Who is the Citizens Guard?

 

Founded in 1995, the re-created Citizens Guard is a c/p/h entity that has been quietly doing it right proudly representing one of the fine companies of the legendary Iron Brigade of the West. Our initial wake-up call to the progressive movement happened during the “Return of the Second Wisconsin” event hosted by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in May of 1998 at Camp Randall which assembled some of the finest living historians in the hobby at that time to show how to accurately portray the Old Second.  With the guidance of chums such as William Brewster, Michael Thorson, Robert Braun, & our own detailed orientated Citizens Guard members, Company “A” transformed itself from a mainstream entity to one solidly grounded on an overall accurate impression by the summer of 2000.  In May of 2009, we officially established an Eastern Coast presence led by Citizens Guard member Daryl Koehn that embodies what our group is all about.  If you are interested in raising the bar of portrayal of the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment along with attending some of the premier living history events offered in the United States, we may be what you are looking for.

 

Members of the re-created Citizens Guard, Old Northwest Volunteers, and Citizens of the Old Northwest at our co-hosted Fox Lake Preservation March & LH in May 2008 standing on the steps of the First United Congregational Church of Christ in Fox Lake Wisconsin where the Citizens Guard was founded on February 22nd, 1860 by George H. Stevens and associates.  Picture courtesy of Krista Klas.

 

Mission Statement:

 

The re-created Citizens Guard is a diverse collection of like minded living historians that strive to depict the brave men of the original Company "A", Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment & other portrayals as accurately as possible. 

 

While attempting to honor the original men of the Citizens Guard, our core values encompass: research based impressions with accurate uniform & equipage standards, attention to drill, fatigue, military deportment, unit camaraderie, first person impressions, accurate rations, possessing a positive attitude towards an accurate portrayal, and helping each member to improve their overall impression on a continual basis.  We support preservation efforts of all types and have done so successfully in the original hometown of the Citizens Guard; Fox Lake, Wisconsin among others.

 

Members of the re-created Citizens Guard and comrades from our Fox Lake LH – June 2004.  Picture courtesy of www.enjoyhoriconmarsh.com

 

Our Requirements

 

The Citizens Guard is a unit that pays attention to detail and we do enforce our standards to maintain a high level of accuracy for all portrayals.    

 

  1. All members should be an U.S. Citizen without a criminal record, and relatively physically fit to handle marching and soldiering like the boys of 61 did.  You will need to be sponsored into the Citizens Guard by an existing member.

 

  1. Membership in the Citizens Guard is open to individuals with a positive attitude towards an accurate portrayal and the desire to improve their overall impression on a continual basis. 

 

  1. We attempt to have all uniform and equipage correct in pattern, materials, and construction to the original documented articles at all times as detailed in the Authenticity Guide of the Citizens Guard.  Many of us have loaner uniform and equipage available to help new members meet our standards if they do not completely have their entire kit ready.  We have been complimented several times by our comrade, author, and historian Lance Herdegen on how well we represent the original men of the Second Wisconsin & the Iron Brigade of the West by adherence to our standards and purchasing uniform and equipage that replicates the original articles to the best of our ability.

 

  1. We will work closely with the Fox Lake Historical Society, the Fox Lake Congregational Church (original building that the Citizens Guard was formed in), the Harriet O’Connell Historical Room, the Hard Head Mess, the Old Northwest Volunteers, and other associates to support further education about the men from Fox Lake whom upheld the honor of the West. 

 

Members of the Old Northwest Volunteers including members of the re-created Citizens Guard drilling during our co-hosted Fox Lake Preservation March & LH Event in May 2008 portraying the veterans of the Citizens Guard & Miners Guard from Companies G & H of the Sixth Wisconsin Vet. Vol. Infantry Regiment in July 1865 at their return back to Wisconsin.  Picture courtesy of Krista Klas.

 

Membership

 

The Citizens Guard is always open to new members and we invite those that are interested in an accurate portrayal of the “Ragged Backed Second” to review our entire Website to get a feel for our standards, the merchants we use, and the research and preservation causes we are happy to be involved with.

 

For more information on membership, please contact the following Citizens Guard members:

 

Scott Frank                frankdesigns@powerweb.net

 

Daryl Koehn             darylkoehn@msn.com

 

Tom Klas                   fallriversoldier@hotmail.com

 

Scott Sonntag            hconverse@charter.net