The Mutterings of a old Pard.

[S.D.Swart]

I really didn't want to place this in the Recruiting section. Reason is it is more of a rant, with maybe some insight from others that have been around for awhile.

I got back into reenacting last year, after many years of being out of the hobby all together. I started back in 1976 as a teenager, joining with a unit of fellows not much older than me, and led by a man that was about 12 years older than the rest of us. It was a wonderful time of learning and experiance. The hobby was growing from the days of gray and blue workclothes, farb muskets, and plastic bill kepis. We were learning to make period cartridges, instead of using penny rolls, making tarred haversacks expermenting with both that and learning from looking at examples on how to make them. If you wanted something other than farb sutler items, but made it yourself for the most part. There were some places out there, but few and far between. It was also a time of co-operation. Reenactments were fast and loose in those days, yet great friendships between units started to form, and early organizations like Thomas's Mudsill, and Cleburnes took things to a new level.

Fast forward, I have been a soldier in the Army, and was discharged a DAV. Later trying to keep myself working and adjusting to civilian life, a young man playing with the radio drifts lanes and strikes my vehicle while I was on my way to work. I am pushed into head on traffic on a busy road, and am stuck head on. A semi-truck loaded, can not get out of the way in time and runs over half of my vehicle, crushing me from the waist down inside the car.

Fast forward again. 15 years later, I have learned how to walk without aid, I am getting myself in shape. Doing what I can to gain back some of my strength. Mind you I will never have it all back. Between the broken bones, wounds, and 2 missing vertibre, I am not a limber as I should be. But the spirit I find is stronger than the body. So I go back to the hobby I so dear love. What I find is something different.....

Organizations that can not work together, due to a few egos. Units that for what ever reason refuse to talk with each other, and even forbid it's members from associating with each other. More F A R B attitudes than I ever remembered. Sure they were always part of reenacting, but most were simply learning and improving. Notice I said attitudes. I have seen the best and most detailed down authenic outfit, worn by men that couldn't speak the lingo of the day, or march thier way out of a paper sack. I do not look down on anyone that does not have a good impression. I do however get steamed when folks do not even TRY to do so.

That said, here I am. Wanting to campaign, but know I am not that young man anymore. But I still want it. So I try to bring in period attitudes, music, cooking ect., into my present outfit to fill that void. What do I get? More problems. Most do not want that, thus they look at me as a trouble maker, a stitch counter, a guy that is trying to break the unit. So now, I am not happy anymore. My joy in reenacting and living history has turned sour. I want more than marching and powderburning, but I can not hang with the young campaigners, nor should I. I would look out of place in thier ranks, and would lessen thier enjoyment. I am a firm believer I not causing a problem with other, even if I have the right to be there. I will give a example of what I mean.

At a recent event, some in the unit came to pitch thier tents in their street clothing. Or they would get up in the morning in modern sweat pants. To me that is just wrong. I didn't say anything, but many come to a event to live the past. They are getting away from the 21st century and stepping back in time, if only for a few moments. To me that is disrespectful to those men. IF I mention this I get the "we will do our thing you do yours answer". But that is not good enough for me. I want something better.

So here I am finishing my rant. Trying to find a sweet spot somewhere. I know I will be making some mad, other disappointed, and a few sad. But, I think this is the last year for me where I am at now. I want to find a home where I can slip back in time, eat, sleep, and live the weekend in the 19th century, but under my coverlet, or blanket, there might be a pad to ease my pain, or a hidden cot under the straw. And maybe on a cold night a sleeping bag tucked away. But, when the sun comes up in the morning or even before and I wake up, once again I step back in time, sing old songs with pards, and prepare to defend my way of life, or defend the Union.

YOS,

S.D.Swart

[KarinTimour]

Dear Sir:

We've never met, but I can recognized a Kindred Sprit when I hear him! I completely understand the desire to "leave the 21st century behind" and do a little time travel. What I've found is that I can most often get that experience when I limit the size of the event I attend, and look for those that emphasize authenticity and "lack of a backstage."

I'd also like to suggest a role in reenacting that sorely needs a man of your talents and experience, one where your "grousing" will be completely in-character and encouraged, whether about soldiers who can't march, have great kit and don't know what to do with it, or youngbloods wet behind the ears who have no opinions or knowledge of politics, farming, the larger outside world.

The true dark side -- male civilian impressions.

From your comments above, I do get the impression that many of the events you've attended have been more mainstream. Just as you've noted the growth in the military side of the hobby since the days when you first got involved, in the past 10 years, the civilian side of the hobby has turned a real corner in terms of events held in real time, events held without a military component, events in historic homes/buildings, events that are civilian adjuncts to some of the campaigner events you've mentioned.

Not only could you bring all your depth of knowledge about the 19th century to bear, you could also bring your veteran's trained eye to bear as a Mex War vet, or someone who was in the Old Army, now in civilian life.

Some of the roles which are rarely/never seen, but which you could do with your eyes closed:

1. U.S. Sanitary Commisison field agent: When we depict the Sanitary Commission, it's usually providing fair experiences, which is what women were doing on the homefront. Some also depict female nurses at events. But the majority of San Com agents in the field were men. They did camp inspections, provided supplies, wrote reports and carried information to and from the field.

2. Gambler/Con Artist: Soldiers had money and armies attracted guys who fleeced soldiers. Ever done three card monte? Sold fake railroad stock? Several years ago there were two guys who put together an impression of life insurance salesmen, complete with a coffin. They'd tote it around to camp, give a spiel and sell certificates that entitled the bearer to have his body identified and shipped home in case the worst happened. All of this, mind you in front of an upright, lidless coffin. At an artistic spot in their spiel, one of them would let go of the coffin, and it would fall over (with that famous hollow sound).

3. Home Guard: If your allegiance runs to the Confederate side of things, you could be a member of the Home Guard, and there are a ton of things you could do, from collect taxes to provide information on impressment, to stopping young men and inquiring about why they aren't in uniform.

4. Spy/Civilian Guide to the Army: Not a common impression, and when done well, not one that will be obvious to spectators. But an impression that is underdone and as the 150s continue, more needed than ever before.

5. Town Sheriff: At McDowell one year, we had a guy show up as a sherrif of another county, trying to collect a debt. Granted, he hadn't completely done his homework, and was trying to collect at a May, 1862 event for debts incurred during the occupation of Gettysburg in July, 1863, but I was impressed with his creativity. He was also memorable in that he was willing to take a story and run with it -- when he found that we were willing to join him in it, he was thrilled.

6. Resistance Fighter/Bushwacker: I hestitate to mention this one, because there are few who do it with documentation, and really research it. But it can be done, and this certainly was something that male civilians of your experience would have been doing to aid the war effort (again, if your allegiances run to the Confederate side of things). At McDowell one year Hank Trent and several others totally researched the real underground resistance that was alive in the town and that whole area, and provided an added dimension to the event.

7. Refugee: Mrs. Terre Lawson is someone to cultivate for informationa about opportuntities with this theme. As the 150s wind on and the Union forces get farther South, there will be refugee opportunities, both Unionist (East Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri) and Confederate (just about everywhere). The civilian side of things are often mostly women. While some of us are willing to refugee, the reality is that the open road is a dangerous place for women and children alone. Most groups of refugees would have been travelling with at least a few men. If you have skills with horses, mules or oxen, you'll be especially welcome. Again, get in touch with Mrs. Lawson -- if she's not organizing it, she knows who is and can put you in touch.

One event that provided memories I treasure was Mahon's Outpost in 2000. We were a small group (about 15-20) refugeeing from northern Georgia, trying to get across Sherman's lines and further south. Hank Trent and Don Cope were some of the guys who were with us. The Union Army told us to sit down and wait. We did our best to mill around and wander and keep our guards occupied, while Don and Hank slipped out and behind them and got nearly a mile away before they were spotted. So far away, they had to bring in cavalry to snatch them back. The following day, once we'd gotten through the Union lines, Hank was integral to helping recapture a Union prisoner who hid in the refugee camp and made a break for it.

8. Civilan Contractor with the Army -- teamsters, sutlers, there were a host of civilian males who were employed on a contract basis by the Armies. For some of these, the equipment can be a challenge, but there might be people already portraying this that would welcome someone to help with their impression. When I'm talking sutler, I"m not talking about a modern vendor selling uniforms and guns at an event -- but a working impression, regimental sutler, selling period bits and pieces to soldiers -- from tins of sardines to period naughty pictures. The late Charles Heath had an amazing line of merchandize and banter in this area.

9. Farmer selling produce or items to the soldiers. If it was your Army, some locals set out to make money from the soldiers -- selling pies, produce, pickeled eggs.

10. Farmer trying to get restitution from the Army for stolen/impressed horses, feed, livestock. This impression is a standalone -- you can take it to any type of reenactment, high or low, mainstream or not. And work your way up and down the various regiments of either side, complaining and demanding payment. Sometimes, if you get a company commander who will play along, you can demand that he line up all the men, so that you can ...."point out the thief.."

11. Traveller/Inn keeper: You're in Ohio and if you're in the slightest interested in civilian stuff, I'm sure Hank Trent (a fellow Buckeye) will be wandering along soon to lure you further. Keep in mind that there is an inn out your way that has dishes you can eat off, beds you can sleep in, cuspidors you can spit in. I've been a guest, and it's an experience. I've heard (though I'm not certain this is current info) that a small, crowd of fleabitten characters gathers there on an irregular basis to play cards, chew, throw peanut shells on the floor, talk politics and leave the 21st century behind. Watch out for four-flushers.

So how do you find these people? My unit (the Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society or AGSAS) is an all civilian unit, based in southern MD/northern Virginia. But we've got members spread as far West as California, and as far north as Connecticut. We don't all come to every event, but our leadership are out there working on opportunities for us to show the civilian side of things. You can get a look at our current schedule and some of the things we've done in the past on our website: www.agsas.org.

We cultivate on-going relationships with various historic homes/villages throughout our area. For example, we have a strong relationship with the staff at Harper's Ferry, and they invite us several times a year to bring their many buildings to life. We run the stores and boarding houses, staff the machine shop/gun works. The males get to electioneer and vote for the 1860 Presidential Election. They have a militia muster every year -- and it's an opportunity for guys young and old to show up, and drill with a rake, shovel or stick.

You should also scope out the website for "the Sewing Academy" -- don't let the name scare you off. It is a website that was founded to provide on-line support for those of us who wanted to try sewing our own clothing. But we kept wanting to talk about the wider world of 19th century civilians. Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart Clark, who hosts the site, was generous enough to provide the bandwidth and it's morphed into a hotbed of civilian organizing of all sorts.

But I can only give you a small taste of what's out there -- Hank Trent, Don Cope, Kevin Bender and any one of a number of people can also get you in the loop for these kinds of opportunities.

Hope that's helpful, and that our paths will cross at some point in the future.

Sincerely,

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

[FloridaHoosier]

For some strange reason, this thread was closed and after a discussion between moderators, we can't figure out why or who did it. My sincerest apologies are offered for that. This is an interesting topic with some excellent discourse so far...

[lincolnsguard]

Newspaper man- sellin' or writin' either or.

[hanktrent]

I didn't say anything, but many come to a event to live the past. They are getting away from the 21st century and stepping back in time, if only for a few moments. To me that is disrespectful to those men. IF I mention this I get the "we will do our thing you do yours answer". But that is not good enough for me. I want something better.

What Karin Timour said. Male civilian, including of course discharged veteran. Mini-rant: I find it disappointing that a hobby which supposedly honors hundreds of thousands of men who were disabled from injury and disease, doesn't spend more time and attention on remembering those sacrifices, and usually reduces it to discussions on "taking hits."

I want to find a home where I can slip back in time, eat, sleep, and live the weekend in the 19th century, but under my coverlet, or blanket, there might be a pad to ease my pain, or a hidden cot under the straw. And maybe on a cold night a sleeping bag tucked away. But, when the sun comes up in the morning or even before and I wake up, once again I step back in time, sing old songs with pards, and prepare to defend my way of life, or defend the Union.

One problem I've found with just portraying any male civilian, is that at the wrong event, or around the wrong people, you're either isolated, or stuck in the same farby atmosphere that you're complaining about.

If this bothers you: "So I try to bring in period attitudes, music, cooking ect., into my present outfit to fill that void. What do I get? More problems. Most do not want that..." Well, it's no better if you're wearing civilian clothes at the same events, because you'll be stuck around civilians with the same attitude. At least you'll have an excuse, as a civilian, not to spend time in military camp so you can get away from the modern stuff, but then you'll still need to spend your evenings alone, which sort of removes the whole point of sharing history with others.

So the trick is choosing the right impression and the right event.

It looks like you may be wanting only to portray an able-bodied soldier at military reenactments, but if you're wanting to "eat, sleep and live the weekend in the 19th century," indoors, on a period bed tick or rope bed, might I suggest Independence Village, in eastern Illinois just west of Terre Haute, Indiana, Memorial Day weekend or Sept. 21-23 this year?

The basic rules are to stay in character at all times, no modern items other than medical needs, and you could choose any role that would fit in a small Illinois village in 1862, including a disabled veteran. Needless to say, period attitudes, food, music, etc. are all required. Here's a link to information on the Authentic Campaigner forum: http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...end-(May-25-28)

You can PM the organizer Silvana Siddali through the AC forum for more information or if you're not a member there, email me at the address below and I'll send you her email address.

It looks like my wife and I will be renting space upstairs to single gentlemen staying in the area, so you'd be welcome to board with us (room plus one meal a day; for the other two meals there's a widow who sometimes serves people or you can cook on your own). I work as a carpenter and if you have any basic laborer's skills and need a job, I could recommend you to my boss for some day labor to start earning a living. Welcome to 1862.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[flattop32355]

Mr. Swart, have you had any contact with the 6th Ohio, based out of Cincinnati? They have people who do both mainstream and campaign events. They also have some fellows who are too old or immoble to do the battle scenes, but contribute to the overall well being of their men in other ways. Our unit, part of the Army of the Ohio, works well with them at a number of events each year.

As for the "changes" you note in your post, may I be so bold as to suggest that some of them may have to do with you now not being a wide eyed teenager, but a mature man, who's life experiences have taught lessons you'd rather not have discovered about people. It is the way for all of us, and requires that we now search for the nuggets of gold within the tons of dirt rather than questing for the thick vein of gold lying bare upon the hillside, concealed to everyone but ourselves. Time and experience let us see warts much more easily than when we were young, for better or worse. Some people like their warts, or at least don't want them paid attention to by others. There are always other units out there to try on for size and fit, and as noted, the civilian side of the hobby is always looking for good men to work with all those good women. At one point, I swore I'd never do civilian. Now, at age near 57 and with dear friends who continue to tug at me to join their version of the hobby, I find splitting time between military and civilian to be not such a bad thing.

[old reb46]

I haven't tried playing a stand in the line soldier in years and have been content being; militia, home guard, guide, scout, bushwacher, whiskey runner to Indians, sheriff campaigning for re-election, etc. I have not missed playing soldier and have found playing the above mentioned roles actually more fun for an ornery old man than pretending to be something that would have been rare as hen's teeth in either army in the 1860's, a graybeard soldier. Most Civil War soldiers were young men. So, be creative and have fun doing it.

[civwarhistory]

Mr. Swart,

I appreciate your post, as it offers some insights into how I somewhat feel entering my third season. I understand your desire to live in the past at an event, even not being big on primitive camping myself (it is growing on me, though ), as if you are going to engage in this hobby (in my opinion), you need to ask yourself, am I a living historian, or reenactor. While one can have elements of both in them, a living historian serves (again, my opinion) an educational role. The public is attending an event to satisfy some curiosity, usually on the past, and may be coming with little or no knowledge. It is the job of the living historian to use an impression, whether first or third person, to share the knowledge of how a soldier or civilian experienced a past period.

In contrast, I believe that your frustrations over those who just want to burn powder and march is correct and reflective of those who fall into the solidly reenactor side of the house. This is not to say that there is anything wrong with these folks, but that they can create problems if they possess a lack of knowledge on a subject and present an incorrect presentation to the public.

I have found that I enjoy doing a educational setup at a historic site, where articles related to military life can be displayed and explained to people attending the event. One, you have greater control over the experience and presentation. One example that I participated in was doing a display at a local history/heritage museum. Several friends and I brought our gear and set up a couple tents and three tables with gear, where we each took a table. We were dressed in uniform and every so often, I provided a firing demonstration for a group of people. It is a great experience for us. Obviously not all events allow for this, but if you can find a unit that has an established impression and commitment to living history, or group like that, I think you will find happiness in the hobby again. Best of luck in your second venture.

Dan

[S.D.Swart]

Thank you everyone for the fine comments and suggestions.

I have since left my mainstream unit, and am considering my options. I will be at the Sharon Woods living history and reenactment event in Cincinnati, and plan to talk with the members of different units there. I will come as a civilian.

YOS,

S.D.Swart, Citizen

[Rob Weaver]

I don't want to start a fight, but I must be some kind of strange hybrid reenactor. While I enjoy soldiering, I don't like " powder burning." I enjoy camping, cooking, marching, maneuvering and you can not drill me enough. But I do like to shoot. Doesn't have to be 100 rounds - I'm cool with 10 - but if I'm going to carry a musket around, I want the opportunity to fire it. without that, it's just a poor walking stick. I don't like living histories. They bore me, no offense to those who like them. I have next to no acting skills, so it takes me a long time to "get in character;" in fact, I have my best moments when I'm really just being myself funnelled through the filter of the 19th century. I think where we're going here isn't really impression or event style but "fit." You've got to like the people you're with. An experienced reenactor can go crazy with a bunch of less-experienced beginners. By the same token, a firper fanatic is frustrated among people who don't value, or have the chops, to keep up with that style. Army drill was all about 4 man comrades in arms, so is reenacting. If you know 4 guys who are like family to you, you will have a rewarding experience.