It makes me appreciate what I have when I have to 'rough it' for a weekend, plus I like to honor the ordinary men and women who did extraordinary things during that war.
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
Am physically unable to endure the rigors of reenacting. However, I do travel to where ever they are doing it to get a little flavor of the spirit. Most notable was a small gathering in Illinois where a group from Milwaukee came in as an Illinois USCT regiment.
Was that a fine feeling! Their ladies were dressed in period clothing and all were seriously into it. That alone made the whole day worthwhile.
I'm a member of the 3rd MN VI, have fallen in w/ 2nd MN VI, 1st MN VI, 32nd IA VI, 24th IA VI, as a member of the 4th MN VI, 3rd IA VI... ohh boy. I'll echo Neils thoughts... there is nothing quite like the realization of history when sleeping under the stars campaign style or pressing or being pressed while in Skirmish order. It brings that history to life, the sight, smell etc. A priceless experiance.
__________________
Shane Christen
American Legion Post 352
SUVCW Camp Abernethy# 48
Lifetime NRA member
3rd MN VI
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Eccl 1:18
It is priceless in that it puts a whole nother aspect to the words in the history books, it makes it real. After my first event I understood the hardship so much better, over the years I've felt the fire ants, ticks, fleas, lice... I've gotten the trots, slept under a blanket of snow and had ice in my canteen in the morn. It has been just a taste of what the men of the CW experianced; after all no one is shooting at me w/ real intent, there is no lead infornt of those clouds of powder, no round shot bouncing through the ranks killing and maiming for real. But I have that little bit more of experiance that helps me I think to understand the sacrifices made... and if that realization helps me to reach just one person in the crowd and get across what they suffered then it is indeed priceless.
I hope the same is true for every re-enactor/living historian out there.
__________________
Shane Christen
American Legion Post 352
SUVCW Camp Abernethy# 48
Lifetime NRA member
3rd MN VI
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Eccl 1:18
I joined the 3rd USCT firstly as my duty to keep our voices alive to teach about the afro american involvement in the cause. I am a civil war hobbyist/buff and reenacting just brings to life what I'm reading. It is absolutely mind exploding to look across the field and see how everyone, on both sides, has totally transformed to the 19th century.
CivilWarTalk.com -
A free and friendly Civil War community. 
Reenactors-- 
Linear Mode
