Civilians had a variety of roles during the war on the home front.  The roles that they played on the war front was limited, especially for women and children.  During the war, women would not have been seen in camps, unless they were the wives of an officer or a laundress.  There are reports of women in uniform, however, they tried in all aspects to fully hide their sex.  Those that were discovered, where sent home.  Society did not look kindly on those women and it was commonly felt that they had some mental issue if they decided to dress like a man and fight the war.  However, the reasons that the women decided to take on this way of life was varied.  Some women fought to be next to their husband, some fought out of extreme sense of patriotism,  and some fought to earn money to help take care of the family home, as with all cases,  there were other cases that might have caused the women to take up arms and wear a uniform.

The roles for women and children on the home front during the war was to be support of the men, who left to fight the war.  Wives and children kept the home and/or farms going to attempt to keep income coming into the home.  They also helped support their soliders in a variety of ways.  If able, they might have sent letters, care packages containing food items, letters, clothing items, and supplies needed to keep the solider happy (i.e. image of their family member, a bible, stamps for letters, paper to write letters, pencils and entertainment items).  The women also were involved in Soldier's Relief Societies.  These organizations helped the soliders in a variety of ways.  They helped roll bandages, would knit socks, make uniforms, or even bed cloths.

Due to the fact, that our unit wants to accurately, portary a unit during the civil war, we do ask that women do not wear a uniform and take the field, unless they can hide in all aspects that they are female (this is how it would have been done during the war).

We invite families to join the unit.  Children are an active part of the unit. 

Civilians are involved in the unit.  They will camp in civilian camp unless it has been pre arranged by the Captain prior to an event.  There will be some events where women and children will not be able to camp in the military camp.  Current civilian members will gladly assist new members in learning the proper dress of the time.