Few events in history captivate the American imagination like the Civil War. Countless books, articles, and film scripts have been written on the subject, and Civil War discussion groups abound in communities coast to coast.

For many people, however, reading about and talking about the Civil War simply isn't enough.  Some people want more out of history.  They want the experience to be more tangible.  They want history to come to life...

By depicting the experiences of 19th century military camp life and recreating the drill and battle strategies of the era as accurately as possible, the 5th OVI provides its members and the public the opportunity to experience the Civil War in a way that no book can begin to express.