Winter impact on reenacting?

[Jantzen64]

Organizers are clearly aware of the weather and its impact on participants and guests. Consider that the next Franklin reenactment is scheduled for the first week in October verses the actual date on the last day of November. Next consider that the Friday overnight temp at Carnton for the living history there on 6-8 December 2024 was 19 degrees. Earlier date for the mainstream reenactment means fewer weather issues and greater participation.

- S.S. Mucket

My first event was a reenactment of Franklin in the 90s; IIRC, it was in November. It started raining when we arrived (late) and the rain turned to sleet. By the time we reached our campsite, there were only a couple of bales of straw left, that were already soaked through. Somehow, we managed to get a fire started, though the smoke was enough to warn half the county! It was a miserable night, though it really helped me understand what these men went through. I was glad I had invested in a great coat!!! The next day was very cold, but bright and sunny. The cup of coffee I managed to fix was probably the best one I've ever had! I leaned how much experiencing the weather conditions contributes to our understanding of the soldier's life.

 

[ArroyoCostilla]

We are starting to get snow around here so reenacting is put on hold until spring. But should reenactments be put on hold during the winter? There were several battle that occurred in snow. Many of these would be appropriate for a reenactment. Also a winter quarters reenactment might be interesting.

Sleeping on the ground in tents at below freezing or even zero or sub zero weather is possible. I am not sure just how warm Civil War era tents are, but 20 degrees should not be an issue. An extra wool blanket might be needed. Stoves in tents could be a safety issue.

I am sure many of us have slept on the ground in tents during below freezing temperatures. I have done so in sub zero weather and was confetable and not overly cold, many nights we ran a stove, but a lantern was enough heat to get by.

So are reenactors just afraid of the cold? Certainly it is warm enough in Virginia, Missouri, Tennessee, and other states for winter reenactments.

So you're comparing your experience using DoD-issued extreme cold-weather clothing, a high-quality sleeping bag and a tent heater with a single thin blanket and one layer of (frequently wet) wool / jeans clothes in freezing temperatures? Certainly it's warm enough for you to try it in say Virginia, Missouri or Tennessee…

 

[ArroyoCostilla]

My first event was a reenactment of Franklin in the 90s; IIRC, it was in November. It started raining when we arrived (late) and the rain turned to sleet. By the time we reached our campsite, there were only a couple of bales of straw left, that were already soaked through. Somehow, we managed to get a fire started, though the smoke was enough to warn half the county! It was a miserable night, though it really helped me understand what these men went through. I was glad I had invested in a great coat!!! The next day was very cold, but bright and sunny. The cup of coffee I managed to fix was probably the best one I've ever had! I leaned how much experiencing the weather conditions contributes to our understanding of the soldier's life.

It does indeed aid greatly in getting just the smallest, faintest taste of what was endured. I cannot fathom it. Weeks, months, years in the field. It is absolutely understandable why so many did everything in their power to obtain transfers to anything away from the army in the field. Those that remained were of remarkable, superhuman material.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Well, past weekend we did a winter quarters event. Got down to ten degrees with a 30mph wind.

Here's a winter impact in those conditions, it goes from reenacting to survival in no time!

Even in full sunlight it was miserable. All planned scenarios went by the wayside. Except tintypes though, but the cold even effected the chemicals.

Firewood we had wasn't even split, and I ended up splitting a lot with a small hatchet. When fighting off hypothermia, and frostbite you'd be amazed at what you can do to survive.

 

[Dan Kohli]

Well, past weekend we did a winter quarters event. Got down to ten degrees with a 30mph wind.

Here's a winter impact in those conditions, it goes from reenacting to survival in no time!

Even in full sunlight it was miserable. All planned scenarios went by the wayside. Except tintypes though, but the cold even effected the chemicals.

Firewood we had wasn't even split, and I ended up splitting a lot with a small hatchet. When fighting off hypothermia, and frostbite you'd be amazed at what you can do to survive.

That's certainly a bummer.
Sometimes I wonder why people don't bring more axes to re-enactments in addition to hatchets. Most events are usually pretty good at having adequately split wood. But for some events, an axe is a handy tool to have.

 

[gary]

You guys are tough hombres/hearty souls. Hats off to you guys for your dedication.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

That's certainly a bummer.
Sometimes I wonder why people don't bring more axes to re-enactments in addition to hatchets. Most events are usually pretty good at having adequately split wood. But for some events, an axe is a handy tool to have.

A lot of it for me is I keep a hatchet in my pickup. Never know when it'll come in handy.

Saved my bacon!

 

[Kathy the history sleuth]

I know I prefer Fall/Winter events to Spring/Summer ones.

To keep warm you just bundle up and more clothes, to stay cool you can only take off so many before you get arrested.

Also fires are so much more preferable in the cold.

The reenactments in IL and WI start around April and stop about Oct. Not only is it cold at night, but spectators don't want to be out in the cold. But I do prefer the colder months because of the heat. Civil War attire is miserable in July and August. People in the 1800s were a heartier breed.

 

[Dan Kohli]

A lot of it for me is I keep a hatchet in my pickup. Never know when it'll come in handy.

Saved my bacon!

A hatchet and axe sure do come in handy. Even though I don't carry them in my car in urban/suburban places. I make a habit of having them in other areas. I also make a habit of having a felling axe and hatchet at re-enactments.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

A hatchet and axe sure do come in handy. Even though I don't carry them in my car in urban/suburban places. I make a habit of having them in other areas. I also make a habit of having a felling axe and hatchet at re-enactments.

These and other implements such as pick axes and shovels should really be more represented in general at reenactments. Those things were not uncommon at the company and battalion levels, depending on impression, even when on active campaign.

 

[Dan Kohli]

These and other implements such as pick axes and shovels should really be more represented in general at reenactments. Those things were not uncommon at the company and battalion levels, depending on impression, even when on active campaign.

Definitely, it would be great to see re-enactors bring them out more. Although, open air museums and parks around my area get a bit nervous with digging tools other than shovels for making temporary fire pits. It doesn't stop me from bringing them anyways.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Well, past weekend we did a winter quarters event. Got down to ten degrees with a 30mph wind.

Here's a winter impact in those conditions, it goes from reenacting to survival in no time!

Even in full sunlight it was miserable. All planned scenarios went by the wayside. Except tintypes though, but the cold even effected the chemicals.

Firewood we had wasn't even split, and I ended up splitting a lot with a small hatchet. When fighting off hypothermia, and frostbite you'd be amazed at what you can do to survive.

This is my feeling about winter events too. It is a great immersion experience. Since the weather may not be conducive to drill or sham battles, it's a great chance to experience soldier skills like cooking, and opportunities to learn games, music, etc. If you have a cabin or two to occupy, it can be great reenactment immersion therapy. I wouldn't want to try to stay in a tent, though. And you're completely correct: it goes to survival pretty quickly. Heat, feeding the fire, husbanding wood is critical. Obviously, in no way a spectator experience, though.
I was registered for a WW2 event that was cancelled this weekend because of severe cold and impassable conditions at the event site. There's definitely a time to tap out.
One of the Reserve units I was in had an arctic mission, so it had all the cool cold weather equipment and clothing: snow sleds ... tracks for prime movers... arctic tents... cold weather gear that was so effective you really couldn't wear it indoors. We camped along the Missouri river one January in -32 F weather. It was glorious. The sunrise in the morning was memorable. But that certainly wasn't with 19th century cold weather technology!

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

This is my feeling about winter events too. It is a great immersion experience. Since the weather may not be conducive to drill or sham battles, it's a great chance to experience soldier skills like cooking, and opportunities to learn games, music, etc. If you have a cabin or two to occupy, it can be great reenactment immersion therapy. I wouldn't want to try to stay in a tent, though. And you're completely correct: it goes to survival pretty quickly. Heat, feeding the fire, husbanding wood is critical. Obviously, in no way a spectator experience, though.
I was registered for a WW2 event that was cancelled this weekend because of severe cold and impassable conditions at the event site. There's definitely a time to tap out.
One of the Reserve units I was in had an arctic mission, so it had all the cool cold weather equipment and clothing: snow sleds ... tracks for prime movers... arctic tents... cold weather gear that was so effective you really couldn't wear it indoors. We camped along the Missouri river one January in -32 F weather. It was glorious. The sunrise in the morning was memorable. But that certainly wasn't with 19th century cold weather technology!

Yeah, we scheduled it on one of our number's property back in October where he has camp for when he's riding. We never had the time to build proper winter quarters, but the next go around we'll be better prepared. We had planned to build a redoubt to mount a 10-pounder Parrott he has in but, we didn't have the time.

Around here, if we get terrible icy weather, it's usually around February. Otherwise it's usually in "50's" with some upper "30's" at night at worse. Ohhh boy how mother nature didn't cooperate!

Whole thing was very educational on setting up winter camp late back in the day. It was cold enough I said to heck with period correct and wore a British "Gor Blimey" cap at night.

Soon as I have the digital copies of the impressive tintypes taken, I'll probably start a thread. Next go around will be much better.