Are C.W. Reenactors Egotistical?

[JackADriscoll]

It varies so much from unit to unit and event to event it's hard to answer the age question. You definitely see a lot more younger people at the stricter events. My home unit is actually a younger group and we attend both mainstream and some campaigner events but we always pack light. I'm 54 and the oldest active member of our group. We have a couple teenagers but most of the guys are in their 30s. There's another group in our area where I think I'd be one of the younger guys. They certainly aren't doing much campaigning. As far as rank goes I think most guys are perfectly happy as privates with no responsibility, I know I was for a lot of years before I was talked into taking any kind of rank. You need to watch out for the guys that are overly eager for rank, they don't usually want it for the right reasons.

That goes in so many walks of life

 

[archieclement]

Being period correct is essential. Without it, reenactments are basically meaningless.

Which in my opinion would go far beyond dress....

As a spectator, admittedly of many smaller events.........the most comical factor or absurdity often isn't from dress, accurate or not.....but like 8 ppl pretending to be a 100 man company......or think they represent brigade strength.......

Period correct would mean companies being actually company sized.......and gee mabye historically mounted units.....being mounted.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Which in my opinion would go far beyond dress....

As a spectator, admittedly of many smaller events.........the most comical factor or absurdity often isn't from dress, accurate or not.....but like 8 ppl pretending to be a 100 man company......or think they represent brigade strength.......

Period correct would mean companies being actually company sized.......and gee mabye historically mounted units.....being mounted.

Reenacting at brigade strength would be AWESOME, but we don't have the people to do it. I have seen a well-mounted Union cavalry unit of 12 reenactors, but don't know if they were supposed to be a company or a brigade. Either doesn't work.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

It varies so much from unit to unit and event to event it's hard to answer the age question. You definitely see a lot more younger people at the stricter events. My home unit is actually a younger group and we attend both mainstream and some campaigner events but we always pack light. I'm 54 and the oldest active member of our group. We have a couple teenagers but most of the guys are in their 30s. There's another group in our area where I think I'd be one of the younger guys. They certainly aren't doing much campaigning. As far as rank goes I think most guys are perfectly happy as privates with no responsibility, I know I was for a lot of years before I was talked into taking any kind of rank. You need to watch out for the guys that are overly eager for rank, they don't usually want it for the right reasons.

Reading about your comments on the younger groups is very encouraging.

 

[archieclement]

Reenacting at brigade strength would be AWESOME, but we don't have the people to do it. I have seen a well-mounted Union cavalry unit of 12 reenactors, but don't know if they were supposed to be a company or a brigade. Either doesn't work.

What I always want to see reenacted, even if only 1/3 of it was Prices raid......20k all mounted in 3 divisions. Know it's a pipedream, but have read accounts of columns miles long. It had to be impressive sight.

 

[captaindrew]

Reading about your comments on the younger groups is very encouraging.

They're out there. One thing making recruiting tough these days is there's many more options. When I started as a teenager you had Civil War or Rev War and that was pretty much it. I know a lot of young guys that tried CW but decided to do WW1 or WW2. Regardless of which they choose it is nice to see young people still interested in history.

 

[JackADriscoll]

They're out there. One thing making recruiting tough these days is there's many more options. When I started as a teenager you had Civil War or Rev War and that was pretty much it. I know a lot of young guys that tried CW but decided to do WW1 or WW2. Regardless of which they choose it is nice to see young people still interested in history.

I will say that authentic ww1 or Ww2 gear is so much easier to come by. I don't know if that plays into or not.

 

[captaindrew]

I will say that authentic ww1 or Ww2 gear is so much easier to come by. I don't know if that plays into or not.

Cooler weapons, at least in some of their eyes. Somewhat recent good movies/series also sparks interest. CW needs another popular movie and/or series. Gettysburg,Glory, and the Ken Burns series certainly sparked a lot of interest in the 90s.

 

[lupaglupa]

You should tell the ones who want to be flashy to become American Revolution reenactors and play British officers. Those guys look awesome and always draw an admiring crowd at events.

 

[Fairfield]

One topic that came up was the excessive amount of God-awful gaudy color trim on cheaply made uniforms, including hat cords, brass/state buttons, and buckles. We also noted the presence of modern two-piece Adirondack chairs and various other items that many reenactors, especially newcomers, consider acceptable to bring and use at events.

Of course they're not. Reenacters provide historical lessons to the public and we are fortunate that they are willing to give up time and money. YOU (and others) may believe that they go for "God-awful gaudy color trim on cheaply made uniforms" but, clearly, THEY think that they look terrific. In this case, they do what they can as best they can. Perhaps this is a time for gentle guidance rather than harsh recriminations.

 

[James Brenner]

Of course they're not. Reenacters provide historical lessons to the public and we are fortunate that they are willing to give up time and money. YOU (and others) may believe that they go for "God-awful gaudy color trim on cheaply made uniforms" but, clearly, THEY think that they look terrific. In this case, they do what they can as best they can. Perhaps this is a time for gentle guidance rather than harsh recriminations.

You make a good point that I don't necessarily disagree with, but - to play the devil's advocate - the hobby is (supposedly) a team effort and the flashiness that attracts them, often detracts from others in the hobby.

 

[Fairfield]

You make a good point that I don't necessarily disagree with, but - to play the devil's advocate - the hobby is (supposedly) a team effort and the flashiness that attracts them, often detracts from others in the hobby.

It probably isn't their intention to be flashy--they probably just believe that they look better than many. Again I'll make the point that this is an occasion for guidance and tact.

 

[bayonet]

You're going to the wrong events

Or seeing the wrong Units. Many years ago I was a member of the 27th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. They did not put up with any Farbyness! Everything had to look period. I also many years ago did Rev War. The first Unit I was in was 25% Farby and mostly boring because the Boss wanted to do mainly parades or paid events (and I never saw any of that money!), less Battles which I wanted. I tried it again with another Unit just once and they were 75% Farby. So I'm done, been there did that!

 

[Story]

You should tell the ones who want to be flashy to become American Revolution reenactors and play British officers. Those guys look awesome, always draw an admiring crowd at events and make easy targets (like they did 250 years ago)

FTFY

 

[JackADriscoll]

When I was 16 I wanted to reenact and I reached out to a unit in mint Hill NC. They asked me what I had and all I had was brogans and that was it. They said that was perfect and that they would equip me with their leftovers and as I got into it and acquired items they would take all the old items back for other people that are interested. I think that's a great way to do it

 

[captaindrew]

When I was 16 I wanted to reenact and I reached out to a unit in mint Hill NC. They asked me what I had and all I had was brogans and that was it. They said that was perfect and that they would equip me with their leftovers and as I got into it and acquired items they would take all the old items back for other people that are interested. I think that's a great way to do it

That's the way most of us do it. It's the best way actually, you want to make sure a new recruit likes it before shelling out a lot of $$. It also gives the experienced guys time to steer them in the right direction as to what to buy.

 

[Fairfield]

Deleted

Contemporary partisan politics

 

[Dispatch]

Never... let a new member go down to sutler row by themselves!

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

There are elitists in every hobby.

As long as I have been aware of Civil War reenacting I have also been aware of the civil war between the "farby" and "stitch counter" factions.

Just as there are people who think they understand Gettysburg because they read Killer Angels, there are no doubt reenactors whose enthusiasm far outpaces their knowledge.

There are also grumpy old men hostile towards young blood and new ideas. Some probably need to be gently nudged towards retirement from reenacting.

Both types need to bring open minds. Mentoring goes a long way too, both in bringing the new guys up to good standards and in making them feel included.

I expect there has and will be be a noticeable shift as the Vietnam Vets generation ages out of reenacting and and increasing number of reenactors have little to no actual military experience.

Healthy gatekeeping is a fine line, though a controversial idea nowadays. Too much gatekeeping causes stagnation and decline. Too little and quality suffers.

Keep in mind that at least 95 out of 100 visitors that a reenactor interacts with will have, at best, a Killer Angels level of knowledge. Most will have less. Some small deviations from perfect historical accuracy - within reason - can even be conversation points. For example, why a particular item looks superficially correct but is actually a different material.

 

[captaindrew]

Never... let a new member go down to sutler row by themselves! View attachment 543960

Unfortunately they always seem to sneak away and return with all sorts of treasures