Federal Volunteer Brigade
Our Mission Statement:
The Federal Volunteer Brigade is formed as a living memorial, to provide living historians a means to honor the men, who fought to preserve the Union during the War of the Rebellion from 1861 through 1865, and the women and families who supported them. The Federal Volunteer Brigade members pledge to strive to accurately portray the lifestyle of the period, with honor, dignity and respect to themselves, each other and to the memory of those we represent..
Our History:
The Brigade was formed in July 2008, after the 145th Gettysburg event. It was decided at that event that we should branch out on our own to pursue our vision of reenacting. The organizational meeting was held in Gettysburg. An initial draft of by-laws were written, communications inviting members was drafted, and the name Federal Volunteer Brigade (FVB) was adopted. Ron Palese was selected to be the Brigadier General, and J. Henson was selected as First Regiment Colonel.
Our first event as the Federal Volunteer Brigade was in October 2008, at Cedar Creek, in Middletown, VA.
General Palese retired at the end of the 150th Gettysburg event, passing command to Brevet Gen. Dennis Shirk, of the 93rd PA. Colonel J. Henson was appointed General, then ratified by a vote from the Board of Company Commanders in 2015.
Our history goes back further than the creation of the FVB.
Before the FVB was founded, the majority of our companies were the Second Regiment of Vincent’s Brigade, where Ron Palese was Colonel. Some of the original members of Vincent’s Second were the 93rd Pa., with Dennis Shirk, the 61st Pa., with Rob Wingert, the 87th Pa., with Jim VanLaeys,
and the 7th Md. with J. Henson.
Our future is bright, in part by the strength of our past.
If you or your company is interested in joining the Brigade, please contact us.