"Reenactorisms" to Avoid for a New Person

[sammyba83]

Ok, so I've been splitting my time between here and the AC forum. I'm curious what "reenactorisms" you all feel are best to avoid as I begin my journey in this hobby. From my lurking on the AC, I've read of many such "reenactorisms," but I'm interested in the opinion of some of the more mainstream/progressive folks.

Here's what I've gathered so far, and please do not take any insult, this is just what I have read on the hardcore/campaigner side of things, and am curious about the rest of the hobby:

-tucking trousers into socks
-use of federal equipment by any Confederates aside from the ANV at specific times
-Cup on the outside of the haversack
-top button only on the jacket

Anyway, I guess I'd just appreciate some others' perspective on these supposed "clichés": are they clichés, or accurate? Are there any others I need to watch out for?

Thanks!

 

[amweiner]

Hey @sammyba83, wishing you all the best on a great way to learn!

I think the one thing I'll throw in is keeping your hat brass to a bare minimum, if at all. Of course, your unit guidelines will help shape that decision, but I typically left off the bugle, regimental numbers, corps badge, all of it. I kinda liked the generic look of the everyprivate.

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

One pet peeve of mine is fake Southern accents among some Confederates.....In my opinion, if it's not a natural accent, don't insult us by attempting it!

 

[1867crete]

By far wrist watches and modern somke material!!! I can look past a lot in impressions, uniforms equipment etc... it is all expensive, especially for someone new to the hobby and trying to see how they like it! But as soon as that flip top Pack of camels come out I grit my teeth!

 

[captaindrew]

just do your homework and find out as much as you can about the unit you are portraying and follow the lead of the veterans in your group, do your best to have the right uniform and gear your unit would have had.

 

[Duffy25]

One of my biggest pet peeves... "If they had it, they would have used it" more so in reference to the Confederates. I also cringe every time I see a 3/4 or 1/2 scale cannon, especially with a 19th century "Molly Pitcher" working one.

 

[James N.]

By far wrist watches and modern somke material!!! I can look past a lot in impressions, uniforms equipment etc... it is all expensive, especially for someone new to the hobby and trying to see how they like it! But as soon as that flip top Pack of camels come out I grit my teeth!

I'd add modern eyeglasses to this as well - and need we say anything at all about cell phones or other mobile devices?

 

[amweiner]

Oh, I thought of one more thing in addition to the excellent points made here. Please avoid command echoing! I've been at events where everyone in the ranks is echoing a perfectly audible command, and you can hear 100 guys shouting "SHOULDER...."

Drives me bonkers!

 

[unionblue]

But don't forget to enjoy yourself.

After all, your going through all of this to enjoy that "magic moment."

If you worry about everything, you won't enjoy anything!

 

[sammyba83]

Good points here, thanks!

 

[DixieRifles]

It was not a reenactment but years ago I witnessed a live cannon competition--meaning the furing if solid balls ir shells at targets. Everyone was portraying a unit. Of course for range safety, there had to be men with red flags and walkie-talkies.
But many of my action photos were ruined by someone wearing his kepi backwards.
If I saw sun glasses, I didnt even waste my film on him.

 

[MIKirby]

Personal opinion is that modern eyewear kills an impression.

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome to the forum @MIKirby , from a South Florida reenactor

 

[MIKirby]

Welcome to the forum @MIKirby , from a South Florida reenactor

Thank you, I appreciate it. I just recently started reenacting back in June. Needed a hobby while being here on Shore Duty in Ohio, and figured reenacting would be right up my alley. Glad I made the decision.

I guess another thing to note when it comes to avoiding reenactorisms is Research. I read "Hard Tack and Coffee", "Into the Tornado of War", and "Civil War Soldier - Diary of Harmon Camburn 2nd MI" before I attended my first event. Also, lurking through these forums helped immensely with research and reaching out to Pards.

 

[captaindrew]

Thank you, I appreciate it. I just recently started reenacting back in June. Needed a hobby while being here on Shore Duty in Ohio, and figured reenacting would be right up my alley. Glad I made the decision.

I guess another thing to note when it comes to avoiding reenactorisms is Research. I read "Hard Tack and Coffee", "Into the Tornado of War", and "Civil War Soldier - Diary of Harmon Camburn 2nd MI" before I attended my first event. Also, lurking through these forums helped immensely with research and reaching out to Pards.

Glad you joined the ranks, enjoy!

 

[mofederal]

Hello and welcome to the forum from Southeast Missouri. Glad we could add you to the ranks. Look to advice from vets here and elsewhere. They will not steer you wrong. They have been there and back. They know the score. One of the most important things are to get a good well made and correct uniform and shoes.

 

[MIKirby]

Hello and welcome to the forum from Southeast Missouri. Glad we could add you to the ranks. Look to advice from vets here and elsewhere. They will not steer you wrong. They have been there and back. They know the score. One of the most important things are to get a good well made and correct uniform and shoes.

Thank you. I've picked up a bit of Higher end pieces of kit. Been picking away at it since June.

 

[Stainless Steel Mucket]

Standing in a formal position for In Place Rest. You know : right foot back, right hand griping the musket near the top band and left arm draped over the right arm. IT'S ALL MADE UP. Only requirement is that one heel or the other remain on the line. No prescribed method for holding the weapon. No requirement to remain silent. You can even turn around and speak to the person behind you. Look it up.

How about presenting arms with the top band at the height of the eye? ALSO MADE UP.

Maybe my grouse is with listening to sergeants who learned things from their sergeants who listened to their sergeants who relied upon something somebody said rather than what is written in period manuals.

- S.S. Mucket

 

[Cavalrykyle]

I keep seeing a lot of posts about "modern eye wear"...I agree with that statement. Unfortunately, my eyes have begun to fail me. So what is the best source for "period correct eye wear" ?

 

[MIKirby]

I keep seeing a lot of posts about "modern eye wear"...I agree with that statement. Unfortunately, my eyes have begun to fail me. So what is the best source for "period correct eye wear" ?

I picked up a simple set of Frames from Blockade Runner. Only downfall, was dropping $100 to get prescription lenses inserted into the frame. Best note on period frames, is you can bend the arms a bit for ease on the temples. Also, if you get the curved arms that loop around your ear, make sure you stretch them out a bit, or they'll press on your ears and hurts something fierce after a day.