Unit Authenticity Standards (revised 2025)
53rd PVI Authenticity Standards (revised 2025) – All 53rd PVI members should understand and follow these Authenticity Standards. Doing so helps the unit strive for authenticity in the field and in our individual impressions.
Instructional/Training documents and videos –
The 53rd PVI strives for authenticity in uniform, equipment, drill, and camp life. We strive to do things period-correct, as they were explained in the original Army manuals and tactics as well as from first-hand accounts by the soldiers. The following documents, videos, etc. are presented here to help our members achieve authenticity and help improve their impressions:
Past NR School of instruction Handouts/Presentations:
Improving Your Federal Impression Presentation – 1st Sgt. Steger and Sgt. Benedict (53rd PA)
School of Soldier Manual of Arms – 1st Sgt. Manore and Capt. Kraus (116th PA)
Making Cartridges – 1st Lt. Chris Sedlak (9th PA Res.)
Banners of Glory – Kyle Windahl
Maintaining Your Equipment – George Craven (3rd MD)
Leadership – Brennan (3rd MD)
Leathers (Cartridge Boxes, Waist Belts, and Cap Pourches) – James Owens
Original Civil War Items Presentation – Tim & Debbie Sheads
11th New York Fire Zouaves and 14th Brooklyn – Jason Smith (72nd PA)
1st Bull Run – 11th NY 1st Fire Zouave Impression – July 2026 – John Gerndt (5th NY)
Story of the 12th Ohio Volunteer Infantry – by Mike Kraus
What Each Soldier Should Have In The Field – The Blanket Roll – by Paul Martinello
Campaigning – Staying Warm and Dry – by Paul Martinello
Pioneering – by Paul Parvis
Union Veterans – Service Record Summary – by Mike Espenshade
Gettysburg Campaign – Meade’s Pursuit of Lee (ppt) – by George F. Franks III
Grand Guard powerpoint presentation – by Tom Carlson
Grand Guard – Handout (Tom Carlson)
Basic Grand Guard Layout (click on the diagram to enlarge it)
Tenting on the Old Campground – by Kyle Lindahl
Training the Trainer – by Ted Brennan and Tom Carlson
Shaving In The mid-1860s – by Chris Sedlak
Candles – by Chris Sedlak
Salt Pork 1 – by Chris Sedlak
Salt Pork 2 – by Chris Sedlak
Home and Field Cleaning Your Rifle Musket – by George Craven
Other Training Documents:
Silas Casey’s 1862 Infantry Tactics: Casey’s vol.1 and Casey’s vol.2
Kautz’s Customs Of Service For NCOs and Soldiers
McClellan’s Bayonet Exercise (aka “Bayonet Drill”)
The Letters of Elias S. Peck
Summary Of Drill For The Color Company
Dress Parade Duties – Officers and NCOs
Military Regulations Library (courtesy of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry)
Training Videos:
Civil War Digital Digest has lots of great videos. A sampling of them are shown below. You can see their full list of videos by visiting their YouTube page.
