A Private Looks ahead to the Sesquicentenial Gettysburg Reenactment

[Jubilo]

2013 will bring the Sesquicentennial of the Battle of Gettysburg and will of course be of interest to any with a passion for American History, Heritage, and /or military history. To many this occasion will be the "High Watermark," of the 150th anniversaries.

Gettysburg should be the sine qua non of Civil War reenactments if such a thing can exist, and those who have particpated in previous anniversary events, probably more than not have enjoyed the spectacle.

The Gettysburg reenactments have not been however, without criticism and detractors, and much of this seems to be because the profits from the events are not used for historic interests. This may be a legitimate complaint but this is shooting above most private's heads. At the very least it would seem the profits are not going to a foreign concern.
Many of us have likely given some thought to Getysburg and the decision to attend or not will be an individual or unit choice. What are your thoughts on the matter comrades?

all for the old flag,
David Corbett

[jda3rd]

We have some younger members that have never been there. We're hoping to take them, and while there, take some extra time and show them the sights.

It'll be big, and a mess, and will have it's detractors (they've already started) but I hope their remarks don't deter those that have never been from going. We all 'saw the elephant', and now it's their turn. Hopefully we older folks can help them enjoy the event and the trip, and help them take with a grain of salt that which will need the seasoning. I'm looking forward to seeing it through young eyes again.

Frank Brower

[PMB1861]

Gettysburg should be the sine qua non of Civil War reenactments if such a thing can exist

Why?

Yes, it is a nice even number for a commemoration... but if all you are holding on for in the "hobby" is one last "big spectacle"... I would hope you would quit now and let the rest of us enjoy finding history and recreating it. Because after all, you have reached your "sine qua non" and what other reason are you holding on than to see all the rest of us willing to put our best effort when all you have left is your last effort?

[S.D.Swart]

For me the MEGA events have lost thier luster long ago. I prefer a more historical progressive event, and or a well thought out and researched living history event. I plan on skipping G burg.

S.D.Swart

[indguard]

I may attend Gettysburg 2013 for two reasons.

#1). So I can say "I did the 150th" (and it may take me until the 200th to learn what sine qua non means).
#2). I have never taken my youngest son (now 16) to a national.

But generally I feel as Mr. Swart above does. The big events have lost their luster for me. They don't seem any different one from another and mostly they just disappoint me in a multitude of ways, so much so that they just aren't worth the expense and time off work to go to them. (And being in the Midwest, not an east coaster, the cost is considerable).

I think once these 150ths are over, I won't likely go to another national event for some time, if not forever... at least that is the way I am thinking about it now.

WTH
The BoresM2Tears mess

[Rob Weaver]

I've been pretty choosey about my 150th events, and been very happy with the result. If there's a history-heavy side of the hobby event that looks like it will deliver as promised, I'll go to it. If the GAC event turns out to be the only game in town, I'll go to it. With eyes wide open. I was at the 125th, and I've done the mega-events all through the years when they were where the hobby culture was primarily. I know what to expect and what to pin my hopes on. I saw some of it at Manassas last year: the long lines of marching men, the tearing of sailcloth vollies. That's what I want to see again.

[Provost-ADC]

I've made a few deletions this morning.

Tell us why you go. Tell us why you don't go. Tell us what you wish was different, why, and how it could be fixed.

[Pvt Schnapps]

I absolutely do not see the big Gettysburg as the "sine qua non" of the hobby. It's another problematical "mega" where we have to balance the spectacle of numbers on the field with the spectacle of the full range of ages, body types, tentage, and other authenticity issues in the hobby.

In this latest cycle I've had two somewhat different experiences with such. I'd rank the paddle-wheel adjunct at Shiloh above my experience at Bull Run based on the number and quality of additional features worked into play at Shiloh, as well as the far better ratio of ground to boots. If there's something like that in play for the GAC event, I'll enjoy going. But I may also go, with rather less enjoyment, if I have a critical mass of friends attending who want me there. I suspect many of us will make similar decisions.

[captdougofky]

I was at the 145th Gettysburg----------------------For the Folks that have a problem with the for profit approach, I ask one question. Think its any better in the West. I paid 2 dollars for a cup of coffee on Saturday (GAC), they wanted 3 on Sunday. They had Cannons parked on a hill-side. Real smart on the part of Artillery Leadership. I had mine roll off. I rather go to a event where everything is know. Seems here in the West they talk National but they never give a accounting of anything. Need to know at play. Mr. Anders had his version of High Tide while I and others attended GAC. 13 thousand at one 12 to 15 hundred at the other. I know what a circus looks like being in the Shrine all these years. Standards you talk standards----------------------------------after we count the money Folks. History is the side-bar to the almighty dollar. I wish every event took Mr. Anders approach with respect to donations. Anybody heard what BGA has donated to that worthy cause. GAC is a Farby a event by most of the Folks that post here. At least you know what your getting when you get there. Other Events and organizations have yet to come clean. How can we improve the Events and Hobby one would ask?----------------Get Film and Fame out of the equation.

Always
Doug Thomas
Lyons Battery CS
1st. Ky Vols.
Shepherdsville

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

For me the MEGA events have lost thier luster long ago. I prefer a more historical progressive event, and or a well thought out and researched living history event. I plan on skipping G burg.

S.D.Swart

Ditto for me verbatim. As for disliking the Gettysburg mega-event for making a profit, I don't exactly begrudge them for that as much as others. Sure, I'd rather see it go for other causes, but that's their choice and reenactors continue to go there knowing that - they are feeding the profit consciously. I don't go there because of the lack of impression standards, not the profit. I did the 135th and 140th and said never again and I'm sticking to it.