What do you REALLY want to do at a Reenactment?

[Capt. Lewis]

So many events have the demos, the teas, the fashion shows, and such. What do you REALLY want to see scheduled?

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

The only schedules should be that of the adjutant or commander for guard shifts. Everything else should come from the regulations for garrisons, or the historical record for a specific event. Soldiers and citizens didn't have pre-printed sheets with times to go get kettle korn and to pull out a silk ballgown out of the carpetbag for a dance just before fleeing the incoming soldiers.... I guess I'm just being a crotchety old infantryman tonight.

[ley74]

The only schedules should be that of the adjutant or commander for guard shifts. Everything else should come from the regulations for garrisons, or the historical record for a specific event. Soldiers and citizens didn't have pre-printed sheets with times to go get kettle korn and to pull out a silk ballgown out of the carpetbag for a dance just before fleeing the incoming soldiers.... I guess I'm just being a crotchety old infantryman tonight.

History works best.

[flattop32355]

I'm going to say it depends upon the goals of the event:

Is it to play soldier for the entire weekend? Then I want to do what soldiers did during that 48 hour period, from start to finish. I'm not foolish enough to think that we'd all dodge the modern world entirely, but the concentration would be on being in the moment in that time period.

Is it to teach the public? Then have opportunity to interact with spectators, schedule talks, exhibits, etc. for teaching. Allow us to show the people something of what the real soldiers/civilians went through, though in a compacted form.

Is it to have the three "B's"? Battle, Beer, Ball? Not everyone's cup of tea, and also all that some wish to drink. I'll meet my personal minimum standards (which admittedly can vary), even if those of the event are lower.

If we're going to simulate a camp and/or a fight, then I want competent commanders and NCO's, who know their jobs and do them, including taking care of the men under them. I want the men in the units around mine to be decently trained in how to perform in the field, just as I expect everyone in my unit to be.

I want good basic logistics: A decent site to play on. Adequate water, wood, and sanitation. A minimal plan for medical emergenies with the locals. Communication between commanders on both sides, down to the company level, so that everyone is on the same page. Organizers who are organized and prepared, and ready to handle surprises in a reasonable manner.

I want the reenactors present to take partial ownership in the event, and not just expect to be entertained. I want them actively seeking to contribute to the success of the event, which can be done in various ways and levels.

There's probably more, but that will do for now.

[hanktrent]

So many events have the demos, the teas, the fashion shows, and such. What do you REALLY want to see scheduled?

I think Into the Piney Woods was about perfect.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Bill_Cross]

For me, the best events are the most "history heavy." Those have included, in no particular order, "Pickett's Mill 2001," "The Immortal 600" (not sure which one), "War on the James," the original "Burkittsville," "Berkeley 100."

Other events have had elements of what I'm looking for, including portions of the four McDowells, "Into the Wilderness" and even the first night and day of "Recon 2."

I have also enjoyed a number of Living Histories, especially when portraying the First Minnesota at Gettysburg.

But mostly the kinds of events I enjoy most are of a particular variety that emphasizes immersion in the period, and discourages the kinds of things a large majority of reenactors want (sulters, family, B& B, time to catch up with pards and shoot the $#%@, powder burning). No value judgement intended, just different strokes for different folks.

The "Bummers" event this November in GA promises to be along these lines.

[johnerys]

Flattop pretty much summed it up for me. In short I want to have a good weekend without anyone nitpicking my impression. .

[billwatson2]

"If we're going to simulate a camp and/or a fight, then I want competent commanders and NCO's, who know their jobs and do them, including taking care of the men under them."

Oh, I don't know, there's some reason to believe there were a great many incompetent commanders in 186x and also a great many folks in positions of authority who spent their time getting drunk while the people they were supposed to be leading were dying, freezing or going hungry. How come you only want to reenact competence, Bernie? Pretty picky!

[50th VA Corporal]

For me it is simple. I want to go to battalion level events and drill and battle. I want to get hot and sweaty. I want to learn the maneuvers. Then I want to drag my tired butt back to camp, smoke a cigar, eat a bit and drop off into a nap totally exhausted.

I want to sit around a fire and enjoy the fellowship of those of like mind.

That's all. Anything else is just extra.

Jas. T. Lemon
50th VA Corporal

[Spinster]

I think Into the Piney Woods was about perfect.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

What Hank said.