Stuck in Limbo

[Hawkeye Brehm]

I could use some advice from the reenactors here on CWT.

Let me start off by saying that my reenacting experience is extremely limited. I met up with a unit when I was 14, but my social anxiety made me wary of joining a group and interacting with other human beings.

By the time I was 22 I gave it another shot, with rather tepid results. The Federal unit I tried to join was less than helpful in actually making me feel welcome, so I tried a Confederate living history group that portrayed Longstreet and his staff.

Big mistake.

They were more like neo-Confederates who saw being reenactors as a free pass to do whatever they wanted in Gettysburg, and enjoyed strutting down Steinwehr Avenue like a gang from West Side Story. When I decided to part ways with them, I was harrassed via text and Facebook message and told I wasn't a "real man". Fun, right?

That was 6 years ago. Since then, I had to sell my kit in order to pay my rent, and I moved to Myrtle Beach last July in order to focus on my Licensed Battlefield Guide studies. My wife and I are planning to move back to Gettysburg in the next two years, and when we get back I'd like to give reenacting another shot.

I would like to join a Federal campaigner unit, something that's very difficult to find down here in South Carolina (for obvious reasons). That being said, I would like to start working on an impression so that I'll be ready to rock when I move back to Gettysburg. The hitch is that I don't belong to a unit, and I seriously doubt any units will be willing to deal with someone in my position.

So, can anyone give me some suggestions for how best to proceed from here?

Thanks!

 

[thomas aagaard]

maybe try http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/forum.php

 

[Hawkeye Brehm]

maybe try http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/forum.php

Yeah...

Already went there. Thread has 600 views, and 3 out of the 4 comments were about rations.

 

[Cpl. Smith]

Well I'm working your finding a unit question eight now. However, when it comes to joining a unit this is what I suggest.
Send an email (if you can't meet in person) to the prospectove unit leader and explain what prior units did to you. If there worth anything they will help you. Also the worst thing they can tell you is no anyway.

 

[Hawkeye Brehm]

Well I'm working your finding a unit question eight now. However, when it comes to joining a unit this is what I suggest.
Send an email (if you can't meet in person) to the prospectove unit leader and explain what prior units did to you. If there worth anything they will help you. Also the worst thing they can tell you is no anyway.

My problem with contacting units at this point is twofold:

For one, I don't know of any unit that would be like, "Sure, even though you can't physically join us for two years, we'll do what we can to help you with your impression."

I also have found that when I find a unit I would be interested in joining (Company K, 1st PA Reserves, for instance), their website hasn't been updated in years, and I have no idea if the unit is still around.

 

[Cpl. Smith]

My problem with contacting units at this point is twofold:

For one, I don't know of any unit that would be like, "Sure, even though you can't physically join us for two years, we'll do what we can to help you with your impression."

I also have found that when I find a unit I would be interested in joining (Company K, 1st PA Reserves, for instance), their website hasn't been updated in years, and I have no idea if the unit is still around.

Ohh.....

 

[johan_steele]

I would say if you want to do US start building yourself a "PEC" (Period Everyday Correct) US Infantry privates impression and kit. Take the time to research what you want to portray. If you are focusing on Gettysburg then pick a unit that was at Gettysburg and kit yourself out as close to that as you can. Then take a look at events near you and in the Gettysburg area. There are some, or used to be some rather impressive units in the Carolinas that "swung both ways" who were more interested in the history than the Lost Cause Agenda.

In your neck of the woods Infantry wearing blue are rather rare, especially guys willing to do it right. Too many just want to play war. If you contact several units and explain you just want to gain experience as a US Infantryman in prep for your hope to land a job as a Gettysburg LBG you might be suprised how much support and assistance you get. It's surprising how many LBG's have no idea what it's like to march or camp under the stars for real.

I would actually suggest looking up the Citadel and see if there is any chance you might be able to do some learning from that avenue. Understanding the mindset of both sides is an asset to any living historian and an extra feather in the cap of a LBG.

 

[johan_steele]

http://www.sykesregulars.org/
Used to be a stellar unit w/ honest to God historians and scholars in it's ranks. They would be my first suggestion at asking for help.

 

[Hawkeye Brehm]

I would say if you want to do US start building yourself a "PEC" (period everyday generic) US Infantry privates impression and kit. Take the time to research what you want to portray. If you are focusing on Gettysburg then pick a unit that was at Gettysburg and kit yourself out as close to that as you can. Then take a look at events near you and in the Gettysburg area. There are some, or used to be some rather impressive units in the Carolinas that "swung both ways" who were more interested in the history than the Lost Cause Agenda.

In your neck of the woods Infantry wearing blue are rather rare, especially guys willing to do it right. Too many just want to play war. If you contact several units and explain you just want to gain experience as a US Infantryman in prep for your hope to land a job as a Gettysburg LBG you might be suprised how much support and assistance you get. It's surprising how many LBG's have no idea what it's like to march or camp under the stars for real.

I would actually suggest looking up the Citadel and see if there is any chance you might be able to do some learning from that avenue. Understanding the mindset of both sides is an asset to any living historian and an extra feather in the cap of a LBG.

Thank you. That's a great starting point. I've gotten a lot of flack from LBGs for trying to get a comprehensive understanding of the war and the Battle of Gettysburg, largely because LBGs are concerned with passing a test and doing things "the way they've always been done". Doesn't surprise me at all that LBGs tend to avoid living history.

I view becoming an LBG as the first step towards something greater, though. The more well-rounded I can be as a historian, the better. My ultimate goal is to be a hybrid of public and academic historian, and I look at being a reenactor as being beneficial to becoming a better historian.

 

[johan_steele]

I would also suggest aiming for quality uniforms and kit.

Tim Bender has retired but they can often be found on the 2nd hand market. Get a good hat or forage cap, brogans that fit, decent leathers and a good blanket. Then keep on the look out for a defarbed or quality custom (mix of original & repro) rifle musket available from places like Lodgewood.

http://www.stonybrookcompany.com/ has a superb consignment section and they are scrupulously honest about what they have.

https://www.regtqm.com/ has an excellent "campaigner corner" where high end items can be found and they only post what they have in stock.

There are many other quality vendors out there but I always suggest asking around and doing your own research before buying things online. Also never forget that you get what you pay for. A quality uniform, leathers, weapon and gear is not free but the difference between proper manufacture and blanket wool from Pakistan is legion.

 

[Hawkeye Brehm]

I would also suggest aiming for quality uniforms and kit.

Tim Bender has retired but they can often be found on the 2nd hand market. Get a good hat or forage cap, brogans that fit, decent leathers and a good blanket. Then keep on the look out for a defarbed or quality custom (mix of original & repro) rifle musket available from places like Lodgewood.

http://www.stonybrookcompany.com/ has a superb consignment section and they are scrupulously honest about what they have.

https://www.regtqm.com/ has an excellent "campaigner corner" where high end items can be found and they only post what they have in stock.

There are many other quality vendors out there but I always suggest asking around and doing your own research before buying things online. Also never forget that you get what you pay for. A quality uniform, leathers, weapon and gear is not free but the difference between proper manufacture and blanket wool from Pakistan is legion.

Quality is key.

I'm not going to be "playing war" with this. That's fine for some, but not for me. My goal is to be as historically accurate as possible, so I can give a quality impression of a Federal soldier. At some point down the road I may extend to the Confederate side in order to get a well-rounded experience, but right now the focus is on a historically accurate Federal impression.

I'm also not going to be closed-minded or look down upon mainstream or progressive reenactors. Doesn't serve any positive purpose, and I would benefit greatly from those who have been doing this longer than I.

 

[captaindrew]

Get out to some events and meet some of the guys in person and look for yourself to see if you like what they are doing and how they present their impression. Most groups aren't very good at keeping their websites up. You may want to check out the Liberty Rifles, they have a terrific website and are doing some cool things in the Mid-Atlantic region. They do both US and CS campaign style events. @Package4 may be able to point you in the right direction in that area as well.

 

[johan_steele]

Thank you. That's a great starting point. I've gotten a lot of flack from LBGs for trying to get a comprehensive understanding of the war and the Battle of Gettysburg, largely because LBGs are concerned with passing a test and doing things "the way they've always been done". Doesn't surprise me at all that LBGs tend to avoid living history.

I view becoming an LBG as the first step towards something greater, though. The more well-rounded I can be as a historian, the better. My ultimate goal is to be a hybrid of public and academic historian, and I look at being a reenactor as being beneficial to becoming a better historian.

It's one thing to read about marching 12 miles a day in full kit it's another thing to do it and then be able to speak intelligently about it. The same is to be said about wearing the uniform, there is now and always has been a big difference between looking the part of a soldier and actually understanding what it means to be one.

For years I heard other re-enactors talk about three aimed shots a minute and the ability to hit a target at 400 yards. Then I started to do live fire and that opened my eyes. Research also talk me that the three aimed shots a minute was mostly moonshine, yes it happened but it was rare. Doing and being able to complete a 12 mile march across the roads of the day is a whole lot different than reading about it or doing it on an improved modern road.

I've found that people better relate to someone wearing the uniform and being able to explain the purpose of all those leather and canvas bags about the body helps impart a better understanding of the life of a soldier on campaign.

But to be brutally honest many a re-enactor wouldn't know a Civil War soldier from a Civil War era clerk if they met one on the street. Too many are just there to theme camp and wear funny clothes while they play cowboys and idiots. But if that's what someone wants to do more power to them. For me Living History is learning by doing and then being better able to communicate what life was like to the public/spectator etc.

I've watched a young man portraying a farmer gone to war approached by an actual farmer who asked him what his yield per acre would have been like in 1863. Seeing that deer in headlights look on the young mans face will stay with me for a long time. Portray a blacksmith, need to know what the different colors of flame mean and how an anvil is actually used. A cobbler better know the difference between modern and period shoe construction etc.

I always suggest to new recruits that they not even think of portraying an officer unless they are willing to do some very real studying. There is far more to being an officer than wearing a sword and a coat with rank on the shoulders and to do it right... I suggest they be an officer for real. I suggest the same to those who wish to portray an NCO.

I wear three stripes as I wore three stripes for real, you couldn't ever convince me to tack on more or to brandish shoulder straps. What I do I do to honor those who came before and to allow people to better understand them a little bit. Nothing sets me off like a civilian pretending to be an officer or NCO that doesn't understand what it was/is about. It's a whole lot easier to portray a private soldier. A private can and always will plead ignorance to stay out of trouble or work. After all why work when you can watch someone unlucky enough to be grabbed by an NCO do it.

 

[johan_steele]

Sorry about my rambling and poor sentence structure. I'm living on pain killers and antibiotics as I try to push through a bad case of sinusitis.

 

[Hawkeye Brehm]

It's one thing to read about marching 12 miles a day in full kit it's another thing to do it and then be able to speak intelligently about it. The same is to be said about wearing the uniform, there is now and always has been a big difference between looking the part of a soldier and actually understanding what it means to be one.

For years I heard other re-enactors talk about three aimed shots a minute and the ability to hit a target at 400 yards. Then I started to do live fire and that opened my eyes. Research also talk me that the three aimed shots a minute was mostly moonshine, yes it happened but it was rare. Doing and being able to complete a 12 mile march across the roads of the day is a whole lot different than reading about it or doing it on an improved modern road.

I've found that people better relate to someone wearing the uniform and being able to explain the purpose of all those leather and canvas bags about the body helps impart a better understanding of the life of a soldier on campaign.

But to be brutally honest many a re-enactor wouldn't know a Civil War soldier from a Civil War era clerk if they met one on the street. Too many are just there to theme camp and wear funny clothes while they play cowboys and idiots. But if that's what someone wants to do more power to them. For me Living History is learning by doing and then being better able to communicate what life was like to the public/spectator etc.

I've watched a young man portraying a farmer gone to war approached by an actual farmer who asked him what his yield per acre would have been like in 1863. Seeing that deer in headlights look on the young mans face will stay with me for a long time. Portray a blacksmith, need to know what the different colors of flame mean and how an anvil is actually used. A cobbler better know the difference between modern and period shoe construction etc.

I always suggest to new recruits that they not even think of portraying an officer unless they are willing to do some very real studying. There is far more to being an officer than wearing a sword and a coat with rank on the shoulders and to do it right... I suggest they be an officer for real. I suggest the same to those who wish to portray an NCO.

I wear three stripes as I wore three stripes for real, you couldn't ever convince me to tack on more or to brandish shoulder straps. What I do I do to honor those who came before and to allow people to better understand them a little bit. Nothing sets me off like a civilian pretending to be an officer or NCO that doesn't understand what it was/is about. It's a whole lot easier to portray a private soldier. A private can and always will plead ignorance to stay out of trouble or work. After all why work when you can watch someone unlucky enough to be grabbed by an NCO do it.

See, this is what I'm looking for.

 

[johan_steele]

This forum might help you in finding an impression you want to emulate. Several have included a large amount of research to get to the point where they post their thread.
https://civilwartalk.com/forums/impressions-of-the-civil-war.140/

Knowing what things looked like and what they were called as well as how they were to be used can be quite useful. What a period pocketknife, pipe, hammer etc looked like and how different or similar they were to their modern equivalent is quite useful.
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/acw-gear-photos.73203/

Knowing what a wepoan actually looked like and the visual differences is also useful. Many a soldier didn't care, but many others did.
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/original-acw-arms.75615/

 

[Stony]

If you change your mind and decide to try confederate again I highly recommend the 26th North Carolina.

 

[johan_steele]

Legion Para has posted a large number of very good videos that are well worth the watch.

 

[Hawkeye Brehm]

This forum might help you in finding an impression you want to emulate. Several have included a large amount of research to get to the point where they post their thread.
https://civilwartalk.com/forums/impressions-of-the-civil-war.140/

Knowing what things looked like and what they were called as well as how they were to be used can be quite useful. What a period pocketknife, pipe, hammer etc looked like and how different or similar they were to their modern equivalent is quite useful.
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/acw-gear-photos.73203/

Knowing what a wepoan actually looked like and the visual differences is also useful. Many a soldier didn't care, but many others did.
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/original-acw-arms.75615/

Thank you! This is awesome.

If you change your mind and decide to try confederate again I highly recommend the 26th North Carolina.

I'll definitely keep them in mind. I have great admiration for the 26th, especially after they lost 13 color bearers in 30 minutes at Gettysburg.

Legion Para has posted a large number of very good videos that are well worth the watch.

Sweet. Are they on CWT or YouTube?

 

[johan_steele]

You will find them here to start. If you do a search for his name or in the impressions sub forum.