Battery B, 4th U.S. Light Artillery Living History Association was founded in 1994 in Milwaukee, WI, by members of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Association who wanted to portray the artillery of the “Iron Brigade.” Our membership runs the entire length of experience from novice to professional artillerist. All are dedicated to preserving and recreating the history of this proud battery during the years spanning 1861-1865. This is accomplished through what is known as the medium of “living history.”
The living history phenomenon has been growing by leaps and bounds within this country. For those who are unfamiliar with this term or its by product “living historian” some explanations might be in order. Living historians are those who through the use of material culture, such as authentically reproduced garments, accouterments, tools, etc. attempt to recreate eras now past by actually living and acting as individuals from a by gone era. Equally essential to the material items is the ability to research and use that research in fully rounded portrayals. By bridging the gap of years from then and now living historians try to recreate the past in an effort to educate not only themselves but the general public in which they come in contact. Simply put living history is education through action. By our very name you can see that we are a military living history organization. We focus on the years of the American Civil War (1861-1865).
Battery B, 4th U.S. Light Artillery, Inc. exists to honor the courage and sacrifice of the original Battery B (1861-1865). Our goal is to educate the general public on the Civil War and specifically on the role of the Union artillery.