5th U.S. Volunteer Infantry

09/27/2026

More than just a living history group

If being shamed or made fun of for things you don’t know is something you’re tired of or afraid of, the 5th USVI is the place for you. Whether we’re new to this hobby or have years of experience, each of us have blind spots and things we don’t know — and there’s no shame in that! For most of us, we have jobs and lives outside the realm of historic research and representation, so it’s only natural that there’s things we don’t know. We don’t expect you to know everything, but we do expect you to be able to take constructive feedback and seek to always improve your impression to better represent those who came before us.

For the 5th USVI, living history is more than a social hobby, it’s a way to become a better person and leader. We seek to lift each other up to become better within the hobby and without. Culture is a big part of the 5th USVI and we’d love to have you on board to expand our ranks and continue to improve ourselves, each other, and the hobby.

Register to become a member today: https://forms.gle/fyb1vL8ovUCsbDod8

📸: Kansas Kino Photography

09/20/2026

Breaking: scientific experiment surprises living historians

Recently, a couple 5th USVI members decided to conduct a scientific experiment. The test? How close do you have to be for blank black powder rounds to be dangerous?

Four different loads were tested, all with 60 grains of FF powder:
- Powder only, not rammed
- Powder only, rammed
- Powder and paper, rammed
- Powder, paper, and simulated round, rammed

The simulated round in this case is a compacted starch packing peanut, making the paper cartridge round look more like a real round.

The paper target was set up at 10 yards, 5 yards, and point blank (about 1 yard). As anticipated, there was no evidence of any powder burns or impact at 10 yards. Surprisingly, there was equal evidence of powder burns at 5 yards. However, there was a slight mark on the paper after the simulated round was fired, but the impact likely wouldn’t be felt through a wool uniform. At point blank, there was heavy evidence of powder burns and what could be an injury inducing impact from the simulated round (photo #1).

Each time the simulated round was fired, it re-expanded most of the way into its packing peanut form and lost velocity extremely quickly (photo #2). In fact, the simulated round only made it about 8-9 yards after being fired. However, we do not want you to take this experiment as a sign that a line of leveled muzzles at 5 or even 10 yards is safe at a reenactment. The purpose of this experiment was to merely answer some curiosities and answer them they did.

Get out there, conduct historic experiments, be safe, learn a lot, and have fun! If we’re not constantly learning, what’s life all about?

09/13/2026

Reenacting is about more than representing history

Reenacting, especially authentic reenacting, is not easy. But that’s the exact reason why you should do it. Whether it’s sleeping in the cold, marching miles on end, building a fire and cooking on it, dealing with rain, cold, or heat, or any number of hardships, you face it all while reenacting. In an age of instant gratification and the ability to live life the easy way, there’s something to be said about doing hard things. It’s the same reason people run marathons, hike high peaks, or compete in anything.

But don’t do hard things to prove to anyone else that you can do them — do it to prove to yourself you can accomplish great things. Show up, do something new, challenge yourself, and do the hard thing. And if you want to try doing several hard things at once, become an authentic living historian today.



📸: Kansas Kino Photography

09/10/2026

Someone should have warned us

📸: Kansas Kino Photography

09/10/2026

This last weekend, the 5th USVI had our Camp of Instruction event at Fort Larned. Aside from it being hotter than standing in a campfire, it was a great time with great people.

Thankfully, we were able to get some solid drill time in despite the weather along with some great learning opportunities. Among the learning was how to deal with the heat both during the day and while trying to sleep. We’ll be the first to admit that modern AC, screened windows, and soft beds have spoiled us. We are thankful for the sacrifice our ancestors made to bring us to where we are and we consider it a great honor to represent those of the past and endure a fraction of their struggles if even for a weekend.

A huge shoutout goes to all the members who came out, made this event possible, and put up with the heat with little to no complaining. We may have a higher purpose as living historians, but it’s the people that make it fun.



📸: Kansas Kino Photography

08/30/2026

A few weeks ago, the 5th USVI trekked up to the amazing Fort Laramie for their Civi War event. Along with falling in with Ford’s Independent Company, a highlight of the event included an evening patrol that turned into an overnight ordeal:

August 7, 1866
Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory

At around 8:30PM, an order came into the company from the Post Commander. Reports had been made by local homesteaders of horses being taken from them. These homesteaders did not claim it was the known horse thieves in the area, but one of the local Indian Tribes on the west side of the river. To investigate this matter, the Post Commander ordered Lieutenant Long, Private Hasart, Private Kapral, Private Kapral, and Private Seward in full marching order in the case there was a viable threat. By the time the patrol had reached a distance of about half a mile from the post, it was determined to be too dark to proceed, should an ambush be planned. The patrol set up a small camp, investigated the area including the grove of trees, and started single pickets in one hour rotations. Aside from field mice and a couple of the homesteaders horses, no activity was reported overnight. At first light, camp was struck and the patrol continued on. Approximately half a mile further down the river, a tipi tripod, fire making equipment, a small haversack, and a small telescope were discovered. The small telescope was found aimed at the patrol’s camp from the night before. Fearing an overpowering engagement, the patrol promptly returned to the post and reported its findings to the Post Commander.

This is what it means to reenact and do living history with the 5th USVI. Like we keep saying, we don’t want to sit around the fire all the time, though there’s a time and place for it. We want to immerse ourselves in historic scenarios and as a result, become a little closer to the original cast we work so hard to portray.

07/30/2026

What our members have to say about us

We can talk a big game all we want, but when it comes down to it, it’s not our opinion about ourselves that matters, it’s what our members think about the group. So here’s a couple “reviews” if you will:

“…I was looking for an opportunity to scratch my living history itch. The 5th USVI has given me this opportunity, as well as a chance to continue to contribute as a professional historian…”
- Bob W.

“The reason I joined was because I have been in the hobby since 2013 and I thoroughly enjoy it. Being able to give people a glimpse of the past is extremely rewarding and it helps me to understand how my ancestors lived during their time in the Army. …we [the 5th USVI] are constantly looking to improve ourselves and do it right, even if it’s incremental changes. We don’t judge others who may not have as much experience. We coach and mentor others to the standard and we hold that standard firm, which I think makes us one of the more premier groups out there. It’s important to have that authentic standard, but we encourage, mentor, and help people to get there… I don’t really think many other groups do that and is a big reason why we’ve been so successful.”
- Brennan M.

These thoughts encapsulates exactly what we’re going for. We try to provide opportunities that people enjoy and provide them in a way that encourages authenticity and respect for those who came before us. We try not to approach this hobby with an air of superiority, but understanding and we try to bridge the gap between authenticity and people’s real life expectations and responsibilities.

If this sounds like a refreshing take and you’d like to join this group of amazing people, register to become a member today:
https://forms.gle/fyb1vL8ovUCsbDod8

📸: Olivia Danielle Photography

07/22/2026

We have a niche impression

In a hobby where unique impressions seem to rise to the top, we are proud to present an extremely unique impression. However, our unique impression doesn’t rely on a unique uniform, but a unique story. We have the honor of telling the story of a group of soldiers not often told. The original Galvanized Yankees were former Confederate Prisoners of war who pledged allegiance to the Union and were sent west — all while uniformed like US Regulars. Theirs is a story not often told because neither side quickly claims them. However, because of who the Galvanized Yankees were, we find ourselves in the best position: we have a niche impression while also being able to blend in with most other Union units as needed.

If you’d like to preserve the story of the Galvanized Yankees while also portraying so many other awesome units, the 5th USVI is the place for you!

Join today for your next great hobby and countless adventures:
https://forms.gle/fyb1vL8ovUCsbDod8

📸: Olivia Danielle Photography

07/20/2026

Officers doing officer things

Wide crop and tighter details to show fond awesome scene simply captioned as “regimental headquarters”. Flags, buttons, uncomfortable recumbent guy, tent photobombers, familiar looking faces, gloves, gauntlets, and much more!