The Dismal Swamp Rangers were reactivated in the spring of 1962 in Portsmouth, Virginia. Many of the members were previous members of the Portsmouth Light Artillery and experienced skirmishers.

Their first skirmish was the 25th National held in Kirkland, Ohio in May of 1962. They were voted permanent status at the August 1962 Board of Directors meeting and assigned seniority number 96. They were the sole host team at the 27th National Skirmish held at Fort Lee, Virginia in the Spring of 1963, this was the last skirmish hosted by only one team and the last to be held anywhere other than Fort Shenandoah.

The Rangers participated in all of the major re-enactment's during the Civil War Centennial and many of the smaller ones. They have played a major role in educating school children as well as adults with their living history displays and talks concerning War for Southern Independence, Dismal Swamp Rangers and the North South Skirmish Association. They also participate in every Change of Command Ceremony held at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth.

They have played a very active roll in the growth and development of the Tidewater Region and the NSSA. Three members have served as Tidewater Regional Commander, Dick Dodd in 1963-1964, John Sharrett in 1970-1972 and Robert Igneri 1982-1989. Two members have served as Deputy Commander, Ralph Dixon and Linwood McMahon. Four members have served as Adjutant, Jimmy Poor, Larry Barnes, Linwood McMahon and Craig Faubion. The Regional Inspector position has been filled by three members, Peter Griffith, Roger Williams and Wayne Trout. The Regional Public Information Officer position has been filled by by four members, John Sharrett, Kent Brinkley, Ed Boyd and Craig Faubion. On the National level John Sharrett served as Deputy Commander 1972-1976 and served three terms as National Commander 1977-1982.

The Rangers maintain a membership of 24 to 30 members with a fixed limit at 30, which enables them to field three musket teams at all of the National and Regional Skirmishes. They won their first skirmish, Mason-Dixon in 1969, followed it, two weeks later, by winning the Maggie Valley Skirmish. Since their first win in 1969 they have won over 150 skirmishes, including 7 National Musket and 3 National Carbine Championships. They have won 33 of the 65 regional Musket Championships and 20 Carbine Championships. They have compiled a record of winning every skirmish held in the Tidewater Region for the past 11 years, except for two. Their "B" & "C" teams have also done extremely well in both musket and carbine matches and have been the "A" teams main competition in the past few years.

The "Swamprat" Skirmish held in the spring of each year has been going on unbroken for the past 30 years. The first few were held in cornfields and then the skirmish was moved to Fort Mahone in Capron, Virginia.

The Dismal Swamp Rangers take pride in their accomplishments in the 37 years of their existence and hope to continue their success, not only in their shooting skills, but in all aspects of the sport!