Federal Troops

[Mark Wadsworth]

I went to an event this past weekend the Federial infantry out numbered the Confederate infantry. They had about 12 blue and only gray were a gun crew that left their piece and took up muskets.

[Tkoind]

We are just starting our group abroad and one of the first rules we agreed to was that we would do dual impressions. It simply doesn't make sense to honor only one side when it was the sacrifices of both sides that made our country what it is today. We do ourselves and our history honor by remembering the hardships endured by both as well as the unique circumstances experienced by both sides.

Though we are new to CW reenacting, we are not new to event coordination and working to balance events between popular and not so popular roles. The best way is to make first time participation compusory for Union. Another idea is to do a lottery so that it is fair. When units sign up let them know that a lottery will be drawn to balance the event and that they may be required to galvanize.

[AZReenactor]

Originally Posted by Mark Wadsworth

One of the hardest things is to get folks to wear blue.

After reenacting primarily Confederate for more than ten years I switched to predominately Federal impressions in the last few years. Being in the far West the switch was made easier at first by the fact that our primary advasaries were Apache and Navajo but as I delved further into the impression of the men I was portraying I began examining the motives of Union men and why they fought.

When I reenact, I immerse my self in the persona of the men I'm depicting so as to develope a better first person impression. As a Federal soldier who enlisted to help defend California From the Confederate invasion forces moving across the New Mexico Territory I have a totally different take on the South. The political leaders in the South had chosen to break up the nation that our fathers and grandfather's had fought so hard to found. The rebels weren't loyal patriots defending their homes, but rather, traitorous madmen who were so zealous to get their own way in politics and bent on increasing their own influence and power that they were willing to rip the United States apart and even attack US troops and facilities when it suited them. Federal soldiers weren't trying to take over and conquer the South, but rather fighting to help put down the insurgents who had seized power and fired on the US flag. Put in those terms, it is a whole lot easier to imerse oneself in patriotic zeal and put on the blue suit for God and country.

I, do solemnly swear that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever; and observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles for the government of the armies of the United States.

Heck, anymore I find it difficult to portray Sesh. :-)

[ole]

Wow, AZ! Never looked at that way. Thanks.
Ole

[johan_steele]

Pretty much on par w/ most of what I've read of the average MN, IA & Wi soldier as well.

[bill1957]

Originally Posted by texascavcadet

I was patercipating in a reenactment this past weekend at Crocket Texas.
And of course there were 12 confederate cannons with only one federal cannon and mortar with the yanks. And the mounted cav there were 16 confederate and 6 federal. The didmounted there were 0 federals and 33 confederate. The infantry- there were about 50 cs infantry and 40 federal infantry.!

I went on Saturday and the battle lasted only twenty/twenty five minutes. With the exception of the Southern route it was'nt very enjoyable to watch.

Bill