Interested in becoming a reenactor.

[granth]

Hello!
Just as the title implies, I am thinking about becoming a reenactor. Now, it's just a lingering thought in my head, but wouldn't it be so fun to live out the history I am so interested in? I'm not sure where to start lol, there's so much info it's hard to take in! Can some of you guys point me in a general direction that I need to go in, or a unit that I may join? (BTW I live in Central Texas, Georgetown area.) I don't care whether it's CSA or USA, I just want to reenact! Also, should I worry about these so called "stitch-counters"? They seem to be a real pain in the neck.

 

[Story]

I don't care whether it's CSA or USA, I just want to reenact! Also, should I worry about these so called "stitch-counters"? They seem to be a real pain in the neck.

1) Most guys eventually have enough stuff to "galvanize" (be either Federal or Confederate, depending upon the needs of the unit).

2) Stitch-counters mean well, in that they'd want everyone to 'be their best'.

3) I'd suggest checking out the reenactment schedules within driving range of where you live and go talk to the guys during the camps' open hours. See which group gives you the warm and fuzzies.

I lucked out with Co D 72nd PA 25 years ago.
This is Paul Laimo, our fearless leader who died too soon.
He had a sense of humor.

 

[Kathy the history sleuth]

A problem we are running into is that groups are folding in this area. If the group I joined doesn't have someone step up they will fold too.

Some municipalities in my driving range have shut down long running reenactments too.

I live in southern WI. Most of the reenactments are south of me because those communities are welcoming to them.

I think a man would have an easier time finding a group. My son and I have an impression for times we want to go to an event but there is no one to go with.

So if you live in an area with alot of reenactments it should not be a problem. I don't want to discourage you. It's alot of fun and you are needed to keep the hobby going. Try to borrow stuff at first for your impression or get it used from someone retiring.

 

[1867crete]

Most of not all units have loaner gear , or at the very least members with multiple impressions that they could out fit you! Especially for the first few events! To make sure you enjoy the hobby enough to devote the time and money needed! Then the sky is the limit! Good luck it is a fun hobby!!

 

[nc native]

Here's a site I just found that gives information on various reenacting groups and contact information for people who want to find more information about themreenactmenthq.com/reenactment-unit-list/

 

[jepridgen]

All great advice. I started a few years ago myself and was fortunate enough to find a strong group that takes preparation seriously without taking the fun out of it. Definitely get to an event and see which group makes the effort to do it right, and then talk with them afterwards. Don't want to start out with a group you aren't comfortable with.

Word of advice from experience, make sure you do the research before you buy! Try it with loaner gear, and then do some reading to see what the real guys wore. Even though I'm in a "mainstream" group, I also like to fall in on campaigner events with my pards. I found out that a lot of the more quality mainstream clothing is almost as expensive as the campaigner (stitch counter) stuff particularly if you can get some used stuff. Caution, this stuff is addictive.

 

[7thWisconsin]

By September, you´re getting to the end of this year´s schedule. Many units will only have a couple more left before the holidays. The best advice is to see units in person and get a feel for whether you´d like to do the hobby in their style. Some units prefer private events, some public living histories. Some units stress authenticity during public hours only, others expect a high level of authenticity throughout the event. Those are style issues you´d want to think about. Also, units are about ¨chemistry.¨ You have to be able to see yourself as one of those guys. (One the other hand, a first unit doesn´t matter a whole lot because you can start to get networked and if you find a unit whose style you prefer, you can move in their direction.)
@ Kathy the History Sleuth: Civil War reenacting isn´t as unit based as some parts of the hobby. Registration for most events is individual, and organizers will often create a company of unaffiliated registrants. I actually would advise you and your son to find a name that fits your unit portrayal and call yourselves a ¨mess.¨ (We went to events as the ¨Pine River Boys¨ of the 7th Wisconsin for years. Never fielded any rank higher than sergeant and most often only a corporal.) If you are patient, competent at drill, safe, and humble you will never lack for comrades in arms. I´ve always been able to find someone to fall in with because I´m completely content to be a private in the ranks who doesn´t show off.

 

[turner ashby kidd]

@7thWisconsin That's one of the best reenactor advice comments I've ever read. Call yourself a mess.

 

[Kathy the history sleuth]

By September, you´re getting to the end of this year´s schedule. Many units will only have a couple more left before the holidays. The best advice is to see units in person and get a feel for whether you´d like to do the hobby in their style. Some units prefer private events, some public living histories. Some units stress authenticity during public hours only, others expect a high level of authenticity throughout the event. Those are style issues you´d want to think about. Also, units are about ¨chemistry.¨ You have to be able to see yourself as one of those guys. (One the other hand, a first unit doesn´t matter a whole lot because you can start to get networked and if you find a unit whose style you prefer, you can move in their direction.)
@ Kathy the History Sleuth: Civil War reenacting isn´t as unit based as some parts of the hobby. Registration for most events is individual, and organizers will often create a company of unaffiliated registrants. I actually would advise you and your son to find a name that fits your unit portrayal and call yourselves a ¨mess.¨ (We went to events as the ¨Pine River Boys¨ of the 7th Wisconsin for years. Never fielded any rank higher than sergeant and most often only a corporal.) If you are patient, competent at drill, safe, and humble you will never lack for comrades in arms. I´ve always been able to find someone to fall in with because I´m completely content to be a private in the ranks who doesn´t show off.

Thank you that is great advice. We do a civilian impression when we are not with a unit. After year one in the hobby this is my experience, in WI and IL.

I love soldiering but my son is disabled and not able to handle a weapon. That's another obstacle we have to finding a unit that will accept us. Sometimes I bring my grandson along and not everyone wants a little kid either. I encountered mixed messages and downright hostility from one group. One person invited us and the next event he was not there so we were not welcome by the others. Luckily it was only a day trip. Some people think as a woman that I can't possibly know anything about history. Someone from that same group "quizzed" me.

The group we are in accepted us wholeheartedly, so I'm sad they are aging out and I hope someone will step up. I should know more next weekend. They knew right away I know my history!

I'm trying to find a used tent for next year or buy a new one and figure out how to transport it in my sedan. Not having a tent limits us to day trips when I'm on my own.

I'm hoping I can do enough events to develop competency at soldiering for myself. It's so much fun to get to feel like you were there in a small way. I'm seeing family groups at reenactments. The hobby is changing and slowly becoming more inclusive for all us that love history and want to "play".

 

[7thWisconsin]

@7thWisconsin That's one of the best reenactor advice comments I've ever read. Call yourself a mess.

People who know me say I´ve been a mess my whole life.
I gotta find a way to make multiple replies:
@ Kathy (again): I hate gatekeeping. People who forget that we´re enthusiasts with real-world lives outside reenacting are problematic. But you will encounter them. It´s like Survivor: Outwit and Outlast. Maybe you will need different objectives depending on who in your family is reenacting with you. I´ve taken small children reenacting; they need a lot of supervision (open fires, sharp pointy things, lots of people, etc) When your grandson is with you, maybe there´s something you can ¨guard¨ which would allow you to keep an eye on him. Both my son and my daughters played a lot of checkers with me at events too. Engaging him with period activities can be a fun trip. If your son can´t field, but has an interest in military things, maybe a Veteran Reserve impression might be his gig. Personally, I love that light blue short coat. An army travels on its paperwork, and a lot was done by VRC soldiers. Just a few ideas to give you hope.

 

[Kathy the history sleuth]

People who know me say I´ve been a mess my whole life.
I gotta find a way to make multiple replies:
@ Kathy (again): I hate gatekeeping. People who forget that we´re enthusiasts with real-world lives outside reenacting are problematic. But you will encounter them. It´s like Survivor: Outwit and Outlast. Maybe you will need different objectives depending on who in your family is reenacting with you. I´ve taken small children reenacting; they need a lot of supervision (open fires, sharp pointy things, lots of people, etc) When your grandson is with you, maybe there´s something you can ¨guard¨ which would allow you to keep an eye on him. Both my son and my daughters played a lot of checkers with me at events too. Engaging him with period activities can be a fun trip. If your son can´t field, but has an interest in military things, maybe a Veteran Reserve impression might be his gig. Personally, I love that light blue short coat. An army travels on its paperwork, and a lot was done by VRC soldiers. Just a few ideas to give you hope.

Yes, whether we have a group or not is going to change my approach. Those are some great ideas. If I bring my grandson I know I won't be able to do much, so I plan accordingly or don't bring him. People are doing creative things. I've seen women doing their own booths, one was in mourning, one was spinning. So I knew right away that even without a group we can still participate and develop friendships. My adult son likes to help people at tear down time.

 

[captaindrew]

@granth welcome to the forum and hopefully to the reenacting family. I can't add too much more to the advice already given except one thing is you have to know what you want out of the hobby and how serious you want to take it. Not all units are the same for sure. Some take it very seriously (the stitch counters that people who don't take it as seriously complain about) and others are much more easy going and some in between. Some are very family friendly and some you wouldn't want your kids around after dark but have a lot of fun if that's your thing. The only way to know who you'd be most comfortable and get out to some events. Just about every unit has some loaner gear to try out a couple times before you commit. @Rusk County Avengers is in Texas so maybe he can help you out with what's going on in your area. Then there's a whole other side to the hobby if you don't mind traveling and taking things seriously are the campaigner events, you don't have to belong to a specific unit. Thst side of the hobby is really growing, especially with the younger guys. Check out the Authentic Campaigner web site for a peek into that world. Good luck and keep us updated how your search is going and always feel free to come on here and ask questions.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

@granth welcome to the forum and hopefully to the reenacting family. I can't add too much more to the advice already given except one thing is you have to know what you want out of the hobby and how serious you want to take it. Not all units are the same for sure. Some take it very seriously (the stitch counters that people who don't take it as seriously complain about) and others are much more easy going and some in between. Some are very family friendly and some you wouldn't want your kids around after dark but have a lot of fun if that's your thing. The only way to know who you'd be most comfortable and get out to some events. Just about every unit has some loaner gear to try out a couple times before you commit. @Rusk County Avengers is in Texas so maybe he can help you out with what's going on in your area. Then there's a whole other side to the hobby if you don't mind traveling and taking things seriously are the campaigner events, you don't have to belong to a specific unit. Thst side of the hobby is really growing, especially with the younger guys. Check out the Authentic Campaigner web site for a peek into that world. Good luck and keep us updated how your search is going and always feel free to come on here and ask questions.

Thanks for putting me on the spot with a potential new recruit.

Texas is a big place, and I would point out me in the "Ark-La-Tex" I'm closer to Shiloh than to Georgetown, TX, which is down by Leningrad-on-the-Colorado, er, I mean Austin. (That first name is a common name for Austin in reenactment circles out here...)

Out here mainstream events are kind of falling apart in my estimation from politics more than anything. One big conglomerate of reenacting units, probably the biggest out here, the "Trans-Mississippi Volunteer Infantry" or "TMVI" for short, has had the same officer corps which is very SCV centered from a certain point-of-view, having progressive units and stubbornly farby ones from h*ll mixed throughout. The officer corps uses the same wore out scenario at every event with a long list of excuses and short on solutions. Lots of good folks, and tons of folks that make me think its good there's no such thing as a Star Wars Force Choke. They control just about all the main events around in Texas, NW Louisiana, and S Arkansas, and because of the aging ranks and short-sightedness is why I'm in the process of trying to start a new horse-drawn artillery unit. Gotta go get lumber to carve the barrel pattern here after while actually.

As far as campaigners the best, probably the only one is "The Invincibles" that can be found on Facebook. There's a LOT of absolutely great guys that I think outshine campaigners nationwide in my opinion that'll set a new guy on the right path and help get someone started, and to me I think them fantastic. That being said, they do have good number of the imbeciles that give campaigners a terrible name. Some of whom showed at the most farby event in the country just to talk smack. That being said, if thems the ones I'd recommend if it were their cup of tea.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Hello!
Just as the title implies, I am thinking about becoming a reenactor. Now, it's just a lingering thought in my head, but wouldn't it be so fun to live out the history I am so interested in? I'm not sure where to start lol, there's so much info it's hard to take in! Can some of you guys point me in a general direction that I need to go in, or a unit that I may join? (BTW I live in Central Texas, Georgetown area.) I don't care whether it's CSA or USA, I just want to reenact! Also, should I worry about these so called "stitch-counters"? They seem to be a real pain in the neck.

Without reading everything that's been said yet, here's what I got to say:

The Texas Reenacting Scene:
You won't find a great number of reenactments in Texas, and the just about all of them you'll have to drive a ways. Coming up on October 14-16th is the mainstream event in Mexia, TX at the Confederate Reunion Grounds. Its an event that fell on hard times and there's a max effort this year to keep it going. After that there's no events in Texas I can think of till next Spring, with that one being Jefferson, TX. Its an event with TWO reenactments that compete in the same month, but I can tell you working with the landowner at one next May might be good and it'll probably get better. There's the before mentioned TMVI incompetency, but I'm sure they'll shoot themselves in the foot next year. Again...

Where the events really be out here:
Due to no CW Battles here of note that can be reenacted, you can't find many in Texas. There used to be more of them, all made up, but no more. You'll have to go to Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma for the closest ones formal reenactment wise. On November 5th and 6th there will be one in Old Washington, Arkansas, which is just on the other side of Texarkana, so while a 5 or 6 hour drive from you, it's right by Texas at least! This event, like most all left in Texas is made up, but its a State Park with many, many historic structures and served as Arkansas' State Capitol after the Fall of Little Rock. Even the "capitol" is still there preserved. Its an event that died and is being brought back and if it goes like it used to, I highly recommend it as a starter event.

After that for this year, there's the 160th Anniversary Battle of Prairie Grove up by the Missouri Border at Fayetteville, which may be too long a drive just starting out.

Next year, near Donaldsonville, Louisiana in February at the site of Fort Beauregard, which had a Naval duel in the war, a reenactment, then in April is the Battle of Pleasant Hill near Mansfield. "P. Hill" as its commonly known, I can't comment on it too much these days. It used to be my top favorite event, but the numbskulls in power refusing to retire or just die off and get out the way, with non-historically minded people holding the purse strings, ran that event so far into the ground I swore it off till they straighten their act up in 2015. But I'd still say its good place to go for a newbie. You'll get to see how its been reenacted for the past 30 years with no regard to history of that battle.

Getting started:
If you PM me, I can put you in contact with the people you should talk to. If your wanting to go hardcore stitchcounter, and younger in age, I can put you in contact with a man in "The Invincibles" out on the other side of Mason at Fort McKavett and he'll do you right on getting started out. They even do "living histories" out there which are very, very strict in regard to historical accuracy. This is a very big problem just starting out, as a lot campaigners demand a separate bit of kit for every event, and the costs go up with a big amount of money need to buy a whole new kit every time there's an event, depending on what time in history, even separate kit for the same event. But hey its close to you!

If you just wanna get your feet wet first, and can on such short notice, you can go to Mexia and I'll make some calls and get you in contact with my unit, and some loaner gear might can be made available, and you can burn some powder. Plus, you'll probably have to listen to folks in 1880's and 1890's cowboy era cloths tell you how I'm an arrogant a**hole that doesn't know anything about CW soldiers, gear, and uniforms because I'm not over 50 more or less. (hint, hint about TMVI units...)

Now if my work doesn't have other ideas, you can PM me and I plan on being at Old Washington and I'll loan you a musket and get you started as best as I can with others on uniforms and gear.

Costs...
THIS IS NOT A CHEAP HOBBY!!!!!!! It'll be costly. You can buy cheap foreign made junk that looks nothing like what they had and will either fall apart and roast you alive in 30-degree weather. You do not, ever under any circumstances go out and buy stuff on your own starting out. You will regret it. It may sound harsh, but I say this for your own good. If you got the coin, and can make Old Washington, I'll guide you at the sutlers on good stuff, and what not to buy, and can even online tell you the best places to go. I would be able to make you some stuff myself at cost like I've done for others, but I don't have time to do so for even myself anymore.

You will not ever just go one side, you'll always do both blue and gray, frequently on the same weekend with normal or "mainstream" events around here, so you really have to have two kits of stuff at the very least.

Now after that long word fit, I can promise if you like campfires, sleeping on the ground, or even in a tent, you will have fun and enjoy it. I've no idea your age and so forth, but this hobby is better for the younger and fitter than older. PM if you got questions and wanna get started.

And finally, if you ain't noticed by what I've said, I would say "stitch-counters" ain't really a big worry. Some are a royal pain that I'd literally laugh if they were on fire, others like who've I've spoken of are hands down the best folks I've ever known or known of. You'll find reenactors of every stripe are a very, very mixed bag of good and agonizingly bad. Its just a question of who you associate with.

Also, last word for real this time, STAY AWAY FROM THE DISMOUNTED CAVALRY!!!!!!!!! For your own safety!

 

[Story]

(BTW I live in Central Texas, Georgetown area.)

Call yourself a mess.

Formatting warning - I tried to multitask.

@turner ashby kidd - a mess is four guys, right? That might be an easier and more flexible option, finding three other like-minded individuals and become the reenacting equivalent of a building block, falling in with other units condottieri style.

Come to think of it, might be closer to replicating the way Companies were originally formed.

@granth, given your location the whole pre-war/post-war 'cowboy/homesteader' impression might also work for you down the road while maximizing your return on investment and fun factor - particularly wearing pieces of your Confederate uniform as a veteran of such.

 

[jepridgen]

Also, last word for real this time, STAY AWAY FROM THE DISMOUNTED CAVALRY!!!!!!!!! For your own safety!

That last bit cracked me up! I keep waiting for their horse holders to come from behind a hill with their mounts...assuming they can mount up with a shotgun, saber, and a three revolvers.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Without reading everything that's been said yet, here's what I got to say:

The Texas Reenacting Scene:
You won't find a great number of reenactments in Texas, and the just about all of them you'll have to drive a ways. Coming up on October 14-16th is the mainstream event in Mexia, TX at the Confederate Reunion Grounds. Its an event that fell on hard times and there's a max effort this year to keep it going. After that there's no events in Texas I can think of till next Spring, with that one being Jefferson, TX. Its an event with TWO reenactments that compete in the same month, but I can tell you working with the landowner at one next May might be good and it'll probably get better. There's the before mentioned TMVI incompetency, but I'm sure they'll shoot themselves in the foot next year. Again...

Where the events really be out here:
Due to no CW Battles here of note that can be reenacted, you can't find many in Texas. There used to be more of them, all made up, but no more. You'll have to go to Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma for the closest ones formal reenactment wise. On November 5th and 6th there will be one in Old Washington, Arkansas, which is just on the other side of Texarkana, so while a 5 or 6 hour drive from you, it's right by Texas at least! This event, like most all left in Texas is made up, but its a State Park with many, many historic structures and served as Arkansas' State Capitol after the Fall of Little Rock. Even the "capitol" is still there preserved. Its an event that died and is being brought back and if it goes like it used to, I highly recommend it as a starter event.

After that for this year, there's the 160th Anniversary Battle of Prairie Grove up by the Missouri Border at Fayetteville, which may be too long a drive just starting out.

Next year, near Donaldsonville, Louisiana in February at the site of Fort Beauregard, which had a Naval duel in the war, a reenactment, then in April is the Battle of Pleasant Hill near Mansfield. "P. Hill" as its commonly known, I can't comment on it too much these days. It used to be my top favorite event, but the numbskulls in power refusing to retire or just die off and get out the way, with non-historically minded people holding the purse strings, ran that event so far into the ground I swore it off till they straighten their act up in 2015. But I'd still say its good place to go for a newbie. You'll get to see how its been reenacted for the past 30 years with no regard to history of that battle.

Getting started:
If you PM me, I can put you in contact with the people you should talk to. If your wanting to go hardcore stitchcounter, and younger in age, I can put you in contact with a man in "The Invincibles" out on the other side of Mason at Fort McKavett and he'll do you right on getting started out. They even do "living histories" out there which are very, very strict in regard to historical accuracy. This is a very big problem just starting out, as a lot campaigners demand a separate bit of kit for every event, and the costs go up with a big amount of money need to buy a whole new kit every time there's an event, depending on what time in history, even separate kit for the same event. But hey its close to you!

If you just wanna get your feet wet first, and can on such short notice, you can go to Mexia and I'll make some calls and get you in contact with my unit, and some loaner gear might can be made available, and you can burn some powder. Plus, you'll probably have to listen to folks in 1880's and 1890's cowboy era cloths tell you how I'm an arrogant a**hole that doesn't know anything about CW soldiers, gear, and uniforms because I'm not over 50 more or less. (hint, hint about TMVI units...)

Now if my work doesn't have other ideas, you can PM me and I plan on being at Old Washington and I'll loan you a musket and get you started as best as I can with others on uniforms and gear.

Costs...
THIS IS NOT A CHEAP HOBBY!!!!!!! It'll be costly. You can buy cheap foreign made junk that looks nothing like what they had and will either fall apart and roast you alive in 30-degree weather. You do not, ever under any circumstances go out and buy stuff on your own starting out. You will regret it. It may sound harsh, but I say this for your own good. If you got the coin, and can make Old Washington, I'll guide you at the sutlers on good stuff, and what not to buy, and can even online tell you the best places to go. I would be able to make you some stuff myself at cost like I've done for others, but I don't have time to do so for even myself anymore.

You will not ever just go one side, you'll always do both blue and gray, frequently on the same weekend with normal or "mainstream" events around here, so you really have to have two kits of stuff at the very least.

Now after that long word fit, I can promise if you like campfires, sleeping on the ground, or even in a tent, you will have fun and enjoy it. I've no idea your age and so forth, but this hobby is better for the younger and fitter than older. PM if you got questions and wanna get started.

And finally, if you ain't noticed by what I've said, I would say "stitch-counters" ain't really a big worry. Some are a royal pain that I'd literally laugh if they were on fire, others like who've I've spoken of are hands down the best folks I've ever known or known of. You'll find reenactors of every stripe are a very, very mixed bag of good and agonizingly bad. Its just a question of who you associate with.

Also, last word for real this time, STAY AWAY FROM THE DISMOUNTED CAVALRY!!!!!!!!! For your own safety!

This is one of the best posts I have ever read... on any forum... anywhere... at any time. I woulda just sliced the like button, but this is just too well constructed, though out and worded for that.
Now, not to threadjack, but this is a related question: I once read a very inspiring reenactor blog that included the advice to ¨develop an impression you want to do, even if there is no unit near you.¨ Agree or disagree? And if agree, how? I kinda follow this advice since one of the impressions I do I have to drive 5-8 hours from home to find someone to do it with. So they see me 2-3 times a year. How viable is this really?

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

That last bit cracked me up! I keep waiting for their horse holders to come from behind a hill with their mounts...assuming they can mount up with a shotgun, saber, and a three revolvers.

I've been shot in the face at 4 or 5 ft. with a sawn off shotgun and dual revolvers by them when the scenario called for them to retreat when we charged. I experienced literal blindness for several hours and almost lost my sight, and after I got done clutching my face screaming bloody murder they said "Hey you a little close there huh-ha!"

A mix of dips**t officer politics and desire for reenactor numbers at any cost got them there in the first place, they even used the spectators for human shields and got away with it....

Not gonna lie, if I had my way there would've been charges, consequences and those disgraces to the name human would be shot with live ammo if they showed up at an event. If things went my way.

I don't know about elsewhere, but out here they usually all carry cheap Spanish made repros of supposed "Hawken guns" with the occasionally old Zulu shotgun, and I've never seen any of them carry less than 10 cheap brass framed revolvers, one once at least 20, bedecked in cowboy hats, yellow everywhere, suede leather "trekker" boots, cowboy boots, and more than a few wearing modern shades.

Words fail to describe the depth of my hatred for those imbeciles.

Here's a couple links with plenty of photos of the Jefferson event I mentioned as well as one dead one, dead of the frequently mentioned imbecile officers and their politics that was in Hallsville, TX. I used to have a video saved I took while "dead" and a dismount officer yelling "Decap all weapons!" when the event was over. It ain't hard to pick out the imbeciles and get an idea of the TMVI I mentioned:

2022 Historic Jefferson Pilgrimage, Jefferson, Texas

5th Brigade, Texas Division Sons of Convederate Veterans

5thbrigade.org

Battle of Fort Crawford, October 4 - 5, 2014, Hallsville, Texas

5th Brigade, Texas Division Sons of Convederate Veterans

5thbrigade.org

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

This is one of the best posts I have ever read... on any forum... anywhere... at any time. I woulda just sliced the like button, but this is just too well constructed, though out and worded for that.
Now, not to threadjack, but this is a related question: I once read a very inspiring reenactor blog that included the advice to ¨develop an impression you want to do, even if there is no unit near you.¨ Agree or disagree? And if agree, how? I kinda follow this advice since one of the impressions I do I have to drive 5-8 hours from home to find someone to do it with. So they see me 2-3 times a year. How viable is this really?

Thanks, and I think this is the first time I've ever been complimented on my unique and often hated point-of-view. Seriously, I got enemies on all sides of reenacting for my opinions! I'm often accused of not thinking at all. Truth be told I think I may be to direct and blunt and should be more wary of expressing my opinions of those whom I've no respect for.

To quote close friend at work, and she likes to say it often, "Michael is blunt, doesn't hold back, and is way more serious than you'd think he is."

As far as the impression, I'd say it depends on the impression. Say I wanted to make an impression of the black uniforms and gear worn by the "Marshall Guards" mentioned in some firsthand accounts as they left for Virginia, it could look awesome, but it'd be useless outside of leaving Marshall, TX and marching to Shreveport, where many of the soldiers had already discarded their hot jackets and other stuff already wore out and black sweat stains from poorly dyed black jackets. But if I wanted to build an impression of one of Sherman's famous "Bummers" it would be close enough to reasonably fit as a generic Federal soldier at maybe 75% of reenactments.

I know I got a couple excellent Trans-Mississippi impressions, that are well researched, but if I go to the 160th Gettysburg like so many have about convinced me to, no matter what year there's literally not a single garment that even remotely looks like an ANV Confederate.

 

[captaindrew]

Thanks, and I think this is the first time I've ever been complimented on my unique and often hated point-of-view. Seriously, I got enemies on all sides of reenacting for my opinions! I'm often accused of not thinking at all. Truth be told I think I may be to direct and blunt and should be more wary of expressing my opinions of those whom I've no respect for.

To quote close friend at work, and she likes to say it often, "Michael is blunt, doesn't hold back, and is way more serious than you'd think he is."

As far as the impression, I'd say it depends on the impression. Say I wanted to make an impression of the black uniforms and gear worn by the "Marshall Guards" mentioned in some firsthand accounts as they left for Virginia, it could look awesome, but it'd be useless outside of leaving Marshall, TX and marching to Shreveport, where many of the soldiers had already discarded their hot jackets and other stuff already wore out and black sweat stains from poorly dyed black jackets. But if I wanted to build an impression of one of Sherman's famous "Bummers" it would be close enough to reasonably fit as a generic Federal soldier at maybe 75% of reenactments.

I know I got a couple excellent Trans-Mississippi impressions, that are well researched, but if I go to the 160th Gettysburg like so many have about convinced me to, no matter what year there's literally not a single garment that even remotely looks like an ANV Confederate.

If you're coming to the Lady Farm 160th event there will be plenty of outfits that don't remotely look like an ANV Confederate On another thread a guy from Germany wants to come but only has a Columbus Depot jacket, certainly nothing to worry about. Seriously though I should be there and could bring a jacket for you if you're worried about it, you're welcome to fall in with us if you need a home.