Where is it?

[Guy Gane III]

Where is the realism?

I see very little of it at events.

What I mean is that I hear constantly that reenactors "Do this/that for the public". DO YOU?

Because with today's technology and "the public's" expectations - you would expect more out of today's reenacting community.

Look at the way most battle reenactments go... most 'soldiers' are way too stiff and you act like you are at a reenactment.

My question is... if you are doing this for the public... why are you acting like reenactors and not CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS???

Maybe this should be taught along with the Manual of Arms.

Some of you may be offended by this. I want to let you know that I am not saying this as a "I am better than you" type of comment.

I ask that you sit back and start thinking about putting yourself IN the moment. Duck. Cover. Look scared/pissed/mad/sad/exhausted/etc.... ALL of the feelings that YOU would feel if you were about to face screaming lead aimed right at your heart.

This is the end of a cycle of posing. Start acting as if...

[terry sorchy]

Guy,
A few years ago I attended a reenactment that my old unit was at as a spectator. I watched the battle and was horrified at what I saw. Men that smiled when they fired, or fired straight into the air like an AAA gunner, walked erect like you stated, rested on their elbows watching the rest of the battle after taking a hit, and all around shenanigans. I really wanted to go up to the promoters and ask for my money back. I felt like I just witnessed a very bad movie.
I think that when we stop acting like we know so much more than the public that watches us, then we will start improving. Very much like our own Government I guess
Except for the ehah spectators that treat a reenactment like a Nascar event, the rest or a least a good portion of them are well read, educated folks that have read books on this subject. So if we are truly are willing to try to teach to the best of our ablility then we should put into practice more of the diary accounts that we all should read before a specific event.
Cheers
Terry Sorchy

[Rob Weaver]

What you're also talking about is passion. The fight has a context. You have a context. You're mad/sad/glad or scared, the situation is chaotic or not, etc. Many sham battles are sterile. They are really tactical demonstrations, or exercises, or something like that. For them to have passion, isn't necessarily harder. It just involves becoming part of the moment. That doesn't require a massive outlay of cash for the perfect kit, nor does it require the perfect reenactment. It does, however, ask that for a few minutes you take everything you know, and everything you are and mash them together in a magnificent bit of role-playing.

[TParker]

it comes together. Last weekend, at a smaller local reenactment, the Federal troops were out numbered by the confederate forces by nearly 2 to 1. The scenario took that into account, and the Union troops grimly took position crouched behind the barricades and were attacked by confederate troops.

There were no smiles on the Union troops, but only the panic that would be natural under the circumstances if the situation were real and they recognized the hopelessness of their situation. As the attack was pressed, the troops either took hits from the overwhelming firepower or broke and fled, only to be shot down by the pursuit. When unit members took hits, their comrades checked on them and shouted to others if it was an officer or non-com lost. None of the "dead" moved until taps was complete.

While it was a small event. it DID try to meet the reality expectations. It all comes down to, as Mr. Gane says, realism. The troops involved put themselves in the moment and reacted as they thought real troops would have. It was a privilege to be present.

[jat]

At one reenactment my comander told me to get down because we were under fire. I tried to do what I was told but could not beceuse I am about a head taller then a enfield so I had to stand up to load. But I acted scared.

[Memphis]

Where is the realism?

I see very little of it at events.

So, as an organizer of a reenactment happening just under a month from now, how will you make changes to incorporate the realism of reacting to fire?

You have an opportunity to do so.

[Mint Julep]

This is the end of a cycle of posing.

I wasn't aware that posing ran in cycles. What about shamming and glamming on sutler row?

I recall seeing a unit camp out behind the sutlers at the last big Manassas event. They were entertaining themselves by duck fighting on dry land. Looked like real serious stuff. Maybe they've cycled out of it by now?

Guess who it was and I'll give you a cracker,

[Memphis]

Guess who it was and I'll give you a cracker,

Still posing at the wrong events?

[Sgt_Pepper]

What is "duck fighting"?

[Memphis]

What is "duck fighting"?

Outside of middle Tennessee, the rest of the world calls putting-a-person-on-your-shoulders "chicken fighting." This probably was a period form of entertainment for bored troops. I wonder if it can be documented as such?