Greetings,
After much reflection, I suggest that all reenactors/living historians should read "RELIVING THE CIVIL WAR ... A REENACTOR'S HANDBOOK" by R. Lee Hadden. It is available at the 20th Maine Shope in Freeport.
Let's talk about Reenactor responsibility. In my opinion, reenactors/living historians are portraying the human stories of the common experiences of both soldiers and civilians during the civil war. This is our hobby. As a hobby, we need to agree to certain behavior guidelines so that we can conduct ourselves for the common good of the hobby at these events.
I suggest the following guidelines for your consideration. Please respond so that we may have a discussion and if possible, reach an agreement on them. Units should try to improve themselves and to give the best presentation that they can to the public. If we are not safe in our hobby, we may lose opportunities to present living history to the public. If we do not trust and respect each other, we lose the opportunity to learn from each other and for growth in our hobby.
Guidelines suggest in the book "... A REENACTOR'S HANDBOOK":
* AUTHENTICITY
A unit must make the attempt to conceal modern materials. they need to be either covered/hidden by period items or removed from the site before visitor are allowed into the camp. A reenactor should be able to give the illusion of a civil war soldier/civilian to the public at the distance of twenty feet.
* PROPS
Most common soldiers did not carry: carbines, musketoons, shotguns, pistols or knives so reenactors should not for historical as well as safety reasons.
* REENACTING ETIQUETTE
1) While in period clothing and in public view, your speech (subject matter) and actions (manners) should reflect (to the best of your ability) the generally accepted social customs of the period.
2) There should be no hand-to-hand fighting, battle/skirmish reenactment, or living history scenario except those that are preplaned and agreed to at an event meeting with all units represented. No reenactor should participate in the scenario unless they are asked to be a part of it. Any scenario involving personal weapons, should be planed ahead of time and non-edged personal weapons must be unloaded.
3) No reenactor should touch, capture, or remove another reenactor's property without their permission.
4) No reenactor should ever take, capture, or remove another units' flag(s) at any time unless asked to do so by that unit.
5) No reenactor should ever directly aim his weapon at another reenactor. Always aim high, or to the right or left of the person.
6) Every reenactor should be aware of the "BURN ZONE" of at lest 30 yards. In that zone, no reenacting unit or individuals should fire their weapons at another unless the musket barrels are elevated extremely high above their opponent's heads.
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, company A
"I ain't as good as I once was. But I'm as good once as I ever was. I used to be Hell on wheels Back when I was younger man. Now my body says 'You can't do this boy'
But my pride says 'Oh, yes you can."
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Authenticity and Etiquette
Thanks Craig, This post just cried for it's own topic. I have a few thoughts that I will try to put together. But frankly, this is a big discussion and may devolve or evolve into more refined points that need new topics to cover completely.
I'll post more soon.
--
Michael Johnson
I'll repost here as
I'll repost here as well...
Sounds like good sound guidelines, Craig. I have seen the book advertised and it has sparked my intrest, but have not picked it up. Maybe it will be in my Christmas stocking...
Another point would be to stive for increased knowledge of the period, your unit, how the soldiers lived, etc. I find books such as "Life of Johnny Reb..." are very interesting reading and provide some good insight. I just purchased a copy of "Rebal Private, Front and Rear" and look forward to starting that soon.
Marc
The purpose of some events
I havn't read this book so I am working on just what Craig posted here and my own experiences.
This is a huge discussion. We all now how the authenticity discussion runs so I wont get into that. But I would like to discuss point one of Craig's Reenactor Etiquette section. Perhaps my weakest aspect of the hobby.
I very much enjoyed Carolyn Lawson's discussion at the Third Maine's Camp of Instruction on social etiquette. I shall attempt it more often but it will take practice.
I don't consider myself an actor by any means but perhaps some of us need to get together and work out routines where we can demonstrate speech, manners, politics and other social interactions of the day. instead of four or five guys standing around waiting for something to happen perhaps they should be playing cards.
I'm just tossing out thoughts here. Not really sure where I am going. Scenerios for the public to see I guess. Things that we just do naturally when we are at an event that allows for it.
I didn't make it to the fort but I'm sure the ball game was splendid. Was there any period banter?
Sorry fellas. I'm rambling. I'll try to write something more coherent later. I am looking forward Chamberlain Day's next weekend. That is exactly the kind of event where this issue needs to be explored. Tacticals and large battles don't provide the opportunities. Public living history encampments do.
--
Michael Johnson
Tough area
I agree that we need to get everyone on similiar standards. I have the book and give it a good review. The problem is the guy contradicts him self many times but that is the nature of this vast hobby. I personally lost interest in the book after he was boasting about authenticity and then said he uses dental floss to sew his buttons on with. Most buttons weren't sewn on! They were poked through the material and the eyes plugged with cloth. But the dental floss was a bit much for me to handle. The problem is that the book is too bulky.
The Reenactors might be better served by smaller issue related books. We have begun doing this in our unit.
Will
Very tough
Let me try this again,
Breaking the issues out is a great idea. Even starting with what we can all agree upon is good. For instance, the safety guidlines of the USV and ANV are generally accepted by all of us as good sound advice. Not to mention that by our very membership we agree them. Even Craig's points two through 6 in the original post seem sensable enough.
The problem comes in with the less well defined areas or the less strict areas. What level of authenticity is 'good enough'. Some will say that unless lead is coming down the field at them it ain't authentic. Ok, but that's not going to happen with me around. Authenticity is not just about drill and uniform and equipage. Though that is the start and the easier part to fullfil. The social interactions, mannerisms, and habits of the era are much more difficult.
I'm a pretty good reenactor. I'm not such a good living historian.
I think that is what I'm trying to say. I have the knowledge of how to wear the traps and what to do with the rifle, how to march and what the history says happened.
I don't think I am a good actor and don't know enough about what the individual soldier did when he was not eating, fighting, marching, standing a picket post or sleeping.
I don't know 19th century card games. I don't have decent period reading material for an encampment. I don't have writting material for an encampment. I don't wish to spend time digging a sink to get that experience but I know what the Sears catalog in the outhouse is for. I wouldn't mind being posted on guard duty for short periods of time. Who is the corporal of the guard? Seargeant of the guard? Office of the day? Fatigue duty doesn't bother me. It's part of the experience. I've sewn buttons on my clothes in camp before. Out of necessity in most cases but I rarely see others doing it. My rifle gets cleaned in camp and well. I eat constantly as others can attest to and always have food in my haversack.
What other things could we be doing and easily that would allow for a better public impression at living history encampments?
This is just one small aspect I need to work on for myself. The more I try the more natural it becomes.
--
Michael Johnson
You can't please everyone
Mike,
No matter how much of yourself put in to your portrayal, SOMONE out there will take issue with it. Each reenactor has his or her own idea of what a soldier should look like based on what they read, their personal experience and their own preferences. I gave up long ago trying to build that "perfect" example of a soldier. Even if I was authentic down to the last stitch or cartridge, I cannot hid the obvious fact that I am 50 and fat...sometimes referred to as a "TBG". I would make a better period politician or troublesome civilian snake oil peddler than a common soldier. So I reenact only for the experience, the fun, and perhaps to learn something new. I'm no "farb" and I always try to look my best, but I live under no illusions that I look like the real thing. I'm a good actor, one of only a handful of confederate soldiers up here who really DOES have a southern drawl...and I like to show off for the public, but I know I know I have a lot of room to improve and that is what I try to do whenever I am made aware of an error.
I think if the members in a company work with each other, making suggestions, hold personnel inspections, share equipment, and always be aware that we do NOT want to be compared to Trekkies, then they will put on a good appearance and a "as-close-as-you-can-get" portrayal...without having to let the lead fly.
I Agree completely
No aurguments from me. You'd make a great "troublesome civilian snake oil peddler"! :) No seriously, I agree that there will always be someone unhappy. In fact I may never be able to satisfy myself on some things.
I was looking for more on what we can do in our "off time" authenticity than in the number of stitches my sack coat has aspect of authenticity. It's my own little pet peeve. Seeking those special moments I guess.
For instance...
Have you ever wrote a letter to a loved one back home and while in line waiting to go into battle you pull it from your coat pocket, turn to a pard next to you or hand it to the seargent and say, "Please see that this gets posted if you don't see me at the end of the day."
Have you ever gotten into an aurgument over who is the better canidate for president in 1864? Not a Confederate issue I realize but you get my point.
I don't know. They are all little things but all nice little first person moments. Not all will be noticed by the public. But the easier it is for each of us then the more the public will notice.
At the appropriate event, I'd love to see a quiet Union and Confederate picketline facing each other across a field. Then after some banter or dialog, two soldiers walk out towards each other. One from each side. They swap tobacco for coffee or some other items. Chare news for a moment, shake hands and return to their posts.
To the two fellas who do it it could be fun. To those of us watching, if you let you imagination go for a moment, it could be just as splendid. Even some of the public watching might find it interesting.
Maybe it's all silly dreams for a few more 'moments' to remember.
--
Michael Johnson
Davis or Lincoln
I can just see the twins debating who would win the 1864 elections, Lincoln or Davis? lol History isn't necessarily their thing so talking in 1st person might be out of the question for them. I write mostly to illustrate the folks that do have different purposes for reenacting.
We don't seem to disagree on this point. In fact, we seem to understand a universal truth here...there are very few clear concise completely right answers. The 29th GVI may have come in contact with the 15th Ala during the Chattanooga campaign but they never came in contact with the 3rd or 20th Maine. (9th Maine most definitely) So begins the fanasty world when we re-enact, no wait...we aren't even in those units, they were mustered out 140 years ago!
So we do the next best thing and mostly for ourselves and with a never ending world of expectations, ideas and opinions. I think this is why the campaigners form very small messes. It is almost impossible to hold a large group of people together with common ideas.
In the larger sense and from very little information that has come forth, I get an impression that the large part of Craig's post really has to do with safety, mostly with things that may have happened at the events this weekend. Not just at Fort Know but at Groton as well. (Groton went very well by the way.) Secondary are the annoyances that just are not correct but not necessarily a safety issue.
Without proper safty protocol everything else just makes the event and situation that much worse. We had a situation a few weeks ago where a re-enactor capped his revolver before loading it. Is it wrong?
By everything we've read and learned YES! He stated that he knew it was considered wrong, but can anyone recall an accidental discharge in such case? The situation was such that I looked the other way and didn't say anything. Here is the problem, most folks are just too meek to voice their opinions for the sake of getting along or being liked. I am embarrassed as I definitely had a weak moment.
Because the issue is so broad it is difficult to offer suggestions, this is the basics of where the Reenactor's Handbook goes wrong. Perhaps the best course is simply to discuss the individual issues but beware that discussion alone will not result in corrections. Smoking cigarettes is one of the biggest farbs in re-enacting, most everyone knows it and yet it florishes without impediment.
I am going close it here because as I feel like I am working the second part to the Reenactor Handbook. You all probably get the point anyway.
Will
Agreement
Greetings,
I do not want to talk about "who did what". I do want to talk about" what if we do this or agree to that". I think that it is important that we learn how to work together at events.
It is ok for units to be different in their hobby focus but we should have basic authenticity standards and safety rules.
Authenticity can be debated until the cows come home. I feel that we need to discuss authenticity as it will apply to Family Units. Let's not talk of authenticity in terms of philosophy but in nuts & bolts of Family reenacting at Maine living history events. For example, do children participating with parents at an event need to be in period clothing (including footware: brogans, appropriate ladies shoes, or just bare foot))? Can the new member come to events without being in period clothing? I think that we need to agree on the basics of uniform & clothing.
A few comment notes:
* Mike has a very good point. We all need to improve our leisure time impression.
* Thanks Will. The question is do USV/ANV safety rule apply to a Maine event. I believe that they do and should be agreed upon before the event. If that is done, then what happens to violators. If we do trust and respect eachother and if we agree on standards/rules and train new members, then violations will take care of themselves. Those who are in the hobby to be free spirts (refuse to follow any military forms of standards and safety) might wonder why they are doing a military impression.
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, company A
"I ain't as good as I once was. But I'm as good once as I ever was. I used to be Hell on wheels Back when I was younger man. Now my body says 'You can't do this boy'
But my pride says 'Oh, yes you can."
Some great conversation
Some great conversation stuff here Rod & Mike.
Reenacting is a hobby of different passion levels for sure and it is something we all get different gratifications from. For me it is a love of military history that I have had since young and then in my mid 30’s had found a means of taking it another step. I unfortunately can’t get out to as many events as I would like too. Life has too many directions, thus reenacting is an escape as well for me.
I enjoy and look forward to events where there is potential interaction with the public. I want to learn more of the time period, to be able to “act
Kitchen Conference
Greetings,
I guess what I am thinking about is a 'kitchen
conference' once or twice a month from November to
March for those few people who wish to talk about and
learn how to improve their impression.
We can do this by people volunteering to share their
living history strengths with others. We can open
this up to whole reenactment community. I feel that
we need to spend some time on developing our leisure
impression. School of Instruction is a good
introduction but for those who are interested in more
development of their impression, there is no where to
go to learn it without joining a hard core unit. I
believe in the Family unit style reenacting but feel that some
of us in the hobby may be looking for more but do not wish to
leave their units. We can do this together. Maybe we
could ask Norlands for help. A total immersion in the
1860's experience. Thanks for listening.
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, company A
"I ain't as good as I once was. But I'm as good once as I ever was. I used to be Hell on wheels Back when I was younger man. Now my body says 'You can't do this boy'
But my pride says 'Oh, yes you can."
great idea
One of my goals in life is to have a school for reenactors. More of a dream than a goal. It would be great to have a "Kitchen Cabinet" we could exchange ideas and bone up our skills. It takes alot of roll playing to be able to pull a great first person off. While at work at the Hermitage we would get together every AM and have about a half hour to forty-five minutes time to exchange with each other. We also keep a log about some of the outstanding and odd and funny things that happen to us while we are in first person. Great idea would like to help get this going CopperHeadAnnie AKA Laurie Hillman
There is much work to be done
Craig
I totally agree with the suggestion. I wonder if Norlands will be large enought to accomandate us? We used to have a similar instruction when the Southern Legion was in existance. There is literally hundreds of things we can improve upon if we really want to.
The aim I would imagine if to cover those areas of major concerns that seem to matter most. Then the minor things folk generally don't think about. There are some areas that only take a few minutes to cover.
Would you be willing to head up (co-ordinate) the project and assemble teams of lecturers/instructors? (If this is the route we are looking to in.) I will volunteer myself.
Will
Craig I will help you any
Craig I will help you any way I can. Last night after I posted I dug into my books. I have been reenacting first person at big plantations and homes for a long time and have collected alot of info and programs over the years. I can not help out alot when it comes to the battles but I know how the men spent thier spare time and I know about correct period presentation from 1800 to 1866. There are so many things that could be exciting for all of us to learn together. For along time because of my job ever AM when I woke up it was 1835 a funny thing happened after a few months. It became much easier for me to be in 1835 then it was for me to be in 2005. That awaking came with a mind set and that is what good reenacting is a proper mind set. You have to believe, behave. see and feel as it was in the time you are repesenting. I find if you read lettters to each other from both men folk and lady folk that where written in "The Time" you are reenacting is a great way of finding a kindred spirit with those lives we are mimicing. It is one thing to have some one come in a talk with a group about what where and when it is another thing to have a glimps of history from those that spent thier lives living it. Well I am sorry guys that I a rambling on but reenacting in a correct manner has always put a spark in my soul. I am heading to Maine Sunday Am. I leave Dixie with a broken heart and I think about all those men in grey that left not knowing when or if they would ever see the smoke on the mountains or the cotton exploding in the sun. I am crossing thru Gettysburg on my way North. Take care hope to meet ya all soon. CopperHeadAnnie
Arnt we all a work in
Arnt we all a work in progress? Especially the smaller units where a change in personelle puts you back at square one?
I would like to participate in this "kitchen Cabinet" as I need work.
Im setting my own personal goals and trying to meet them. Ive never been one to be changed by others opinions, but I am big enough to learn and adapt.
Those who cant adapt will be eaten.
Seamus
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
work in progress
Seamus I am with you I am in. This seems like a realy good idea that I think could help me alot. I don't think you have to be some one that changes because of another opinions but I think we could realy share alot of info with each one bring ideas and experience to a "kitchen cabinet" Lord knows what kind of reenactors we could all be with each others support. I am excited about the out come. See Ya all soon. CopperHeadAnnie
Opinion?
Mike,
You've just stumbled on a key concept that is the very heart of many of the problems in the hobby. When people rule by opinion rather than listen and believe facts. Personal experiences are powerful but are greatly dimished with out the factual knowledge. There was a member of the 29th GVI in 90's that were telling people the Confederate Army ate their shoes in the trenches in Petersburg. Despite telling this member that this was not true, he still continued to tell the same stupid story without supporting evidence. I have often wonder about the many people we had lectured to back then, how many still believe the story. A handful? Does it really matter? Now that is a matter of opinion.
I would hope that the folks giving the information in these kitchen conferences are knowledgable and hold some credentials to merit what they are talking about. I would also hope that the people coming to these events are doing so because they want to learn things that will better their impression both as a group and an individual. Any thing else will simply be a waste of everyone's time.
Even I hope to gain more insight and knowledge from these conferences. I especially look forward to 1st impressions. It is an area I would like to see my group dwell into.
Will
It's a hobby but...
It's a hobby and there is only so much any of us can do to persuade another person. I accept that. But it doens't mean I don't try a little bit.
I also think that we a group of us "walk the talk" as much as possible then others who like what they see will join. Not much we can do with the others. But I'll do my best.
I like the 'kitchen cabinet' idea Craig. It's always good to share ideas and help each other learn.
--
Michael Johnson
The Book
Greetings,
I recommend the "Reenactor's Handbook" only as a place to start our discussion. We need a common language and the book can give us a starting poin for Fresh Fish to get an introduction to the hobby. We can agree to accept or modify the topics covered by the book so that it fits our situation. We might even write our own book for Fresh Fish.
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, company A
"I ain't as good as I once was. But I'm as good once as I ever was. I used to be Hell on wheels Back when I was younger man. Now my body says 'You can't do this boy'
But my pride says 'Oh, yes you can."
What?! they didnt eat their
What?! they didnt eat their shoes? well there goes my impression, I was going to eat my old brogans at a living history event.
Whos kitchen are we going to first? if we are talking 6 or 7 guys I will volunteer my kitchen....the question is what day?
Seamus
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
October or November?
I don't mind driving to Farmington. However I will offer my residence as well if Topsham is more central for all interested. Though we wont be around my kitchen table. :)
As to when, I would suggest October or November. After my schedule slows a bit and at the start of the winter to allow further discuss over the long winter months.
--
Michael Johnson
Time to begin
Mike,
I believe that early November would be best because of the T-Day holiday. Should it be a weekend afternoon such as Saturday? If you are offering your Kitchen, then we should bring a treat with us to share.
Who will present a topic? Should we suggest a topic and ask for a volunteer to present it OR should we just ask for volunteer presentors and just go with what they choose to present?
May be, we need to select a "committee" of two or three reenactors to put together host kitchens, topics and presentors for 5 meetings (Nov 05- March 06). We could select a date and time for each meeting and have a complete package for the Kitchen Conference 05/06. For example, the second Saturday afternoon of each month at 2:pm. I would suggest that the presentation last about 30 mins followed by a hands on experience and/or group discussion until 4:pm.
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, company A
"I ain't as good as I once was. But I'm as good once as I ever was. I used to be Hell on wheels Back when I was younger man. Now my body says 'You can't do this boy'
But my pride says 'Oh, yes you can."
Decide a topic and then meet for round table discussion
I would make the following suggestion to your schedule Craig. Let's not meet in December. Meet in November, January, February and March. December is just insane for some of us already.
Let's decide on a topic and then everyone can come prepared with thier thoughts. One or two volunteers could come prepared to present. Thirty minutes with time afterwards for experience and discussion sounds good.
The topics should be such that a person does not have to make every meeting. New participation welcome at anytime. Though I hope a core group would attend regularly to ecourage others who may never attend. Sort of let the education filter back to others as much as possible.
Perhaps we should clarify the goal as well?
--
Michael Johnson
The goal?
The goal is to spend some time on developing:
1) our leisure impression (activities)
2) our first person camp impression (speech & behavior)
3) may be some informational show & tell on making period food such as hardtact. Also, Patching your uniform or making your own candles. How to write period style letters.
4) Maintenance & Repair of 1861 Springfield Musket (Musket-Smith 101)
5) Introduction to life in the 1860s
We can all add to this list and then vote on the top 4 for the Kitchen talks. What do you think?
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, company A
"I ain't as good as I once was. But I'm as good once as I ever was. I used to be Hell on wheels Back when I was younger man. Now my body says 'You can't do this boy'
But my pride says 'Oh, yes you can."
Sounds like a good round of
Sounds like a good round of ideas, as I would like to get a handle on certain things like the leisure time activities and the like . I am currently making my own candles even though I dont have a candle lantern..just a pan. Early november is good...thought location could be decided by how many will participate if we have fifteen or more neither my nor mikes will accomadate that number.
Good plans, good plans.......
seamus
Ps one of the things also covered are the proper symtoms of period illness so those going to sick call will be better invalids...LOL
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth