1) Are those uniforms hot? / Is that Wool?

These questions go hand-in-hand. The uniforms of the period were 100% wool and a heavy weight. Reproduction uniforms for all practical purposes are still all wool. Yes, compared to a cotton tee-shirt and jeans they are hot. But, it really doesn't take too long to become accustomed to them. Remember that jackets were required, the one consession was that you could unbutton all but the top button and meet regulations. If ladies were present this would have breeched social etiquette. And actually on many an August night a wool jackets is quite nice.

2) How do you know when someone is shot?

You guess! This is a hot topic amoung reenactors. The other side never takes their hits. In newsgroups and in campfire discussions there have been numorous ways discussed, on how to deal with this, and their is nothing that seems to work better than each side playing it by ear. The most workable idea that I have heard is to have the Command-Staff limit the number of cartridges each man has. Then just prior to the battle, when weapons are inspected, a staff memeber marks one cartridge in each box, of a given number of men on each side, in some manner to indicate killed or wounded. When the soldier drew this cartridge he would take a hit after that shot was fired. This way only the overall Commander would know who was going to win the battle. And each Field Commander would be playing a chess game of sorts without knowing the outcome. It could be a real short or long battle. Paint balls would not work due to safety factors.

3) Why did the Armys' line up and shoot at each other that way?

This is a highly academic question, but I'll try. The tatics were developed in the 1700's when dueling was considered a gentlemanly way to settle an arguement. War was just a large-scale duel; the smooth-bore weapons were not accurate at all, and the men did not usually aim at a specific target.
The Civil War was a war of transistion. The war was begun using mostly old tactics and some rifled weapons. As the war progressed the weapons improved and the tactics became more defensive. By late in the war, as soon as the troops stopped marching they built breastworks or dug trenches.
Another point is that the communications of the period were so slow that to fight in open country was probably safer, since all levels of command had a more detailed veiw of the battle and how it was progressing. The one exception to fighting on open ground was "The Wilderness" near Chancellorsville, Va..

4) Are the Guns Real/Orginal?

All of the weapons that are used at Reenactments are real, (Yes, they will shoot real bullets.). They are not orginal, meaning they are not from the Civil War era. At reenactments the soldiers are firing blank rounds, they have powder but not bullets, so only a bit of the paper cartridge comes out of the barrel. Orginal weapons, like orginal uniforms, are much too valuble to be used one the field reenacting.

5) How does a person get started in reenacting? How much does it cost?

Attend an Event near your home or within a reasonable driving distance. View the various camps and talk to each. Each company/regiment has its own personality. Or maybe you have an intrest in a company that a relative served in. Camp Chase Gazette is a very good reenacting magazine, which list nearly all of the significant reenactments in the North America.

Reenacting is not the cheapest of hobbies, nor the most expensive. A quick answer is $500 to $1000. It all depends on which branch of the Army you wish to protray. Artillery Gunner is by far the most expensive, since they usually own the piece (Gun). Mounted Cavlary is a close second and is usually limited to horsemen who wish to reenact. (They already know and have horses.) Dismounted Cavlary is a distance third. Artillery crew and Infantry would be the least expensive. For additional information about joining: The 7th Indiana Cavlary and a detailed cost estimate for dismounted Cavalry.

6) How do I find information about a certain relative or Indiana Company

If you know for sure that the relative did serve in the Civil War, But not what Regiment, this is the first bit of information that you need. The Veterans Advinistration may be helpful. Also don't assume that because a relative lived in the North or South that they necessarily served in that Army. Check with the local libraries in the area they were from for regimental or county histories.

If you are looking for infromation about a certain Indiana Regiment. The standard reference for Indiana Regiments is the Adjutant Generals Report to the Governor (of Indiana) this was published about 1872 and is eight volumes of details covering each company, listing all officers and enlisted men and a brief history of each regiment and battery. If you live in Indiana most city libraries have a copy and you could look this up for yourself, if you live outside of Indiana this may be hard to find. A good source of Indiana Information on the net is Indiana in the Civil War.

6) Do you really sleep in those tents?

Yes, Actually most reenactors utilize period tents in a much more accomdating fashion than during the war. It was not all that uncommon for the soldiers to sleep without a tent while on campaigns. If they had tents they were most likely two shelter halves buttoned together and this would have slept two, with reasonable room. The "A" or wedge tent was deisigned for four to five soldiers. Reenactors, as a rule, consider this to be a two man tent, rarly three. The larger wall tent would have been used for officers, and if staff or juniors might have housed five to six.

Winter quarters or long-term camps would have been an exception, and the soldiers were known to build rather substantial huts.

In his diary (published as "All for the Union"), Elisha Hunt Rhodes, 2nd Rhode Island, commented that a bed of pine boughts was most comfortable, Having slept on straw a number of events this author would tend to agree. Also bear in mind the construction of bedding of the period was normally straw or feather ticks, even for the most wealthy.