Civil War 135th Anniv. "Battle of Gettysburg" 1998 - Re-enacting Retro

Video Vision first created this VHS for the 135th Anniversary re-enactment. The 135th Gettysburg event (July 1-5, 1998) - held at the 300-acre Bushy Farm only 5 miles southwest of the Battlefield - is generally believed to be the most-attended reenactment in history, with attendance estimates of 28,000 re-enactors from around the world - with 50,000+ spectators.
Incredible photos of the event can be found here: daines.jalbum.net/The%20Battle...
We hope you enjoy. This is another in a series of postings on our KZbin channel of a cool New series of Old videos -- featured only on here -- taken from a personal collection of re-enacting films and videos from the 1980s and 90s that are hard to find anywhere else, or else we've tried to find them for nostalgia's sake, but did our own digging and presenting the results of our treasure hunt here. Some are taken from VHS originals or DVD transfers from those VHS copies. Originals were in Standard Def or Videotaped off of TV when they first aired. Some shot professionally and others by individuals with "portable" home video cameras on their shoulders.
Some Classic Re-enacting videos are already searchable on KZbin, but we wanted to start a new series of some rarely or never before seen classics that either only aired once or where short lived and available only to a select few at the time. We hope you enjoy. These programs presented in this RE-ENACTING RETRO series are presented for the enjoyment of all and we don't claim them for ourselves.
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[@LordDickBelvedere]

I was there! 16 years old and all the way from the U.K. 1st Va. Can see myself taking a hit during Pickett’s charge! Awesome thanks for uploading 👍

[@atune2682]

James Hooper great man! youre so lucky! greets from germany

[@LordDickBelvedere]

Scharnhorst It was a great experience, one I’ll never forget! Also did 135th Grant vs Lee event the following year.

[@atune2682]

James Hooper yeah i can relate, im reenacting the napoleonic wars in germany but this just is a other dimension

[@LordDickBelvedere]

Scharnhorst Nice! I’ve been out of the hobby for a long time now, but have been looking into trying to start a group in the U.K. for the 14th Brooklyn. Would love to do Napoleonic one day. Despite being English I’d probably join the French, I’ve got ancestors from France in that era, and I love the line Infantry uniform. What’s your napoleonic impression?

[@LordDickBelvedere]

At 1:24:07 I’m the black hatted rebel on the far left looking around at all my comrades dropping before I took a hit 👍

[@georgegaylord]

This was the greatest event I ever had commandant in 25 years of reenacting. Was Longstreet’s Corps cavalry field commander and can be see in the first part of the film riding a white horse with red blanket and breast strap. Truly a great event and the cavalry had over 800 riders in the CSA side. Many a good friend can be seen in this who are now gone Rest In Peace General Hillsman

[@Ragnar6000]

The overhead shots towards the end during Pickets Charge are way more impressive than the 1993 film!

[@kennethdacey8604]

this was by far the best of all the anniversary events i attended over the past 20 years, even thou i cracked my knee cap 1st battle 1st day, i hobbled thru Pickets charge was not going to miss it as i did not drive 3000 miles from Calif to miss it

[@johnbarnett7092]

I was on the extreme far right of the Union Line, with 1st Ohio Light Artillery Battery A....Our last shot we fired had about 23 from the 11th SC In fall "Dead' in front of our gun....It was so real, we ran out and hugged them, as the bugle played Taps.

[@jerzpiper]

This was awesome to watch. I have just completed my second year of reenacting and did attend Gettysburg 160.

[@ga6381]

Boy do I miss that time. So hard to believe it was 1998.

[@PeruBolivia2004]

Thank you for posting!

[@ryanhodge2721]

1998 Gettysburg is probably the only time we’ll see almost 1:1 on the battlefield. Sadly the re-enactment crowd isn’t as big as it was back then.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

If this current gen keeps it up, they won't be reenacting.

[@StrangeScaryNewEngland]

Cell phones and computers everywhere ruined people being creative with things like this. And like the other commenter said, this will be really happening again sooner or late and it won't be a reenactment

[@joef2171]

Was there. 2nd VA Co F. I still remember the heat. Lots of fun with the 30,000+ other reenactors.

[@thomasbaagaard]

Traveled from Denmark, to watch this. (and spend 3 weeks visiting battlefields)

[@QuimbyMouse]

Was there as part of 20th Maine, Co. B. Down from Canada. Fond memories.

[@TS-ef2gv]

Give 'em a whiff of grape, boys! Pour it into 'em! I was there with an OVI regiment. We were at The Angle on the third day, with the Ohio Statehouse battery right behind us. I didn't fire a shot that day. There was so much powder being burned there no point in it. It was a constant sputter of musketry and anything I could have added to it would have been like spitting in the ocean. I helped others that had problems, needed water, or whatever, and I loaded and passed for a while, and when a few Rebs got to the wall, they raised their hands and we helped them over. When Taps sounded there were grown men, mostly in butternut or gray, sitting on the field in tears. I had been very active as a member of a couple of units for several years with some freelancing mixed in, but for a variety of reasons, other than a few small company level turn-outs 135th G-burg was my last event. I still have all of my gear, though.

[@bryanthenderson1501]

Please pass your gear along to a young, fit man. I was aged 48 at 135 Gettysburg, so I'm 72 now. If we don't recruit young men and help them with the initial costs by loaning/donating/discounting equipment, the hobby will not survive in any recognizable form.

[@Sonny_Eclipse]

I was there also, it’s something I’ll never forget

[@OEFOIFVet]

Great Event. Had done the 125th, 135th. Awesome video. I enjoyed this event as with all the anniversary event. Started in 1984- Present.

[@snake316171]

105th P.V.I. Co.E this was good times to remember. Thank you for uploading.

[@rebelsoul5980]

I'm 33 and would love to get involved in Re-enactments. I'm going to Gettysburg this 4th of July for the 1st time ever! I am absolutely obsessed with the civil war and the brave men who fought on both sides! God bless America❌🇺🇸

[@DonDon-zm3vz]

it’s a shame .. the hobby really fell off . this was the peak in my opinion. you’ll never see numbers like this again

[@michaelvaughn8864]

​@@DonDon-zm3vzThat's sadly true, sir😕👍 Reenactments over the past 20 years or so have statistically dropped💯 My late uncle was one for years. The later generations slowly but surely lose an interest in preserving our nation's history as a whole

[@michaelvaughn8864]

​@@DonDon-zm3vzMy cousin, his son, is one currently. He's really into it since he's a high school history teacher

[@brians6567]

I was there as a 15 year old drummer. Put it this way. It was so big that you thought you would see your buddies at some point during the weekend but ran the chance of never crossing paths because of the size of the event. I remember watching troops pass down a road for what seemed like forever. Limbered cannon and horses. It was unreal. Much of what was lacking in terms of uniform authenticity and gear was made up for by the sheer numbers.

[@eNosArmory]

During the 135th I was working for the National Park Service as a Park Ranger at Gettysburg. Didn't go to the reenactment... but I remember the Battlefield was crazy busy.

[@lolifepvt]

Great to see a lot of old familiar faces from this event. We had a great time! Thanks for the memories!

[@christophergruber7343]

I was at the 135th Anniversary of the Gettysburg re-enactment with the 88th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry with the Mifflin Guard. I was guarding the Union camp on the1st day. The 2nd day. I was a spectator walking around the event. The 3rd day. I was involved in Pickett's Charge going through the motions. Then, I was ordered to fall back from the stonewall, and I was guarded Confederate prisoners

[@matthattan7520]

They need to continue to have that many reenactors at every reenactment . Because that's freaking sweet

[@TS-ef2gv]

There were/are pros and cons to big events. Like many in the hobby then, I had a love-hate attitude about them. One big pro - nowhere else could we get to practice and experience large scale (regimental and above) maneuvering. It's a ton of work and, just like the real military, a lot of hurry up and wait and no one seeming to know what's going on, but to me it was worth it, as long as I didn't have to do it every weekend. Even during the heyday of the hobby in the '90s, you couldn't get that kind of turnout (aka a national event) more than once or twice a year. Lots of travel, work, expense, and logistics involved from the event organizers all the way down to the most basic participants, and people have real-life jobs and families.

[@jamesrichardson3322]

Matt hattan Do to the political turmoil in the country and the Confederacy flags and monuments. Also the hobby been under attack by the leftist media ( Fake 🤥 News 📰) and the Demoncratic Party. COVID-19 has hit the hobby very hard, we are slowly recovering and having events again. Unfortunately do Confederate flag and the statues, and left trying destroy our history. Lot places we use too have events have cancelled, or they say they don't have the funding for it. We all know real reason why they cancelled events, once we kick Demoncratic out of power we can go back to normal.

[@ryanyoder2694]

@@jamesrichardson3322 indeed

[@jamesrichardson3322]

@@ryanyoder2694 Until then the hobby under extreme threat, they haven't attack it as whole yet!!

[@brandonyoho3438]

The 135th series was the pinnacle for me! I was a teenager serving in the 4th RGT/ANV with 5th NC. I'm pushing 40 now and I remember my buddies and me wearing out the VHS for this to relive our experience! Never attended any events after that captured those 2 magical events for me at Antietam and Gettysburg 135th. Thanks for uploading, nostalgia slapped me in the face again. Everything changed after 9/11.

[@ryanyoder3705]

How did it change after 9/11

[@stlouisix1]

Great memories. Was there Battery B 3rd Pennsylvania Volunteers Light Artillery. Nothing like it. Was a time capsule. Kneeling on the grass with the Irish Brigade at Mass hearing the fifes, drums, and bugles was like being a time capsule. Took your breath away. I remember it now as vivid as when as I was there. And there wasn't anyone that I knew who didn't say they got chills taking part in this Anniversary Event - the best ever for me. RIP all those who fought and died.

[@rookson3805]

2nd day, our battalion moving behind the fife and drums and another Federal battalion firing out of the woods. I time traveled.

[@BILLYHOLLINGHURST]

I was 11 at this event. I got my first uniform at this event. Picket charge was a great sight

[@BobUnderdown]

i was there and as we were leaving our commander told us they stopped counting at 35,000 reenactors!

[@knightcr1]

Thank you for posting this. I too was there. Hope there is some footage of the Culp's Hill scenario.I can remember the ground shaking. It was awesome!

[@jackspratt8618]

20th SC. Best event I ever saw or was part of.

[@atune2682]

thanks you sir, for uploading!

[@createdeccentricities6620]

Me and my pards in the Seventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Coy. B were there!

[@deangerazounis4638]

I was with the 63 rd pa we were from beaver county pa my first big re-enactment we also portrayed another regiment during Pickett’s Charge highlight of my life

[@JasperCountyNative]

We were there as the 11th Mississippi in Barksdale's brigade on the Confederate left during Pickett's Charge!!!

[@lightsone2]

I put my tape on a DVD disc a few years ago. Wish it was on Bluray disc.

[@davidjahnke1169]

I attended with a great group of guys in the 47th Virginia, and shortly after returned to the Union ranks. Had done the 125th with the 28th Massachusetts, Co. B.; and really wanted to see it from the 'other' side. Both events were amazing.

[@ddjay1363]

That was awesome. Very, very well done. :-)

[@ModPat-sb8kj]

I was there, all the way from Tennessee with a Confederate regiment, can't recall which. Also attended the 140th with my 8 year old son, who had civilian clothes, and the 150th when he was 18. A great father and son experience. The problem? During the 1990s, everyone seemed to attend these mainstream-type events and the numbers were fantastic. When the 150th rolled around, there were two separate Gettysburg events if I'm not mistaken, one for mainstreamers and one for hardcore campaigners. We chose the latter, but regret it in some ways because I wanted my son to experience the numbers like we had at the 135th and 140th. We won't likely ever see these numbers again due to attrition and the WOKE pansies. I'm near 63, started in 1994, and won't likely don the uniform anytime soon. I can say, I made it to the wall twice.

[@Renfield37]

yea we were there.. i do remember it now

[@DonDon-zm3vz]

i was there .. 16 years old . i found myself twice in the video lol

[@gammage6355]

I was there, As a child of 10 I had begged my parents to take me while we had traveled across country. I saw an advertisement in civil war magazine. No idea at the time of the true scale of the event. I was both proud and saddened to hear this was one of the last great events, but feel privileged to have seen it. The commitment was what stuck with me the most, especially in that hot July heat. I swear I saw more than one "dead" experiencing heatstroke.

[@zach7193]

Brilliant. Responses to the event: Good.

[@stevenondra7420]

Was there with the 14th Brooklyn Co. E

[@coffeeNTrees]

would like to see another major reenactment recorded w/ drones.

[@iamnoone5478]

All R- Actors does their Hobby very well. The last Minutes at the Stones are so real.

[@cheri3000]

They say the crap in the PORTA JOHNs was piled so high you could see it all the way to Richmond sir, RICHMOND!

[@Bunny-qt4hv]

Anyone from the 2nd md CSA that was there with any footage? I was there but only 16 at the time and would love to see any footage of us

[@paulmacomber7340]

Haha, I'm the Federal Soldier at 1:23:53 in the green shirt. Not gonna lie I didn't have my musket loaded but I saw the camera wrapped in a white towel lol.

[@catl7608]

Nice man, wish i was borned 1900s so i can try this reenactments..

[@jamesrichardson3322]

@@catl7608 Well you can join a unit in your area, Google Civil War reenactment unit in your area or State. Something will show up. Civil War 1861- 1865 took place in the 1800's not 1900's.

[@scottedge4388]

I was fortunate enough to find this on DVD a year or two ago, along with the 135th Sharpsburg (yeah, I'm Un-Reconstructed) from 1997. Still a remarkable event 21 years later.

[@Gustav92069]

I wish the video was not so dark and it was clear.

[@DarthYoshi401]

I wonder how many lost-causers were present here…

[@hbk1276]

26th South Carolina, Palmetto Battalion.

[@sicnarf423]

1:05:31 this man sold his death better than the Rock selling a Stone Cold stunner from Austin.

[@joncavallo4391]

I was there also. 4 Missourians from the 3rd MO. Inf. 1st Confederate Brigade. Fell in with Georgians and Tennesseans! Captured 1st afternoon in railroad cut. Fought in the Wheatfield the 2nd day. Up to the wall, left of Angle during Picketts Charge. I had heard unofficially there were almost 50,000 Reenactors there! I know at the wall after the charge, I talked with both English and German reenactors. They were glad to make the trip! Footnote-They was Yankees! LOL

[@sixthmo]

Six of us from the 6th Mo rented a van for the trip, one of my best re-enacting experience. Sure we had to run into you guys while we were there. Main thing I remember was pickets charge (naturally) If my memory serves me right we were on the far left.

[@steamyyyy]

i was 21 then now 42 10th Texas Co. D fond memories there especially the 4th of July fireworks at Suttlers row , yelling at Gen Hood as he road by during an parade and inspection, on the morning of the second day ..."Should of gone to the Right" getting ridiculed by a Tenn outfit "that if it weren't for us Tennesseans there wouldn't be no Texas"... miss them days with my Pards from Arizona i just dusted off my old VHS copy of my first big event (1994)130th Red River Campaign

[@JOEMODE4U]

I was probably one of those Tennesseans who was teasing you fellows. A Texas unit pushed their way through our company line as we were marching towards the wall. That did not go over well with our captain.

[@denbo74]

I was there. The 130th had a more magical feel as reenacting was it’s high water mark but Pickett’s charge at the 135th was probably the closest thing to how it would have looked ever. I believe it was almost man for man in size. I’ve been away from the hobby for many years save a few NPS living histories up until the 150th. Forgot just how many incredibly overweight FARBs there were 😂. For kids watching thing try to imagine all these guys being between 18-25 and skinny and super slim….and without all those tents😉

[@RH421939]

I saw myself at 30:27

[@michaelbrauch1224]

I was there with 21 Infantry we little round top

[@hollywoodwerewolf]

I remember being part of Longstreet's Corps organization. Like many thousands of others, we marched down the hill road. By the time it was our turn, it was like walking on glass. That was us bursting out of the tree line attacking the Yankee calvary at 35:41. I can't recall what demonstration we were in on the 2nd day. The 3rd Day, Pickett's Charge, I made it almost to the wall with the unit flag. Shook hands with some Yankees afterwards. A great time.

[@ralphgeigner3011]

I was there ! it was a excellent event ! a fun filled vacation with 2 friends for a entire week & 1/2, we stayed at a Uncle's farm, north of the area. I was a member of the 10TH Co D TN CSA from WI , I was a member for 1994 - 2004, I was the Unit Drummer and Infantry roll, stopped because of service connected back issues, Back during the time I was in the unit, it was a very open family unit, for the most part at events, unless the type of event that was hardcore, you could set up a A frame for example or the guys that wanted could be at areas doing the campaign style ! And many families were at the events back then ! Recently ( 2020) I was thinking of getting back into the unit in a limited basis, with my service connected back issues, not doing the infantry roll, and being a drummer , that I would enjoy doing and also do the units guard duty needs in camp needs etc. BUT ! after a recent Correspondence back in regards I was TOLD !! The unit was just hardcore now ? SO much for a possible reuniting with the unit that I knew back then ( 90s ) that was very open to the needs / wants of the person and family involvement , and for a possible welcoming reuniting back into the hobby , in a limited basis ? the Unit 10th TN CSA WI. The 10th is no longer a family unit ? or seems ? open to the wants / needs of the person ! that is was when I was in. Just infantry ( HARDCORE) from recent Correspondence (2020) , Going now just Champaign style now ! I would not recommend this unit if you would like your family involved or would not be able to do campaign style, BUT ! more of a living history ! The 10th is NO LONGER ! the unit I knew years ago ! I did the Gettysburg 135th 1998 , Nashville / Franklin 1995 and Chickamauga 99 National Events Go ARMY RETIRED

[@Renfield37]

my unit was at this one..i might have been too... i dont remember

[@antirealist]

epic

[@Renfield37]

i might have been there

[@Gustav92069]

All I see with Pickets charge are the Yankee's not taking hits at the wall.

[@pieceofschmidtgames6389]

Is this the one where the man was actually shot in the neck?

[@Enfield-1853]

Yes it was. I was with the 12th Va, Longstreets Corps.

[@knightcr1]

There was also someone shot in the calf.

[@sixthmo]

What I heard, it was someone who was from out of the country with a borrowed pistol. Either way no excuse for not knowing the weapon was loaded.

[@LordDickBelvedere]

Piece of Schmidt games I believe it was a French guy, in the union cavalry on day 1. Had been using the pistol for target shooting prior to the event and still had live rounds in the pistol. Unloaded on us confederates and hit a chap about 500ft to my left. I didn’t see it happen but I remember the commotion going on

[@jeremysears6707]

The high water mark for the hobby. The 135th anniversary events were awesome to be a part of. Sad to see our hobby on such a big decline in today’s world.

[@quikfingers333]

Post the three days of destiny film!!!