In 1984, 10 members of the 1st D.C. Volunteer Infantry met at Fort Ward in Alexandria, Virginia, to organize a new unit. The main criteria for selecting the designation for this new organization were that it must be a unit of the Army of the Potomac with a distinguished record and history, and, since the member were natives of several states, it was decided that the new unit should represent all the states as well. Only by portraying a unit of the Regular Army could the new organization meet all those criteria. With this in mind, along with the nearby home of the modern-day 3rd Infantry, the members chose the 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry as their new unit, and Company B, 3rd U.S. Infantry 1860-1865 was born.

In April 2000, 24 members of Company B met once again at Fort Ward and formed Company D, 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry Reenactors. In January 2004, Company K organized at Fort C.F. Smith in Arlington, Virginia, as a provisional company affiliated with Company D. While Company D will remain a family-oriented "mainstream" organization, Company K's focus will be on the more progressive, campaign-oriented reenactor, while maintaining the standards of the Regulars in drill and military bearing.

Reliving History

The 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry participates in 12-15 Civil War and other history-related events each year. These range from major large-scale battle re-enactments such as Bull Run, Antietam and Gettysburg, to living history programs where only we are the only unit involved. Most events the unit attends are in the mid-Atlantic region, within easy driving distance of the Washington DC-Northern Virginia-Maryland area.

One of the major events of the year for the Third Infantry is the annual Military Through the Ages competition at Jamestown, Virginia. At MTA, groups reenacting different periods of history are judged for proficiency in their period drill and camp life. In 2004, the Third Infantry earned an Honorable Mention in the Director's Choice competition for overall excellence, as well as a Third Place in the cooking competition.

Individual members frequently visit schools and Civil War Roundtable meetings to give presentations on Civil War soldier life.

Members of the Regulars have also appeared in numerous motion picture and TV productions including North and South, The Blue and the Gray, Gore Vidal's Lincoln, The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd, The Lincoln Conspiracy, Glory, Gettysburg, The Day Lincoln Was Shot, and Gods and Generals.

Signing up

Individual membership in the 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry and its Civilian Section is open to persons 18 years of age and older. Dues are $25 annually per person, and family memberships are available at the same $25 annual rate, with additional family voting memberships available for $8 each.

To be eligible to carry a rifle, young men must have passed their 16th birthday and be certified safe by the company commander and NCOs.

Musicians must be at least 12 years old. Some experience with the drum or fife is helpful for musicians but is not required.

For more information, or to sign up, visit our recruiting page today.