Reenactors

[soccercw]

Anyone else here reenact (or want to get into it)? I'm with the 8th NJ Volunteers with members from New York down to Delaware

If theres anyone interested in getting into the hobby, or to even try it out for a few events feel free to contact me

[Charleson]

Anyone else here reenact (or want to get into it)? I'm with the 8th NJ Volunteers with members from New York down to Delaware

If theres anyone interested in getting into the hobby, or to even try it out for a few events feel free to contact me

I've been thinking of getting involved ever since I read Confederates in the Attic a few years back.

I've a got a large reenactment event coming up next month near me at The Henry Ford/Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Mi. Is there anything I should keep mind as I review the different groups there with an eye towards joining one?

BTW, I think I was told the initial investment as a buck private for uniform, gun & ammo, and gear will probably be around a thousand dollars. Is that in the ballpark?

Thanks!

[soccercw]

I've been thinking of getting involved ever since I read Confederates in the Attic a few years back.

I've a got a large reenactment event coming up next month near me at The Henry Ford/Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Mi. Is there anything I should keep mind as I review the different groups there with an eye towards joining one?

BTW, I think I was told the initial investment as a buck private for uniform, gun & ammo, and gear will probably be around a thousand dollars. Is that in the ballpark?

Thanks!

Well as far as finding the "right group", its hit or miss. There are 3 main types of units. They can be generalized as mainstream, progressive/hardcore, or a mix between the two.

Mainstream units tend to see the hobby as just that, a hobby. The usually keep the comforts of home with them (modern food, drinks, clothing) but usually do a decent job at concealing them from the public eye. They commonly have A-frame tents, much larger and spacey than the typical pup tent or shelter half.

The progressive (or hardcore) units stick out at an event. They all have shelter halves (if they have any tent at all). These units get as close as they can to the uniforms and life style of the Civil War soldier. Everything from what they wear to the food they eat is studied and replicated the best that can be done.

The mixed units (like my unit) encourage progressive style reenacting, but do not outcast those that are not comfortable doing the whole 9 yards. We conceal anything "farb" (a reenactor acronym that describes something not period) and encourage accurate meals and uniforms.

Going mainstream will be cheaper, and probably in total run around 1000, yes. More progressive uniforms will run that cost up even more. Its up to you what kind of group you want to join, but make sure you do your research before diving into a group that could be unstable, as petty politics play a big role in the hobby. Most units will let you borrow items, so that you can spread that cost out over a whole year and purchase items as you go. This is the best way to go if you have a limited budget.

Anyone whos prior service (like myself) will be surprised at the knowledge needed to reenact. Drill is done at every event to rehash the 1860's tactics that every reenactor is trained on and performs both in camp and on the battlefield. Good units build comradery and its a great way to spend a few weekends a year

[christof139]

I reenacted in the 3rd Arkansas Inf. for a short while in about 1968-70 period in Detroit and surroundings. haven't reenacted since then, except for a brief stint in SCA. The actual Infantry from 1970-73 made me greatly dislike mud and bad weather etc.

There are some knowledgeable reenactors, and then not some. At least most reeactors learn that troops moving across a field plowed or unplowed, fallow or with corn stubble, with gopher holes and briars and logs amd cowpods makes it realistic in the sense that lines are not straight and it is also a task to try and march and advance in step.

It can be fun and a learning experience.

Chris in Detroit

[Charleson]

I reenacted in the 3rd Arkansas Inf. for a short while in about 1968-70 period in Detroit and surroundings. haven't reenacted since then, except for a brief stint in SCA. The actual Infantry from 1970-73 made me greatly dislike mud and bad weather etc.

There are some knowledgeable reenactors, and then not some. At least most reeactors learn that troops moving across a field plowed or unplowed, fallow or with corn stubble, with gopher holes and briars and logs amd cowpods makes it realistic in the sense that lines are not straight and it is also a task to try and march and advance in step.

It can be fun and a learning experience.

Chris in Detroit

Hi Chris,

Interesting, I did not know we had people reenacting from the Southern perspective way up here in Yankee Michigan. I thought all those grey backs were imported from down yonder.

Did you ever attend the Memorial Day weekend event at Greenfield village? I went a few years in a row then stopped. The itch is back though and I'll be attending this year.

Best, -Chuck in Royal Oak

[christof139]

Hi Chris,

Interesting, I did not know we had people reenacting from the Southern perspective way up here in Yankee Michigan. I thought all those grey backs were imported from down yonder.

Did you ever attend the Memorial Day weekend event at Greenfield village? I went a few years in a row then stopped. The itch is back though and I'll be attending this year.

Best, -Chuck in Royal Oak

I think I went to a Memorial Day event at G'fld. Village back in the 1960's, but have been to many other Memorial Day events including many funerals of military friends, so I Don't go to many events like that anymore and it is a personal thing. Memorial Day etc. is serious to me and I am generally quiet and reflective on days like that. I just quietly remember people I have known.

There are a lot of CSA reenactors in the North and a lot of USA reenactors in the South, and some reenacting groups portray both USA and CSA units. Same for the AWI etc. The 1st Texas Inf. was also from the Detroit area.

Chris

[Charleson]

Chris wrote:

...and it is a personal thing. Memorial Day etc. is serious to me and I am generally quiet and reflective on days like that. I just quietly remember people I have known.

Understood.

I have tried to teach my kids it means more than just a day off from school. The last time I went to Greenfield Village on Memorial Day they held a service that concluded with asking all the vets in the audience to come forward and be acknowledge for their service. I hope they still do that.

[christof139]

Chris wrote:

Understood.

I have tried to teach my kids it means more than just a day off from school. The last time I went to Greenfield Village on Memorial Day they held a service that concluded with asking all the vets in the audience to come forward and be acknowledge for their service. I hope they still do that.

Yeah, things like Memorial Day can be sad and thoughtful. I used to Bar-B-Q and whoop it up with a bunch of Vets every Mem. Day at this locally famous or infamous Veteran's tavern. A lot of people I have known including a lot of Vets have passed since the Vietnam War mainly because of causes and problems from that war and others. My stepfather is a WWII Pacific Theater Navy Vet. and we are fortunate that he is still alive and doing fairly well.

If people would have been nicer and not taken out their personal views and hatreds etc. on many individual Vets from the Vietnam Era many more that have passed away would still be here now. That hurt many irreparably. It was sickening.

Chris

[Charleson]

In a lot of my readings on the soldiers' daily routine it seemed like they made coffee at the drop of a hat--just about whenever they had a spare moment.

I was wondering if there was a particular way to make coffee in the way the troops might have while on the march with very limited time and equipment. Was the coffee they used pretty similar to what we would normally have today? Ground or whole beans smashed on the march?

Thanks

[soccercw]

In a lot of my readings on the soldiers' daily routine it seemed like they made coffee at the drop of a hat--just about whenever they had a spare moment.

I was wondering if there was a particular way to make coffee in the way the troops might have while on the march with very limited time and equipment. Was the coffee they used pretty similar to what we would normally have today? Ground or whole beans smashed on the march?

Thanks

Coffee was usually green and was the entire bean, the soldiers had to make it themselves. Look up or research the "essence of coffee" as one trick was called. Soldiers developed a way to brew/roast the coffee into a paste like substance, and carry it around in a metal tin. This made a quick and easy beverage mix for later.

Also, find the books "The Life of Johnny Reb" and "The Life of Billy Yank". Both are EXCELLENT resources for the daily soldier life, and many of us reenactors use these books for our impressions.

[Charleson]

Green beans? Coffee paste?

That's fascinating, thanks Soccercw.

I'll have to see if I can find any coffee paste at the upcoming reenactment at Greenfield Village this month.

[tc237]

Maybe they made the paste when they had some downtime (no duties that day) in camp.
Seems like a typical experienced soldiers thing to do. Always thinking of ways to stream line things or make routine tasks easier and quicker.
If they mashed the coffee into a paste when they had time in camp, later on campaign they could simple add water and heat (or drink cold).

Instant Coffee!!!