Is It OK To........

[handy.harris]

I am reenacting in 2 different units. For one I am Gunner with the Brooks Light Artillery. Whenever the cannon is not available, I am Corporal of the 5th GA. Inf. Co. A.
As long as you keep both sides informed of what you are doing, and what your future plans are, there really shouldn't be a problem.

The only issue I can see, that you might get promoted in one unit and there is no room for your rank in the other unit.

If I would be doing 2 Artillery units, I would start out as Gunner. If one unit promotes me to Corporal it could be that the other unit does not accept this.
So you would need 2 jackets. One with and one without stripes.

Handy

[M E Wolf]

Dear Ole,

I have to join you in being in the 'I wish I were younger' category. [Sighs]

Arthritis is kicking my beehind from shoulders to my feet and other limbs.
Any faster, I have to speed up to stop.

I would have been in the Cavalry on either side; or ambulance, forge wagon and or driver for the artillery teams. Having driven single, teams, tandems and four in hand; etc; trained horses for driving and riding; I think I could have been useful. But, in my youthfulness--computers were around fully as they are now. Worked on Civil War and post Civil War buggy and wagon restorations as well. Could have helped there also.

Having Calligraphy skills, it is similar to Copperplating and Spencerian style of writing; it would be authentic dip pen 'writing.' I could at least be helpful in teaching interested folks how to. I do have a fun way of starting folks out --works with kids also. Bet people didn't know that the style of shorthand in the Civil War was "Lloyd's." Gregg shorthand was taught in the 1970s. However; "Lloyd's" style of shorthand was used for court-martials, official debates, secretarial work, etc.

Maybe with a bit of help -- I could substitute for Old "Fuss 'n Feathers."
[Chuckles]

I wouldn't mind be Administrative --Courts Martial duty, Assistant Adjudant General, Assistant Inspector General, etc. Isn't that off the mark what I did when I was in my best 'lean, mean..fighting machine' mode.


Ah--youth and a less decrepit body!

"Old Soldiers don't die--they just fade away." [Ref. Douglas MacArthur's farewell address to Congress]

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

[larry_cockerham]

Originally Posted by ole

And that, 5th, is where it ought to be. Who was on what side for what reason ought to take a back seat to celebrating and reenacting the men who participated -- from whatever side. Wish I were young enough to join y'all. I'd wear gray as quick as I'd wear blue. Don't matter that much. The whole thing is all about experiencing.

ole

That's where it is among re-enactors in the south, I'm happy to report. This is a hobby for folks with a little extra money, or just too much energy and enthusiasm. All have evidence of a good deal of love for history. The north-south thing is usually not an issue. All are trying to educate and maintain the memory of this horrible time and the effort our ancestors put into it. My recent experience with Hoosier's buddies and our own two batteries of artillery folks brought that notion to the forefront. The 18th TN Infantry didn't exacly belong in Hoover's Gap, Tennessee, yet that's just where they were, firing borrowed Confederate cannons with the assist of good southern boys wearing blue pants, swapped for the occasion from the rack of clothing they carry in the trailer. These men are men of honor, both north and south. Colors ain't that big of a deal. Besides, I could spot Ole as a yank from quite a distance without my glasses, even if he wore gray drawers. Young ain't a requirement, just the desire. From what I saw, both sides seemed to be populated by a bunch of old ##### (censorable word starting with f, ending in s and having an r in the middle).

The encouraging part is that there were some young men in the group eager to learn the history and an agreeable crowd of folks from both sides of the river cheering them all to victory.