Underrepresented Impression

[yerbyray]

List,

A friend of mine has decided to end his “military” career but would still like to attend events with his family. I think it really boiled down to being tired of unit politics that has shaped his decision but that is a horse of another color.

What civilian impression is lacking at most events? I doubt that he will want to invest in gear to pull off a photographer or sutler, but I will ask.

I would assume mainstream events are what he is planning on as he doesn’t do the c/p/h world now.

Thanks

[1 Yellowhammer]

a period undertaker would be kinda cool.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Another possible approach would be as a Sanitary Commission rep. There's some great material now on Google Books in the form of the Bulletins of the USSC, e.g. http://books.google.com/books?id=x4s-AAAAYAAJ&dq=intitle%3Asanitary%20intitle%3Acommission&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&as_brr=1&pg=PA413#v=onepage&q=&f=false

There are also a number of contemporary histories and reports with good info. Have him do an "advanced search" date limited from 1860-1880 with "Sanitary Commission" in the title, and browse through what comes up.

[Mint Julep]

His best bet is to find something of interest to him. That will encourage him to research the role and invest in the necessary "tools of the trade" and help avoid the dissatisfaction that might result from doing something he wasn't really interested in doing but adopted out of need.

I would actually discourage him from doing something like a photographer or sutler unless he has a real interest in photography or wants to invest heavily in inventory and tents and supplies.

If he likes to cook, perhaps he could "hire out" to HQ or some officers as a cook. That allows him to continue to hang out with the men, but without the stress of caring how the unit runs.

Rick Musselman used to run a peep show. For a dollar you could look through a viewer in a box on a pole at "adult" eye level and see CDVs of nekkid wimmen. I always thought this was a clever money maker.

He might, for a few events, just want to go and hang out and see if something doesn't present itself or an idea develop of his own inkling.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

"What civilian impression is lacking at most events?"

As shared, it should depend upon what kind of a Mental Picture he has- meaning, what does he see himself doing and where does he see himself fitting in?

The World of Mainstream Reenacting is nice because it allows many more "things" and impressions than what History NUG had to offer. Since we do not have CW era towns, it is rare that one gets to portray a civilian in a town that an army passed through or fought through. Or for that matter a farm house or log cabin in the countryside. That often leaves civilians fleeing from enemy armies as "refugees."
But, there is also "friendly" and enemy armies (if one trusts them) where a civilian might have some "business" or hope of "commercial business" with them such as laborer jobs, selling newpapers, tobacco, bread, pies, fruits and vegetables, etc., etc., looking for relatives, or "illegal" sales such as alcohol, of a law enforcement officer trying to find a criminal whoe scaped and joined the army..
Or at the least, the random, chance encounter of an "everyday civilian" trying to go about their daily buisness, job, or commerce and running into a column of soldiers or perhaps worse yet having soldiers "commandeer" you house, barn, live stock, possessions, or fields.

But on the other, hisotrical hand, "Mainstream Reenacting" is wide open to roles and attempts at all kind of "civilian" impressions because it is so loose whereas in History civilians, women, and children would not have had such free run of battlefields and particularly camps.

For many impressions, roles, or creations, it can come down to imagination and having thought something through rather than the need for a Period farm, a house, a store, or involved kit such as a period sulterly or photography wagon, etc.

Others' mileage will vary...

CHS
Remembering how the raw potatoes flung at us by some of the civilians at McDowell smarted when they hit home Mess

[Crabby]

[QUOTE=Mint Julep;146614]

Rick Musselman used to run a peep show. For a dollar you could look through a viewer in a box on a pole at "adult" eye level and see CDVs of nekkid wimmen. I always thought this was a clever money maker.

For Shame....... no self respecting gentlemen would look into that scoundrel's evil box!!!!! :p

Beth Crabb

[yerbyray]

Thanks for the info and I will pass it back to him. I like the "cook" idea just for the simple fact that he can do that rather well.

I could just imagine the odd looks with the picture box idea here in the Bible belt.

[Spinster]

The picture box did a thriving bizness. As I recall, both his Mama-in-law and his Lovely Bride were soon wearing new sprigged muslin dresses...........;)

[Busterbuttonboy]

Ordinance Teamster.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

"Ordinance Teamster"

Hmmmm. Ordnance teamster.
Would that be a "dismounted teamster?"

Just a-funnin'...

CHS
Dismounted Balloonist Mess

[Mint Julep]

Thanks for the info and I will pass it back to him. I like the "cook" idea just for the simple fact that he can do that rather well.

I could just imagine the odd looks with the picture box idea here in the Bible belt.

I don't know what events you go to, but it has been my observation that ALL reenactments are outside the influence of the Bible Belt.

The cook impression has a few drawbacks if done correctly. Typically they are up before everyone getting the fires stoked and drawing water. There is a great deal of washing, chopping, peeling, stirring and generally waiting for water boil that goes on. However, one does not march, carry a musket or get too far from a warm fire in the winter. That same warm fire ain't so happy a place in July, though.

[sbl]

You may have to consider how "lonely" you get. I did a police impression at a New York event and I couldn't hang with the troops, the civilians, nor the people I came with until after dark. An impression that includes a partner or co-worker might be in order.

[gwagner]

I don't know what events you go to, but it has been my observation that ALL reenactments are outside the influence of the Bible Belt.

Now that is true!:-?

[sbl]

"The Origin of Species" salesman?

[tenfed1861]

If he goes out by himself to a few events,he can always try a period pimp impression.That is really underrated and he would get to wear really wild clothing.Of course,a good gang impression is something that would be cool.Marc Herman use to have a group that did that sort of thing up in the NY area.I am not sure if the group is still around or not.Here is the link to give him an idea of what is done,and reading material:http://www.myrtle-avenue.com/daybreak/

If nothing else,he can just sit around all day,looking tough,and causing trouble.

[Jenn12]

[QUOTE=Mint Julep;146614]

Rick Musselman used to run a peep show. For a dollar you could look through a viewer in a box on a pole at "adult" eye level and see CDVs of nekkid wimmen. I always thought this was a clever money maker.

For Shame....... no self respecting gentlemen would look into that scoundrel's evil box!!!!! :p

Beth Crabb

I laughed when I read your post on that quote. I was thinking the same thing and thinking he needed a visit from the chaplain.;)

[funhistory]

The roles of period undertaker and embalming surgeon aren't commonly seen at events, and yet these men performed the vital function of disposing of the dead on the field and at the hospital. My only word of caution to the prospective reenactor is that he be willing to obtain the specialized knowledge that would have been appropriate to each trade; sadly, I've seen quite a few presenters who lack any depth of knowedge because they thought that portraying an undertaker would be "cool". There's more to the trades than simply burying the dead. I spent six years creating an impression before going public as an embalming surgeon. Both trades offer the potential of being quite fascinating, and when presented with good taste and dignity, the public experience can be quite enriching.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

There is also a grave digger.

But the impression works better with a... shovel.

(And can be back-breaking work where events would allow holes to be dug.)

:)

CHS

[plankmaker]

I can't believe that all of you overlooked this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNBNqUdqm1E

That person has played an important role in communities for centuries. Although reenactments do have big bugs that take up much of the slack.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[yerbyray]

I think he is looking into a laundry impression. We had lunch together and talked a few things over. We have two large copper tubs that would work fine and the rest should be easy enough to incorporate.

Thanks.

[reddcorp]

Hallo!

"Ordinance Teamster"

Hmmmm. Ordnance teamster.
Would that be a "dismounted teamster?"

Just a-funnin'...

CHS
Dismounted Balloonist Mess

"De-wagoned or un-wagoned teamster?"

A.Redd

[sbl]

I can't believe that all of you overlooked this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNBNqUdqm1E

That person has played an important role in communities for centuries. Although reenactments do have big bugs that take up much of the slack.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

"Tarrs, Pooles, and fools!" Rockport (home town) was a close knit community until WW II.

[Upstate]

Regarding civilian impressions at events. I would encourage folks to think like the local population of the area for the duration of an event.

Specific impressions like aid societies, USSC, USCC, laundry or cooks are way overdone, situationally dependent, can be gender limiting & not appropriate in all cases, unless you are in a special impressions area.

Given that "most" events recreate a battle scenario & the location is likely going to be south of the Mason Dixon line, you may get more mileage from an average, run of the mill, southern locality driven civilian trade or chore impression. Not only does it it give you "real" things to do but you get the flexibility of having more options so you don't get bored. It would also be appropriate whether the civilian belongs to a US or CS oriented group without changing the group's "identity". The tasks also travel well to virtually all events.

Grab an ax and wander from camp to camp splitting firewood in exchange for something (period $, food, buttons, tobacco, coffee etc). That can keep you busy all day & provide some really interesting period moments.

Rope making is a rarely seen skill & you could find yourself very much in demand.

Peddle fruit/baked goods to troops in exchange for items listed above.

Churn butter, whip cream

Seasonal options include processing harvested fruits & veggies i.e

Shell dried corn, grind shelled corn, shift ground corn.

Boil down apples for apple butter/sauce

The possibilites are endless.


--------------------
Terri Olszowy

[yerbyray]

Well I talked to Luke and his great plan of being a civilian is just wandering around looking for his "mythical" son who he caught wind had been wounded.

I have read countless accounts of that sort of thing happening so it should be rather accurate and easy to pull off and could be for any time of the war.

Heck my ggg-grandfather took leave and left his regiment to go and find his brother, who had been killed in northern Va., and brought him home to be re-buried. Not too pleasant a topic to discuss at family dinners I might add.

I like the idea of selling fried pies as I have recently taken to making them filled with fruit and meat; I know they would sell to the troops as they are rather tasty. He wasn't too keen on that idea.

Thanks all.

[Spinster]

Well, that's another one of those 'done a lot' things.

If so, do it right. Place the lost boy in a company that was there at the time, and go looking for them. Know his Captain's name. Have a letter of when you last heard from him.

Get an image of the lost boy, and show it around. Ask folks if they've seen him. Even better if it was taken with his Papa or Mama, or in his shiny new mustered in uniform. And if you really want to play your cards right--make sure he's there amoung the troops. And if folks pay enough attention to the trembling father, they might see the son.

And the war becomes real.......

[hanktrent]

And if you really want to play your cards right--make sure he's there amoung the troops. And if folks pay enough attention to the trembling father, they might see the son.

And the war becomes real.......

And if, as happened to a friend of a mine a few years ago, the boy unexpectedly winds up in a situation during the battle where it would look silly if he didn't take a hit...

This happened in a town, so I found a cart to rent for the grieving mother and we hauled his body off to lie in a church nearby (where he later got up and walked out the back door).

Sometimes these things go unexpectedly wrong, or right, depending on how you look at it.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Drygoods]

Get an image of the lost boy, and show it around. And if folks pay enough attention to the trembling father, they might see the son. And the war becomes real.......

Mrs. Lawson,
Two years ago, while being held as a CW political prisoner at Alcatraz Island, former 1858 Federal prison, I had an image of myself and my young daughter. I continually showed the image to the public from my prison cell, pleaded my innocence and that they ask for my release, and told them that my daughter was all alone in a San Francisco hotel with no one to look after her. Suffice it to say that the public beat feet to the commanding officer and certainly made a fuss, gave me food and money in which to bribe the guards or for my release, and were amazed that I could have a true picture of myself, and daughter, in the image......consequently, I had to be telling the truth, real deal.
The worst part of my impression was that a young 5 year old girl heard my story, and was so upset that my daughter was alone and friendless in the big city, that this little girl started sobbing loudly, and wouldn't stop until the Colonel told her that I'd be immediately set free to join my daughter. Funny thing about Alcatraz, lovely beautiful place, and few know of it's early years as a prison, but I always wondered if the foreigners who visited that day really knew that we were reenactors and not real political prisoners.;)

for more information.....
http://www.friendsofcivilwaralcatraz.org/

[TheQM]

Hallo!

"Ordinance Teamster"

Hmmmm. Ordnance teamster.
Would that be a "dismounted teamster?"

Just a-funnin'...

CHS
Dismounted Balloonist Mess

A good friend and I were talking about what to do when we were too old to do what we are doing. We came up with "dismounted teamster". Buy a wagon and a trailer and you are good to go. Just roll the wagon off at a good spot and just sit there. No tents, horses, drill, sergeants, or anything else to worry about. If anybody asks, the cavalry took the critters and we are guarding the supplies in the wagon. Of course, those supplies would consist of two really comfortable cots and the BIG cooler. :)

[Mint Julep]

A good friend and I were talking about what to do when we were too old to do what we are doing. We came up with "dismounted teamster". Buy a wagon and a trailer and you are good to go. Just roll the wagon off at a good spot and just sit there. No tents, horses, drill, sergeants, or anything else to worry about. If anybody asks, the cavalry took the critters and we are guarding the supplies in the wagon. Of course, those supplies would consist of two really comfortable cots and the BIG cooler. :)

At the "Hodge March", Hank Trent and Don Cope portrayed "dismounted teamsters" following the column for safety.

[hanktrent]

At the "Hodge March", Hank Trent and Don Cope portrayed "dismounted teamsters" following the column for safety.

Yes, after the cart that was supposed to be hauling the water broke its shafts when the horse took a few quick steps going down a little dip in a meadow. :( I think the cart made it about 2/3 of the way. After we helped the owner get it and the horse loaded up again, we really were dismounted teamsters for the rest of the march.

My favorite moment from that event: when we teleported the cart through a stone wall. The gate was too narrow, so the owner went off to get orders what to do. While he was gone, we discovered that we could pull the loose gate post out of the ground and disassemble a little of the dry-laid stone to widen the gap. So we did, got the cart through, then reassembled it all. When the owner came back, there the cart sat, on the other side, with nothing apparently changed. Needless to say, we kept him wondering for a while before we explained what we did.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Spinster]

Bill,

I know a couple of fine fellers that quickly discovered that wagon and no team thing could turn into work right quick. It rolls off, drops gate, they pull a documented sheet iron stove out (it's larger than a sibley stove, but sits on the ground in the same manner) and let into cooking. The wagon sheet is either shade or shelter, and they take a prepayment before the event for a couple of meals and endless coffee.

One well preserved wagon that was static for many years before being placed in dry storage is in the process of being refurbished for In The Van. It's an interesting process to follow.

[toptimlrd]

Yes, after the cart that was supposed to be hauling the water broke its shafts when the horse took a few quick steps going down a little dip in a meadow. :( I think the cart made it about 2/3 of the way. After we helped the owner get it and the horse loaded up again, we really were dismounted teamsters for the rest of the march.

My favorite moment from that event: when we teleported the cart through a stone wall. The gate was too narrow, so the owner went off to get orders what to do. While he was gone, we discovered that we could pull the loose gate post out of the ground and disassemble a little of the dry-laid stone to widen the gap. So we did, got the cart through, then reassembled it all. When the owner came back, there the cart sat, on the other side, with nothing apparently changed. Needless to say, we kept him wondering for a while before we explained what we did.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

Now THAT is a fantastic story. Thanks for the smile Hank!

[Tiger_rifles]

So what about a Goverment job?
Did they have, for example, harness makers that would follow the army/cavalry and repair leather gear?
What about a tailor to repair clothing/tents?
Would this have been a uniformed serviceman? What rank would perform these duties?

[Jim of the SRR]

Poor, Yeoman class people are very underpresented in the hobby.

Jim Butler

[plankmaker]

How about a political hack? You just don't see a very good representation of them.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[Spinster]

Most certainly. Look to what you know.

I spoke with a man yesterday who has stone cutting experience and tools. We hope to see him out later this year-carving a name on a tombstone

Build a casket or a cradle. Split fence rail. Haul water with buckets and yoke.

Make a three prong green stick hay fork. Use it.

Make a shuck mop, or several. Women will buy them. Brooms too.

Cut a wagon pole, shape it with a draw knife. Make spare parts.

Sharpen knives. Or plows, or scythes, or scissors.

Set up a rope walk. Now there's a Tom Sawyer fence, and you'll barely lift a finger.

Period fly fishing. Fun to do. Fun to watch. Fun to make the flies. Fun to eat the fish.

Stack stone a bread oven. Bake in it.

Run a tavern with VERY watered down whiskey. Scatter a few newspapers about. Some cards. Some dice. Remember to bring an axe handle to run em out with so you can go to bed.

Scythe hay

Split wood and make a show of it. It draws a crowd when the Pretties that travel with me cleave a 3 foot section with one blow. Of course, most anything the Pretties do draws a crowd.

Plait straw for hats. Make em. There is a dearth of correctly made straw top hats in the hobby.

Shoe maker. Childrens sizes. You'll do a thriving repair business.

Groom

Body Servant

A man washing a boatload of dishes in scalding water will draw a crowd too.

Cut hair.

Boot black.

Mend harness

Fry pies. Really. Mess kettle, five pounds of lard, flour and canned peaches with period labels on them. Top of a cracker box to roll em out on and you're in business. You won't raise your head for several hours either......

[plankmaker]

The hobby is very underrepresented when it comes to harpies. The possibilities for this impression is basically limitless. However, the part of the useless officer has already been overrepresented.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

Richmond Dispatch
Thursday morning....Oct 31, 1861.

The harpies .
--There are some people having a good time out of this war. There are spoilers, sharpers, extortioners, who are bleeding the soldiers and the community at every pore, and who are growing rich and fat upon their blood. Such prices as these greedy and rapacious monsters demand for articles of prime necessity are almost fabulous. Such profit as are required to satiate their ravenous jaws would be deemed incredible by the hungriest landshark in any other age or country of Christendom. Talk of Yankees or of Chinese! Why, the most remorseless Yankee speculator, between Richmond and the North Pole, would die of shame and vexation, if they could see how operators in Dixie Land surpass their boldest feats of plunder. It is in vain that Governors of States issue proclamations; that the people yell out at every fresh turn of the screws; that the whole community stand aghast at the shameless greed of the cormorant crew. Where the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. You might as well appeal to the moral sense of buzzards and vultures to abandon their prey on the battle-field, as expect the harpies of high prices to relax the grasp of their sharp claws, and let their poor victims escape. It is a beautiful sight to see some sick soldier, who has been blistered by the sun and wet by the dews of six months campaigning, and has faced danger and death in the battles of his country, asking timidly at some counter the price of an article necessary to his comfort, and turning away with a heavy sigh as the man of pence names a price which a General of Division could not afford. A great world, this, a world, as Carlyle would say, much forsaken of God, and in pressing necessity to be lammed.
Richmond Dispatch.
Thursday morning...May 15, 1862.

A Suggestion.
The Provost Marshall has it in his power to render essential service to our community at large; for armed as he is with martial law, and its discretionary interpretation, his power can effectually reach many capable of eluding civil authority. It is the province, and should be the design, of all police regulations to prevent rather than curb crime, hence, as we are infested with hosts of thieves, blacklegs, prostitutes and others, who daily offend the nostrils with their obnoxious and polluting presence, we deem it fitting to remind and request our worthy Marshal, that the public thoroughfares be no longer blockaded by such disreputable characters, who lounge about and sponge upon the community at large.--Gambling dens abound in every direction — their directors are below all polite consideration — placed beyond the pale of all civility, and are only fit to grace the chain- gang, or to work on the common roads.--Gunning in every art of imposition and seduction, they wink at all law and order, swindle the innocent, corrupt morals and manners, at the same time enticing the unwary or youthful into their gas lit gambling dens, with all the temptations which deception and abundance of liquor can invent. If our worthy Marshal and Gen. Winder desire to see peace and order maintained — if they wish to rid the city of a host of profligates from all the South, who live and fatten on the vices or simplicity of the unsophisticated — and think it wise as well as expedient to clear the city of scores of "officers" who blockade the sidewalks, jostle and stare at ladies, &c., they would do well to make a sudden descent upon the many gambling "hells" of the city, send the "sick" officers to camp, and place in the hands of the fashionably dressed gamblers Spades or Clubs far more useful than those pretty "papers" they finger so scientifically nightly. Some of these worthies of whom we speak — nay, most of them — are the very "off- scourings" of the North, and need be watched! Does not the Conscription bill reach this demoralizing riffraff? We appeal to the sense and justice of the city government, civil and military — let not our youth be longer ruined by these harpies, and particularly let not our wives and daughters be insulted by the unabashed impudence of these fellows crowding our streets, and sapping the life of our liberty and morals.

[Southern Cal]

There's a feller I've watched over the years who'se patterned his impression on the artist/reporter Alfred Waud. He has the correct linen duster and straw hat and hovers near the "battlefield drawing "skecthes" for his "gazette". The "Correspondent" has a good deal of contact with other reenactors, the inevitable "VIP" characters, as well as the public. On occasion this person portrays a "spy" and when caught in the scripted scenario, he is publically "tried" and then "shot". There's a deal of exposure but doesn't require a great deal of investment besides researching and portraying correctly the impression.

[Upstate]

On occasion this person portrays a "spy" and when caught in the scripted scenario, he is publically "tried" and then "shot".

With the exception of the border areas, most of the reading I've done indicates most folks accused of being spies were far more likely to be arrested and interned in jail to languish for months before their case was adjudicated, at which time the typical punishment was banishment beyond lines. Being put outside the lines represents a rather significant hardship, particularly if you have not been given time to gather any possessions. This scenario provides even more opportunities for the miscreant to further expand the impression by trying to reach friendly sympathizers who could offer food, shelter, work etc.

Shootings are just so, well, "Hollywood".

[Southern Cal]

In the case you've laid out, a spy probably wouldn't be the best impression for a one or two day event. The "Correspondent/artist" works better.

For occasions when I want to 'get up' a civilian impression I'm considering the fretful landowner or townsman worried about the "armies" making off with his property or ruining his liveihood. I'm good at waving and frantically yelling. Limited opportunities while in uniform in formation.

[Tiger_rifles]

I think I have it, there are an endless number of jobs/impressions for civilians that can set up in or around the sutlers.

Does anybody know of jobs to be done in the soldier area?
For example:
There must have been leather workers that did repairs and special orders.

There were farriers that made shoes and took care of horse needs.

These are the only two I can think of, but there must have been more services the Military provided besides soldiering? I guess what i am looking for here are ideas on how to still use the Military Uniforms we have spent so much money on, w/o marching off to fight.

One thing I have not seen for some time is a Unit w/a good Ordnance Sgt. impression.

What say you?

[Spinster]

Okay, so you don't really want to be a civilian. You want to be a military man with less drilling, marching, and fighting.

Clerk

Quartermaster

Teamster


But if your real agenda is to reuse those clothes, once again, think creatively. Make a middling to lower class civilian sack coat. Wear the shirt you have. Add a cravat. Strip the military buttons off your vest and replace them. Take any rank indicators off your trousers. Brown jean cloth trousers are simply a lower class trouser--nothing about them screams military, just working class. Dark blue trousers, no stripes, and a civilian sack coat--once again, working class. If all you have is sky blues, well, that does kinda scream 'I'm in the army' and you might want to do something.

Might be what you want is period overalls to cover everything up. And those would look fine on some fellers on burial detail. Mighty high demand for that work too.

[Southern Cal]

One thing I have not seen for some time is a Unit w/a good Ordnance Sgt. impression.

What say you?

It's a good thing you haven't seen an ordnance sergeant impression since there was only one ordnance sergeant per regiment, appointed by it's Colonel, or assigned to a post, as the case may be. To my way of thinking, unless the organization is large enough for a "Bird" Colonel to be present, there shouldn't even be an ordnance sergeant on the "Brigade" staff. Personally, I think the ordnance sergeant should be the designated firearms safety representative, ensuring all reenactors "irons" are fully functional and safe to use, an actual job at an event, not an impression. I'd stipulate that the appointee have a minimum NRA levle "Blackpowder" safey instructer certification to qualify for ordnance sergeant since they were supposed to be an expert. That would keep a body plenty busy. I've seen a unit with twelve people: An officer, sergeant major, commissary sergeant, ordnance sergeant, first sergeant, one or two sergeants, several corporals, a musician, and maybe three or four fresh fish privates to stand guard. And they all take the field. More stripes in an outfit than smooth sleeves gets me very amused. Jes my 'pinion.

[Elaine Kessinger]

Let's return to the CIVILIAN impressions the gent asked about originially. There is always the idea of getting together attire and "kit" for a "regular person" as a core and having available a few key pieces that could solidify the impression needed for that particular event. Most of us civies do that anyway. I'll use myself as an example, but the gents of my aquaintience have their own versions too. I have a basic working class attire from which I can add accessories to portray a farmworker, an immigrant, a factory girl, a nurse doing scut-work. I have a mid-grade day dress and accessories which allow me to portray a tailoress, dress-maker, aid society worker, realative of a shopkeep, or an ordinary woman of the town. When asked by someone to tell what impression I "always" do... I generally need to answer "what ever impression is needed that I can research in time for the event." Of course I have my favorites, we all do. But the best advice we can give your friend is to start getting his basic attire and some general, era specific knowledge together. As he starts to research those basics, he'll find some task or occupation that captures what he'd care to research more in depth, and from there, he'll find the impressions that are right for him.

[sbl]

In Europe they have refugee reenactors......

http://www.polskiekrajobrazy.pl/images/stories/big/8516bitwa_nad_bzura_wer.jpg

...can American adults move this fast? ;)

[yerbyray]

In Europe they have refugee reenactors......

http://www.polskiekrajobrazy.pl/images/stories/big/8516bitwa_nad_bzura_wer.jpg

...can American adults move this fast? ;)

First time I saw a "refugee" smile. I hope they aren't happy because the nice Nazi said they were going to summer camp.

[sbl]

Hahah! Tell me you haven't seen reenactors giggle in ranks or pretending to be casualties.

[NoahBriggs]

Irrelevant pictures aside, the general idea of putting together a basic civilian kit is the best way to go, and to adapt your impression to the event. Sometimes they might need teamsters, sometimes not. Be prepared for the "not". A general kit allows you to adapt easily and research your impression. YOu get the opportunity to research a different career for each event, and then you get to stock up your experiences to round out your impression.

Also, you can up your impression by having the proper or improper paperwork for the Provost/clerk/sentry to examine. It's often more fun watching them squirm as they try and figure out what to do with paperwork their character should already be familiar with. Back to the history books, kids . . .

Or, to channel the spirit of the late Chawls Heef, "maybe you're attending the wrong events?"

More and more civilian only events are taking shape all over the country. Most of them are straightforward (often mistaken for "mundane" and "boring") life in a town/farm/house or some other historic site, learning about the day to day activities that took up most of the Original Cast's time. People still had to work and earn a living, war or no war. How did they cope? What did they think? How did they react to news? Nothing is a blanket statement of "always" or "never". Each person reacted as an individual. One of the funner parts is trying to live that way for a weekend just to see what it was like.

In the Van and Westville immediately come to mind. Several events in St. Louis are also civilian oriented, and Annette Bethke runs an event down in Texas. Oh, that battle event not have a civilian section? Carpe eventum. Make your own mini-civilian event and interact with the military as you see fit.

Hope that generated the ideas.

[Spinster]

Thank you Noah.

In general, it becomes tiresome when military men inquire, over on the civilian subforum, what Else They Can Do----and then the real thing is, they only want to Do Military.

The reality was Then, that civilians outnumbered the military, populationwise, throughout the war.

And that the truely underrepresented impression is: Any Civilian, though not necessarily at any place or any time. Occassionally a 100,000 soldiers march through and suck up all the air in the room and the provisions in the town.

Funny, most of those men just wanted to get back to their normal civilian lives.........

[plankmaker]

Submarine divers are highly underrepresented.

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

Richmond Dispatch.
Monday morning...March 21, 1864.
by Telegraph.

Cleaning the bottoms of the Monitors

--A letter in a Northern paper from a correspondent of Charleston describes the cleaning of bottoms of the iron clads in the harbor, which have become very much fouled. It says:

The principal diver — appropriately named Waters — is so used to this work that he has become almost amphibious, remaining for five or six hours at a time under water. A man of Herculean strength and proportions, when clad in his submarine armor he becomes monstrous in size and appearance. A more singular sight than to see him roll or tumble in the water and disappear from sight; or popping up blowing, as the air escapes from his helmet like a whale, can scarcely be imagined. Waters has his own ideas of a joke, and when he has a curious audience will wave his scraper about as "he bobs around" in the water with the air of a veritable river god. One of his best jokes — the better for being a veritable fact — occurred last summer. While he was employed scraping the hull of one of the Monitors, a negro from one of the up river plantations came alongside with a boat load of watermelons. While busy selling his melons the diver came up, and rested himself on the side of the boat.

The negro stared at the extraordinary appearance thus suddenly coming out of the water with alarmed wonder, but when the diver seized one of the best melons in the boat, and disappeared under the water, the gargling of the air from the helmet mixing with the muffled laughter, the fright of the negro reached a climax. Hastily seizing his without waiting to be paid for his melons, he put off at his best speed, and has not been seen in the vicinity of Station Creek since. He cannot be tempted beyond the bounds of the plantation, and believes that the Yankees have brought river devils to aid them in making war.

The diver, when clothed in his armor, is weighted with 185 pounds. Beside his armor he has two leaden pads fitted to his breast and back. The soles of his shoes are of lead, an inch and a half thick. All this weight is needed to overcome the buoyancy given by the mass of air forced into the armor and dress, the latter of india rubber, worn by the diver. When below the surface he can instantly bring himself up by closing momentarily the aperture in the helmet for the escape of the air. His buoyancy is immediately increased, and he pops up like a cork and floats at will upon the surface. The work of scraping the bottoms of the monitors is very arduous.

The diver site upon a spar lashed athwart the bottom of the vessel, so arranged as to be moved as the work progresses, and with a scraper fixed to a long handle works on both sides of himself as far as he can reach. The mass of oysters that become attached to the iron hulls of one of the Monitors, even during the summer here, is immense. By actual measurement it was estimated that 350 bushels of oysters, shells, and seaweed were taken from the bottom of the Montank alone. The captains of the Monitors have sometimes indulged in the novelty of a mess of oysters raised on the hulls of their own vessels.

Beside cleaning the Monitors, the divers perform other important services. They have ransacked the interior of the Keokuk, attached buoys to lost anchors, and made under-water examinations of the rebel obstructions Waters recently examined the sunken Weehawken, and met an unusual danger for even his peril our calling. The sea was so violent that he was twice thrown from the deck of the Monitor. Finally, getting hold of the iron ladder, he climbed to the top of the turret when a heavy sea cast him inside the turret between the guns. Fearing that his air hose would become entangled, he made his way out with all possible speed, and was forced to give up his investigations until calmer weather offered a more favorable opportunity.

[sbl]

Well yeah....... but "refugee" can also be a male impression as you can be camping out AND all dressed up with no place to live.

[vmescher]

I think he is looking into a laundry impression. We had lunch together and talked a few things over. We have two large copper tubs that would work fine and the rest should be easy enough to incorporate.

Thanks.

I apologize for chiming in so late but I've been out of touch for awhile.

I noticed the mention of a laundry impression and wanted to comment. I've spent a number of years researching laundry and it is not an easy or inexpensive impression to set up. It involves tubs, either wooden or tin, washboards, boilers, either cast iron or copper, soap, bluing, starch, driers or clothes lines, clothespins, baskets, covered boards for ironing, multiple irons, and a great deal of time.

If you are intending on doing a male civilian laundry impression, in all my research, I have never seen anything that points to men taking in laundry. Maybe they owned large laundries in large cities but they employed women. Women were the ones who took in laundry to earn a living or worked in a large laundry.

If you were intending on a military laundry impression, women were the only ones that were contracted by the military to do laundry but there were men who did laundry for their buddies to earn extra money. Those men might use a bucket or wooden tub and washboard but copper tubs would be improbable.

[Brian Wolle]

Sanitary commission wouldn't work unless you have at least a small group. They do not go around by themselves. Correspondent does: they can almost be anywhere, anytime, by themselves or whatever.

[CameronsHighlander]

of them heres a short list.

1) New York Gang member/ Draft rioter
2) Constible (Police)
3) Fire Fighters
4) Press/ Reporters
5) Ambassadors
6) Marshals, Rangers, and/or Pinkerton Agents

[KarinTimour]

Sanitary commission wouldn't work unless you have at least a small group. They do not go around by themselves. Correspondent does: they can almost be anywhere, anytime, by themselves or whatever.

Dear Mr. Wolle:

If this is a male civilian, he could portray a Sanitary Commission field agent, and my understanding is that they usually went around by themselves, perhaps with one other male field agent. Ditto Christian Commission.

My understanding is that the groups of Sanitary Commission people would not have been at a battle or the front, (especially women), but more likely in larger cities, where there were Sanitary Commission "depots" or at winter encampments, Soldiers' Rests or at larger hospital locations.

A Sanitary Commission field agent or camp inspector would be a terrific impression to see. I've only seen it done once, at Winter 64 when Charles Heath and Al Poor (correct me someone if I"m wrong) portrayed Christian Commission field agents.

Sincerely,
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[flattop32355]

[QUOTE=Mint Julep;146614]

Rick Musselman used to run a peep show. For a dollar you could look through a viewer in a box on a pole at "adult" eye level and see CDVs of nekkid wimmen. I always thought this was a clever money maker.

For Shame....... no self respecting gentlemen would look into that scoundrel's evil box!!!!! :p

Beth Crabb

The key phrase there is "self respecting gentleman"....... ;)

Is this feller wanting to include his family as part of the impression, or they'll just be camping there with him at the event?

Is he wanting to aim his impression towards the other reenactors, or the spectators?

Possibilities:
Christian Commission
Sanitary Commission
Politician
Cook
Teamster
Musician
Father of one of the men, come to visit
Local farmer/businessman selling items to the men (pies, vegetables, meat pies, etc. Inexpensive things not hard to make up or require a large investment.)
Clergy, come to visit his "flock" from the home town.

The trick will be getting mainstreamers, who aren't prepared to interact with someone trying to interact with them, to follow the game plan. Some will, some won't, some won't have a clue what he's trying to do.

Karin,
At Perryville in 2008, the camp got a sudden and unexpected visit from either the Sanitary or Christian Commission. A swift policing of the grounds from one end to the other while the officers were engaging the members of the group at the other end of the company street allowed us to tidy the camp quickly and keep the Captain from having a tizzy.

[Spinster]

Policy man/Life insurance salesman

A budding, if somewhat scam-prone, industry at the time.

[navygunner]

The western transport fleets and gunboats had civilian pilots aboard. The transport fleets under the quartermaster corps charter were crewed by civilians also. Just a thought.

Geo. Dailey
U S Naval landing Party

[RCR001]

John Hunt Morgan had Lightening Ellsworth, but all them others had to get their dits and dahs changed into a's and b's by some one else. A telegraph operator would be a good one. A six volt battery and a few little accourtraments and the colonels will be having you over for lunch just to read 'em the news from Richmond or New York City.

[Pvt_VP]

Telegraph operator sounds intersting, at least to me. I should look into that. Anyone have any more info?

[RCR001]

I'll tell you another one I like. Especially if you've already got soldiers' uniforms. Why not put yourself in handcuffs and shackels and set around the camp as a prisoner. Union soldiers were always getting in trouble for one thing or another. Southern soldiers too. Handcuffs and shackels and restricted to camp. I bet an ingenius fellow could make all kinds of good out of that type impression.

[CameronsHighlander]

Id like to see someone do a decent Pioneers Brigade (it's Military) a lot of people sew on the axes and don't know the duties.. It's stupid but the Pioneers brigade never did Guard Mount, the had perhaps the Highest Casulty rate and were the western theaters work force.

[Spinster]

Gentlemen

Please note, this thread is in the civilian subforum and the original question was about civilian impressions.

You are welcome to start a discussion about underrepresented military impressions in the appropriate subforum.

[KarinTimour]

[QUOTE=Crabby;146629]

Karin,
At Perryville in 2008, the camp got a sudden and unexpected visit from either the Sanitary or Christian Commission. A swift policing of the grounds from one end to the other while the officers were engaging the members of the group at the other end of the company street allowed us to tidy the camp quickly and keep the Captain from having a tizzy.

Dear Bernard:

That is FABULOUS! I've never heard of a camp actually being inspected by the field agents and would have loved to have seen this. Thank you for sharing it.

Sincerely,
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[hanktrent]

I'll tell you another one I like. Especially if you've already got soldiers' uniforms. Why not put yourself in handcuffs and shackels and set around the camp as a prisoner. Union soldiers were always getting in trouble for one thing or another. Southern soldiers too. Handcuffs and shackels and restricted to camp. I bet an ingenius fellow could make all kinds of good out of that type impression.

While that would work for both military and civilian (a captured spy, for example), it points up a problem I've often run into with a civilian impression.

The organizers of Backwaters last month planned that exact impression for the Union side, simply because it would be a challenge in a tactical situation. But it required the cooperation of everyone from officers (who had to make sure the prisoner was guarded) to privates (who had to stand guard). Because everyone had already agreed to treat orders from the organizers as if they were real, it worked well.

But unless there was already that kind of agreement in place and the orders came from someone over all, an officer could just as well say "not interested," and then you're stuck.

As Bernie says:


The trick will be getting mainstreamers, who aren't prepared to interact with someone trying to interact with them, to follow the game plan. Some will, some won't, some won't have a clue what he's trying to do.

Not that it's a bad idea. In fact everything mentioned in this thread is a good idea. I just wish there was a way to integrate them into mainstream reenactments without being so darned lonely.

It seems that after you do whatever your impression is (inspect the camps, sell the food, interview the officers, etc.), and finish interpreting to modern visitors, it's over and you're supposed to just go socialize as a modern person with the other civilians and/or soldiers.

So what do you do, to continue the impression, other than just sit by yourself? That's where I always get stuck in planning these things for mainstream events.

Linda and I were thinking about going to a local event to "visit" our son in the army, who always happens to be elsewhere at the moment, but we talked to him a little bit ago, and he'll be back later. No actual son required.

It would be a great premise to use for spectators. We could talk about how the war has changed our son, how the homefront is affected with so many young men gone, what news we get about the war, etc. etc.

In theory, it would be a great premise around a real 19th century army camp, too. You could spend hours chatting with a Sanitary Commission agent about the soldiers' health, a Christian Commission agent about their spiritual well-being, a reporter about whether the news reflects what's actually happening, an undertaker about how to get a body home if the worst happens, and so forth.

But from experience, at a typical mainstream reenactment, the reenactors in those roles will be busier socializing with their own friends the way they want. So while the impression would work as long as there are spectators to talk to, I can't figure out how to integrate it for more than a few minutes with other reenactors, who don't want a visiting family from the 1860s around to interrupt what they come to reenactments to do.

Is that the unwritten premise behind these impressions, that they only last as long as you're doing a specific task and/or talking to the public?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Tiger_rifles]

Hallo!

There is also a grave digger.

But the impression works better with a... shovel.

(And can be back-breaking work where events would allow holes to be dug.)

:)

CHS

Very true Heer Schmidt! While working at the Manassas NBP I found many ref.'s to locals coming out to help dig graves. Some even made money on the work, marking graves with a map. Later,(sometimes years later!), relatives or fellow servicemen would want to take the fallen lad home. Many also got goverment contracts to bury the dead. (Most of these ref.'s were followed with how the Govt. failed to pay or not as much as promised). So maybe a pick/shovel and some paperwork showing how you plan to lay out the grave sites????

There was also ref. to local civilians that would go to the hospitals to help w/the wounded. This would only require a bag/luggage for a 2-3 day stay somewhere. One story tells of how a couple working at a hospital for 3 days were allowed to go home. As they went, they saw a Union soldier face down in an open field. Stoping to dig a grave for him, they found he was still alive, left for dead by his own men. They nursed him back to health in thier home. After the war he came down to visit and thank the couple. They told of how thier Church,(Sudley Church), had been used as a hospital and badly damaged during the fight and people had no money to repair it. He went home,(like ALL good Yankies should!), and placed an ad in the Boston paper calling for all soldiers that received good care/treatment at Sudley to chip in some of that "Featherbed money". So much was collected that the church was completly rebuilt!

Also, I have read about battlefields being picked for the "spoils of war". I would guess soldiers and civilians alike would do this. Mosby made a living off of this for a while! Maybe a wheelbarrel, some personnal items in a bag and some extra cartridge boxes, etc..... hey, maybe you could even sell a few to the spectators as "battlefield keep-sakes!".

[Mint Julep]

Telegraph operator sounds intersting, at least to me. I should look into that. Anyone have any more info?


I've seen a display and done correctly it involves several jars of acid and a lot of wire.

[RCR001]

I expect it could be done easily.


http://i.ebayimg.com/04/!Bpz4+OQBmk~$(KGrHqIH-DYEu(oIvDCPBLs-,2(yC!~~_12.JPG

There's several on Ebay.

[sbl]

A member of the 5th NHV rigged up a display telegraph with a hidden computer program that would send messages for him to receive and answer. Good impression for folks that don't like to walk or be outside.

[CameronsHighlander]

I know I went off on the Military one.. What about Railroad engineer, Pony Express, Indian Police, Postmaster, Congressmen (you never really see politicians outside Lincoln, Davis, Tweed, and a few others), Press agents and Artists, Smugglers, Pinkerton Agents, Firemen, Undertakers, Constibles, Draft Rioters/ City Gang members (I do Bowery Boy I have a Blast whe I do this thanks to Gangs of NY), Shippers, Prostitutes, and Gold Prospectors, also few Runaway Slaves(not to say there should be thousands but one or two might be interesting).. You never really see underbelly of society impressions

[sbl]

Doing the underbelly risks looking Dickensian or Ren-Faire. I was at a draft riot event on Long Island as a policeman and left early. Too many "Irish" types and unsheathed blades.

If you're a civilian law officer, what period jurisdiction do you have over your "home team" or the "visitors."


It's good to have a partner in your impression to play off of rather than trying to play off strangers who aren't in on it. Keeps your from getting lonely as well if your impression keeps you out of the camp.

A basic "uniform" suit or basic civilian suit goes a long way.

I showed up at the USS Constitution for a past Civil War weekend as an off duty Boston Harbor lighthouse keeper and was asked to be a fourth at lunch with the officers.

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u100/sbl1952/OldIronsides.jpg

[hanktrent]

Draft Rioters/ City Gang members (I do Bowery Boy I have a Blast whe I do this thanks to Gangs of NY)

Serious question, because I've had the research for that even before Gangs of New York and have been dying to use it somewhere, and would be seriously interested in portraying a New York City resident:

How do you do that impression at an average event? What's the premise for being at the time and place being portrayed, or is it a stand-alone impression? What literally do you do to pass the time, without the streets of New York around you? Or are there events where it fits into the larger context of what's happening?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[CameronsHighlander]

I usually do this at Living histories at Historic Villiages hang around the civilians carry a knife and be a thorn in the side of the Army when you get the chance

[Spinster]

Serious question, because I've had the research for that even before Gangs of New York and have been dying to use it somewhere, and would be seriously interested in portraying a New York City resident:


Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

Hank,

Pursue that with Skip Owens--a couple of years ago he told us about a venue up East a small group were playing in, complete with gaslight as I recall.

[Spinster]

I've seen a display and done correctly it involves several jars of acid and a lot of wire.

Telegraph operator does have its drawbacks--even if one fakes up the battery acid and uses a hidden power supply.

Then there is the problem that the code most folks learn Now, was not the code used THEN.

Owning a telegraph key is only a baby step on this task.......

[CameronsHighlander]

Also it's fun to take pot shots at Lincoln when you see him just try to be PC and not offend people in the Modern calling him a "____ lovin' Ape" will get you introuble but I carry papers that I call Draft Notices (dipping them in Wax makes them burn really nice) I burn them as the arm marches by. Most of this i usually do by myself I'm trying to get a cheap Derringer with my Bowie Knife I need to get my jacket and vest made to look the part. It's hard to intro a new idea I would like the Provost to arrest me or even the Pickets to shoot me from time to time but it never happens.

[sbl]

Also it's fun to take pot shots at Lincoln when you see him just try to be PC and not offend people in the Modern calling him a "____ lovin' Ape" will get you introuble ....................


Oh Cameron.......do you REALLY feel oppressed because the N word is wrong to use, even back then? They used most of the four letter words as well and those get censored by the Forum's software.

http://www.justpressplay.net/images/stories/facepalm.jpg

[CameronsHighlander]

I got dibs on Commander Data :mrgreen:no I dont feel opressed I hate that word more then others. I was saying you gotta be P.C. anymore.

[sbl]

Postponed Courtesy.

[CameronsHighlander]

yeah that one

[1stSgt45PVI]

I think a traveling Museum of Oddeties would be interesting, not that we aren't Odd enough! Just simple stuff., indian artifacts, a preserved taxidermied animal, who knows! How about just an all around junk man. Carry just random items that you would think someone may need, **** he could prob. even sell it too, jsut make sure they are period correct for the time. You could augment a hard pack to look something like in.. dare I say it, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Those squires carried anything and everything on their backs! How about a Barber or Tailor? Everyone hates to patch holes an resew buttons, an a nice clean shave and and a hair cut would be nice;). I've seen period photos of a barber @ least in the field (prob w/ in the Company or Regt. but still, prob. existed.

Just my two pence!
Sarge

[CameronsHighlander]

bad one is a bottle breaks and you got a dead animal in a liquid peeeeeeeweeeee