Foreign Observers
Looking at photos of Civil War military observers and was curious if anyone has thought of portraying a foreign military observer or has seen this done at large events.
No personal interest in doing this myself but it opens up some interesting possibilities.
Thoughts?
Often Done.
Often Overdone.
Often an excuse to wear a funny 'Look At Me' uniform that bears no resemblance to the actual observer or to the time and place he was present.
Just one curmudgeon's opinion. Others may have a very different and equally valid one.
Mrs. Lawson
Weaver, Spinster, Strong Fast Dyes
Knitted Goods and yarns available thlawson@bellsouth.net
Moderator, When I remember. We got Rules here!
http://www.bluegraygettysburg.com/
Most of them look like escapees from a high school play and act like men in white coats will be by shortly to take them back to the soft wall motel.
Boyd Miles
I dream of a world where a chicken can cross a road without having its motives called into question.
I am sure somebody has done a bang up job with proper uniform, well researched background and with an accent that doesn't make you wish there was a blackboard nearby to run your fingernails over to get the sound back out of your ears. So if you do foreign observer and have read the first post then this post must be in reference to you, the other is about somebody else.
Boyd Miles
I dream of a world where a chicken can cross a road without having its motives called into question.
See post #2. Pretty spot-on answer from my perspective as well.
Ross L. Lamoreaux
Tampa Bay History Center
www.tampabayhistorycenter.org
"The simplest things, done well, can carry a huge impact" - Karin Timour, 2012
There used to be a guy here in the Southeast that did a British observer impression and did a great job of it. Every time I talked to him, we did so in first person... and lets just say he did his research...
Kindest regards,
Robert "Rocky" Kilpatrick
Harold O. Groyle Lodge # 672 F&AM
O.E.S. Cape Rock # 60
Knights Templar
Cape Girardeau, Mo.
It is however, an excellent excuse to drink up Other People's Whiskey
Mrs. Lawson
Weaver, Spinster, Strong Fast Dyes
Knitted Goods and yarns available thlawson@bellsouth.net
Moderator, When I remember. We got Rules here!
http://www.bluegraygettysburg.com/
Rocky,
The Colonel was a rare rare exception. And his uniform was correct to the portrayal even if our location was a bit questionable. Well researched though--he taught at the War College for years.
Last edited by Spinster; 09-15-2011 at 08:54 PM. Reason: Saying more than I should.
Mrs. Lawson
Weaver, Spinster, Strong Fast Dyes
Knitted Goods and yarns available thlawson@bellsouth.net
Moderator, When I remember. We got Rules here!
http://www.bluegraygettysburg.com/
He still does teach at the USAF Air Command & Staff College at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery. He portrays Sir Harry Flashman, and given Flash's extensive travels and adventures in the US Civil War, and indeed all over the world, his presence in the Southeast is at least somewhat plausible. He's a convivial sort, and a great conversationalist. I shan't give his name in the forum, as I haven't his permission.
Google Harry Flashman for a synopsis of Harry's career. Fascinating series of books.
Frank Brower
Jeff Davis Artillery
In Washington State, there is a "unit" of foreign observers. I'm not making this up. Three impressions I remember are a Jerry, a Brit and a Frenchie. Other than stand around, look special and provide a convenient excuse not to drill, I'm not sure why people do the foreign observer impression at CW events.
Silas Tackitt
"While the original battle [Gettysburg] may arguably be considered the epicenter of the history of the war, the GAC reenactment is not the epicenter of the hobby. To confuse or equate the two is unfortunate. - Bernard Biederman, 6 July 2012
"Authenticity conflicts occur when reenactors from one end of the spectrum attend events at the other end of the spectrum then try to impose their own standards instead of event standards."
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