19th Iowa- EVent Information

The Croaker Mess will proudly host the 19th  Iowa at the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas Civil War Reenactment. With the help of like minded authentic groups from across the country, we will quite literally follow in the footsteps of the original men that made up the 19th Iowa Infantry. That's correct, you heard us right. We'll be on the actual battlefield and portraying a regiment that sustained over 55% casualties, went directly into combat after 100 plus mile force march, during the Winter of 1862. 

From the Biography of Robert Campbell Ives 

"In one of the more amazing feats of the Civil War the 19th Iowa walked 110 miles and in 3 days to get to the battle of Prairie Grove.  The young farm boys were not accustomed to wearing these shoes and their new government issued boots made blisters on their feet at this point, many of the young soldiers preferred to walk barefoot on the cold road carrying their shoes across the butt of their rifles or tied to their knapsacks. They reached Prairie Grove after dark and waded across the Illinois River in freezing water that was waste deep. The young soldiers were hungry for there had not been time to eat during this forced march.  They dropped exhausted on the other side and slept. In the morning their clothes were frozen to their bodies. They slept as if they would never wake, While the shells from the battery in the early morning burst over their unheeding heads."

Each man must adhear to a set of very obtainable uniform guidelines.  You will be asked to opperate as a functioning soldier and will be expected to march, drill, and participate in all public demonstrations held by Prairie Grove State Battlefield. You must register under one of the six companies listed in our registration process to participate. Each company has already been assigned a company commander and upon registering and paying your registration fee, you are expected to reach out and communicate with them. They will not hold your hand during this process. The battalion is making every effort to house everyone in sibley tents. (If you have a sibley... let your company commander know.) 

If you're ready to participate in a quailty infantry battlation... Go find the registration link and get signed up!