Camp farbie at Chickamauga

[Pvt.Gustafsson]

I just wanted to write something short about my experiences in the CS camp at the 150th Chickamauga event this last weekend. I am leaving the battles out.

I had high expectations, and boy were they quickly gone!!! I expected a military camp, which we had registered for. It was coolers out, plastic jugs, people sitting out in their shorts and t-shirts etc etc.
Where were the event people to enforce some kind of authenticity? They had no problem letting us know
that we could not dig fire pits, but to build or fires directly on the ground though.
I did not even feel motivated to go out and do battle. It was the worst **** camp I have ever seen!!!

Mikael

 

[Diplogeek]

I heard the ratios were (as expected) pretty bad, something on the order of four Rebs for every Yank.

And the GAC Gettysburg was much the same as far as rule enforcement- there were definitely people hanging out in camps who weren't spectators who were in completely modern clothes (and I don't think they were just new guys who hadn't gotten their uniforms yet, either), and even the rule about cars being completely out of the camps wasn't actually enforced. It's strange to me how common it seems to be for reenactments to have these lists of very strict-sounding rules about what is and isn't allowed when in practice, almost none of them are actually enforced. The no modern eyewear and no modern footwear rules in particular seem to be completely ignored (even at the BGA event, which was ostensibly going to take a harder line on that kind of thing), and I really don't see why. I can understand giving medical exceptions for those things in specific cases, but of the number of people I saw trooping around in modern boots and stuff, I don't think most were wearing them with some kind of exemption from the event organizers.

I get that when you're talking about the kinds of numbers we're seeing at these big, 150th events, you're never going to be able to police everyone, but there seems to be no effort to keep a lid on some stuff at all. In which case, why bother having the rule in the first place?

 

[Pvt.Gustafsson]

It was just a HUGE shambles!!!

 

[kealbo54]

Well,i wrote somewhere else about organizers snotty and defensive attitudes,hehehe.Its like everything else.When you hype it too much,you leave yourself waaaay too open for repercussions.Overall...it fell short of my expectations,but I have no regrets in particular.I am new to this,so my learning curve is somewhat different than most.
They new there would likely be rain and somehow had no contingency plan for it.I dunno,it was what it was.The largest problem as I see it.is this constant P#$*ing contest makes it difficult to actually put on a decent event without people being disappointed.I have been disappointed with the whole 150th series,because of what I see as stubborn unwillingness.Anyway,it seems as though we have had two of everything,and no one is happy,hehehe.

 

[FrenchZouave]

Sad to know that the hobby is getting worse by standards. Ridiculous?? I remember the 1994 Wilderness event. The spectators came from all over the country, and reenactors to say the least. The event was POORLY planned, the buses that brought the spectators was a 1/4 mile from the battle site. These folks had to WALK this distance in 90+ weather. The "Water Buffaloes" ran out of water.Several deaths at the event. We resorted to drink from the local creek. The sanitation a joke. Its unfortunate that ticket sales precedes authenticity and standards. MY 2 cents on the subject!

 

[Delhi Rangers]

I heard the ratios were (as expected) pretty bad, something on the order of four Rebs for every Yank.

And the GAC Gettysburg was much the same as far as rule enforcement- there were definitely people hanging out in camps who weren't spectators who were in completely modern clothes (and I don't think they were just new guys who hadn't gotten their uniforms yet, either), and even the rule about cars being completely out of the camps wasn't actually enforced. It's strange to me how common it seems to be for reenactments to have these lists of very strict-sounding rules about what is and isn't allowed when in practice, almost none of them are actually enforced. The no modern eyewear and no modern footwear rules in particular seem to be completely ignored (even at the BGA event, which was ostensibly going to take a harder line on that kind of thing), and I really don't see why. I can understand giving medical exceptions for those things in specific cases, but of the number of people I saw trooping around in modern boots and stuff, I don't think most were wearing them with some kind of exemption from the event organizers.

I get that when you're talking about the kinds of numbers we're seeing at these big, 150th events, you're never going to be able to police everyone, but there seems to be no effort to keep a lid on some stuff at all. In which case, why bother having the rule in the first place?

I believe that the reason that the rules or standards are not enforced is that the event organizers are after big numbers. Same goes for the command structure in regiments, battalions, etc. Many are more interested in having big numbers in the ranks than enforcing the standards. It has always been that way.

 

[Diplogeek]

In that case, I say don't even bother posting the rules. If they're clearly not going to be enforced in favor of a large turn-out, and that's known beforehand, there's no point in having them at all, IMHO. Though I'm a bureaucrat, so maybe that's just my bias.

I do understand, for instance, why someone might not want to rush right out and buy their thirteen-year-old a pair of brogans that he'll outgrow in six months, or why not everyone is running around paying a hundred bucks for a Dirty Billy hat or whatever. I'm not saying that everyone should have campaigner-level gear from AC-approved vendors (heck, some of my gear wouldn't qualify, if that were the case), but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a basic level of authenticity from everyone at an event. And if you're sacrificing things like footwear on the altar of greater turnout, then don't pretend that that's some set in stone standard when you post your event guidelines on your website.

The weird thing here is that the BGA event at Gettysburg was fairly well run (comparable transportation issues) and seemed to generally hold people to reasonably firm standards as far as things like no modern footwear and the like. I saw the occasional pair of modern glasses, but they were at least wire rims and not hipster-style hornrim glasses or something. It seems really strange that the same guys were running this event, but the uniform standards flew right out the window.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

In my opinion, an event should not HAVE to have authenticity rules, in that, a reenactor with INTEGRITY will already have period correct gear.....If they don't, then they need to get it.....Our job, besides having fun for ourselves, is to educate the public.
I served with Scott's Battery at Chickamauga.....Our unit was the ONLY Confederate artillery unit to have morning Roll Call, tent inspections, formations (complete with Orders of the Day) and to post a camp guard......all the others were just campers with cannons.....their choice......
If you want a better Military bearing, and I don't blame you, after all, that is part of the fun and the experience, then I respectfully suggest shopping around for a better unit, as some are good, some are farby.....
Good luck in your pursuit of the hobby!!

 

[Tin cup]

I can't vouch for the Confederate side, but we (on the Federal side) saw a good number of vehicles in the big tent city camp(s) throughout the weekend. In marching to battle(s) they had modern vehicles out in the field, and some weird contraption flying around! (a flying camera?)
The Camp we set up was a ways away from the "tent city folk", shelter halves, fly's, and shebangs set up, no wall tents, A-frames...it looked like what I had hoped it would!
My Grandfather used to say: "A man who expecteth nothing, and receiveth not, is not disappointed!" So the stuff we are talking about that we don't like, I'm not surprised at!

Kevin Dally

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

Tin Cup,
I wish I'd have known you were gonna be there!!.....I'd have liked to have met up with ya a bought you a Saspirilla at Pop Jack's!!.....
I do, however, agree about vehicles in camp.....Confeds had that, too....unfortunately.....

 

[Poor Private]

It comes to my mind that there are a couple of things that can be done about it. If your unhappy with how things went call/email the BGA , and tell them your displeasure or post on their website. Don't go to any more events sponsored by them. Sponsor your own event and setup rules, battles, and such and make them stick. We are like sheep sometimes, we just go because others go, and it's the only game in town.
Myself and a few others have decided to boycott BGA events for a couple of years, due to reasons I won't go into. Unless things change I won't be going to any of their events in the future.

 

[jgoodguy]

I can't vouch for the Confederate side, but we (on the Federal side) saw a good number of vehicles in the big tent city camp(s) throughout the weekend. In marching to battle(s) they had modern vehicles out in the field, and some weird contraption frying around! (a flying camera?)
The Camp we set up was a ways away from the "tent city folk", shelter halves, fly's, and shebangs set up, no wall tents, A-frames...it looked like what I had hoped it would!
My Grandfather used to say: "A man who expecteth nothing, and receiveth not, is not disappointed!" So the stuff we are talking about that we don't like, I'm not surprised at!

Kevin Dally

I was at the very end of a Federal Camp with the 17th IOWA way away from everything near the closed road. The arty folks got to park their vehicles in camp. I had to get truck towed out of reenactor parking on hill side and there was a waiting list for tows. Then the Confederates got buses and the Federals open trailers for shuttles.

 

[jgoodguy]

It comes to my mind that there are a couple of things that can be done about it. If your unhappy with how things went call/email the BGA , and tell them your displeasure or post on their website. Don't go to any more events sponsored by them. Sponsor your own event and setup rules, battles, and such and make them stick. We are like sheep sometimes, we just go because others go, and it's the only game in town.
Myself and a few others have decided to boycott BGA events for a couple of years, due to reasons I won't go into. Unless things change I won't be going to any of their events in the future.

Heard lots of bad things about BGA, myself.

 

[Cumpston1862]

Wow...I was feeling bad that I was not able to go to Chickamauga but from the sound of this thread...I didn't miss much.

Speaking for myself when the weather is less than favorable...the hill I am marching up isn't the last one after all...the gear is cutting into my shoulder and I am sweat dog tired... than I start to feel that I getting a small taste of authenticity.

 

[Diplogeek]

There was one point at BGA Gettysburg where we were marching hither and yon for what felt like forever, and everyone was whinging and complaining under their breath, and I have to admit, I did find myself thinking, "Wow, even the griping is authentic!"

I wonder if BGA overextended themselves with the huge Gettysburg extravaganza and wasn't able to adequately plan the logistics for Chickamauga. The Gettysburg event had some problems, too, but nothing on the order of what I've heard about Chickamauga, and the scenarios ultimately made up for the other issues, IMHO.

I do agree that if you keep your expectations low or nonexistent, you won't find yourself disappointed.

 

[Cumpston1862]

There was one point at BGA Gettysburg where we were marching hither and yon for what felt like forever, and everyone was whinging and complaining under their breath, and I have to admit, I did find myself thinking, "Wow, even the griping is authentic!"

I wonder if BGA overextended themselves with the huge Gettysburg extravaganza and wasn't able to adequately plan the logistics for Chickamauga. The Gettysburg event had some problems, too, but nothing on the order of what I've heard about Chickamauga, and the scenarios ultimately made up for the other issues, IMHO.

I do agree that if you keep your expectations low or nonexistent, you won't find yourself disappointed.

It's quite possible the BGA people over extended themselves trying to do two big events in a relatively short time in the same year. I also think your experience depends greatly with the people your are falling in with. If your pards have a good knowledge and respect for the Civil War soldier your going to have a better time than a mess that's worried how far the cars are parked from the camp. You really got to shop around for the right fit.

 

[johan_steele]

And you all see why I don't do the big national powder burning events.

 

[Delhi Rangers]

These big events can be good when good organization and planning is exhibited. I still say that Perryville 2002 and Franklin 2004 were the two best events that I have ever attended.

 

[M E Wolf]

If memory serves me correctly, there was supposedly some 'film crew' out there at Chickamauga....aka Chickamudda.

I'm wondering if they contributed to the vehicle and contraption miseries witnessed.

I have met several in the BGA circles and they've been extremely nice and cooperative towards me but, I also approach all with respect and expect none back.

That said--I can't help but think the upper command has been under a strain in this 150th cycle and are fatigued. I can't help but wonder instead of gripes, is how the whole of the re-enactment community can solve problems.

Just some thoughts, observations and opinions.

M. E. Wolf

 

[kealbo54]

If memory serves me correctly, there was supposedly some 'film crew' out there at Chickamauga....aka Chickamudda.

I'm wondering if they contributed to the vehicle and contraption miseries witnessed.

I have met several in the BGA circles and they've been extremely nice and cooperative towards me but, I also approach all with respect and expect none back.

That said--I can't help but think the upper command has been under a strain in this 150th cycle and are fatigued. I can't help but wonder instead of gripes, is how the whole of the re-enactment community can solve problems.

Just some thoughts, observations and opinions.

M. E. Wolf

Seems to me that the way they solved problems for the sesquicenntenial was to have two of everything...so there you go. I DO like your approach of treating all with respect and not expecting it in return.
I wonder how many "national" events are left in the planning stages.I have two things planned in Va for next year(God willing),and mostly its because I love going to Va.,not because of the quality of,or whos putting on,the event,but to see the country.Everyone comes to the table with a different reason,and so far,mine havent failed me yet.I do have a whole lotta Ga mud to scrape off my boots,though.
I will say this,though.There is one sub-group on the BGA FB page thats all about burning these certain F@#$by camp chairs,that the heirarchy holds in utter contempt,and yet that vendor is at every event I go to,hehe.Alas,these are a few of my favorite things.