Regiments Today

charge_of_glory · Captain Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 136

Do you think reenacting regiments today are properly potraying the true Civil War soldiers? I've never seen a reenactment, which is why I'm asking. I would love to become a reenactor, but from what I've seen on the internet, it seems like a lot of groups aren't totally accurate, attitude-wise. What do you think, or what have you experienced? I hope I'm wrong.

N.W.15thAR · Captain Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 167

Charge, as you probably can tell, I reenact and there are SO MANY FARBY PEOPLE OUT THERE! Some people they say, If it looks old they must have had it, besides no one will know. well thats a really bad way to look at it. People come dressed in the wrong style, color, and patter of clothing, wearing tennis shoes, and the wrong kind of hats and everything. Its really embarassing to me and everyone else that has spend lots of time and money studing these things to get them as accurate as possible, and they come walkin up in a gray shell jacket with shiney C.S.A. buttons and the top one unbuttoned, sky blue trousers with NO suspenders, a grey bummer cap with shiney C.S.A. buttons on the sides, and a HUGE shiney C.S.A. belt buckle! That is so so so far from what they had. Yes grey was the color of the confederacy, but not really all that many had that in the west, but I seen many people time and again with this crap on and it makes me sick as a dog! They are the ones you hope mess up so you can march them around camp while carring a log. also something that makes me super mad is people who bring food still in the modern wrapper!! HOLY CRAP I SAY! This abomination must stop! I urge any new reenactors to ASK BEFORE YOU BUY because you will get the wrong thing! Ive done it and it gets very expencive very fast! There are people in the units that will take care of you and tell you what you need! so please just do that and make reenacting authentic as possible! And I thank you charge for bringing this subject to light!

Pvt. Gale
N.W. 15th Arkansas

charge_of_glory · Captain Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 136

Thanks for your enlightenment on this. It's good to hear from an actual reenactor b/c they really know what's going on.

It hurts to hear that my inkling was true. Hopefully someday farbyness will end. That would be nice lol. I can promise you that I'm going to be as accurate as possible once I get into the field. Reenacting is about preserving our history, so it at least deserves some real dedication.

It's nice to know that some reenactors are very serious about what they do. Keep up the good work!

bucktailre-enactor · First Sergeant Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 24

The thing that makes me mad is when some guys in my unit come with there wall tents, sleeping bags,cots,coolers, etc. No enlisted man had a wall tent or a cot. They had dog tents and a blanket. on campaing season they would just sleep under the stars with a blanket. I'm glad to know that some people are trying to make reenacting as authentic as possible.

N.W.15thAR · Captain Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 167

I do that and Im perfectly fine with it. Just dont let people go in your tent, I keep mine shut all the time and all non peroid things in peroid boxes or under a blanket. I love being authentic, but when ive been marching and fighting all day, the last thing I want is to be cold and in pain from sleeping on the dang ground. Believe me Ive done it all, Sleeping under a tree with one blanket in JULY, isnt enough. (at that reenactment, It got down to 20 degrees in the middle of july..when I woke up I was standing as close to the fire as I could with two blankets and full uniform) But if I go to reenactments in the summer, I just bring one or two blankets, cause there is usually plenty of hay and its usually warm at night!. But dont let my need for comfort get in your way. I salute anyone that can go to every reenactment and do that, cause *beep*, Its tough!

Pvt. Gale
N.W. 15th Arkansas

vernon · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 5:12 pm Post subject: reenactments

yes they do,very well.to let.the,pepole see ,how theylived. vernon

bucktailre-enactor · First Sergeant Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 24

do you think that after a day of marching and fighting that civil war soldiers weren't tired. of course they were and they didn't say " can't wait to get in my wall tent and sleep on my cot" These soldiers were more exausted than any of us have ever been in a reenactment but they just pulled out their blankest and went to sleep. It seems to me that you all are a bunch of pussies.

charge_of_glory · Captain Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 136

Now, now, be nice. Most reenactors aren't actual soldiers, at least not while reenacting. They aren't accustomed to such things, so you can't really blame them. The men who fought in the CW were used to such conditions though, so it was easier for them to deal with it. It was just another day for them. But for present-day people, it's a bit harder b/c we're all used to having the comforts we take for granted. Also, nowadays we know that it isn't a real war, and we don't have to live under such harsh conditions. I figure as long as no one else sees present-day stuff, and the reenactors stay in character or whatever you want to call it, it souldn't really matter. Of course, that's just the way I see it. I've never been in a reenactment, so I don't know what it's like.