Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the Ninth Ohio?

The Ninth Ohio Volunteers, or “Die Neuner”, was an all-German infantry regiment that served during the American Civil War.  Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, it was one of several all- or mostly-German regiments and dozens of companies provided to the war effort by the city.

All German?

Of course at the time of the Civil War, Germany did not exist as a proper state.  In this use, “German” means someone from any number of German-speaking people, those who identified ethnically as German, and their offspring.  Those who lived in German communities often served in the same company or regiment - cities such as New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Cincinnati provided multiple German-speaking units.

Why Cincinnati?

Cincinnati had and still has strong ethnic German roots. In the mid-19th Century, it was the fifth largest city in the northern states, and home to tens of thousands of Germans, who made up more than ⅓ of the city’s population.

Why “A Living History”?

The Ninth Ohio was a popular regiment, and has seen multiple incarnations portrayed by various living history groups over the years.  Ours is one of many.  However, we choose to set ourselves apart from other efforts by fostering a better understanding and appreciation for their German heritage.

We emphasize actual culture over material culture.  While we do strive to attain as authentic an impression as possible, we do not waste our time comparing the size of our canteen corks or the markings on the backs of our buttons. Rather, we focus on serious and impactful historical research about those who wore the uniform and their experiences.

Do you do battle reenactments?

The short answer is no.  While battle was an important part of a soldier’s life, it constituted a very small percentage of his time in service.  We feel there is very little educational value in watching a scripted battle from afar, and prefer to spend our efforts portraying the daily routine and parts of a soldier’s life that allow us close interaction with the public.  Further, we feel that battle reenactments can never capture the true horror of combat, and participants often fall short in demonstrating the solemnity and respect that is deserved.  While The Ninth Ohio: A Living History will not endorse a battle reenactment, we leave individual participation of our members and volunteers as a personal choice.

Do you accept donations?

Yes!  We accept donations here, and while we are not yet a 501c3 organization, your donation will help us apply for nonprofit status.  All donated funds also help us create digital content, perform research, and provide quality, authentic living history demonstrations.

How can I join or volunteer?

There are many ways you can help us achieve our goal!  We are working on developing a Volunteers page, but in the meantime, just drop us a line here!

What age must I be to volunteer?

Check out our photos - we have room for all ages, genders and ethnicities!  Our goal is education.  If you are outgoing, enjoy speaking to the public, or just want to be a part of the only authentic German living history organization on this side of the Atlantic, drop us a line!

How can I start a German-American living history group in my area?

We’ve been waiting for you!  “The 26th Wisconsin: A Living History” out of Milwaukee?  “The 75th Pennsylvania: A Living History” in Philly?  Let’s do it!  Drop us a line and we will set you on the right track.  Bahn frei!

How do I begin researching my German ancestor?