Just got this month's issue of the Camp Chase Gazette and it has listings for Civil War reenactments across the US, with dates, times and locations. I was wondering if anyone wanted to know if an event was coming up close to their area. Be glad to look it up for you.
Thea, I noticed that on October 16 & 17 an event at Ohatchee, Alabama, called the 'Battle of Ten Island for Janney Furnace.' I have no idea if the event is close to you or not. The event is hosted by the 51st Alabama Infantry, Co. A, and will feature artillery and a period ball featuring Virginia Reel on Saturday night. For more information, call Capt. Richard Duke, (256) 237-2396 or email him at duke1509@aol.com.
Tommy, I imagine you already know about the upcoming Battle of Franklin coming up in your State. October 1, 2, & 3, at Spring Hill, Tennesse, the 140th anniversary of that battle. At last count they were expecting 10,000 reenactors/soldiers alone to show up for it! You can check out the web site for more information at
Myself, besides Guyandotte, WV, the first weekend in November, I am thinking of attending the October 2 & 3 Fremont, Ohio event and then going to another one at Canfield/Boardman, Ohio on October 8, 9 & 10. Trying to keep things local until my Doctor gives me the full go-ahead for next year.
YMOS,
Unionblue
__________________ "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
Neil,
I am going to try my best to attend Franklin but not sure I'll be able to. I have the ESI Thursday. Yippeee it is my last injection. (It may be simple procedure but man I hate needles stuck into mt spine. Icky Shudder) As well as other things bothersome with the family etc.
But looks like weather will be delightful at Franklin. Luckily the event is just a few minutes drive over so I can go whenever I get a chance.
What happened at Canfield? Was this Morgan?
YMOS
tommy
PS
I have grown to rarely listen to my doctor. I think they should still have Barber Poles.
I really hope you make and none of this needle sticking in the spine (SHUDDER!) keeps you from it.
NOTHING happened at Canfield nor the other Ohio event I am thinking of attending. These are just local events put on to help benefit some historic project or building in that area. In Canfield they are helping to support a local historic cabin and museum.
Unionblue
__________________ "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
Whew. I have in the last year or so, been really losing my memory. Seriously. I thought I was losing even more because I could not recall any incidents in Canfield. Later I thought it might have been a ..."squirrel hunters?" event.
Now, the last one may not be very good as I found some of the links it listed were not working, but you may get some good information on the others.
As for events, it looks like most of them have already passed in Canada, although I did see a ball coming up later. If anything, these sites will let you know what is going on for next year, so check on them once in a while for a reenactment in your area.
YMOS,
Unionblue
__________________ "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
Thank you so much for taking the time to look up these links for me...I am most appreciative. It was interesting to discover that the two major events in Southern Ontario are practically at my doorstep, but of course, as you suggested, they are long over. Something to think about for next year.
The Franklin event looks amazing and I notice that there must be a decent cavalry unit as this site has given notification regarding health certificates and Coggins testing. Will you be attending the Franklin event, or have you in the past?
I would be interested in riding with a cavalry unit, but I expect that I will be met with much resistance because of my sex. Perhaps you have encountered female members of the cavalry at some of your events? I have the horse experience and riding skills but of course the training involved for the battlefield would be an education unto itself.
Our RCMP horses are put through a very rigourous and intense program that is not for the feint of heart, and occasionally I've enrolled my horses in divisions of these programs...the education and experience is invaluable. It requires dedication and time, which I'm sure would be no different that those requirements of any cavalry unit.
It may just be a pipe dream of mine Neil but it's fun to think about. And who knows, maybe I might even see you at an event, long enough to scoop you up as you're running backwards and deposit you under your favourite shady tree!
Neil, Thanks for sending her the links! Would love to get her into re-enacting. See Dawna, there are units up by you. And there is probably more listed that you don't even know about yet. Get out there a do it! You won't regret getting into it at all. It's fun, once you get your gear together. And with the stuff you have posted and things we've talked about, you will have no problem talking with spectators. Thats the hardest part, because you know that they will take what you say as bible.
You are more than welcome concerning the links, I hope they lead you into what you want and expand your love of history.
I am afraid I have never been to the Franklin reenactment and yes, I know there will be a LARGE calvary participation there during the event.
I am sorry to say that most units, be they infantry, artillery or calvary, will resist to the death the idea of a female joining their ranks. Much of the opposition to such a move is based on a unit's history. If it didn't really happen, (a woman in the ranks) they don't want it said that they are not historically correct in their impression. But a lot of the time there is the idea that the 'boys' don't want the 'girls' in their club, treehouse or reenacting unit. Sorry, but sometimes that is the wall you will run up against.
Sometimes it is the ladies themselves that are at fault when they try to get into a male role in a reenacting unit. Some women make NO attempt at disguising their gender, their looks or voices and will NEVER cut their hair so they look more like a man. Wisps of long, blonde hair sticking out of a kepi by an obvious woman on horseback detracts from the entire reenacting experience.
Not to say that women should NOT try to do these roles, as it is a historical fact that women did disguise themselves as men and fought in the ranks and from the saddle during the war. It just seems today that most women who try it are not willing to fully go the distance when presenting their impression at reenactments.
I think your best chance would be a Confederate outfit as they as sometimes more open to the idea of a lady serving in the ranks, but be prepared to really try and develope a good reenacting persona. CUT your hair, dirty your face, get clothing that is loose, not tight that shoves the curves, and study, REALLY study, how men act, in groups or alone, at reenactments. You really have to try and be 'one of the boys' to the point where you do not even contemplate going into a 'ladies' port-o-john at a reenactment. The best you could hope for is to be mistaken for a teen-age boy and to keep your voice low or to avoid as much conversation as possible. And one other thing, DO YOUR CAMP CHORES! Carry water, chop wood and stand guard like the men do. THIS will earn you a lot of respect and leeway, if you do it without complaint.
Hope it works out for you, Dawna. But please also consider other areas if this does not work out for you. It is not an easy road to try and do this impression. But as I said, my friend, Jenn Canary did it and soldiered in our 17th Mississippi Infantry company for three years and was never given anything but respect for her impression. And she went undiscovered at so many national reenactments that her comrades in the ranks automatically refered to her as 'Pvt. Jay' her name when she was in character and they treated her as a fellow soldier.
Jenna, you are welcome and I hope the sites do result in helping Dawna get into reenacting and living history. It is such a great hobby!
YMOS,
Unionblue
(Message edited by Unionblue on October 01, 2004)
__________________ "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
Thank you for your encouragement Jenna and to you Neil for your additional information. I appreciate your candor and I understand the importance of authentic, historically correct impressions. Since a very young age, I've had to fight for my right to work in an industry that was once completely dominated by men (horse industry), and in most cases I've had to work twice as hard to prove myself since my 5'3" frame has been scoffed at on more than one occasion by even the most liberal of purist horsemen.
I put great value in hard work so the only remaining issue is that of my hair but unfortunately, and as hackneyed as this may sound, it is the one area that would most definitely compromise my impression. I've worn my hair long since early childhood and in my showing days I simply pulled my hair back into a bun that was secured with invisible pins and gel, and the rest was neatly tucked under my hat. The theory was, and still is, that judges did not want to see anything that would detract from the movement of the horse. And as you mentioned Neil, even one strand of hair falling out of a kepi would alter the entire experience.
I'm sure that there are other re-enacting areas that would suit my interests, although none quite as exciting as riding with the cavalry! But I share Jenna's interest in fashions of the time, and have Jenna to personally thank for being so willing to share her knowledge and beautiful collection of Civil War dresses.
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