Say What Special: Reenacting

[luinrina]

"For every Southern boy fourteen years old, not once but whenever he wants it, there is the instant when it's still not yet two o'clock on that July afternoon in 1863…"

~William Faulkner, Intruder in the Dust​

When I first read Tony Horwitz's Confederates in the Attic, I had just spent an amazing weekend at the 2020 Olustee reenactment. It was the second reenactment I went to and the first I participated in as reenactor. So when I read the two chapters where Horwitz himself reenacted (in a way), I could fully understand the feelings he described.

But what really captured my attention and imagination was Horwitz with Rob Hodge and some of his friends reenacting Pickett's charge on July 3, at the same time the charge happened historically. Horwitz describes what it was like for him to huddle in the shade with his fellow reenactors, just like the Confederates did during the cannonade. He describes what he felt like when stepping out into the sun, Cemetery Ridge shimmering in the distance. He took note of the gravel under his shoes and the rubbing of his haversack against his cotton shirt. His attention to detail took me in and let me experience their reenacted charge for myself in my imagination, including the swarm of tourists filming and taking pictures of them all the way to the Angle. And then I read this passage:

"Watching the rapt crowd, I began to feel less resentful of the gawkers we'd attracted all along the charge. From their questions, it was clear that Rob's interrogators felt deeply drawn to Gettysburg. But visiting the place, on a July day thick with gnats and tour buses, they seemed vaguely disappointed and didn't know quite what to do with the empty fields, the silent cannons, the mute blocks of marble. By charging across the landscape in our rebel uniforms, we'd given a flesh-and-blood boost to their imagination, a way into the battle that the modern landscape didn't easily provide. For one of the few times during my brief reenacting career, I felt I'd done something worthwhile by putting on a uniform."

It reminded me of when I was at Gettysburg last summer and beforehand visited a whole bunch of battlefields in northern Virginia and Maryland. It was a great vacation, especially in regard to getting a feel for the lay of the land that was so important to how the battles unfolded. But from time to time, especially on the larger battlefields, I had trouble positioning the troops in my mind and seeing the directions they went. A little inspiration like what Tony Horwitz, Rob Hodge and his friends did would've been truly welcome in these moments.

But it also made me wonder what our reenactors feel, especially during the battle reenactments. How much do you notice from the crowd watching the battle? What does it feel like for you?


Source:
- Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz

Photo of the Gettysburg reenactment taken by me in July 2019.

 

[7thWisconsin]

It depends on the event, the placement of the spectator area and how the event is structured for spectator interaction. If I'm some distance from the crowd, they don't enter into my thinking very much at all; I bring my "A game" for the reenactors who are in my immediate presence, to try to make it as good a moment for them as possible. (I'm what's known in the hobby as a "zoney reenactor.") If I happen to be right up against the spectator viewing area, I am very conscious of them, which effects, for instance, how I take a "hit," or how I respond to musket issues, etc. I prefer when events offer deliberate opportunities for spectator interaction, rather than the traditional "wander around the camps and ask questions" style, because it brings the spectator and the reenactor together in what might be their best moment; the spectator has just experienced something that may spark genuine imagination, and the reenactor is kitted out in his "Sunday best" not kicking back tired, dirty, sweaty and underprepared.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

I do my best to ignore the spectators. After I'm not exactly a people person.

I'll set up and do "school day" let random people hold a musket, answer annoying questions about my uniform, let teenagers fire a musket, (with parent's permission), and then get chewed out by one of two jerks not even in my unit, (not even real reenactors...) for letting a kid fire a gun for safety reasons, the second for burning powder and not getting compensated, then spend the rest of the weekend enjoying myself and being as kind and helpful to any of the public who crosses my path, while I'm trying to steer clear of them and leave it to people who will say what they want to hear.

I think the one annoyingly frustrating spectator question that stands out above all others was in Jefferson, TX a few years ago right after the "town skirmish" a dismounted cavalryman, (they were on a roll that weekend) shot me in face with his revolver, which caused me to drop and roll around screaming clutching my face, not to mention temporary blindness. One spectator had to ask how I made it look so real while I rolled around there at their feet looking like I really been shot in the face!

True story and only time I wanted to punch a spectator...

 

[captaindrew]

I zone out the crowd during battles. Usually being in a NCO position I'm focused on paying attention to what I need to be doing and making sure everybody else is. I do enjoy interacting with the crowd in camp especially at small events. The big events people are usually just breezing through with so much to see and we're usually pretty busy. I always see spectators as possible new recruits. We do a small local event every year, pretty much just our company with a few stragglers. We've gained more new members from that event than any other.

 

[frontrank2]

I don't pay too much attention to the spectators, unless I want to take a dramatic " hit." There's usually too much going on trying to hear commands over the battle noise. The thing I enjoy the most is savoring those magic moments when I actually get the sense of what it must have been like 155 years ago ( but they don't happen often enough ).

 

[Harms88]

I'm not a reenactor or anything, but I knew a reenactor who would volunteer to be the closest to school kids visiting reenactments. He would carry small squibs and blood packets in his coat and when he'd get near them, he'd go down in an explosion of blood and start screaming hysterically in front of the horrified kids.

 

[luinrina]

I'm not a reenactor or anything, but I knew a reenactor who would volunteer to be the closest to school kids visiting reenactments. He would carry small squibs and blood packets in his coat and when he'd get near them, he'd go down in an explosion of blood and start screaming hysterically in front of the horrified kids.

I know a reenactor who's screaming loudly when acting injured as well. I saw him in action at Olustee.

 

[Llewellyn]

. . . . a dismounted cavalryman, (they were on a roll that weekend) shot me in face with his revolver, which caused me to drop and roll around screaming clutching my face, not to mention temporary blindness. One spectator had to ask how I made it look so real while I rolled around there at their feet looking like I really been shot in the face!

True story and only time I wanted to punch a spectator...

I would have been more inclined to punch the fool who shot you in the face.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

I would have been more inclined to punch the fool who shot you in the face.

Never got a good look at him. One of them had to tell me while I was laying on the ground that I got to close to him, which was more infuriating as the scenario called for them to retreat when the infantry charged them. I was ready and advocating burning down the entire dismounted cav. camp. The whole scenario turned into a mess...

Like I said they were on a role that weekend, that afternoon, one of them charged our Lt. Col. while his back was turned waving a WW2 Japanese bayonet and using it as his "cavalry saber". Only problem is that officer doesn't carry a prop sword but an original French one, and running up behind anyone is bad, him even more so! That fool came within a hair of literally losing his head!

It was a full moon that weekend if I remember right...

 

[Old Breck]

Comments about squibs and getting burnt in the face fully exemplify why I don't participate in battles.

For the dude who puts blood packets in his kit to get a rise out of kids, that just sounds incredibly stupid and irreverent, both to the public and the original cast

Battles are probably the least useful thing for interpretation and education. It's unfortunate that so many reenactors think it's the only thing that would draw people's attention

 

[Virginia Dave]

In your opinion. Are more or fewer people interested in reenacting? With the cultural climate now a days I would assume some are considering standing down for a while. I was only involved in reenacting a few times more as a photographer for the unit than actually playing a part. Now my personal situation of taking care of my precious wife limits most of my activities. Oh how I miss it. I hope the history of both sides continues to be supported and flourish.

 

[luinrina]

Battles are probably the least useful thing for interpretation and education. It's unfortunate that so many reenactors think it's the only thing that would draw people's attention

Going by the two reenactments I've been to, the battles and artillery presentations/shooting competitions drew a large crowd while camp and individual presentations weren't that popular. Maybe it has something to do with action being more fun to watch.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

In your opinion. Are more or fewer people interested in reenacting? With the cultural climate now a days I would assume some are considering standing down for a while. I was only involved in reenacting a few times more as a photographer for the unit than actually playing a part. Now my personal situation of taking care of my precious wife limits most of my activities. Oh how I miss it. I hope the history of both sides continues to be supported and flourish.

Right now, I would say the pandemic and other matters is killing events more than anything.

As for more people getting into the hobby, there are a lot less. I think this is not so much people not wanting to do it, so much as it is a lot of units wanting to keep it their own little club of friends. Even as the numbers age and diminish. Another issue is the costs of getting into reenacting, for the random young person just getting started its pretty daunting. Most units actively recruiting help out on getting stuff together, most units in general will do it, but most are not out trying to recruit and explain.

Plus folks gravitate to what their friends get into, and there's not a lot of folks with friends that reenact, and there's all the jokes about reenacting on TV and social media that really turns away a lot of people who would otherwise be interested. So there is a cultural problem.

Combine all the problems and you get a recipe for a declining hobby. Never mind the divisions in the hobby itself between snobbish "cool kids" on both sides, but especially the authentic community. Remove even one of those issues and things would be improve.

 

[Virginia Dave]

Right now, I would say the pandemic and other matters is killing events more than anything.

As for more people getting into the hobby, there are a lot less. I think this is not so much people not wanting to do it, so much as it is a lot of units wanting to keep it their own little club of friends. Even as the numbers age and diminish. Another issue is the costs of getting into reenacting, for the random young person just getting started its pretty daunting. Most units actively recruiting help out on getting stuff together, most units in general will do it, but most are not out trying to recruit and explain.

Plus folks gravitate to what their friends get into, and there's not a lot of folks with friends that reenact, and there's all the jokes about reenacting on TV and social media that really turns away a lot of people who would otherwise be interested. So there is a cultural problem.

Combine all the problems and you get a recipe for a declining hobby. Never mind the divisions in the hobby itself between snobbish "cool kids" on both sides, but especially the authentic community. Remove even one of those issues and things would be improve.

It is a shame. I myself late in life wanted to get involved. To old for infantry etc. Do I thought about being a Chaplain, but was told my glasses would have to be replaced or wear contacts.. new "Proper" eye wear would have cost me close to $1,000. Then the cost of authentic civilian clothing was again not cheap. So I decided to just follow as I could and take photos.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

It is a shame. I myself late in life wanted to get involved. To old for infantry etc. Do I thought about being a Chaplain, but was told my glasses would have to be replaced or wear contacts.. new "Proper" eye wear would have cost me close to $1,000. Then the cost of authentic civilian clothing was again not cheap. So I decided to just follow as I could and take photos.

Costs are prohibitive...

I wear glasses, and have never gotten period specs. I'm real near sighted, I just tend to put the glasses away during the day at events and wear them after the public's gone, or not at all. After all, I'd bet there were a lot folks back then of all ages who needed glasses but never had a pair.

 

[Virginia Dave]

Costs are prohibitive...

I wear glasses, and have never gotten period specs. I'm real near sighted, I just tend to put the glasses away during the day at events and wear them after the public's gone, or not at all. After all, I'd bet there were a lot folks back then of all ages who needed glasses but never had a pair.

LOL I would step into a hole or walk in front of a firing canon without mine. LOL

 

[Harms88]

I know a reenactor who's screaming loudly when acting injured as well. I saw him in action at Olustee.

Or one could say, you heard him in action.

 

[7thWisconsin]

It is a shame. I myself late in life wanted to get involved. To old for infantry etc. Do I thought about being a Chaplain, but was told my glasses would have to be replaced or wear contacts.. new "Proper" eye wear would have cost me close to $1,000. Then the cost of authentic civilian clothing was again not cheap. So I decided to just follow as I could and take photos.

I wear contacts for my distance correction and use a pair if period frames with magnifiers if I want to read something. I will always portray infantry as long as I'm physically capable; my goal is to be John Burns at Gettysburg 175th. If I reach a point where I can't shoulder a musket anymore, I'll chaplain again.

 

[Waterloo50]

I've never been involved in re-enactments but I guess it must be a very expensive hobby. Somebody mentioned in an earlier post about the 'authentic community'. It wasn't until I became a member of CWT that I'd even heard of the word 'Farb', It could be that CW reenactors are their own worst enemy, wouldn't it be better to have a large groups of enthusiasts that haven't quite got it right over a much smaller group that have got everything spot on. I've been to a few re-enactments and the most impressive ones that I've attended have had large numbers.

As a spectator I couldn't give a toss if you have or haven't got period glasses or that your buttons aren't entirely accurate, what kind of person would I be if I went around criticising someone who'd given up their free time to entertain and inform me. I reckon a more relaxed attitude towards those newbies that are just starting out would go a long way in encouraging youngsters to give re-enacting a try.

I know from reading many of the re-enactment threads here on CWT that there are some excellent folk out there, they encourage and support new members, I've read of people lending equipment and offering guidance on how to get a more authentic period look, surely that's the key to success especially if you want to see the numbers grow.

 

[captaindrew]

I've never been involved in re-enactments but I guess it must be a very expensive hobby. Somebody mentioned in an earlier post about the 'authentic community'. It wasn't until I became a member of CWT that I'd even heard of the word 'Farb', It could be that CW reenactors are their own worst enemy, wouldn't it be better to have a large groups of enthusiasts that haven't quite got it right over a much smaller group that have got everything spot on. I've been to a few re-enactments and the most impressive ones that I've attended have had large numbers.

As a spectator I couldn't give a toss if you have or haven't got period glasses or that your buttons aren't entirely accurate, what kind of person would I be if I went around criticising someone who'd given up their free time to entertain and inform me. I reckon a more relaxed attitude towards those newbies that are just starting out would go a long way in encouraging youngsters to give re-enacting a try.

I know from reading many of the re-enactment threads here on CWT that there are some excellent folk out there, they encourage and support new members, I've read of people lending equipment and offering guidance on how to get a more authentic period look, surely that's the key to success especially if you want to see the numbers grow.

There's room for everybody and the hobby needs both ends of the spectrum to survive. Most people start out in the big events or events that aren't real strict on authenticity to get their feet wet. As they learn more and improve their kits some move into the strict authentic/immersive events. Those events are more for the reenactors who take it seriously and most of them are not public events. I attend and enjoy both. It is expensive but the one mistake I hate to see people make is not buying good quality stuff the first time. If they don't get the right stuff it usually costs them more in the long run to upgrade. I've learned this from experience myself. That said I worry about my own impression and would never pick on anybody's stuff unless they asked for advice.