"Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic."

General John Alexander Logan
Gen. Order 11 Creating Memorial Day

Today's Co.K, 81st PVI is a diverse group of Civil War enthusiasts from all over Northeastern Pennsylvania. We hold our meetings in Mountain Top, Luzerne County. We are a registered non-profit organization with a membership that hovers around 50. Members serve voluntarily in administrative positions to run the company. Our mission is to bring the Civil War accurately to life in order to generate interest in our rich national and local history and to preserve and honor the memories of the men who gave all to fight for an undivided Union, especially those from Co. K, 81st PA Volunteer Infantry.

Our membership breaks down to approximately 75% military and 25% civilian. We have a vivandier, musicians, and a medical steward included in our military roster.
The men of Co. K are all outfitted with authentically reproduced uniforms, weapons, accouterments, and equipment. We have a command structure with an officer and non-commissioned officers and we practice 1860's military etiquette and discipline in the field. Military members are drilled in period weapons handling and tactics. Because we use real weapons that fire black powder, safety is always paramount and one must be 16 years old to handle a weapon. We chose to portray Co. K, 81st PA because the company was made up of volunteers from our county, Luzerne County, recruited from Eckley, PA and belonged to a respected regiment in the 1st Divison of the famed 2nd Army Corps, well known for its fighting ability. The 2nd Corps in turn belonged to the renouned Army of the Potomac that took on and defeated Robert E. Lee in the Eastern Theater. The 81st PA participated in all but the first few battles in the Eastern Theater of our bloody Civil War. We represent them with pride.
The musicians are typically, but not necessarily, younger than 16 years old and actually play period drums, fife, and bugle. They wear the uniform of the private.
Our vivandiere is also an experienced reenactor that has been with the unit for some time. A vivandiere was a woman who wore the uniform of her unit, though usually with a Zouave jacket and a skirt over her pants, who tended to the needs of the troops in such areas as laundry and selling them liquor, food and supplies. Needless to say, the troops loved them! Today's "viv's" provide water, ice, and first aid to our men while in the field.
Our civilian group is comprised of children and adults. They wear period civilian clothing and portray a wide range of activities including cooking, selling goods of the time, sewing, and playing period games. Many times the civilians camp period-style at our events.
All of our members purchase and maintain their own uniforms, clothing, equipment, and supplies. In addition to events, Co.K generally meets the first Sunday of each month at the Fairview Municipal Building in Mountain Top, PA at 1:30 in the afternoon.

The 81st P.V.I., Co. K is a proud member of the Mifflin Guard, an association of 27 member units like our own, who come together to form a large battalion at larger events.

We bring the Civil War to life through:

Living Histories & Encampments - Each year we participate in several living histories to meet and teach the public about camp life during the war. See us at Eckley Miner's Village in August or the Mifflin Guard Encampment at Gettyburg National Military Park in July. See our schedule.

Parades - We march in several parades each year that have appropriate themes to keep the men's memories alive. You'll see us in Jim Thorpe's St. Patty's, Summit Hill's Memorial Day, Ashland's Labor Day, Wilkes-Barre's Veteran's Day, Gettysburg's Remembrance Day, Hazleton's Funfest and others.

Battle Reenactments - We participate in battle reenactments held on the East Coast ranging in size from small events with hundreds of reenactors and spectators, to larger "anniversary" events involving thousands, even tens-of-thousands, of reenactors and spectators from all over the U.S. & world. More pictures in Gallery

Cemetery Honors - On Memorial Day and Veteran's Day each year, we hold ceremonies at the graves of Civil War veterans in cemeteries across the region. This usually includes reading a bit of information on the particular men buried in that cemetery, decorating the graves with flowers or wreaths, and firing a salute.

Fund Raising for Preservation - In 1999 we raised over $1200 to clean and preserve the 81st PA monument at Gettysburg. We also donate to battlefield preservation and march for preservation of battlefields and original Civil War items. Most events we participate in donate some portion of proceeds to preservation. For more on our monument cleaning effort: Click here!

Cemetery & Battlefield Clean-ups - We periodically clean the Eckley, Pa cemetery. We also procure government headstones to replace Civil War veterans' broken, worn, or missing stones. To see photos of us replacing stones Click here!
 

Research - We do extensive research on Co. K and men from the other companies of the 81st to learn as much as we can about them. We do this by sending for military and pension records, interacting with ancestors, visiting local historical societies, visiting cemeteries, internet research, etc. Some of this research is included in the Original 81st page.

Buy the book written by today's Co. K Captain, Ryan Lindbuchler, "Gone But Not Forgotten: Civil War Veterans of Northeastern Pennsylvania". The book includes pictures and biographies of Civil War veterans from the northeastern PA region including some 81st PVI men as well as grave locations, regimental histories, and much more. The book also includes a CD-ROM listing the burial places of over 9,000 area Civil War veterans in 196 cemeteries across northeastern and central Pennsylvania. Click here for details.

But most of all we have FUN!

Whether at our annual banquet in February, in the field, at parades, or at the annual Mifflin Guard Ball, we have a great time!

If you would like to JOIN US, please visit the Recruitment page for more information, then Contact us!

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