Impressions Flack for going Confederate?

[kepi]

Has anyone here ever caught flack for going Confederate?

 

[unionblue]

Has anyone here ever caught flack for going Confederate?

Nope.

I did get some surprise at not going to the 135th Gettysburg reenactment with my Union reenactment group, but I had promised my friend, Ron Goodwin, captain of the 17th Mississippi Infantry reenactment group, that I would fall in with his outfit for that event.

Best event I ever participated in.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[ole]

Nope.

I did get some surprise at not going to the 135th Gettysburg reenactment with my Union reenactment group, but I had promised my friend, Ron Goodwin, captain of the 17th Mississippi Infantry reenactment group, that I would fall in with his outfit for that event.

Best event I ever participated in.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

Don't reenact, Blue, but it would seem that reenactors don't really dislike each other. Kinda like people who like to fish or hunt. There is a camaradrie there that transcends argument. I'm fishing for catfish and you're fishing for bass. No problem.

 

[hrobalabama]

I

I didn't go Confederate. I always was, even as a youngster before I knew both sides. I lived, worked and went to school up North but I always was a son of the South. I have many friends above the Mason-Dixon line. I was brought up a racist, but never became one and I have many close Black friends.
I respect other views but that doesn't change who I am and I have always have been a southerner. I don't hold to slavery but that was an old antebellum custom in both North and South . I am old and have witnessed Jim Crow laws in the South, which was not fair and thankfully has "gone with the wind," I love and respect everyone and understand different views. I like the slow pace and friendless in the South. I love Southern cooking, especially Cajun and creole cuisine, having lived in Louisiana for many years. I get "glory bumps" when I hear Dixie. I am conservative in some things and liberal in others. I am patriotic and am a Korean war vet. But all these things cannot change who I am. I admire the zeal of our boys of 61 -65. I think the South was horribly mistreated during the invasion and reconstruction. The horrible war was a blight on our Nation but it has made us who we are. So I am an American by birth and a Son of the South by the Grace of God, And I am not ashamed of it.
I used to sing "Save your Confederate Money Boys, The South Will Rise Again." And it has, Thank God. There is an affinity for the Confederacy that cannot be washed away in the true sons of the South.

 

[Union_Buff]

I didn't when I decided to join the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues last year.

 

[unicornforge]

Only noticed hostility from folks working in a Gettysburg sutlery, which is rather silly since more than 50% of area reenactors either portray Confederate or own/use both blue and grey uniforms. Personally, I have both blue and grey uniforms and have gone where I have the support to help move my equipment, which tends to be grey uniforms. There might be one blue outfit out in California that supports a wheeled Traveling Forge, and maybe one or two other blue groups. I had hopes of hooking up with Charlie Tarbox in Gettysburg who had a horse drawn cannon, and thus could move a forge weighing over 2,000 pounds, but he met misfortune and sadly lost just about everything he had in a divorce, including his cannon and horses. If I remember correctly, Charlie mostly went blue, but was willing to adjust as the event required.

 

[Frederick14Va]

My own unit portrays both Confederate and Federal.... So at times will get a bit of jesting from some of our other friendly CS folks... but nothing serious... the issue can be encountered on either side.... There are groups that do not, or even forbid by bylaws and policy... any member of donning the attire of the other side in any capacity.... Yes I do know a number of units that have this policy...... to each their own...

There will always be those folks around that dig into the "My grandpappy would spin in his grave if I did that" kinda thing... many absorbed into modern political or reportedly heritage based slanting's... as if what we may do or portray on the field today is somehow going to alter, or indemnify the course of history that occurred 150 years ago... or pollute or taint ones own heritage.... Our take is that we are portraying history... all of it equally... regardless of the side, character or role it may be at the time... What we may portray at any given time is not, and should not be considered a personal endorsement of any political or cultural issue then or now. Tends to be much less of an issue amongst the campaigner side of the hobby... who most fluidly will portray anything...

Those that are dual impression units.. or able to galvanize... have increased in numbers over the course of the 150th cycle... The lousy economy resulted in many groups cutting back their participation frequency or distance travel... So as a result fewer native Federal units traveling south for events.... and fewer native Southern units traveling northward as well.... So ended up with greatly lop-sided force ratios at many events.... Solution in both regions was to start galvanizing.... Be part of a solution... while others declined and remained steadfast.... continuing to be part of the problem the hobby was having....

If people still give one flak for doing it... Id look for better quality unit or events to attend instead.... The better quality ones you don't normally find this issue very much...

 

[frontrank2]

I do a Federal impression 90% of the time. I've done Confederate at a handful of events, mostly to bring their numbers up ( I live in the Northeast so there is no shortage of Federals ). But I have no problems galvanizing, in fact it gives me a different perspective and can be a nice change of pace. BTW, I never got any static for switching sides.

 

[Lt.Drake]

Not at all. It's a predominately Confederate area in reenacting, and we usually have a problem getting Yankees.

I subscribe greatly to what hrobalabama said. I'm a southern gentleman, and I came from a family that was initially well-to-do and owned land, and I guess I fancy myself the modern equivalent of southern gentry of the past. I'm not racist or misogynist, I merely support the south and what it means to be a true southerner. It's of no mystery why I chose to portray a confederate officer.

Don't want to break the rules and get into my personal politics too much, however. Simple answer to the original question: No sir, just from the Bucktails-descended inlaws. Heh

 

[Scotsman]

Not at all. It's a predominately Confederate area in reenacting, and we usually have a problem getting Yankees.

I subscribe greatly to what hrobalabama said. I'm a southern gentleman, and I came from a family that was initially well-to-do and owned land, and I guess I fancy myself the modern equivalent of southern gentry of the past. I'm not racist or misogynist, I merely support the south and what it means to be a true southerner. It's of no mystery why I chose to portray a confederate officer.

Don't want to break the rules and get into my personal politics too much, however. Simple answer to the original question: No sir, just from the Bucktails-descended inlaws. Heh

Your post raises a lost of questions.

First, what do you mean by "support the south"?

Second, what exactly does it mean to be a "true southerner"?

 

[Lt.Drake]

Sorry for any confusion. I only meant to say that the traditions of southern virtue and being polite, well-mannered and charitable, as well as being brave, and having a deep sense of honor are very important to me, despite the fact that they have been forgotten by most people in today's society. I meant nothing to imply racism or extremism, if that was what you meant. I said in my post that I am not such, and I do not advocate or support either.

To a southern gentleman of a more classical period, you were only what and how you were perceived by others. This fact is why men and women of the period put so much stock in how they behaved in society, how they treated each other, and so on. It was a code that you didn't act in any way that would bring shame or dishonor on yourself, your family, your state or your country. I use "true southerner" as a term to distinguish those who still believe in those ideals from those who do not. Sorry for much confusion, but as I said, I don't like delving into personal politics or beliefs on the internet. Every time anyone does so on any site or forum, it always seems to end in arguments.

Sorry to the mods for being a little off-topic. Just wanted to clarify my earlier statement.

 

[Stony]

No. Nor have I ever caught any flack for going union. My unit portrays both north and south. And does so proudly.

 

[Banjo Pete]

Hi Kepi,

In your question, did you mean to ask if anyone had gotten grief from within the re-enactment community for going "Reb" or were you alluding to bad reactions from non-re-enactor friends/the public at large?

I've never done Civil War but was/am involved with WWI re-enactment (Great War Association). Well, for starters, I caught flak from my non re-enactor friends along the line of "But the war happened in Europe so what are you doing in a field in Pennsylvania?".

Outsiders don't get the concept that, however much suspension of disbelief is sometimes involved, there is something very visceral about the particular learning process we have.

Through my WWI exploits I learned how a tunic collar can rub your neck raw in short order... and how to wrap my leggings tight enough to keep them from unraveling, but not so tight as to make my feet numb. And how the Doughboy helmet rings like a bell when a shot goes off nearby. I look upon all of this as an extension to book learning which helps me, in some small way, to feel more in tune with the subject.

Anyhow, I portrayed US but I never detected any, ahem, Green vs Grey animosity within the groups.

Many "Huns" of my aquaintance also turn out in US garb for Memorial Day, Armistice day, etc. parades etc. bc we realize we're patriots at the end of the day one and all.

Best,
Pete

 

[kepi]

Hi Kepi,

In your question, did you mean to ask if anyone had gotten grief from within the re-enactment community for going "Reb" or were you alluding to bad reactions from non-re-enactor friends/the public at large?

I've never done Civil War but was/am involved with WWI re-enactment (Great War Association). Well, for starters, I caught flak from my non re-enactor friends along the line of "But the war happened in Europe so what are you doing in a field in Pennsylvania?".

Outsiders don't get the concept that, however much suspension of disbelief is sometimes involved, there is something very visceral about the particular learning process we have.

Through my WWI exploits I learned how a tunic collar can rub your neck raw in short order... and how to wrap my leggings tight enough to keep them from unraveling, but not so tight as to make my feet numb. And how the Doughboy helmet rings like a bell when a shot goes off nearby. I look upon all of this as an extension to book learning which helps me, in some small way, to feel more in tune with the subject.

Anyhow, I portrayed US but I never detected any, ahem, Green vs Grey animosity within the groups.

Many "Huns" of my aquaintance also turn out in US garb for Memorial Day, Armistice day, etc. parades etc. bc we realize we're patriots at the end of the day one and all.

Best,
Pete

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I was referring to both within the reenacting community and from the public, but mostly from the general public. I honestly didn't expect much negative reaction from within the community, but hearing about the groups who forbid members from wearing the uniform opposite to theirs is a surprise. I suspect those going grey may have to deal with people from outside the reenacting would making assumptions based on stereotypes. That is to say those in grey are either bigots, modern secessionist, or something else weird.

I have always loved history and learning about the past. Reenacting and living history events just seem like a great way to learn something about the past you could never get from a book.

 

[Patrick H]

Your post raises a lost of questions.

First, what do you mean by "support the south"?

Second, what exactly does it mean to be a "true southerner"?

Is Lt. Drake "catching flack for going Confederate"?

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Sorry for any confusion. I only meant to say that the traditions of southern virtue and being polite, well-mannered and charitable, as well as being brave, and having a deep sense of honor are very important to me, despite the fact that they have been forgotten by most people in today's society. I meant nothing to imply racism or extremism, if that was what you meant. I said in my post that I am not such, and I do not advocate or support either.

To a southern gentleman of a more classical period, you were only what and how you were perceived by others. This fact is why men and women of the period put so much stock in how they behaved in society, how they treated each other, and so on. It was a code that you didn't act in any way that would bring shame or dishonor on yourself, your family, your state or your country. I use "true southerner" as a term to distinguish those who still believe in those ideals from those who do not. Sorry for much confusion, but as I said, I don't like delving into personal politics or beliefs on the internet. Every time anyone does so on any site or forum, it always seems to end in arguments.

Sorry to the mods for being a little off-topic. Just wanted to clarify my earlier statement.

@Lt.Drake . . . well said.

 

[Booner]

I never re-enacted much, but I did shoot in the North-South Skirmish Assoc. When I lived in Louisiana. Our unit was a confederate one So we wore a confederate uniform and since I was from Missouri, they all thought I was a Yankee. (That's a different topic).

My closest ancestors were in the Union Cavalry, and some of my friends in the unit asked me what I thought my Union ancestors would think of me by wearing the grey. I replied that I feel that by what I was doing, I'm honoring the memory all of those who fought on both sides.

Rgds,
Booner

 

[James B White]

Never caught an flack for going Confederate, or Confederate sympathizer. In fact I've been surprised a few times how accepted period attitudes are, by the general public and reenactors. I have caught flack a couple times for going Union, or Union-sympathizer, from the general public. Portraying an 1865 carpetbagger/abolitionist in Georgia, for example, a non-reenacting old lady from the event site board of directors got angry when I said I was glad the slaves were freed and that general theme. Apparently her family had owned a plantation and lost a lot of negroes, and no, she wasn't just playing with me in character, as far as I could tell.

 

[kepi]

Never caught an flack for going Confederate, or Confederate sympathizer. In fact I've been surprised a few times how accepted period attitudes are, by the general public and reenactors. I have caught flack a couple times for going Union, or Union-sympathizer, from the general public. Portraying an 1865 carpetbagger/abolitionist in Georgia, for example, a non-reenacting old lady from the event site board of directors got angry when I said I was glad the slaves were freed and that general theme. Apparently her family had owned a plantation and lost a lot of negroes, and no, she wasn't just playing with me in character, as far as I could tell.

Wow! That's wild.

 

[James B White]

Wow! That's wild.

I should add the circumstances were kind of odd. I was still in modern clothes at the registration table, but I'd been carefully practicing a northeast accent and had started using it to get used to it. She said, "You're not from around here, are you?" and the conversation began. Because the man I was portraying had the same views as I really did, it was sort of moot whether I was speaking in character, but I wonder if she expected reenactors to be more sympathetic to her views.