LR at Gettysburg

[Manassas 1861]

On July 2nd, 6:00 PM, the Liberty Rifles will be recreating the 69th NY, in a follow in their footsteps program. It will start at the PA memorial, and end in a charge across the wheatfield. BEST PART, yah boy might be there as a spectator ( not 100% sure yet).

 

[captaindrew]

You should go, their events are always good. You should participate sometime, you're putting a good kit together. I'll be participating in their Picket Post event later in July.

 

[Manassas 1861]

You should go, their events are always good. You should participate sometime, you're putting a good kit together. I'll be participating in their Picket Post event later in July.

Thanks @captaindrew. I was actually going to ask if I could join them for future events. I even contacted their recruiter, so far no response.

 

[TallTallMan]

On July 2nd, 6:00 PM, the Liberty Rifles will be recreating the 69th NY, in a follow in their footsteps program. It will start at the PA memorial, and end in a charge across the wheatfield. BEST PART, yah boy might be there as a spectator ( not 100% sure yet).View attachment 552598

Have fun! Sadly, can't make it

 

[captaindrew]

Thanks @captaindrew. I was actually going to ask if I could join them for future events. I even contacted their recruiter, so far no response.

You have to attend I believe it's three of their events before becoming a member. Some of their events are member only and some are open to anyone as long as they can meet the guidelines. If you look at their schedule, if they have a registration tab you can sign up. I'm not an official member but I've participated in a handful of their events.

 

[Manassas 1861]

Have fun! Sadly, can't make it

You'll be missed. I'll make sure to take some pictures for you.

 

[TallTallMan]

You'll be missed. I'll make sure to take some pictures for you.

Thanks!

 

[Dan Kohli]

It looks like it might be a good thing to visit.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

I gotta say, I am reticent to support an event like this. To me, living history is not just about what they wore, or even what they did, but also who they were. If there is not a dedicated effort to portray Irish culture, such as it was, as it existed in the regiment, then it's a huge missed opportunity in favor of playing dress up.

The LR did this at Gettysburg a few years ago with the 1st Minnesota, the first two companies of which were half German. There was no attempt to portray or even explore that part of their background at that event.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I might have to go out and watch. I've been meaning to observe an LR event for myself.

 

[RetiredCanuck]

I gotta say, I am reticent to support an event like this. To me, living history is not just about what they wore, or even what they did, but also who they were. If there is not a dedicated effort to portray Irish culture, such as it was, as it existed in the regiment, then it's a huge missed opportunity in favor of playing dress up.

The LR did this at Gettysburg a few years ago with the 1st Minnesota, the first two companies of which were half German. There was no attempt to portray or even explore that part of their background at that event.

You make an interesting point and it would add one extra layer of authenticity to their impression. That being said, I lived in Germany for four years and learned to speak passable German at the time. Despite that I still would feel unqualified to portray a person of German heritage in the 1800s. Same for an Irish person. It would be very difficult for a diverse group to do this convincingly for one event.
Not saying it's impossible, but you need to be very careful to make sure you don't end up crossing the line and create a cultural stereotype.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

You make an interesting point and it would add one extra layer of authenticity to their impression. That being said, I lived in Germany for four years and learned to speak passable German at the time. Despite that I still would feel unqualified to portray a person of German heritage in the 1800s. Same for an Irish person. It would be very difficult for a diverse group to do this convincingly for one event.
Not saying it's impossible, but you need to be very careful to make sure you don't end up crossing the line and create a cultural stereotype.

Well stated. Ethnic impressions are a minefield. In my experience it often devolves into wearing a brass harp or a clover, or drinking beer and saying "jawohl" a lot.

It has also sort of soured my opinion on why people do living history in the first place.

 

[Manassas 1861]

Some of my reenacting buddies have told me not to join the LR. they said they're very cocky in what they do. But, I would like to actually meet them first, to see if that's true.

 

[OhioBlue16]

Some of my reenacting buddies have told me not to join the LR. they said they're very cocky in what they do. But, I would like to actually meet them first, to see if that's true.

I am not a member of the LR, but have attended a handful of events they put on or supported. They were always nothing but nice, helpful and willing to share research. I have the feeling that mainstreamer reenactors have built them into this boogeyman built more on word of mouth and stories told around a campfire, vs actually interacting with the group

 

[RetiredCanuck]

Well stated. Ethnic impressions are a minefield. In my experience it often devolves into wearing a brass harp or a clover, or drinking beer and saying "jawohl" a lot.

It has also sort of soured my opinion on why people do living history in the first place.

Agreed. Our reenactment group was from Canada. No one (and I mean no one) tried to effect a deep south (Mississippi) accent
We'd have just looked like a bunch of fools because none of us had the talent to do it convincingly.
Mind you on more than one occasion we were told our real regional accent sounded Virginian. Go figure LOL.

 

[mwalker6043]

I will be there. LRs do an excellent job every time. I was there when the portrayed the 1st MN with a tornado.

 

[captaindrew]

I am not a member of the LR, but have attended a handful of events they put on or supported. They were always nothing but nice, helpful and willing to share research. I have the feeling that mainstreamer reenactors have built them into this boogeyman built more on word of mouth and stories told around a campfire, vs actually interacting with the group

Was about to write the same exact thing. Mainstreamers equate high standards as cocky and of course "Sticth Counters" I've heard a few of the members have been loud at times on Facebook, I'm not on it so don't see it myself thankfully. I've enjoyed the events I've attended with them and looking forward to another one next month.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

Was about to write the same exact thing. Mainstreamers equate high standards as cocky and of course "Sticth Counters" I've heard a few of the members have been loud at times on Facebook, I'm not on it so don't see it myself thankfully. I've enjoyed the events I've attended with them and looking forward to another one next month.

It's like anything else, you're going to get your fair share of bad actors. When you actively recruit people who look the part age wise, you're going to generally get people who are more active on social media.

And you're right, mainstream reenactors tend to get up in arms when the way they've been doing things since way back when get upset. And as evidenced in another thread, some mainstream spectators seem to have the same tendencies, and get defensive when you ask why they do something inaccurately.

 

[Cavalier]

Man, I really hate to miss this. This sounds like its right up my alley. I would be there if I could.

John

 

[Manassas 1861]

Update. I will in fact be there as a spectator.