminole, Mexican and Indian wars were relied upon heavily in the early days of the Rebellion. They gallantly held perilous flank positions and doggedly fought rear guard actions covering the withdrawal of the main body of the Union Army.

Battles - The Fourth Infantry engaged in and fought at many battles including the Battles of Manasses, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and the Battle of the Wilderness. At the end of the war on 9th April 1865 the regiment was present at the Headquarters of the Union Army, for the surrender of General Lee's Army of the Northern Virginia.

During the war the Regiment lost 2 Officers and 58 enlisted men mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 61 enlisted men by disease.

THE 4TH U.S. REGULAR INFANTRY - TODAY

We were formed in 1999 as part of the Southern Skirmish Association Union Army and we attempt to portray the life of the Regular Infantry Soldier during mid war period of 1863 and at present the 4th U.S. is Soskans Union Headquarter and Color Guard. As a re-enactment group our main objective is to portray a period of time during the American Civil War by dressing, living and fighting just as the men of the Union Army would have done at that time.

Our aim is to display that moment in time, by offering all those who come to view or participate at events run by SOSKAN and other re-enactment Societies an enjoyable and realistic impression based on the Union Soldiers and their families way of life.

We are actively recruiting fighting men, and welcome families. If the soldier's life doesn't appeal then there are many aspects of camp life during this troubled period of American History to portray including the Medical corps and Civilian impression.

If you are tempted by the thought of joining our Unit and travelling back through time to forget some of those 21st Century gadgets for the weekend, to sit round a campfire, socialising with like-minded people, swapping tales of the day's battles and events, and having lots of fun!

THEN COMPANY .K, OF THE 4th U.S. REGULAR INFANTRY IS THE REGIMENT FOR YOU!

YOUR UNIFORM, ACCOUTREMENTS AND WEAPONS

We will help you as much as possible with guidance in buying your new uniform and kit. You will need to purchase a Union/Federal Infantry Uniform these can be obtained at various supply stores or shops known as Sutlers. Some Sutlers will offer starter kits, so shop around to find best prices and quality etc.

 

The key to a good impression and looking authentic is research; we are a military unit, but also retain an individual look. Pictures of the period and reference books such as 'Echoes of Glory' will assist you to achieve your own impression. We won't pretend that re-enacting is cheap, but there are ways of reducing the cost and you'll be lent some items of kit to start with.

No one will expect you to know everything or have every piece of equipment or uniform straight away. All members of the Fourth and SOSKAN continue to gain knowledge and equipment with every season that they re-enact.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 4th US and will send you one of our information packs and a list of all event dates and venues.