Many of the posts to this thread illustrate precisely why I DO NOT PARTICIPATE in re enacting. It would be no fun for me to have some knucklehead pointing out that my buttons are not correct or that my chair did not belong. Granted, I believe things should be portrayed as closely as possible to authentic but to stress about it is silly. The general public that observes the encampment/ battle are less interested in your buttons than they are about answers to their questions. Some would feel less intimidated if they wanted to join if they did not have to worry about the authenticity thing. And after the battle is joined they care even less about buttons; the rattle of musketry and beller of cannon is what they came for and who is gonna notice anything else?! I do want to add that re enacting is a valuable asset to the study of the Late Unpleasentness, and I appreciate the efforts y'all put out, but lighten up on youselves!
Unless its a HIstory heavy event on the C/P/H side of the hobby, I dont think anyone has ever been berated and turned away for the wrong buttons. Shoot, I dont think thats ever happened on the C/P/H side. I for one have never berated anyone for thier impression. Common courtesy would keep me from browbeating somone in public, whom I don't know, as this can often lead to a punch in the snot locker. This doesnt stop me from shaking my head at some of the things I have seen, or from laughing with my pards, at events or online, at some of the more outlandish **** out there... for example, in one of my pards FB photo albums are Confederates armed with Henry rifles and a Gatling gun. Is this correct NO WAY. Shoot, it wouldnt even be tolerated at some of the MS events I go to. (note I said some).
But, in the name of historical accuracy, where do we draw the line? can we just holler out hey, we's having a cibil Wah reenactorment, Ya'll come. or do we man up and do what we say we are doing, bringing the history alive for folks, and honoring our ancestors? What kind of education are you providing when you have weapons the Confederates on average did not have (Henry's) or weapons there was NO way on this earth or in heaven they could have had (Gatling guns). I can probably speak for a few here who would say I have no problem, with a fresh fish at the local Ham n' Yam Festival who has never done an event before, and is supplied with loaner kit, or has gone out and bought his kit so he can "fit in" being *****, shoot, its expected in a way. But there needs to be progression. IF you (a generic you) spout off about honoring our ancestors, and bringing history to life, or educating the taters about soldier life in the Civil War, then you need to step up and get it right. Some of the get ups I have seen would leave our honored ancestors scratching thier heads as to what in the name of heaven are these people wearing.
I have for you one example. This past weekend at the battle of Resaca, I was left speechless and shaking my head at the Rebel cavalryman with two Japanese Arisaka ammo pouches slung across his chest, in which he carried extra Remington cylinders. REALLY? Let's see, Cavalrymen were not issued extra cylinders, and in the Confederate Cavalry, especially those in the West, revolvers where catch as catch can, and most of them were colts or colt clones, or imported revolvers. VERY few Remingtons.
IF an event or a unit has published standards, these standards need to met. THe events standards are often published on event websites. and should be read by prospective attendees. History Heavy events will often dictate specific standards for the units being portrayed, and these standards are based on historical research into the unit. Attendees will meet the standards.
Another example I will give you is my own unit. We have guidelines that we want met, and will urge recruits toward the clothing, gear, and weapons that best emulate the units we have chosen to portray. We urge three band muskets, but also encourage two band enfields for Confederate use, since that is what the original unit carried. We encourage 1841 Rifles for early war as this is what our Federal impression carry. We encourage (but not insist on due to cost) Henry rifles for the Atlanta Campaign to the end of the war because that is what the troops of the original unit either private purchased or had supplied by Gov. RIchard Yates. We encourage guys to talk with members of the unit with lots of experience before they purchase anything. BUt we wont tell em they cant play if they get the wrong stuff, we just let em learn from thier mistakes. No one has EVER been turned away because of substandard gear. Arms are another matter. We wont allow Hawkens, Zouaves, or Whitworths. None of these saw service with the units we portray and so are not allowed.
OK, so joe the specatator dont know the difference? you would be surprised. While there are the ones that ask the stupid questions that drive us all nuts ( is that a real fire, are you hot in that uniform, why did they fight the battle in a national park yada yada yada ad naseum) there are some who are very knowledgeable, and can catch ya flat footed and are quick to point out inaccuracies. What honor do we do the originals if we dont strive to look as close as possible?