Stuff up with which I will not put

[billwatson2]

Many years ago, at a big national event, I was astonished to see two Confederates come out into the field after the battle and pretend to slit the throats of wounded Yankees. I found it quite troubling, but since I was a peanut gallery member rather than a big bug, I did nothing except listen to the grumbling of a great many people at this unrepresentative and provocative act.
I'm not going to sit still for that kind of nonsense for this cycle. I'd still rather be in the peanut gallery, but if that kind of stupid nonsense takes place again I'm going to go find an officer from the same army and insist he stop the men, "put them under arrest," and remove them from the field. If it's one of those events where I have to portray an officer, I'm going to stay in first person and do what an officer of the time would have done, clamor for intervention by the officer cadre of the opposing force to protect "my" men.
I hope others do the same for any of the fantasy Civil War acts we've had to experience over the years, including one-man charges against a battalion, etc. (In that case refusing to shoot appears to work pretty well in guaranteeing that the fellow looks as stupid as he is when he finally reaches the enemy line.)
Anyone else care to contribute some actions they'd like to see removed from our reenacting toolbox? (Yeah, I'll put it all in a book pretty soon. The list of contributors is going to be enormous. But putting it in a book occurred to me after I just woke up today p'd off at the memory of that event and my own lack of action and decided posting it might take away a 10-year-old bad taste in my mouth.)

[gwagner]

Why does every SCV hosted event have to have a hanging?

[TB1861]

Arresting soldiers for murder or robbery would be good history, doing it at every event would be bad theater.

[wheres_my_horse]

Firing squads for falling asleep on picket duty.

[PMB1861]

Bill, my apologies for running on the opposite tack...

One thing that is not done enough is reenactors recieving correct period punishment for failing to do their soldierly duties. I do not mean the oft reprised firing squad.

I for one have taken three individuals to the guard house at an event for falling asleep while on picket duty.

[Forrestcavalryman]

Trying to "liberate" a cavalryman's mount. I had some idiot try to pull me out of the saddle last weekend and he planning on riding off with my mare! My little brother and some others "convinced" (nothing violent) him that it was not a good idea

One thing I'd like to see a little more of is period punishment for crimes. We had a guy steal some(repro) money from the paymaster at our first event this year, we held a trial for him and promptly carried out his execution!

[Bill_Cross]

I agree with Bill W.: I don't think we should be afraid to speak out against non-history or wrong history.

We have four years to "get it right," folks. The public is watching (the Op Ed page of the NY Times today has three articles about the war). Let's not **** it up, guys.

After the 150th, y'all can go back to doing it any way y'all want to, but for the next 4, let's try to be as historical as we can stomach.

[captdougofky]

Many years ago, at a big national event, I was astonished to see two Confederates come out into the field after the battle and pretend to slit the throats of wounded Yankees. I found it quite troubling, but since I was a peanut gallery member rather than a big bug, I did nothing except listen to the grumbling of a great many people at this unrepresentative and provocative act.
I'm not going to sit still for that kind of nonsense for this cycle. I'd still rather be in the peanut gallery, but if that kind of stupid nonsense takes place again I'm going to go find an officer from the same army and insist he stop the men, "put them under arrest," and remove them from the field. If it's one of those events where I have to portray an officer, I'm going to stay in first person and do what an officer of the time would have done, clamor for intervention by the officer cadre of the opposing force to protect "my" men.
I hope others do the same for any of the fantasy Civil War acts we've had to experience over the years, including one-man charges against a battalion, etc. (In that case refusing to shoot appears to work pretty well in guaranteeing that the fellow looks as stupid as he is when he finally reaches the enemy line.)
Anyone else care to contribute some actions they'd like to see removed from our reenacting toolbox? (Yeah, I'll put it all in a book pretty soon. The list of contributors is going to be enormous. But putting it in a book occurred to me after I just woke up today p'd off at the memory of that event and my own lack of action and decided posting it might take away a 10-year-old bad taste in my mouth.)

Artillery

Having Artillery (CS) park on a hill between Battles. Raining and Slipper, Mine rolled off only to end up in a ditch. Broken Tracer Bar, and a damaged carriage on the gun. Rank should have a little common sense attach with it. To many times those who wear it don't. That will never happen again. I don't care who the __________________ thinks he or she is. Like I told them that gun is hurt not broken, it will shoot Sunday (Picketts Charge). It did and was repaired once I got back home. Two weeks later in fact in service-repaired. Still get upset when I think about it. Pick your leaders with care, they at times have a bearing on outcome and safety. It's sad when egos and dollars are more important. Need to go to the Sutler and get some more of that (Rank), might make me smarter if nothing else. I'll look good at the Officer Call. Need not show up in my camp. I know what stupid looks like and does. Trying to get along, knew better--------------Being from Kentucky I know what Hilly Ground and Cannons can do. Pick with care, Ben Franklin is in charge.

Always
Doug Thomas
Lyons-Kentucky CS

[hanktrent]

One thing I'd like to see a little more of is period punishment for crimes. We had a guy steal some(repro) money from the paymaster at our first event this year, we held a trial for him and promptly carried out his execution!

In the spirit of the thread, is there any documentation that a man would have been executed for stealing money from a paymaster, as opposed to a prison sentence?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Forrestcavalryman]

In the spirit of the thread, is there any documentation that a man would have been executed for stealing money from a paymaster, as opposed to a prison sentence?

Let me look into that. I don't have any of my material on hand at the moment. I should have clarified about this particular event, the man in question became aggressive and tried to flee the camp, in a moment of haste we were ordered to open fire. I don't think it would be appropriate for every time, just in this instance. I will definately see if I can find documentation on this occurance though.Thank you Mr.Trent, you have given me something to do with my spare time today