Dawan, it just goes to show, you need to come to Wisconsin and re-enact! That's all there is to it. We have a Union cav unit that has a gal rider in it, and we have several artillary units that have women at the gun, and there are several women who are in the infantry units around here. The one thing, if you wished to do military would be to do vivanidier. The men are more apt to accept that then sometimes having a woman disguised as a man and not being able to pull it off. Neil's right on that count. There are allot of women who do let their long hair creep out from under a kepi.
Thank you again for your praise. I will say once again, though, I am no epxert. I have learned that the more I learn the less I know. But thank you none the less. I share what I know and find, and that is how we all learn.
Dawna... we in the 3rd MN would be more than happy to grab you (no pun intended) though we're Infantry... I can vouch for having seen at least two women do outstanding roles in the Infantry and another in the Arty... though she did not hihde her sex as she portrayed an actual Viviandiere.
There are other roles for women, Christian Commision, nuns, medical support, various civilian roles as I'm sure Jenna can easily vouch for.
I believe I know the Cav unit Jenna is refering too and they would likely be mopre than happy to grab you up especially if you have your own horse.
I just returned from an event w/ a large contingent of women in the CS ranks.. frankly it was a bit embarassing... only one even tried to hide her femininity... then again the unit they were attached to has a bad enough rep they are rarely invited to events.
Good Luck and welcome aboard... once you're bit by the bug just give up and accept having been seduced by the dark side.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Thank you for your encouragement and I am thrilled to learn that it might be possible for me to join a cavalry unit...I've been wanting to do this for such a long time. I would have no difficulty in concealing my gender and I became very good at hiding my hair when I was on the show circuit. I don't mind looking like I've been cleaning chimney's all weekend if that is part of the re-enacting experience, but I'm definitely not willing to cut my hair.
The only concern I have now is the colour of my current horse and I'm sure that you or Jenna would immediately know the answer to this question. I understand that most horses used in the cavalry during the Civil War were either blacks, bays, or chesnuts, and for obvious reasons. My current horse is a black and white paint from Kansas and although Jesse is an amazing athlete with impeccable manners and a solid foundation in basic dressage, I may be turned down because his colour would not be historically accurate.
I wouldn't be interested in borrowing a mount and if you wouldn't mind indulging me a moment, I would like to offer what I believe is a reasonable explanation. I bought Jesse almost three years ago - a scrawny unbroke horse that had been very much overlooked because of his size, and he has blossomed into one of the most awesome horses that I've ever had the pleasure to own.
I've put an enormous amount of blood, sweat and tears into this horse and for several months now I have been furthering Jesse's education through miles of challenging trails. Jesse is fearless and stoic... when we had a bear encounter in the Andirondacks this past summer, he handled it with his usual trusting and unflappable manner. I am so impressed with this horse's mindset that I would do almost anything with him and we're both ready for a new horse career.
If Jesse's colour is not a problem, then perhaps I might be permitted to take the next step and speak with one of the cavalry members?
Well Shane, if I'm going to be led astray, it might as well be for a worthy cause!
Contrary to some belief there were paint horses out there, though from what I've found they were rare enough to illicit astonished comment, most common w/ the Western troops, there is mention of 5th Iowa Cav capturing and using several from the Lakota in 64. Also I believe I've read reference to a few Texas Cav units aquiring similar horses from the Commanche late in the War. It is certainly worth investigating. I know of one fell who would dye his paint to one color... I know this because a friend was currying the horse and got brown dye all over his uniform. The language that followed was QUITE strong. The most difficult thing for horses is the gunfire... I dealt w/ an excellent mare this weekend who was fine w/ cannon, musketry and the crowd, but as soon as the bugler let go... she became quite skittish.
An option you may have is to find a particular individual and portray her... There were several women who wore the blue in Cav units who were effective in disguising their gender but there were also several who didn't try to but attached themselves either to a husband who was an officer or at least one who was a courier (On General Hunter's Staff IIRC she did something like 70 miles in 24 hours)and another who was a gal who took medicine from one hospital to another; often through enemy territory.
We'll get you outfitted... If you want to do Eastern Cav there is quite a difference in appearance to Western Cav. "You Potomac horsemen looked pretty with all that spit and polish. WE were too busy fighting Forrest and chasing Indians to waste time on polish and too short of water to waste spit."
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Dawan, Unless it is a hard core group, you can be that any Cav unit should be happy to have you, especially if you are an experienced rider. That is what they look for allot of times. Someone who can ride and shoot at the same time is pretty much what people look for.
Yes, you are right that mostly bays, blacks, and chestnuts were mostly used, They didn't stand out like a sore thumb. But like I said, unless it's a hard core group, which wouldn't let a woman in anyways, they would be the ones concerned with horse color.
We even have a group of ladies here that are attached to one of the Virginia cav units that formed their own ladies horse group. They get dolled up in their period riding outfits and basically that's what they do, ride around and show what ladies wore and did as recreation.
Hope you find a niche soon, or I may be foreced to come drag you down from Canada to Wisconsin!!
I just had to pass this bit of news along to all of you.
I have done some various roles in my reenacting career. Union and Confederate soldier, artilleryman, telegraph operator, Corporal, Sergeant, First Sergeant and Captain of a company of infantry, a Rebel Sergeant and Lieutenant in a Confederate company. I have been a bartender and a civilian recruit and I have had the good fortune to be a medical officer and assistant surgeon in a field hospital, but this one has got ME shaking my head!
My wife and her friend Lorrie have done reenactments in the past as Catholic Nuns from the order of the Sisters of Mercy. Now, at the time of the war, Catholic Nuns did not travel by themselves, they were usually in the company of a Catholic priest.
This WAS not going to be a problem for my wife Sue and Lorrie as Lorrie husband had initially agreed to portray a priest for them. But, the poor man decided at the last minute to back out and try a soldier impression instead, thinking he would be a bit more comfortable in that role.
SOOOO..., When I overheard my wife talking on the phone to Lorrie about their problem about not being quite 'right' because the were both unaccompanied by a priest, I volunteered to take the husbands place.
I'll be provided a priest's outfit? rainment? robes? etc., by my wife and Lorrie, to include crucifix, beads, and bible. I know I will have to learn some Latin and such, but can YOU ALL picture it?
Father Hamilton? Should I watch for lightning?
YMOS/Amen
Father Blue?
__________________ "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, don't worry about it... last time I was in a mass I didn't burst into a pillar of flames. Though, I was asked by the Priest to refrain from entering the sanctuary until after services to do any work as he was leary of greasy smoke staining the walls IF I did go poof.
Just don't try and say mass. Believe it or not thatere is one Roman Catholic Priest that re-enacts. He is a (IIRC) Chaplain Major in the USAF.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Neil, since you have already survived being chased by a group of angry Confederate women, I think you will do quite nicely as a priest. You will need to perfect the art of genuflecting and memorize the last rites. And of course you'll get to hear a lot of confessions. Don't make anyone say too many Hail Marys!
Oh, and I wonder if you will be able to get up a good bingo game? <grin>
Good luck at any rate. I'm sure you'll make a fine priest, but would you do me a favor, add an Irish brogue!
-T-
__________________ Thea
No one has permission to use any material from any of my posts on any CWT forum, the archives, or any other forum without my express written permission.
What would any GOOD Catholic priest being doing without a good, Irish brogue!
I'll do my best, ma'am.
Sincerely,
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
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