Is it the uniform?

[e.r.fox]

For me, it is perhaps the uniform, the forage cap with the McDowell brim, the shell jacket with the trim on the sleeve, and perhaps a few stripes to show some rank. And if you are among the mounted troopers , an 1860 -61 colt army pistol in your holster on your hip, or a Springfield Rifle with its weight on your shoulder, the buttons that show your loyalty to your state on the front of your jacket that ties you with the loyalty to your commanding general - your state flag, your unit flag - these things that combine the make up of your reenacting unit - what is it for YOU that lights your fire? The black powder in your mouth, the horses sweat, the campfire afterwards, the ladies dressed in period - so many reasons for all reenactors....

 

[Pvt.A.Wells]

For me, anything that has lots of trim, I do not want to be near. The only jacket I own with trim is a Columbus Depot Jacket, and only because it was issued that way. So for me, a good civilian sack coat, a pair of civilian shoes, a pair of depot trowsers or civilian ones, a large bowie style knife with a custom made sheath that hold it at a angle for a quick pull, my buttons are original goodyear buttons, a good slouch hat, a oil cloth with a coverlet (that my friend is my entire camp), cedar canteen, milita box, and caps in my pocket. I am armed with a long double barreled Shotgun.

I have many other impressions, (but none involve any trim except for a federal frock coat) and I never wear rank. The above is my favorite, and works well to show the typical man of Eastern Ky, and or early war rebel.

 

[frontrank2]

Yes, I agree all of that is good. But what gets my juices flowing is the roll of the drums at dawn (or the long roll just before first call), the banter among the troops while on the march, and the smell of a wood fire in the evening with the boys around the campfire. And of course the smell of blackpowder in the morning. "It smells like victory." LOL

 

[kealbo54]

For me it is much like acting.Just putting on my kit,puts me in a frame of mind that is hard to explain.The study I have put into my small part of keeping history alive,has helped me keep history alive for me.I know more about 19th century clothes nopw than I know about what I wear day to day.It combines the two constants in my life...my art,and my study of the Civil War.It actually makes me more comfortable on a battlefield,now.It is another aspect of my person to work on and try to improve,without becoming all-consuming.Most important,since Thee Civil War is not common,everyday conversation,it is an oppurtunity to share one of my life-long passions,and being dressed for the part?.well that just enhances it.Because of my current circumstances,I am still a Holiday Inn camper,but when that changes,I am sure the 24/7 thing will make it even richer for me.

 

[Pvt.A.Wells]

Just a silly FYI: Another reason I enjoy period clothing is because of the material and weave. Why you ask? Because I am allergic to all man made fibers. So no paki wool, no woolrich stuff. Only real period fabric and weaves.

 

[deanbramell]

For me, anything that has lots of trim, I do not want to be near. The only jacket I own with trim is a Columbus Depot Jacket, and only because it was issued that way. So for me, a good civilian sack coat, a pair of civilian shoes, a pair of depot trowsers or civilian ones, a large bowie style knife with a custom made sheath that hold it at a angle for a quick pull, my buttons are original goodyear buttons, a good slouch hat, a oil cloth with a coverlet (that my friend is my entire camp), cedar canteen, milita box, and caps in my pocket. I am armed with a long double barreled Shotgun.

I have many other impressions, (but none involve any trim except for a federal frock coat) and I never wear rank. The above is my favorite, and works well to show the typical man of Eastern Ky, and or early war rebel.

I for one, own a shell jacket with no trim in general events but own one with trim for early to mid war impressions.

 

[Republican Blues]

It's not the gear.....it's the people. It's getting into the heads, thoughts, spirits of the people, harder people than ourselves, who lived in a trying time, who had to deal with much more than we do now, who had to decide where their loyalty lied, who had to detemine what they believed to be right at the time, and when the bloody mess was over, could reunite as brothers, and put the worst behind and forage a stronger bond of Union. That is why I do it..... because they gave us something special, and we should always remember it, and we should we remember that our nation was not always indivisible, nor I do believe that is it now, and we must strive harder than ever to maintain that Republic, of the people, by the people, and for the people. WE have some thing very special in this country, and the rest of the world knows it, and those who went through our great national tragedy gave us a goal to maintain.... that united, we are stronger than we are divided....

 

[RNMCSA]

Those fleeting moments when you can look around and see nothing that is not of the period. When for just a fraction of a second you feel as if you were transported back in time. The emotions well up in your chest and for that milisecond you are there. It is rare and fleeting to be sure but these are the memories that stick with me and like some elussive intoxicant draw me out to do it again.

 

[frontrank2]

Those fleeting moments when you can look around and see nothing that is not of the period. When for just a fraction of a second you feel as if you were transported back in time. The emotions well up in your chest and for that milisecond you are there. It is rare and fleeting to be sure but these are the memories that stick with me and like some elussive intoxicant draw me out to do it again.

Oh yesss, when those magical moments occur!