Legion: A single, integrated military command containing units of infantry, artillery and cavalry.
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The Carolina Legion
A Brief History
By Gen. Jeff Stepp
The Carolina Legion, not unlike many umbrella type reenactment organizations, found its start in 1986 with the coming of the 125th anniversary of the War Between the States. At that time it was the desire of all North Carolina Confederate units to come together into an organization that would allow sufficient numbers to field an actual sized infantry battalion. It was felt that by so doing we could best represent the State of North Carolina during the series of large reenactments planned during the course of the 125th anniversary observances.
Meeting in the historic House of Commons chamber situated in the wartime NC State capitol at Raleigh, NC in 1986; all NC units met and created the organization called "The North Carolina Battalion." At the reenactment of the battle of First Manassas all member units portrayed the 6th Regiment North Carolina State Troops which was the only NC unit at the original battle to actually become engaged. Capt. Thomas Seuberling of the 3rd NC State Troops reactivated was elected the battalion’s first Colonel, Capt. Jeff Stepp of the 26th Regiment NC Troops served as Lieutenant Colonel and Sgt. James Crocker of the 6th NC State Troops. served as the battalion’s Major. During the successive years of the 125th series of events, Capt. Charles Clark of the 18th Regiment NC Troops reactivated served as the battalion’s Colonel representing NC troops at the 1987 reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Va.. In 1988 the battalion elected Capt. Jeff Stepp of the 26th Regiment NC Troops reactivated as its Colonel for the reenactment that year of the Battle of Gettysburg where over 12,000 reenactors took the field to portray that pivotal three day action. Later the same year, Col. Stepp led the NC Battalion at the reenactment of the Battle of Chickamauga, Ga. as well.
By the end of 1988, the NC Battalion had grown to over 22 reenacting units from all over the nation. Due to the administrative difficulties presented by such a numerous and far flung command and concerns from some member units who desired more concentration on mastering period drill and military protocol, a second battalion was formed. The new battalion was called the 2nd North Carolina Battalion and was initially composed of the 26th and 49th North Carolina Troops reactivated, later to be joined by the 6th NC State Troops. The 2nd NC Battalion completed the 125th anniversary series of events by representing North Carolina at the national events for the Battle of the Wilderness, Va. and Franklin Tenn. in 1989, where the 2nd NC Battalion’s Colonel was Capt. James Chandler of the 49th NC Troops reactivated. The 125th anniversary events concluded in 1990 with Jeff Stepp serving again as the battalion’s Colonel at the observance of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House, Va. and a reenactment of the Battle of Bentonville, NC which was the last major engagement for the Confederate Army of Tennessee. 
During the years between 1990 and 1996, the 2nd NC Battalion represented North Carolina troops at numerous reenactments and living history programs at national and state parks. With the addition of the 25th North Carolina Troops reactivated, the horse drawn artillery of Reilly's N.C. Battery, the mounted troops of the 5th NC Cavalry and the Carolina Fifes and Drums field music, in addition to regular affiliation with other umbrella reenactor organizations in South Carolina and the mid Atlantic states; the 2nd NC Battalion changed its name in 1998 to The Carolina Legion to be more reflective of its actual composition since it was no longer purely a reenactment infantry unit. The Carolina Legion elected Jeff Stepp as its Colonel with subsequent promotion to Brigadier General, at which he continues to serve.
Since 1998 The Carolina Legion has been an active participant in numerous national level reenactment events and has worked with the National Park Service to provide living history programs at such sites as Appomattox Court House, Va., Gettysburg, Pa., Harpers Ferry, WVa., Petersburg, Va., and Sharpsburg, Md. .
The Legion has also been very active at state historic parks in NC, SC, TN and VA. The Carolina Legion is one of the few reenactment organizations in the nation that has the capability and experience to portray combined arms tactics utilizing artillery, cavalry, infantry and period music in an authentic and historic fashion
With the addition of an authentic field hospital and medical component, the Tarheel Rangers Cavalry, blacksmith impression with traveling forge, and an affiliation with the Federal City Brass Band, representing the regimental band of the 26th NC, the Legion continues to grow. We currently participate in a mix of progressive campaign and garrison type events as well. If your reenactment unit is interested in an affiliation with The Carolina Legion or if you are an individual seeking a unit to join, we would be happy to speak with you and provide additional information on what is required. Please feel free to contact any of the officers and staff of The Carolina Legion for additional information. You can access E-mail contact information for them on the Carolina Legion Staff Page of this website. We cordially invite you to participate with us in remembering that remarkable generation of North Carolinians who served their native State and the South!
General Stepp leading his brigade on the final assault at the 135th Gettysburg
