Bylaws-

53rd PVI Bylaws – revised 2024 – includes the unit’s updated Authenticity Standards

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:

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

Camp Guard

Duties of the Sentinel

Guard Ceremony

Skirmish Drill Basics

The Letters of Elias S. Peck

Summary Of Drill For The Color Company

Civil War Drill Simplified

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.

Stacking Arms (Casey’s)

Campaigning In the Civil War – Shelter

Cartridge Box 101

Reverse Arms

Resting On Arms

Civil War Regimental Staff


Musket Tools

Blanket Stitches

Packing Your Knapsack

What Goes In Your Haversack?

Field Cleaning Your Musket

Successive Formations – Drill

Evaluating Reproduction Uniforms – With Wambaugh, White, & Co.

Also, check out our Equipment page which lists items you should have in your kit as well as a list of trusted vendors.