Operationally adequate?

[bill watson]

It just occurred to me that the number of people and units capable of taking to the field as an operational unit is growing all the time. That would be 186x military fashion, all the time you're at an event, from the private to the general.

A checklist:

Can your unit:

1. Issue and prepare period rations quickly and without fuss, using period equipment, contains and tools?
2. Create a grand guard force that can then be deployed realistically in terms of terrain and avenues of approach and whatnot? That can effectively screen your main force rather than stand out in the woods and shout?
3. Train in drill correctly, that is, properly instructed and supervised noncommissioned officers handle the training of skills to the individual soldiers and small groups?
4. Pick itself up Saturday morning, move a half mile and create a comfortable and even defensible bivouac?
5. Back up the activity with period paperwork, to overlay a nice patina of bureaucratic realism over everthing? (No rations without the morning reports, for instance.)

There are units out there that can do all that. Is yours among them?

Isn't this how we have fun?

[bill watson]

Containers, not "contains". Coffee first, then type.

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Bill,

Darn few groups or clubs are capable of more than one of those things. Fewer still are capable of doing them in a manner remiscent of how Civil War-era soldiers did them.

[bill watson]

5 percent?

[bob 125th nysvi]

Why settle for:

4. Pick itself up Saturday morning, move a half mile and create a comfortable and even defensible bivouac?

The real ones did it after going 20 miles on Friday and anticipated going another 20 on Saturday.

So before we get into the "how authentic is your unit" stuff please admit right up front NONE of us can perform like they did.

Then we can have an honest discussion.

Anything less is just a matter of degrees as to how far you are from the real thing.

[Memphis]

If you go more than that whopping 880 yards, don't forget to bring a map unless you are portraying Huger or Wallace, in which case feel free to get lost several times in one day.

[Anders]

Rob\g,

Good to see you playing nice.

Bill brings up a good point, how many units can actually function in a military manner? A periood military manner, with all logistics covered as was done then.

Some units act like "clubs" on the field, and in fact we are clubs, but not in the field my friends.

I will say I am proud the CVG can do so, and has shown such at each event. This has very little to do with me, and more to do with our membership than anything. Good solid NCO's and Company Officers who know the "what, when and how"

And we are looking forward to October to show it again.

Pards,

[Huck Finn]

Kev is far too humble to state the obvious. The Columbia Rifles have built their reputation on doing these things. Heck, one member just finished a 110 mile hike in period garb. He's nuts, but we still love him.

[texyank]

I don't accept the premise that reenactors are automatically unable to perform these types of campaign maneuvers simply because we are living in the 21st century.

I am also rather certain that 20 miles per day is not a common distance covered, except during forced marches and that definitely would not be sustained over many days without rest.

I am interested in how long said crazy reenactor took to hike 110 miles?

Yer pard,

Jason Hamby

26.2

[hanktrent]

I am interested in how long said crazy reenactor took to hike 110 miles?

Six days.

Hank Trent
(Not a Columbia Rifles member, but the only witness)
hanktrent@voyager.net