Newb Questions

[Diplogeek]

So after wanting to try reenacting since I was a kid, I'm finally making a move to check something off my bucket list and go for it. I've been in touch with a unit already (Union, a Massachusetts unit), but I'd like some input on where to start as far as buying kit. I'm currently out of the country but will be back in about a week, and I'm planning to swing through Gettysburg on my way up to New England (I'm flying into D.C. and driving from there).

So, equipment-wise, what's the best place to start? Based on past ROTC experiences involving marching for miles in crappy weather, I feel like a good pair of brogans is really nonnegotiable. One of the folks in my unit recommended S&S Firearms in Queens, which could be on my way, and I've heard that there are a couple of places in Gettysburg that might stock Robert Land brogans. Any suggestions as to where I might find some? I'm supposed to be doing my first event pretty soon, so I'd love to get them in time for that, but even in time for the Gettysburg event in July would be fantastic, if that's feasible.

I'd also like to get a pair of trousers, if there's a reasonable pair to be had in Gettysburg. I don't mind spending some money, since I'd rather get the right stuff first than buy something that seems okay now, turns out to be junky and then just have to re-buy it later. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Lastly, two questions: first, what's the general etiquette for doing an event solo, that is, if you're interested, but your unit isn't going? I see a lot of people on this and other boards saying that they're going to be at XYZ event, with or without their unit, but I'm not totally clear on how that works if you're interested in, say, falling in with a different unit or something if your whole unit isn't going to an event.

Second, I'm female. I know the whole "gal troop" thing is controversial, and I want to do it right, not be someone out on the field rocking nail polish or something. I've got short hair, so no trying to cram it up under a forage cap, and I'm not really interested in the whole hoop skirts thing, so I don't see myself wanting to have my cake and eat it too as far as being a soldier by day and dancing away in a dress at night. That said, guys make up the overwhelming majority of soldiers in the field, and I'd really appreciate some thoughts on either awful errors you've seen females make doing soldier impressions or, more positively, great stuff that you've seen that really made someone's impression convincing. When I looked into reenacting as a kid, it seemed like it was skirts or nothing for girls and women, which completely turned me off of the hobby. Now that there are more women getting involved in the soldiering side of things, I'm hoping that I can learn from other folks and avoid some of the biggest mistakes right out of the gate.

Apologies for the length of this novel, but I've been reading through this forum for a while and would love to pick your brains about any of the above.

 

[J.W. Dumas]

Howdy from Connecticut, and welcome. There are lots of places to get your 'kit' that won't cost an arm and a leg, or entail taking out a second mortgage. I have always found Regimental Quartermaster http://www.regtqm.com/ to be a good place to start.
As far as not wearing the hoops, YAY! My unit (Confederate Artillery Battery) has two young women that can pull off the whole 'guy' thing quite well, both when the public is around, and telling bawdy stories around the fire later in the evening. They both say it's mindset, having been involved with the hobby from a young age. So, give it a try, I think you'll really enjoy it.

 

[J.W. Dumas]

Is the unit you're looking at part of the 'New England Brigade' by chance?

 

[Diplogeek]

Why, yes it is! I was put in touch by the CO of a unit I contacted who didn't allow women in the ranks, but was nice enough to help out by forwarding my e-mail to some other units. Sorry if I sound coy- it's more that I haven't even done an event with them yet, and since it can reflect on them if I turn out to be a total farb, it seems better to give them some plausible deniability!

It's always nice to hear of cases where women have pulled off the soldier role well. I've always been more of a tomboy and have been in various situations where men hugely outnumber the women (ROTC in college and then working in a couple of really male-dominated jobs as an adult), so doing the guy thing, as far as telling bawdy stories and refraining from getting the vapors if someone happens to let a cuss word or two fly, shouldn't be a problem, or so I hope. My experience in those previous situations has been that if you do what the guys do and get into that mode, it's really not a big deal (or doesn't have to be), but I know this is a sensitive issue for a lot of reenactors, and anything worth doing is worth doing right (particularly when you know that if you do a poor impression, it makes it tougher for any other woman that wants to give it a shot), so I'm open to input from people who've been at this for a while.

 

[J.W. Dumas]

I'm part of the Liberty Greys, your noble adversaries up here in New England. You might want to get in touch with the 15th Connecticut, our friend 'Auggie' does a great job as a 'guy' and is something of the Welcome Wagon for new female reenactors. Don't have their link at the moment, but if you contact the NEB and Col. Paul Kenworthy, he can put you in touch.

 

[Diplogeek]

'Auggie' and I have actually already been in touch- she's been hugely helpful both in terms of putting me in contact with some folks in my home town who can help get me started and as far as giving me an idea of what to expect. I'm really looking forward to getting started- I only wish I'd given it a try sooner, but better late than never. And frankly, my current paycheck makes it a lot easier to buy things than it would have been when I was a broke student working part-time, so there is that.

 

[J.W. Dumas]

'Auggie' and I have actually already been in touch- she's been hugely helpful both in terms of putting me in contact with some folks in my home town who can help get me started and as far as giving me an idea of what to expect. I'm really looking forward to getting started- I only wish I'd given it a try sooner, but better late than never. And frankly, my current paycheck makes it a lot easier to buy things than it would have been when I was a broke student working part-time, so there is that.

 

[J.W. Dumas]

Then I look forward to seeing you on the field of Battle.

 

[redbob]

A warm welcome from Alabama and remember that the only bad question is one that is not asked.

 

[Diplogeek]

Thanks for the warm welcome, all!

And redbob, to comment on your signature, claymores have "aim toward enemy" on them, as well. Although admittedly, it's easier to screw up a claymore in the dark than it is to hold a rocket launcher backwards (one would hope!).

 

[reading48]

Hello and Greetings from Penna.

 

[TinCan]

Greetings and welcome from Kentucky.

 

[johan_steele]

There is a thread title Vendor Feedback which would be advisable to paruse.

Brogans... Robert Lands of Missouri Boot & Shoe.
Trousers... Stony Brook
Jacket... Waumbaugh & White or Beuragards Tailor
Hat... Tim Bender or Clearwater
cap... NJ Sekela
Canteen... TIN there are a variety of good options

Accoutraments... Missouri Boot & Shoe or Sekela
Tin Ware... Village Tinsmith (but I keep hearing they're out of business)

Firearms... Lodgewood defarbed ArmiSport M1842, Pedersoli P53, or Lodgewood Custom M1861.

That should get you started.

 

[donna]

Welcome from Kentucky.

 

[chellers]

Welcome from Texas.

 

[Tin cup]

What johan_steele said!

For anyone wanting to get into the hobby, please, understand this one simple fact...
If you get the best uniform/equipage available, from reputable vendors, (like the ones johan _steele posted) you will be able to go to events, and area's that an otherwise cheap sutler row purchase, won't allow you to go. There are a lot of folk out there who know what is correct, and where to get it, they notice who cares about their impression. Caring enough to get quality, does open doors in this hobby. You show up at an event in correct uniform/equipage, folk will notice.

If you know someone who can sew and understands patterns, and tailoring could help you save some bucks out there. Kits from Waumbaugh & White http://www.wwandcompany.com/garment-kits.html could be a good way to go. We know this is not a cheap hobby, and there are ways to cut costs. Joining http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/forum.php
can get you into the WTB/WTS section, some good deals on correct gear and equipage and clothing can be had. There are "mainstream" venues that could be posted here, but buyer beware, folk don't always offer reputable stuff like what they post on the AC site.
Once you have quality stuff, you don't have to upgrade to better stuff!
Do not be afraid to ask questions! we will help all we can.

Kevin Dally

 

[Diplogeek]

Thanks for the kit suggestions, all. Johan, that list is really helpful- for some reason, I'm having trouble pulling up the catalog on Nick Sekela's site, but looking at his contact information, he's literally about fifteen minutes away from my extended family in Jersey, so any mail order stuff should get there in about a day. I'll shoot him an e-mail.

On the trousers, I've been looking at the two patterns on the Stonybrook site, and I'm left with one question: which one is most appropriate for my impression? My understanding is that the Schuylkill Aresenal ones were the most widely-issued, but am I assuming too much in figuring that just based on logistics, a Massachusetts unit would most likely have wound up with the Deering trousers, at least initially, being that they were being produced in Portland, Maine? As a Mainer, a certain amount of state pride is nudging me toward the Deerings, but if that's totally inaccurate, I'd rather know before I put down the money. And I suppose that in terms of having an impression that's as adaptable as possible, the most widely-issued trouser could be the way to go. Also, is the fit hugely different between the two?

I completely agree that it's better to get decent stuff now than just find myself replacing everything in six months or a year because it doesn't hold up (either quality- or authenticity-wise) and not even able to offload the old stuff at a reasonable price because it's insufficiently authentic.

 

[Stony]

Welcome from North Carolina.

 

[johan_steele]

Thanks for the kit suggestions, all. Johan, that list is really helpful- for some reason, I'm having trouble pulling up the catalog on Nick Sekela's site, but looking at his contact information, he's literally about fifteen minutes away from my extended family in Jersey, so any mail order stuff should get there in about a day. I'll shoot him an e-mail.

On the trousers, I've been looking at the two patterns on the Stonybrook site, and I'm left with one question: which one is most appropriate for my impression? My understanding is that the Schuylkill Aresenal ones were the most widely-issued, but am I assuming too much in figuring that just based on logistics, a Massachusetts unit would most likely have wound up with the Deering trousers, at least initially, being that they were being produced in Portland, Maine? As a Mainer, a certain amount of state pride is nudging me toward the Deerings, but if that's totally inaccurate, I'd rather know before I put down the money. And I suppose that in terms of having an impression that's as adaptable as possible, the most widely-issued trouser could be the way to go. Also, is the fit hugely different between the two?

I completely agree that it's better to get decent stuff now than just find myself replacing everything in six months or a year because it doesn't hold up (either quality- or authenticity-wise) and not even able to offload the old stuff at a reasonable price because it's insufficiently authentic.

Mr Sullivan could certainly answer your questions on which pattern would be most appropriate. The army & the men themselves didn't note the difference in trouser types as they were all sent from the manufacturer to a central supply point and distributed as needed w/ not much care of the type. We put a lot more stock in patterns today then the soldiers of the period did.

 

[Savanna Mae Leckemby]

I will begin with a well deserved Congratulations. Woman deserve to represent and honor history and soldiers as much as any man. I am Savanna and as of right now a female but in a weekend or two I will be magically transformed into the manly Private Savanna (Savanna is also a man's name!) It isn't magic really but time, effort, and work all combined into one meaning of greatness. My first tidbit of advice, get the most important pieces of your uniform first. SHOES, COTTON AND WOOL SOCKS, A WIDE BRIMMED HAT, AND A CANTEEN! I am pretty big on foot health because and I quote myself "Foot health is your body's health." Buy your brogans half a size larger and wear cotton socks inside your wool socks. This is the two sock method which whisks sweat away from your feet and becomes absorbed by your socks and keeps your feet comfortable. A hat and canteen have virtually the same functions: to protect you from heat and sun! Your canteen filled with water (let's hope) should always be around. Avoid laying the strap across your chest because it is notorious for revealing feminine body features on the chest. A hat will keep the sun off your face. All the other stuff can come later, usually others will allow you to borrow a shirt and pair of pants hither and tither. If you are large chested, bind yourself in the worlds of reason, if you are causing damage to yourself well, umm, stop. I would like to talk down on all the people I see who are clearly women but at least they are out there spreading the word of history, right?! If some butthole (excuse my language) can see through your disguise and confronts you about how "Women should cook... blah, blah, blah, and This is a man's sport, blah, blah, blah." Which is rare, ignore them. I have met a whole lotta re-enactors and have only seen one person who treated me with disrespect and it wasn't even caused by my gender. Work on a persona would be the next thing. Act like a man, speak like a man (instead of attempting to deepen your voice try an accent), be attracted to women as in if you see one ask permission to introduce yourself to her, kiss her hand. Have a story: What is your name? Where are you from? What do you do for a living? What is your age? (I use my actual age of 16 for all my personas.) Why are you a boy in blue? You can carry around things that would add to your persona: Letters from home (which you can have spectators read if you can't), a pipe, a pipe with lit tobacco if age and preference allows, money or you could complain about the lack of it, keepsakes from home: A lock of hair, a bit of jewelry. Just a few ideas. Learn: This is one of the two golden rules, know enough to answers questions, and DON'T EVER be afraid to ask question because their might be someone nearby who secretly thinks "Oh thank the lord he just asked that." or "Well, I don't know that either." or even an "I would like to give my input as well." The last golden rule: (as mentioned before) Make the spectators happy. If they don't enjoy themselves the event doesn't make money, they don't come back, and the sport is suffering from that loss. The spectator (weather we like it or not) is the life of the sport.
Just a small amount of info.
In high regards,
Private Savanna James Leckemby, AKA Miss Savanna Mae Leckemby.