Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society

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Membership Requirements:

For more information on AGSAS membership, please contact Membership Commitee Chairman, Stacy Hampton

Civilian Reenacting: Men, Women and Children

AGSAS members include men as well as women. A great many men did NOT serve in either army, either because of age or because their occupation exempted them. Others were invalided out of the military, or (in the north) were able to pay a substitute.

Male civilians are badly underrepresented in reenacting and we do not believe that "civilian reenactors" should just be a code phrase for "wives and girlfriends of military reenactors stuck for something to do at events." We are proactively recruiting authenticity-focused male civilians, and progressive military reenactors who would like to develop a civilian impression.

Our membership also includes families with children. We do not believe that "family oriented reenacting" has to a code-word for "farb". In civilian life, families stayed together whenever they could -- they just didn't stay in military camps!

Representing the Demographics of the Mid 19th Century Citizenry

The slavery issue was undeniably a major factor in the War, yet African Americans are underrepresented in the hobby, particularly on the civilian side. AGSAS is probably the most racially diverse civilian living history group in America. As well portraying the more widely known aspects of the black experience during the era, e.g.fugitive slaves, the Underground Railroad and "contrabands of war", we also attempt to portray some of the lesser known aspects of mid 19th century black history -- the contributions of "Free Persons of Color", social class divisions between house servants vs field servants and African Americans of pro-Confederate as well as pro-Union sympathies -- to help counter the tendency to over-simplify the complex and nuanced situation of the era.

We are actively recruiting more African American reenactors. In 2004, AGSAS member Dr. Anita Henderson launched a special Outreach Task Force to broaden our demographic base, recruiting more African Americans, people of other ethnicities, young people and more male reenactors of all races. If you'd like to help with this program, please contact Anita.