Are C.W. Reenactors Egotistical?

[G Low]

are they not the same?

Don't know just don't want to get ripped off

 

[Story]

Wildly specific, lol

IYKYK

 

[JerryD]

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

Aren't they kind of meaningless anyway? I mean, they certainly dont reflect real battles. Nothing can. And the history to be learned is pretty minimal. I'm fine if people want to play dress up and play soldier, to pretend they have any real historical value is stretching it, if you ask me.

 

[JerryD]

Then forgive me for asking, but why on earth do you do "historical" reenactment? If you're just wearing whatever you want, why not just set up a lecture with props and wear shorts crocs and a Hawaiian shirt?

Reminds me of the old saying "Perfect is the enemy of the good". If no one is allowed unless they are perfect, no one will show up. And if you allow anyone who is not perfect, where do you draw the line? Your personal level of financial commitment? So anyone less than you is verboten?

Sometimes good enough is good enough. Not a reenactor, but it seems people select hobbies to have fun, and some folks just like to pi$$ on other folks fun. No wonder its a dying hobby.

 

[captaindrew]

Aren't they kind of meaningless anyway? I mean, they certainly dont reflect real battles. Nothing can. And the history to be learned is pretty minimal. I'm fine if people want to play dress up and play soldier, to pretend they have any real historical value is stretching it, if you ask me.

Not all events and not all reenactors are created equal. A small local powder burner may not have much if any historical value to a knowledgeable historian but just such an event about 40 years ago now inspired a young kid, me, to learn more and gave me the bug to study not just CW but American history in general and has given me a life long hobby that I cherish. Is that not worth it? If it inspires anyone to learn more I think so. In recent years I've been trying to do more living history events and participating in Liberty Rifle events, look them up if not familiar. I believe they have a good bit of historical value to both the participants and the public. Those events are not dying by the way, they are growing. Especially with the younger guys which is nice to see. The younger guys getting into the hobby now want more out of it. If you don't take my word for it look at some of their events on YouTube.

 

[Viper21]

Not all events and not all reenactors are created equal. A small local powder burner may not have much if any historical value to a knowledgeable historian but just such an event about 40 years ago now inspired a young kid, me, to learn more and gave me the bug to study not just CW but American history in general and has given me a life long hobby that I cherish. Is that not worth it? If it inspires anyone to learn more I think so. In recent years I've been trying to do more living history events and participating in Liberty Rifle events, look them up if not familiar. I believe they have a good bit of historical value to both the participants and the public. Those events are not dying by the way, they are growing. Especially with the younger guys which is nice to see. The younger guys getting into the hobby now want more out of it. If you don't take my word for it look at some of their events on YouTube.

Agree 100%.

I know my interest in the war came from visuals, not history classes, or books. Battlefields, monuments, re-enactments, school names, etc.. all played a part in stimulating my interest at a young age.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

Aren't they kind of meaningless anyway? I mean, they certainly dont reflect real battles. Nothing can. And the history to be learned is pretty minimal. I'm fine if people want to play dress up and play soldier, to pretend they have any real historical value is stretching it, if you ask me.

If you've never seen lines of battle exchanging volleys, cannons roaring, clouds of gunsmoke, etc then the experience has some value for viewers.

But reenactments started long ago, when few people could see something like that, especially during the Civil War Centennial and America Bicentennial.

Nowadays anyone could get the Gettysburg movie or a similar film and get a better sense of a battle. Heck, for all its historical flaws, The Patriot has moderately realistic battle scenes (the lines look a little too close though).

If the actual battlefield is available and the topography is still fairly historically accurate then I think a reenactment there is more useful than guys in a random field.

The in-person experience might excite or inspire some folks. Personally, I've been to concerts, football games, and to a battle reenactments. Live battle reenactments don't have the energy of live music or live sports.

What is more useful is small-scale living history. Talking to people in period costume. Firing demonstrations. People can see things up close. The interaction makes the experience more personal, and allows for contagious enthusiasm. It requires some skills that the average person who wants to dress up and burn powder may not possess, but those can usually be learned by the willing. In any case, only one member of a gun crew needs to talk; the rest can just do.

 

[JerryD]

Not all events and not all reenactors are created equal. A small local powder burner may not have much if any historical value to a knowledgeable historian but just such an event about 40 years ago now inspired a young kid, me, to learn more and gave me the bug to study not just CW but American history in general and has given me a life long hobby that I cherish. Is that not worth it? If it inspires anyone to learn more I think so. In recent years I've been trying to do more living history events and participating in Liberty Rifle events, look them up if not familiar. I believe they have a good bit of historical value to both the participants and the public. Those events are not dying by the way, they are growing. Especially with the younger guys which is nice to see. The younger guys getting into the hobby now want more out of it. If you don't take my word for it look at some of their events on YouTube.

All good points. But be honest. Was your interest peaked because the number of stitches on some jacket was correct? Or because someone didn't have too much gold braid on their sleeve? I doubt it.

I can see how seeing re-enactors could inspire interest, but you aren't really learning history. Not much anyway. My brother sent me pics he took one time at a re-enactment of the Battle of Picacho Pass. It literally had hundreds of participants on each side, when the actual battle only had I think about 15 people total on both sides combined. So more historical inaccuracy is often being taught. I've seen the re-enactments at Gettysburg and walked through the encampments, and to be honest, I think re-enactments are usually very misleading as the scale is all wrong and you just can't recreate battle. I suspect they are more for the participants. The only real historical value was seeing how people lived in the camps and talking to guys who stay in character who are educated enough to accurately relate what day to day life was like. And even that was pretty marginal. But I can see how it might spark interest in a kid, and yes, that is very worth it when it happens.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Aren't they kind of meaningless anyway? I mean, they certainly dont reflect real battles. Nothing can. And the history to be learned is pretty minimal. I'm fine if people want to play dress up and play soldier, to pretend they have any real historical value is stretching it, if you ask me.

Reenactments, in my opinion, encourage people to appreciate HISTORY, and I am a strong proponent of appreciating history.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

Reminds me of the old saying "Perfect is the enemy of the good". If no one is allowed unless they are perfect, no one will show up. And if you allow anyone who is not perfect, where do you draw the line? Your personal level of financial commitment? So anyone less than you is verboten?

Sometimes good enough is good enough. Not a reenactor, but it seems people select hobbies to have fun, and some folks just like to pi$$ on other folks fun. No wonder its a dying hobby.

Interesting take. I'll see your saying and raise you another: Anything worth doing is worth doing right.

Now, based on your comments, clearly you are on the "reenactment/living history is not worth doing" spectrum. So it makes sense to me that you would shrug your shoulders at inaccuracies.

And perhaps you've stumbled upon one of the dynamics at play within the hobby. Namely, those that believe there is educational value in living history focus on doing it as correctly as they can. Those who don't, well, don't.

 

[Dispatch]

For those new to the sport, just try your best by starting with what's available and most period correct that which you can afford, guided by experienced reenactors in your new unit.

We have always guided new people with donated clothing and equipment to help them buy other needed stuff down the road making the transition much smoother.

As a recruit progresses, you can enhance your impression based on what you can afford and with research.

Remember, no one, not even the most dedicated "hardcore" reenactors, can replicate the past exactly as it was.

Like my dad used to say when it stops being fun why do it?

 

[major bill]

So if reenacting requires perfection or near perfection, will the number of reenacting drop? So more accurate, but fewer people.

If good is good enough, then the current trend will likely continue. But that trend is a slow drop.

If anything goes, what would that do to reenacting?

 

[Dispatch]

So if reenacting requires perfection or near perfection, will the number of reenacting drop? So more accurate, but fewer people.

If good is good enough, then the current trend will likely continue. But that trend is a slow drop.

If anything goes, what would that do to reenacting?

I give it a 50/50 chance of it happening but only a 20 % chance of that...

 

[19thOhio]

Twelve to fifteen years ago I was just into my research of the 19th Ohio. I was pretty much new to the subject. In the area there is/was a reenacting group using the regiment as their moniker, I guess I could say. I attended two area Civil War events at which they were present. I tried to introduce myself with the expectation I might learn a bit about them and the C W and that I might, eventually, have some information about the regiment's story that they might find interesting. I was pretty much ignored by the group with no other contact made. I have since published, and given 20-30 programs including to some Civil War Round Tables. 15 years later, still no contact. Looking online I can't find that they are still in existence. That's my experience anyway.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

If anything goes, what would that do to reenacting?

Ever been to a Renaissance Fair?

 

[Cavalier]

I remember the first reenactment I ever saw in 1966 or 67. I think it was on the Gettysburg battlefield but maybe that's incorrect. The Union reenactors didn't appear to be taking any of this too seriouslty. A couple had dark glasses, at least one worse blue jeans, there didn't seem be any attempt any kind of formation. Then came the Confederates. Whoever they were, they marched across the field toward the Union reenactors and the spectators in what appeared to be at least a company, maybe two in strength. The colors were flying in their center and they moved in line of battle with muskets at the right shoulder shift. I was really impressed. I never had seen anything like that before.

I'm not reenactor myself so I don't have a dog in this fight however, I will never forget those Confederates.

John

 

[JerryD]

Ever been to a Renaissance Fair?

NOW we are talking absolute 100% accuracy!! Especially the Steampunk folks and the furries.

 

[JerryD]

I remember the first reenactment I ever saw in 1966 or 67. I think it was on the Gettysburg battlefield but maybe that's incorrect. The Union reenactors didn't appear to be taking any of this too seriouslty. A couple had dark glasses, at least one worse blue jeans, there didn't seem be any attempt any kind of formation. Then came the Confederates. Whoever they were, they marched across the field toward the Union reenactors and the spectators in what appeared to be at least a company, maybe two in strength. The colors were flying in their center and they moved in line of battle with muskets at the right shoulder shift. I was really impressed. I never had seen anything like that before.

I'm not reenactor myself so I don't have a dog in this fight however, I will never forget those Confederates.

John

My experience in Gettysburg was a bit different. I remember the guys in the camp being eager to talk about the life of the soldier, with some interesting little tidbits about food and stuff. I didnt think I learned anything from the formations and marching. Just random groups of guys marching in file across fields with little to no connection to actual historic events. Kind of interesting to watch for a bit, but that is about it.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Then forgive me for asking, but why on earth do you do "historical" reenactment? If you're just wearing whatever you want, why not just set up a lecture with props and wear shorts crocs and a Hawaiian shirt?

I think it was personal preference and professional also. A straw hat is great for being out in the sun. My black slouch does it for now. Working with a shell on in the winter might be nice and I had my sleeves shortened. I always wear a work shirt and vest under my apron. Feet are Brogged.
No tie. Sounds real radical doesn't it. I need the "freedom" to do vigorous sawing at times.
Thanks for your post!

 

[Doc_Ralph]

"lower right leg" or 'Middle leg" as in why are your pants unbuttoned there?

Haha … I had trouble pulling the "cut" pants on over my old Gettysburg pants! Tight it was and cold and damp. I could feel the vibrations from the saw just inches from my lower right leg!