In-Camp Scenarios

[fedcampaigner]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

I think Mr. Trent makes a good point. Indiviual scenarios can be scripted depending on the particular impression. Just from my own experiences, scenarios that are over scripted don't go as planned. Just my two cents. Cheers!

[BenjaminLDavis]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

Here's one that maybe hasn't been dusted off for a while ...

Scurvy is always a concern, so get a good period jug and have a vinegar ration.
We had one once a Fort Donelson, and it was most entertaining, for most . . .
there was that one feller warned us he would throw up if forced to take the ration,
and when some did not believe it real, he hurled twice!
If you issue vinegar, ask first who can stomach it!

Insect races, and the betting involved, could be done well . . .
Or you could use rodents, for real excitement.

[NoahBriggs]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

Hrrmph! You ran into the same fellow I did at W-64, only he was at the aforementioned infamous sick call, and was hinting I should give him some vinegar for his ailment. Fortunately I am an allopathic surgeon and don't believe in home remedies so I was spared the spewing.

He is legend.

[YoungCampaigner]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

Hello,

If you are looking for a good spontaneous activity in camp that can easily turn into an inside joke, try one of the numerous "calls" like "hey mister here's your mule!". There were a number of these kind of things where one man would yell it out and in a matter of seconds the whole camp would be chattering. Lt. Bromfield Ridley of General Alexander Stewart's staff wrote of his men braying like animals on one occasion:

"We have some of the finest mimics in the world. Let one cackle like a hen, and the monotony of camp is broken by the encore of "S-h-o-o!". Then other cacklers take it up until it sounds like a poultry yard stirred up over a mink or a weasel. Let one bray like an ass, others take it up until the whole regiment will personate the sound, seemingly like a fair ground of asses."

Hope I was of some help.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

Hello,

If you are looking for a good spontaneous activity in camp that can easily turn into an inside joke, try one of the numerous "calls" like "hey mister here's your mule!". There were a number of these kind of things where one man would yell it out and in a matter of seconds the whole camp would be chattering. Lt. Bromfield Ridley of General Alexander Stewart's staff wrote of his men braying like animals on one occasion:


Hope I was of some help.

If writing letters for mail call...or trying to get into the mindset of a soldier who's writing letters home...the following links may prove to be of service:

http://etext.virginia.edu/civilwar/

http://www.vmi.edu/archives.aspx?id=3723&ekmensel=fb5d653b_207_213_btnlink

Paul B.

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

For the love of pete, please don't do the good ol' drumhead court martial via the kangeroo court system. Ugh. Nothing like crime/conviction/punishment with bad acting AND under an hour's time. Been there, done that, propped up the body for photos afterward. My shame.

There have been some good ideas posted already.

By the by, I helped with one 'situation' at an event where a Federal 'platoon' stacked arms at the time of battle and refused to take the field because of Mr. Lincoln's emancipation. The other Federals (two companies) had no idea what was going on but it led to some interested banter between the sides.

Officer's call was initiated several times; deals were offered, the rascals were threatened with the firing squad. And one of the company commanders, totally unscripted, declared "we won't shoot boys from Illinois." Officer's call was again called!

John Pillers
TSM

[SJohsz]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

Although a simple "scenario", I have always been partial to a reading of the Article of War, especially those articles that include death as the possible punishment. It can be made interesting or can bore the hell out of the men. Either way, it is always a learning experience.

[Charles Heath]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

For the love of pete, please don't do the good ol' drumhead court martial via the kangeroo court system. Ugh.

John,

One of the more enjoyable crime-conviction-punishment vignettes was a mock firing squad using snowballs. One wag thought it great fun to throw snowballs at one of the guards, so after the guards rotated off duty, the lad found himself on the company street facing "execution." All in good fun, an no further outbreaks of sharpshooting via snowball was seen.

Good humor at the sergeant, corporal, and private level is often the best, such as tying mule ears and fabricating a halter for a punishment horse, or "fishing" in a pond inside a fort after a typical torrential coastal afternoon rain.

I have to wonder who that rapscallion was who put a bottle of popskull into the Orderly Sergeant's knapsack a couple of weeks ago just prior to company inspection. These incorrigibles! Who do they think they are? Some kind of dam--d militia?

Any of you fellers found your blouse sleeves sewn together lately? :p

[decajun4513]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

We had paycall earlier this year. Our corporal was singled out because the Paymaster said he was caught stealing a chicken from a local farm. Crowd couldn't stop laughing as he was trying to defend himself. Then one of the ladies came over claiming to be the wife of a soldier and it was her chicken he stole.

[Wiedemann/McCalmont]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

A smaller in-camp activity I have been trying to put together is a foot race. I have an account from Joshua Calloway of the 28th Alabama describing how $1500 was bet on a foot race around camp and how he had to quickly finish his letter home so he could watch it. It would be interesting to do a foot race in view of the public, and maybe even have them participate if its not a tough course?

Jake Wiedemann
41st OVI
28th Alabama

[gtg625a]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

Me and a few pards have had some great luck with chuck-a-luck, but it does take the right "operator". It has worked for us in both an insulated environment and for interpretive purposes. This can be combined with a pay call. It was fascinating to see how fast you really could blow through 3 or 6 months pay.

[KPavia]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

One of the best in camp scenarios I've been a part of is at the Shiloh 150th with the 15th Iowa where I was part of the detail to bake the battalion's issue of bread. Building the bread ovens, getting the fires going and baking the bread was awesome!

[Scooterama]

Re: In-Camp Scenarios

You could also try doing something with gambling. Playing some games from the time period. I think there is a book called the "Hoil" and it is all based on games and was published in the 19th century.