Authentic Reenactors

Yes many of them... will have to dig through my files for images of same.

As with any hobby or forte you have folks on different extremes of the pendulum range... and lots in different points scattered about somewhere in the middle....

On one end you have the "Campaigners".... also reciprocally sometimes referred to as "Authentics", "Hardcores", "Stitch Nazis"..... The other side collectively known simply as "Mainstreamers".... also occasionally termed Farbs, or Theme-Campers... Those about the middle ground commonly known loosely as "Progressives"... those that may be short of a higher grade...but reportedly working towards improving the impressions whether they are or not...

What is deemed or gauged to be "authentic" tends to run on a large sliding scale, subject to a wide range of interpretations and definitions depending on the observer... Almost every single reenactment group out there will proclaim themselves "striving for authenticity", "Authentically portraying..... " then when observed on the field... many times not found to be as such... Natural human habit to typically boast themselves to be something more than they might actually be. No one likes to be gauged near the bottom of the list..... So free use of the term in itself isn't always a good indicator....

Some folks spend years or even decades researching the most minuscule details of their impression... Others simply echo what they see other reenactors wearing or doing... or don what was found "cheap" on sutler row... Many just don't know what they don't know..... Some will pick something from the EOG books that strikes their personal fancy... Yes they are images of original uniforms and gear.. however much of it is also dated to time, place and theater... Many folks will procure a single jacket thought themselves to be applicable and of ok use for any and all events regardless of what, when. or where is being portrayed.... Many of the Campaigner-Authentic folks will have a closet full of different respective impressions.... Confederate impressions in this light tend to be the most difficult.... Since confederate uniforms tended to rapidly evolve and change over the course of the war... even in the same theater...

To most Campaigners... "being Authentic" is more than just the type of jacket you wear... Its also the mindset which is equally important... developing the persona and character your portraying... also the drive to constantly seek improvement. Its the whole package your presenting....

One can have the most expensive and detailed attire... then you may hear them utter "Yo Dude Whazz Up".... Or have the most impressive Victorian era oratory skills.... but be laden with ten gallon cowboy hat... or wearing a wrist watch.... both critical impression killers.... So whatever the individual says or poses for thereafter pretty much squashed on the overall credibility factor. Ive heard countless times "Its close enough, they don't know any difference"... However many in the spectator crowd actually do know the difference....

Many collectively expect the reenactors to be the expert historians and historical educators to the public.... When they come out touring the camps bring their kids to see how Civil War soldiers lived..... and see massive amounts of camp gear.... slat back chairs... stainless steel... spackle wear... huge fire grates... grandmas cast iron Griswold or Wagner fry pans... is this a realistic authentic view of what the soldiers did..... not hardly.... but that's commonly the impression it may relay...

One old reenactor friend once stated.... We in the reenactment ranks can only achieve a reasonable facsimile at best of what the Civil War soldier was, looked like and did.... Is one at 80 percent of that objective... or only 20 percent....
 
I just spoke to someone the other day about the Liberty Rifles and I think they are that type of unit. But I think they are in the DC Metro area.
I'm not looking to join a unit, just wondering of some top notch units to look at for ideas to gather my uniform.
Sorry I didn't clarify before
 
Please don't base your impression on other "hard kewl" groups. Do some digging into what YOUR unit was issued. Just because there are some excellent campaigner units out there doesn't mean that you should wear whatever they have. If you are looking for reputable vendors I would suggest the Authentic Campaigner's "Approved Vendor Page", as well as taking a look at their resale page. But don't be afraid to purchase something from someone who isn't in the circle of some of the hardcore units. Do your research and see what best fits that information.

Cheers,
Garrett Glover
 
Appears the unit of choice is a dual impression US/CS unit. Since the 17th NY was a Zouave unit, as others have mentioned I would highly recommend conversing with members of the unit itself to determine their sources, and proceed accordingly. Finding items on the open market may or may not match the requirements within. Some Zouaves have same/similar items... others had parts unique to only that given unit. Don't want to waste money buying things that have not been confirmed usable to the group. Go for the correct items the first time. Zouave uniforms are typically something not generally stocked on the rack of most sutlers or makers. Might find used gear for sale otherwise most will have to have it specially made, which typically tends to be expensive with the level of work involved. The group may use someone that makes their uniforms that might offer a better price deal, worth checking on.

Noticed on the website provided they don't seem to have an alternate or generic Federal uniform as an option which is typically odd to find, that many/most Zouave groups do. Since there will probably be battle events they desire to participate in that the original unit may not have actually been at... So you have folks in Zouave attire running about a battle reenactment where the 17th or any Zouaves might not have actually been.... Most tend to have an alternate more generic impression at hand such as simple issued sack coats, sky blue trousers and fatigue cap, hence able to fit in and portray nearly anyone , or nearly anywhere needed....

The Confederate impression is that of the Palmetto Riflemen (Co. C; Palmetto Sharpshooters) which was an ANV unit. Depending on your intended desire and level of authenticity you wish to obtain.... This can become problematic on the impressions and authenticity view since they are portraying a unit what served with the ANV... but their participating schedule of events are mostly at western or deep south related events.... Same kind of issue of Zouaves at historically non-Zouave participated event... or folks with ANV issued uniforms and gear, also ANV issued flags at events that none were historically present at.... Many that habitually participate in both theater events will have established both an ANV and generic AOT impression respectively....
 
Appears the unit of choice is a dual impression US/CS unit. Since the 17th NY was a Zouave unit, as others have mentioned I would highly recommend conversing with members of the unit itself to determine their sources, and proceed accordingly. Finding items on the open market may or may not match the requirements within. Some Zouaves have same/similar items... others had parts unique to only that given unit. Don't want to waste money buying things that have not been confirmed usable to the group. Go for the correct items the first time. Zouave uniforms are typically something not generally stocked on the rack of most sutlers or makers. Might find used gear for sale otherwise most will have to have it specially made, which typically tends to be expensive with the level of work involved. The group may use someone that makes their uniforms that might offer a better price deal, worth checking on.

Noticed on the website provided they don't seem to have an alternate or generic Federal uniform as an option which is typically odd to find, that many/most Zouave groups do. Since there will probably be battle events they desire to participate in that the original unit may not have actually been at... So you have folks in Zouave attire running about a battle reenactment where the 17th or any Zouaves might not have actually been.... Most tend to have an alternate more generic impression at hand such as simple issued sack coats, sky blue trousers and fatigue cap, hence able to fit in and portray nearly anyone , or nearly anywhere needed....

The Confederate impression is that of the Palmetto Riflemen (Co. C; Palmetto Sharpshooters) which was an ANV unit. Depending on your intended desire and level of authenticity you wish to obtain.... This can become problematic on the impressions and authenticity view since they are portraying a unit what served with the ANV... but their participating schedule of events are mostly at western or deep south related events.... Same kind of issue of Zouaves at historically non-Zouave participated event... or folks with ANV issued uniforms and gear, also ANV issued flags at events that none were historically present at.... Many that habitually participate in both theater events will have established both an ANV and generic AOT impression respectively....
Thanks, great information. They don't generally do CS they do either Zouaves or US volunteers. At McAllister they will be doing regular US volunteers.

That is a problem as I can see with the CS unit, but as I said the CS impression is more of a living history one.

Many thanks
Hugh Goffinet
 
Do any of y'all know of any authentic reenacting units?
If so can you provide photos?

I've looked at the Liberty Rifles before & thought they looked authentic.
http://www.libertyrifles.org/

I have fallen in with the Liberty Rifles at an event in Virginia. They are a very good group. When I was active I was a member of the WIG or Western Independent Grays. They are an excellent group and are a good group of guys. The Stonewall Brigade is another excellent authentic group.Here is a link to an excellent site that contains links to different groups:
www.authentic-campaigner.com

These groups do their research and they post guidelines for each event. That includes what unit/regiment that they are portraying for the event and what that unit would have been issued or wearing at that time. It is my experience that these guidelines are enforced for the event.
 
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Acknowledged... that's good... surely be the easier one to obtain.

Their website only mentioned the Zouave impression in their posted Uniform guidelines....
Yeah..
image.jpg


This is them, you can see their mixed uniforms, just not the artillerist.
 

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