REENACTORS & LIVING HISTORIANS
Since 1995, reenactors and living historians from nearly every state in America and from 4 foreign countries, have traveled to Aiken, South Carolina, to recreate battles and encampments typical of Sherman’s 1865 Campaign. Thousands of spectators have come to experience the production.
The annual event is sponsored by the Barnard E. Bee Camp 1575, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and is a nonprofit 501c3 organization. All net proceeds go for battle park improvement, educational programs, and historical projects. THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU!
The Battle Park is located just off Interstate 20 at SC Exit 18 and has quick and easy access.
The Battle of Aiken has built a reputation as a reenactor-friendly event. This reenactment is for you! Units and individuals are welcome. Infantry, cavalry, artillery, medical, musicians, and civilian impressions are needed.
In addition, to honor all American Veterans, a separate Military TimeLine field, encampment, and exhibit, welcomes all U.S. military, colonial, British, and Native American impressions.
DON’T MISS THE ACTION!
THREE BATTLES THIS YEAR! The event features two scripted battles on Saturday and one on Sunday with Union as well as Confederate victories. Saturday evening will feature a period dance with music provided by Jubilee. Sunday also features an 1865 Church service.
SPECIAL NEEDS!
The Battle of Aiken hosts one of South Carolina’s largest school field trips for up to four thousand students on Friday at 8:30 A.M. Reenactors and Living Historians are encouraged to camp Thursday to participate the following morning. Early camping is available starting the Sunday prior to the event. Also, limited RV camping with hookups is available. Help bring history alive for these students!
DON’T MISS THE FUN!
The Barnard E. Bee Camp will pay all registration fees for those who preregister before Jan. 31!
Late registration or walk-on fees are $10.
INFANTRY: All camps have water and firewood. All Confederate units may have to galvanize if needed. Long-term camping is available. Arrive as early as the Sunday before the event. Leave as late as Wednesday after the event. Preregister as an individual or as a unit.
ARTILLERY: Aiken has a reputation of being artillery friendly. The battlefield, due to space restraints, is limited to 20 full size guns. The first 20 full size guns to preregister will qualify for a $150 powder bounty. After the first 20 preregister, other guns could be displayed in static exhibits. All artillery crewmen without a gun on the field are welcome to come, camp, and fill in with other gun crews if needed. A parking space for artillery trailers that can easily exit straight out is available.
CAVALRY: The park is cavalry friendly with numerous riding trails over our 115 acres. The original historic battle featured cavalry. Due to local quality concerns, we cannot provide hay. The first 50 preregistered cavalrymen with horses, will qualify for a $20 bounty. We prefer that you camp in our period cavalry campsite, but modern camping with horse trailers is available. A current, original Coggins certificate for each horse is required.
CIVILIAN AND SPECIALTY: All civilian impressions are welcome: medics, refugees, musicians, engineering, 19th-century craftsmen, mules and wagons, chaplains, etc. are welcome. Please let us know if you would like to give a special presentation and be put on our schedule. You are especially needed for Friday’s School Day Program. During the battles, any battlefield access, all must be approved by the field commander.
MILITARY TIMELINE: All U.S. military, colonial, British, and Native American impressions are welcome along with their historic vehicles, tents, exhibits, and weapons. The MTL has its own camp and display area at Battle Park.
SUTLERS: For an invitation, historical sutlers and makers should submit a photograph of their tent and wares, a description of their goods for sale, and contact information to Battle of Aiken, P.O. Box 1863, Aiken, SC 29802.
VENDORS: For an invitation, food vendors should submit a photograph of their food trailer, a detailed menu, and contact information to Battle of Aiken, P.O. Box 1863, Aiken, SC 29802.
Forms
- Download Vendor application
- Download Sutler application
Send all registration forms to:
Battle of Aiken, P.O. Box 1863, Aiken, SC 29802
or Email: battleofaiken@aol.com
The Battle is hosted by the South Carolina Palmetto Battalion. Due to insurance restrictions, safety, and liability concerns, the Battle of Aiken must be supervised by a reenactment body that will sanction the event. All reenactors in command positions will report to the Battalion Commander or his staff to coordinate command responsibilities
All Palmetto Battalion Safety rules will be in effect.
- All Battle participants should be prepared to galvanize if needed.
- Upon arrival, all participants must check-in at registration HQ to receive battlefield passes, schedules, parking passes, maps, and to sign liability waiver forms.
- Photo IDs must be presented at registration
- Participants may preregister as individuals or as units. Unattached
participants will be assigned to a unit at the morning parade.
Traffic: Because of children participating in our school program, Wheeler Road will be blocked off Friday between 8:30 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. for safety.
On Friday, vehicles will have 30 minutes in camps to unload before moving to reenactor parking. This will be enforced to allow easy camp access for others coming later.
No vehicles will be allowed in camps or the historic area from Sat. 8 A.M. till Sun. 4 P.M. when the last battle and review is over. For safety due to the high number of spectators walking in the camps and roads, vehicle access to all camps will be gated off and blocked from Saturday 8 AM to Sunday 4 PM. Vehicles may exit the property from parking areas at any time on the perimeter road. Only roads to camps will be restricted from Sat. 8 AM to Sun. 4 PM.
Shuttles to and from reenactor parking will run Friday from 3 P.M. to 10 P.M.
Registration HQ and Check-in will be open:
Thursday 3 P.M. to 8 P.M.
Friday. 8 A.M. to 10 P.M.
Saturday 8 A.M. to 11 A.M.
Sunday 8 A.M. to 11 A.M.
Due to local quality concerns with mold issues, no hay or straw is provided.