Second thoughts by Confederate reenactors?

[capt13th]

It seems the current popular culture moment is to equate any presentation of anything Confederate with advocacy of ****. So I was wondering what effect this might have on reenactors who portray a Confederate persona. I am not a reenactor, but one of my best friends in St. Louis was, so I know what passion this hobby can produce and what commitment is required to do it well.

I'd like to know from those of you who do put on grey or butternut:
Do you plan to continue to reenact a Confederate?
Will your group fly the battle flag? Some other flag? No flag?
Are there any changes you'll make?
How will you respond to possible protesters who feel hurt or offended by your presence?

This query is a genuine one. Please, I ask that no one argue about whether the politically correct view of things Confederate is correct or not. I just was wondering how all this might impact this past time.

i am the captain of my unit reenacting unit. we are mainly a federal company, but we do go gray 1-2 times a year to be with our friends. we work with 3 other units that are mainly confederate and we get along very well and they go blue several times a year for us. we hold a winter meeting every year, and some of the concerns you have mentioned will be addressed during that meeting. we have some very good speakers in our group that are very good at explaining that confederate soldiers were still Americans. we teach the true history at the end of each battle we take part in. we always explain that the flag does not mean hate. we do not expect to have any problems from spectators and we expect the protesters to be minimal. any protesters we face will be treated kindly and we may invite them to meet our people to see that we are in no way shape or form hateful bigots. we are good family people that come from all walks of life that have the same passion of teaching history, honoring veterans, and yes have fun. most of the people that attend reenactments are usually educated people and understand that they will see the flags and we fully expect them to be respectful of the history.

i doubt many will stop reenacting due to the recent politics surrounding the flag. in fact, we are expecting a surge in new recruits due to people educating themself about the flag and taking a new interest in history. but, we will see when the season picks back up and we get on the field again.

 

[Georgia Sixth]

i am the captain of my unit reenacting unit. we are mainly a federal company, but we do go gray 1-2 times a year to be with our friends. we work with 3 other units that are mainly confederate and we get along very well and they go blue several times a year for us. we hold a winter meeting every year, and some of the concerns you have mentioned will be addressed during that meeting. we have some very good speakers in our group that are very good at explaining that confederate soldiers were still Americans. we teach the true history at the end of each battle we take part in. we always explain that the flag does not mean hate. we do not expect to have any problems from spectators and we expect the protesters to be minimal. any protesters we face will be treated kindly and we may invite them to meet our people to see that we are in no way shape or form hateful bigots. we are good family people that come from all walks of life that have the same passion of teaching history, honoring veterans, and yes have fun. most of the people that attend reenactments are usually educated people and understand that they will see the flags and we fully expect them to be respectful of the history.

i doubt many will stop reenacting due to the recent politics surrounding the flag. in fact, we are expecting a surge in new recruits due to people educating themself about the flag and taking a new interest in history. but, we will see when the season picks back up and we get on the field again.

I think your groups approach of kindness towards any protestors is a good and wise one. You might even invite them to join the hobby.

Yours sounds like a terrific group. I'm not into reenacting myself, but those I've known who were involved clearly loved what they were doing and respected everyone they portrayed. And I was suprised - and delighted - when I learned that most enthusiasts do both blue and gray.

 

[Andersonh1]

I've just started reenacting over the past two weekends. The group I'm joining mainly portrays Confederates, but will also play the Union some weekends. I have no problem portraying a Confederate soldier. In fact, it's the controversy over the flag last summer that got me really interested in Civil War and Confederate history in the first place, and I feel it's important that the Confederate side continue to be told. It did my heart good to hear the crowd cheering us on this past Sunday during the skirmish.

I don't know how I'd react to protesters, other than to try and shake some hands if they were willing, and talk about history. And see what happened from there. I haven't seen any at the events I've been to though. The crowds generally seem to be having a good time and enjoying themselves, and staying away from modern politics.

 

[thomas aagaard]

The same question was made at a historical convention in Copenhagen back on the 9-10th april weekend.

Here the first thing you meet at the gate to the event was a group of German WWII soldiers... and the 9th of April was the 76th year for the German occupation of Denmark in 1940.

How do you portray the German wwii soldiers and what they stod for?
How do museums do it?
The group, who is made up of Danes basically replied that if we are to tell the story of the occupation, then we also need to tell the story about the German soldiers in Denmark.
(they portray one of the 2nd line German infantry units who was in denmark for much of the war)

And in relation to the topic.
How do you portray a soldier who fought for something we don't support today?

 

[Lost Cause]

And in relation to the topic.
How do you portray a soldier who fought for something we don't support today?

Reenactors should disassociate their modern day views with those of that period, thus the purpose of reenacting. History in general should not be about which sideline one falls on. There is also the age old argument of the separation of the reason for the war between the govt. and individual soldiers. That being said, govt. interests were not likely the main topic of conversation around the average campfire.

 

[thomas aagaard]

Don't matter why you signed up. You support the political goals of you government by signing up.

An uniform is a symbol just like a flag is. When we as reenactors put on a uniform and fly a flag we need to think about how to deal with issues like this.

 

[Lost Cause]

Don't matter why you signed up. You support the political goals of you government by signing up.

An uniform is a symbol just like a flag is. When we as reenactors put on a uniform and fly a flag we need to think about how to deal with issues like this.

As others have said, modern issues only become issues if the few spectators pursue it and reenactors succumb to the argument.

As far as the common soldier's reason for fighting, sure few asked them then, however, it is a often asked question by spectators today.

 

[Andersonh1]

Don't matter why you signed up. You support the political goals of you government by signing up.

An uniform is a symbol just like a flag is. When we as reenactors put on a uniform and fly a flag we need to think about how to deal with issues like this.

You can't have a reenactment without portraying both sides. Somebody is probably going to have to wear a uniform of the side they don't agree with at some point. I would hope the audience understands the necessity.

 

[Banjo Pete]

Never did ACW but was a member of the Great War Association (WWI) for some years. No spectators so it was all for the love of history. Nobody to put a show on for other than the loyal and necessary opposition.

Of course, no SS issues either, just the guys who tried to cling to the "early war" pickelhaube impression which was forbidden for other than ceremonial purposes. 'Cause there was a very real risk of someone cracking their head hard on a dugout beam and the steel helmet was made mandatory.

Loved the events and the comrades I met but time and finances have taken toll. The thought of spectators and such were anathema to me.

I still do parades and memorial events though. Mostly the NYC "Armistice Day" parade. Because without Doughboys there would never have been an Armistice holiday to begin with. Our group marches to give a visible and visceral reminder to spectators as to just why they are there...

 

[thomas aagaard]

I fully agree that you need both/all sides to tell a story of a war.
One of the reason why I mainly do acw and not the 2nd Sleswig war...

Until they started recreating the amphibious attack on the danish Island of "Als" in june 1864 a few years ago, the two groups that reenact the danish army during this period have never done any "combat reenactment" and only did camp life and a bit of drill. (and participated in memorial events)

 

[major bill]

What if I decide I do not care to find out what it was like to be an SS trooper? In truth I am not sure I do. You however can wear what ever uniform you desire and reenact as who ever you want. If we could care less how blacks feel about people dressing up as Confederates and pretending to be Confederates, why should we care if Jews dislike seeing people dressed up SS soldiers? Do not Americans of German decent have a right to celebrate their heritage as well?

 

[Andersonh1]

Most Confederates did nothing more than pick up their gun and go join the army to fight off an invader. I have no problem portraying a man like that, and if someone's offended, that's their choice.

 

[photoman475]

I've only been doing reenacting for about 18 months; I'm in a Union infantry outfit. I would not hesitate to do a CSA impression if it were necessary and I had the uniform to do it, or could borrow one. I figure both sides have to be represented and someone has to do it. I'd only like some notice on which CSA unit so I can do some quick research on the unit I'm representing, to be able to speak somewhat knowledgeably about that unit. I don't agree with the CSA side, but I'd think it would be a good experience; as a historian of sorts, shouldn't we try to know about both sides?

 

[thomas aagaard]

Most Confederates did nothing more than pick up their gun and go join the army to fight off an invader. I have no problem portraying a man like that, and if someone's offended, that's their choice.

And 30-40% of them lived in households that owned slaves... And no matter why the soldier sign up, he is still supporting the goals of his government. And one of the main goals was the protection of the institution of slavery.
(and it really don't mater if you agree. At least some people see it this way and that is why there can be an issue)

I can see why some people do not like to wear their uniform.
Personally I don't have a problem with doing so.

Now the SS... that is an entirely different matter.



-----
Also they did not pick up their gun... firearms was issued... the idea that the csa soldier used his own gun is to a very large extent just one of many Myths. (yes it did happen in the first part of the war, but seen over the entire war it was in no way common)

 

[RebYell64]

I represent history as it was in the time period as best as I can. If someone has a problem with that, I'll be happy to give them a nice list of fairer resources so they can educate themselves and make their own opinion.

Meanwhile, I'll be rallying 'round the flag.

If someone doesn't like the flag, the uniform, the history, the anything, I suggest you don't come to reenactments, because it ain't going away.

 

[major bill]

It might be a good idea for those who do not like Confederate flag to skip reenacting events, but does this impact the future of these events? That is if the number of people dislike the CBF grow, the number of people who will not attend the reenactments will grow as well. Should people who do not think the CBF should fly at the local court house but have no problem with the CBF flying at monuments also avoid reenactments?

 

[major bill]

I also know that some people see no problem with Nazi symbols at reenactments, but are less accepting of Nazi symbols in public places where reenactments are not being held. Perhaps Germans should not celebrate their heritage?

 

[Poor Private]

Now that it has been almost a year since original post. I can give you my personal incite of 2015 reenacting year as a confederate. almost the whole year there wasn't any kind of problem. I fly flags from the Bonnie Blue, the 3 Nationals, Both battle flags, regimental flags. I was not shy about flying the Battle flag, or having it taken out in the field when appropriate. I only had one problem at a very small event , I was off to myself, all my buddies were somewhere else shopping visiting whatever. When 2 ladies came up and confronted me one was white, and one was black There were other units down the way flying flags of all confederate kind, but like I said I was by myself. They quizzed me about the flags, it was almost like they planned an ambush- 2 on 1. I weathered their attack and they went on their way. Now this was right afterwards at the end of June. I have never had a problem since. And I still fly what flags are needed, by our company. I have an event coming up in 2 weeks (first of the year), I am not taking any flags, since it's just me and a budding falling in with some others. But if you come to Coldwater Mi. Memorial weekend for that event I will have one of them with me I am sure along with a couple others.
I have not had a problem protraing a confederate soldier, which is what our unit does 95% of the time. But we will fall in if Federals are needed. We go both ways. Depending on the situation we are the 17th S.C. or the 11th Mo.

 

[thomas aagaard]

Perhaps Germans should not celebrate their heritage?

The swastika is illegal in Germany. Also Nazism is not something your should celebrate... neither is fighting to preserve slavery. (Even if it is on very different levels)

I can understand being proud of the ordinary men who defended their country but Iam continually baffled at the number of people who are actively defending the south and their actions...

Flying x flag at a reenactment I can understand and support... the rest of the time? not so much.

 

[Tin cup]

Most Confederates did nothing more than pick up their gun and go join the army to fight off an invader. I have no problem portraying a man like that, and if someone's offended, that's their choice.

You might have to consider most Confederates didn't have a choice with conscription looming before them...that is why so many joined up in 1862, instead of 1861.

Kevin Dally