What do re-enactors carry?

[Dan Kohli]

I'm curious what other people carry on their person, and equipment they bring along for re-enactments and related events.

 

[Michael C. Hardy]

It really depends on the event. Many of us try to carry as little modern stuff as possible. At one time, I carried a small cotton bag to slip my keys, wallet, bp meds, etc, into, which went into my haversack. Everything else was pretty much correct for the time period - shelter half, blanket, gum blanket, canteen, rifle, cartridge box, cap box, bayonet, and clothing.

 

[captaindrew]

Ideally in fair weather I just like bringing what I can march with. Blanket roll with a spare shirt and socks, gum blanket, and normal accoutrements. If it looks like wet weather I'll bring shelter halves. Now if my better half wants to go I have to bring an A Frame. She came to Olustee this year and was kind of happy about it because it rained on and off all weekend and was happy to have the A. And of course it depends on the event. I enjoy both mainstream and campaigner events and can adjust accordingly. And I may be guilty of hiding a cooler nearby or back in the truck to keep my O Be Joyful concoction chilled to share with the boys after a hot day in the field.

 

[Bentonville]

I'm just getting my kit together. There has been a series I've been watching about hobos and travel, which came out of the war. If it's taught me anything it pack light.

And take this from a completist. I would be the guy with the coffee pot, a ten person tent, and extra rifle, just incase and it would litter the trail between the parking lot and bivouac.

Except the knife. No one has given me a sufficient enough explanation on why no bowie. I mean granted some were short swords but I keep a Ka-Bar on me everyday; not exactly an encumbrance.

Sometimes is bad to bring an Enfield to a knife fight. (End huge gripe)

 

[captaindrew]

I'm just getting my kit together. There has been a series I've been watching about hobos and travel, which came out of the war. If it's taught me anything it pack light.

And take this from a completist.completion. I would be the guy with the coffee pot, a ten person tent, and extra rifle, just incase and it would litter the trail between the parking lot and bivouac.

Except the knife. No one has given me a sufficient enough explanation on why no bowie. I mean granted some were short swords but I keep a Ka-Bar on me everyday. not exactly an encumbrance.

Sometimes is bad to bring an Enfield to a knife fight. (End huge gripe)

When I first started I thought I needed to bring everything under the sun, a full truckload. Then I started getting into campaigner events and realized I didn't need most of it to survive for 48 hours, it was very enlightening.

 

[iron bender]

In my later years of the hobby (early 2000's), I took nothing to 48 hour events. The biggest piece of equipment I'd take was either an issue blanket or gum blanket, simply for sitting/laying on. In the 80's/90's we'd have a caravan of trailers and stuff. Some of the bigger events we went to in the N/E lasted half a week+, so you kinda wanted a few creature comforts. All things considered, you get to go home at the end of the weekend, so you'll live regardless of gear taken to the event. Water, ammo, a thunderstick and shooting leathers plus your clothes is plenty. I do understand the over packing as it's fun to play with all your expensive gear and camping stuff. I need to find a new outfit to hang out with. Been out for way too long

 

[Dan Kohli]

Normally I'd carry one or two blankets, a change of undergarments (shirt, socks, drawers), a pocket testament, a period newspaper and/or other literature, a huck towel, in ether a knapsack or blanket roll. And maybe a hatchet or small frypan depending on the event. Weapons, accouterments, and tools are dependent upon whether I'm doing artillery, infantry, or engineer impressions, and time period..

 

[Dan Kohli]

Except the knife. No one has given me a sufficient enough explanation on why no bowie. I mean granted some were short swords but I keep a Ka-Bar on me everyday; not exactly an encumbrance.

Sometimes is bad to bring an Enfield to a knife fight. (End huge gripe)

I don't think that there would be much need for a massive knife if a soldier has access to a army issued hatchet and bayonet. I do believe that most soldiers owned a pocket knife or less often a smaller belt knife, mostly for uses that government blades couldn't cover.

 

[Bentonville]

I don't think that there would be much need for a massive knife if a soldier has access to a army issued hatchet and bayonet. I do believe that most soldiers owned a pocket knife or less often a smaller belt knife, mostly for uses that government blades couldn't cover.

From my understanding bayonets, due to the triangular shape wasn't exactly the preferred weapon. As to hatchet I can't say.

That being said I'm pretty well trained, and not in the street, in fighting when it cones to knives. Perhaps the explanation was the short swords being passed off as knives were unwieldy in the hand. That I can understand. Like swinging a cutlass around.

Bayonets made excellent candle holders from a reenactor I spoke to once.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Ground cloth
Two door tent and sod cloth
Poles, ropes and stakes in tool ba

Normally I'd carry one or two blankets, a change of undergarments (shirt, socks, drawers), a pocket testament, a period newspaper and/or other literature, a huck towel, in ether a knapsack or blanket roll. And maybe a hatchet or small frypan depending on the event. Weapons, accouterments, and tools are dependent upon whether I'm doing artillery, infantry, or engineer impressions, and time period..

At times the ground must feel somewhat hard Dan - do you use any straw or padding? I can remember my old Scouting days on the ground and ensolite pads in the High Sierra. For my upcoming campaign season with Longstreet, I am going the route of air mattress, sleeping bag and blanket.

 

[Dan Kohli]

From my understanding bayonets, due to the triangular shape wasn't exactly the preferred weapon. As to hatchet I can't say.

That being said I'm pretty well trained, and not in the street, in fighting when it cones to knives. Perhaps the explanation was the short swords being passed off as knives were unwieldy in the hand. That I can understand. Like swinging a cutlass around.

Bayonets made excellent candle holders from a reenactor I spoke to once.

I thought you were talking about camp and bushcraft. The bayonet was manly made with the spearing things, but if I remember correctly the solders preferred to use the muskets as clubs, artillery rammers or whatever tools they had on hand.
In the 1830s and 40s The U.S. Army did issue a rifleman's knife for men arms with rifles that didn't take bayonets. But it seems that most of the men didn't really feel the need for the knifes.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

In addition to the minimum load, I always took a few "OFF" towlets in case mosquitoes are expected. The towlets are unobtusive and really come in handy when the skeeters won't let you sleep. Keep them in a little cotton bag or wrap them in a handkerchief.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Ground cloth
Two door tent and sod cloth
Poles, ropes and stakes in tool ba

At times the ground must feel somewhat hard Dan - do you use any straw or padding? I can remember my old Scouting days on the ground and ensolite pads in the High Sierra. For my upcoming campaign season with Longstreet, I am going the route of air mattress, sleeping bag and blanket.

I am trying to go minimal and so just the basics. Proper cannoneer gear. Canvas stool, small campaign writing desk, Nod to tech (fans for hot nights, small ice chest, reading light). OT NT Bible. Recorder as I am determined to be able to play Dixie and other ditties before Cedar Creek.

Not a big poncho fan and I have actually lost mine and will try to soldier on or get out of the rain.

 

[Bentonville]

I thought you were talking about camp and bushcraft. The bayonet was manly made with the spearing things, but if I remember correctly the solders preferred to use the muskets as clubs, artillery rammers or whatever tools they had on hand.
In the 1830s and 40s The U.S. Army did issue a rifleman's knife for men arms with rifles that didn't take bayonets. But it seems that most of the men didn't really feel the need for the knifes.

My mistake for not making myself clear. I can only speak on it from my opinion. That being said some people got a little too into it.

 

[Dan Kohli]

Ground cloth
Two door tent and sod cloth
Poles, ropes and stakes in tool ba

At times the ground must feel somewhat hard Dan - do you use any straw or padding? I can remember my old Scouting days on the ground and ensolite pads in the High Sierra. For my upcoming campaign season with Longstreet, I am going the route of air mattress, sleeping bag and blanket.

I think i forgot to mention the poncho or rubberized ground cloth for a vapor barrier. For shelter, an A tent, shelter half, or under the stars, not in that order, are the main three.

 

[Bentonville]

I think i forgot to mention the poncho or rubberized ground cloth for a vapor barrier. For shelter, an A tent, shelter half, or under the stars, not in that order, are the main three.

Thank you for reminding me to get a poncho.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Thank you for reminding me to get a poncho.

Mine was usually in the tent when I needed it. On the last day of the 150 G'burg, we all got soaked. Except those who had ponchos!

 

[Doc_Ralph]

Of course a poncho or rubberized thingabob could be useful to cover my ice chest in the tent.

 

[Bentonville]

Of course a poncho or rubberized thingabob could be useful to cover my ice chest in the tent.

Wise words. I'm glad I learned about 20 years ago to listen to those in the know.

And not to hijack the thread, if it at all was, it got me thinking about some things I've seen dug at former camps. Knuckle Dusters, and the like.

I don't think I've seen an original 'sandbag' before but that's a little more seafaring than Fairfax Courthouse.

 

[Doc_Ralph]

And of course a lot depends on what your CO brings. My wife and I could not stand to see our Captain load up the gear for the trailer unassisted.