Nathan Hellwig, a teacher at City High and a Civil War re-enactor, doesn’t usually bring his students along on living history gigs. On Sunday, however, he made an exception for Thomas Panther, a sophomore who dreams of becoming a Civil War re-enactor.
Hellwig, a member of an Iowa-based re-enacting troupe known as the Hairy Nation Boys, brought Panther along for a demonstration at the Plum Grove Historic Home, 1030 Carroll St., on Sunday afternoon.
Panther, Hellwig and the rest of the troupe dressed in historically accurate uniform replicas to educate people about Civil War history in Iowa.
At least 30 people attended the demonstration, and audience members were able to ask questions at the informal event.
Many of the particpiants have been taking part in re-enactments for at least 10 years. The group travels all over the nation for various demonstrations.
Re-enactors focused on facts about the First Iowa, the first regiment in the state to answer Abraham Lincoln’s call for 75,000 troops nationwide in 1861.
Many of the soldiers were farm boys looking for adventure, and they never expected the war to continue until 1865, according to the group.
The regiment had 900 members, including many from Johnson County, said Jim Crawford, a re-enactor from Des Moines.
Crawford — also known as Jefferson Saylor at living history events — said the First Iowa soldiers cobbled together uniforms from government-issued gray fabric and clothing they had at home.
Iowa — a recently added state in 1846 — was the “new guy on the block,” he said, and it was hard to transport equipment and clothing from the eastern United States to Iowa.
However, despite their ragged appearance, the uniform replicas are actually fairly comfortable if worn right, Crawford said.
Hellwig — who teaches American studies and a class on the Civil War — sometimes brings his uniform-replica to class with him.
He used to wear it as a demonstration, he said, but later decided to let his students try it on for themselves.
Panther, who said he was excited about re-enacting for the first time, wore a costume of his own at the event.
Re-enacting is a good way to learn how the soldiers actually felt, he said, adding he has been interested in Civil War history since he was 8 years old.
He was inspired by Gary Paulsen’s Soldier’s Heart, a book his baby-sitter gave him, he said.
Connie Marberry came with her young son, Sam Naylor, who wants to be a Civil War re-enactor when he’s older.
“This is his thing,” she said, and the Hairy Nation Boys were great about answering his questions.