Recruiting Plea

[CowCavalry]

Yeah, the young kids aren't really interested in what you are describing anymore.

View attachment 478346
I can't really tell what it is you are wanting to do, other than forming a new group, but based on what I think you're talking about, it's not going to be well received by any reenacting organization (mainstream, authentic, etc) that I can think of.

Not trying to rain on your parade, but what your describing doesn't really sound like it was any actual provenance for any military during the ACW. And if you are just inventing something without historical provenance, what is the point?

You may have more luck with the Cowboy Action Shooting crowd. Or there are other avenues to explore in Civil War period. Have you looked into any type of civilian impression?

That is a really cool picture.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Going by some of your posts, I would definitely try it out with a group, using loaner gear, first. Just to see if it's realistically something you can do regularly. Depending on the event, there's a lot of marching. Now I don't expect everyone to be like myself and a few of my pards and insist on going full gear(full knapsack included) for a parade or into battle(I do both, it personally doesn't bother me in the slightest, but I'm much younger, on my feet for work, and participate in athletic hobbies), but it can still be a lot, even with the bare essentials(leathers, canteen, musket).

Might I offer a suggestion? Cavalry. There are, much to my derision, quite a few "dismounted cavalry" groups around. They portray(often badly, but not always) cavalry troopers in uniform and equipment, and follow dismounted battle tactics, but don't require you to ride a horse. There tends to be a lot less marching, less emphasis on moving in formations, much less equipment being carried, and a much smaller and lighter carbine vs a big heavy musket.

Also I had no issues going in bare feet, just as many of the original boys had to, on occasion. It's not something I do all the time though, it depends on the scenario and terrain.

Yes ma'am … this is a lot to chew on. The world is my oyster at the moment. I think if I can get my feet into better shape I could do the marching. If is really the shoes as the issue. Let me try those bad old Bs again at Cedar Creek.

OTC
SCH

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Where's my gun? I want to shoot them now!

 

[PrivateBrooke]

You can always put Dr. Sholl's or some other supports in there if you need. Period correct? No, but nobody will go sniffing around in your brogans and if they do there's going to be bigger problems than what someone does or doesn't have in there...

 

[Doc_Ralph]

You can always put Dr. Sholl's or some other supports in there if you need. Period correct? No, but nobody will go sniffing around in your brogans and if they do there's going to be bigger problems than what someone does or doesn't have in there...

Yes ma'am I have done all that … I cussed the shoes (very kind description of them) out, thrown them in a corner, lost them for like five years, found them (dang) recently along with all my uniforms and man purse kit stuffed in a black garbage sack by my basement dwellers (grrrr.)

Can the lower ranks wear comfortable custom made boots? Our artillery unit encouraged everyone to wear boots for comfort and safety. Loading a cannon onto a caisson/trailer can be hard on the feet. While boots would offer a little bit of protection-the Bs would offer absolutely zilch to cannoneers safely and comfort. To be fair tho it was up to me to get the latest into the "shoe" gel soles and at least one pair of "period" correct sock if anyone was so bold to do a foot inspection.

No chance! Tents were always off limits as they were crammed with such modern day technology it would baffle the clueless "civilians" I have seen just about everything except a TV or satellite dish.

When I come back - give me a shelter half, a pad of ensolite, a blanket to hide my sleeping bag and a poncho for a ground cloth and bug netting.

When I was in Scouts I went to Philmont in NM for a fifty mile hike. They did what I call a shake down and you empty your pack on a ground cloth and they comb though it for you saying "you don't need this" "keep this" and so on. I swear to Dog my captain had everything including bed and carpet. I know cause we helped her break down after every event. Took hours! \o/

OTC
SCH

 

[Dan Kohli]

It looks like the group your trying to raise is more similar to the gorillas of the Southern Missouri - Northern Arkansas - Kansas area, rather than a unit you would on the battlefields of Virginia. A home guard unit, or a heavy artillery battery might be a better fit. As for your hearing, why did you not use earplugs that were skin colored, or cotton balls?

 

[Sowbelly and Hardtack]

Like anything else Dismounted Cavalry only works for specific events and yes Cavalry impressions are the most expensive because you must have a fully kitted out mount.

While Artillery maybe the least expensive impression, it also isn't cheap. Usually all members help to pay for the cost of traveling to and from events, help to pay for ammunition and all other unit costs. Think about those units that attend events with a field piece, limber, caisson and mounts.

These days reenacting isnt cheap and it requires a serious commitment. It's not like playing softball or dart league. With that said there are other options for more senior reenactors.

The physically disabled cannot take the field as soldiers, but the impression of a wounded soldier in a period wheel chair being pushed by a civilian in period clothes or be walking wounded. Have you thought about doing a civilian impression, or perhaps a Medical Corps or Signal Corps impression. Granted these impressions may not be as exciting or romantic, but they are options. No matter what you decide there will be some expense.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

It looks like the group your trying to raise is more similar to the gorillas of the Southern Missouri - Northern Arkansas - Kansas area, rather than a unit you would on the battlefields of Virginia. A home guard unit, or a heavy artillery battery might be a better fit. As for your hearing, why did you not use earplugs that were skin colored, or cotton balls?

Alas hindsight is 20/20 but my ears haven't been right since I was 16. So the BOOM BOOM may have just been a natural decline and spurred it on. I have had hearing aids for about a year but WTF? I don't want to hear the walls breathing all the time. \o/ Folks: USE YOUR EAR PROTECTION!

That really isn't an order but a plea perhaps…

Beautiful cool drizzle in Spotsy this am. Marvelous…

OTC

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Alas …There has been zip from my fellow Spotsultucky folks so unless there is a rush of enthusiasm I will decommission the Spotsy Sharps with some vague and trumped up explanation. The shortest time a "military unit existed in the western hemisphere " And then I will shed a tear because only one wanted to take the field in remembering what was done here.. No I am not bitter for perhaps I am the last of a dying breed in the S Tucky.

So I will hope to join a Virginia or Maryland CSA oh what the heck? I can galvanize as Union… otherwise I will just be sitting around looking cute and eating bon bons.

"…Oh I wish I was in the land of cotton
Old times there are not forgotten …"

Stay hydrated!
OTC

 

[Doc_Ralph]

And yet alas I am torn between oh the lines and marching and all the fun and the counter arguments of reason from those on this thread and my wife who might even ask the proverbial question- WHY?

IMHO Why indeed? and so there is introspection into being torn between the shoals of doubt (branch ?) and the reefs of pain (foot) and so to steer between the two to the perfect channel to the deeper waters. The unmounted cavalry sounds appealing and the description of less ah serious military maneuvers- marching and formations AND instead Papa where's your saddle? My year of riding lessons on these wonderful creatures was great and those beautiful trail rides in Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands. Ah … I am there in St Thomas as the heat builds in the lower 48….IMHO

OTC
SCH

 

[Dan Kohli]

@OldTimerCannoneer69 , you might want to look into the guerrilla warfare in northern Virginia. The problem is that I can't see that type of fighting style working for most public facing battle re-enactments. I think the best way to show that type of group is to have a living history display, and the appropriate events. Unfortunately I don't live close enough to give any assistance in that regard. Like others have said there are tactics and other types of units that are more fitting for a pitched battle.
I want you to know that even though I am partly in the chorus of voices picking apart your plans. A part of me does think that it would be fun fighting in a irregular manner and taking potshots.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

@OldTimerCannoneer69 , you might want to look into the guerrilla warfare in northern Virginia. The problem is that I can't see that type of fighting style working for most public facing battle re-enactments. I think the best way to show that type of group is to have a living history display, and the appropriate events. Unfortunately I don't live close enough to give any assistance in that regard. Like others have said there are tactics and other types of units that are more fitting for a pitched battle.
I want you to know that even though I am partly in the chorus of voices picking apart your plans. A part of me does think that it would be fun fighting in an irregular manner and taking potshots.

Dan,

I don't consider it picking the plan apart. Rather than an attempt to guide Papa in "realism" I have seen a lot of infantry and even had a cup of coffee with them. So while I "know" about infantry I do not truly know infantry like I do artillery.

I do find it a bit sad that I have not heard back from reenactors in Spotsy. The idea of driving to Pennsylvania for a group meeting and events well excuse me… iMHO I am really looking for a Virginia based group for a number of reasons.IMHO

The dismounted cavalry appeals to me as it was my original ah dream. Cavalry! We got up to canter on our lesson horses which may look slow to an observer …believe me holding on with one hand while a beautiful large and heavy mammal is moving along at a good clip is a bit disconcerting at first. That left hand with the reins raised up also adds to the drama. Never been thrown but wife has due to saddle slip. Guys seeing your wife being thrown is like a car wreck- s l o w m o t I o n. No marrying the ground has always been in the back my mind. Good things they have long thick manes to grab on the way down. Seen some tossing at Cedar Creek.

So I am winnowing it to what branch provided with the sage advice and with age should come wisdom. Which begs the question WTF? are you doing IMHO you old goat! iMHO

Thanks for your post,
OTC
SCH

 

[Doc_Ralph]

This is Diablo and unlike his name really a big ***** cat!

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Rose was more cantankerous but once you got her going it was a good ride.

 

[captaindrew]

The best realism and advice I can give you is find an established group and participate as much as your physical abilities will allow. We have some older guys in our group and that's exactly what they do. If a particular scenario looks like it's too much for them they'll guard the camp or make their way to where we're going to be at their own pace and catch up. You can't think you can put a post on a forum and expect in a couple days you'll have a company of guys beating your door down. I belong to a long established group that's been around for years and we've had a whopping 1 new recruit this year. But don't let it discourage you from participating in the hobby, you certainly can and there's been several good suggestions in this thread.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

View attachment 478691
Rose was more cantankerous but once you got her going it was a good ride.

We miss riding solely and hope get up to G'burg for a battlefield horse ride. I don't miss the tacking up and down and mucking out the stable tho.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

The best realism and advice I can give you is find an established group and participate as much as your physical abilities will allow. We have some older guys in our group and that's exactly what they do. If a particular scenario looks like it's too much for them they'll guard the camp or make their way to where we're going to be at their own pace and catch up. You can't think you can put a post on a forum and expect in a couple days you'll have a company of guys beating your door down. I belong to a long established group that's been around for years and we've had a whopping 1 new recruit this year. But don't let it discourage you from participating in the hobby, you certainly can and there's been several good suggestions in this thread.

Oh yes sir I do agree and now I know about dismounted cavalry … I will not disparage infantry ever but I will cuss out my "footwear"
And bid a fond adieu to them by roasting them on our outdoor fire. Ha may my pain of burning feet be returned to these inanimate objects or I could donate them to the Spotsy museum. I don't want to hear anything to the contrary as I know for a fact that horse soldiers (mounted or not) wore boots.

It's called a hobby now? I don't know what I would call it. For me it is an "itch" and don't get me wrong I loved the hour or so of us doing a battalion fire or fire at will. I opione; The other 90% is filled with boredom unless visitors come into the camp. Drill is good but it got to the point that we actually knew what we were doing but still good to run through it. Suttlers can be expensive especially if wife is around. And she is done with it. Lot of sitting around reading or playing with the fire.

Thanks again if you know of a Cav unit south of the Potomac plse let me know.

Your humble servant,
OTC
SCH

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Folks!

This is a special thread as it is my 200th on
CWT and I have learned a lot and received wise advice.

So, I simply want to thank everyone who has read my posts and for those of you who have opioned.

Y'all remind me of my reenactment years and the friends I made and the people I met. It is awesome no matter why you do I. I will let you know when I have a rational idea about why at this point in the life when I should be sitting in my sitting in my easy chair, eating pizza and bon bons and watching the Tucky grass grow. I had my share of sitting after my second retirement last year.

Thanks again and you may proceed.

OTC
SCH