We preserve history through research, interaction, and education.
Founded in 1999, the Liberty Rifles (LR) is a group of living historians who strive to accurately portray the common fighting men and home front civilians of the American Civil War, while excelling in terms of authenticity and organization. We constantly seek opportunities to educate ourselves and others about the sacrifices and experiences of our ancestors. The LR was founded to represent soldiers and civilians on both sides of the war with equal accuracy and honor.
What's New
Nov. 2024 – New article: Barrels, Boxes, and Bags: Notes on US and CS Army Ration Packaging
Nov. 2024 – Event info and registration for Compelled to Yield: 160th Appomattox
Oct. 2024 – Event info and registration for CS Infantry at Picket Post and US Cavalry at Picket Post.
July 2024 – Photos from To the Step: Appomattox 1861
July 2024 – Photos from Renfrew Museum and Park
May 2024 – Photos from We Soon Got Proud.
May 2024 – Event info and registration for Point Lookout.
Feb. 2024 – Event info for Franklin 160.
Jan. 2024 – New article: Richmond Clothing Bureau Caps of 1861-1863
Jan. 2024 – New article: A Commissary of Subsistence’s Ledger: Documenting all the Food Issued to a Confederate Brigade from 1862 through 1864
Dec. 2023 – Photos from 72nd Pennsylvania March and Parade and The Park
About the LR
We believe that to be true historians we must approach history in a non-political and unbiased manner. Our goal is to learn more about the brave patriots of both sides of the war by accurately emulating them in terms of both our attire and our actions. To do this, we do extensive research on period accounts, written histories, historical sites, and original artifacts to comprehend and replicate the period to the best of our ability. Authenticity is our perpetual journey and we strive to continually improve our portrayal of 1860s soldiers and civilians. We hope that our members and those interacting with our group gain a correct vision of the hardships endured by our fore-bearers.
The Liberty Rifles has become a national rather than regional organization, but we still draw the most significant percentage of our membership from the mid-Atlantic states. Military members come together on the field to act as one well-drilled, veteran military unit, and civilians gather to portray those affected by the war off the battlefield. All members adhere to the Liberty Rifles Bylaws, and the policies and guidelines set forth by our umbrella organization, The Third Regiment. The Liberty Rifles is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization.
Our Activities
We regularly participate in both public and private events, each with its own purpose and goals. Public events are geared more towards demonstrating the life of the common soldier for visitors and often take place on original battlefields or historic sites. In past years we’ve hosted and helped to organize public historical programs at sites throughout the Eastern and Western Theatres, from Manassas to Franklin.
The private events in which we host or participate focus on a more immersive environment that provides participants with a fully encompassing scene from 1861-1865. Many such events are designed to recreate complete regiments, to full scale, in exacting detail. Recently we've hosted several of these style events at Point Lookout, MD, a recreated winter quarters camp in Virginia, American Battlefield Trust land, and other preserved parcels of historic property.
During the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War in 2011-2015, the LR attended and hosted a wide range of living histories, high quality reenactments, and immersion events. We worked closely with the National Park Service to provide an accurate visual portrayal of troops at numerous official anniversary commemorations, and also raised many thousands of dollars for donation to the American Battlefield Trust for the preservation of battlefield land. We continued to do so throughout the 160th Anniversaries, and donated tens of thousands in additional funds to the American Battlefield Trust, Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, and other preservation organizations.
Each year, the LR also hosts two narrated historic walks at Gettysburg National Military Park, typically following the footsteps of a Confederate regiment during the anniversary weekend in July, and then a Federal regiment on Remembrance Day in November. These programs are completely researched, coordinated, and led by group members, and are always open to spectators and our friends within the reenacting community.
Want to help?
The LR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization and is comprised solely of volunteers who utilize their own time, skills, and money to reach our goals. If you’d like to contribute toward funding our mission, please feel free to provide a tax deductible gift to our organization via the PayPal link below. These funds will help enable us to literally bring out the big guns and provide the public with an accurate glimpse into America’s history.
