Is anyone aware of any reenactment or living history impressions of Wide Awakes (i.e., the quasi-military political organization that had a hand in procuring Lincoln's 1860 election)? I know that some early federal volunteers were Wide Awakes and that at least some of them brought their Wide Awakes regalia (e.g., hats and/or rubber capes) into the service during the early months of the war. For example, I have come across some first-hand evidence suggesting that some Wide-Awake volunteers preferred the Wide Awake cape over the army-issue rubber blanket. For next year's early-war events, I thought it might be a nice touch to add a Wide Awakes dimension to my impression of an early federal volunteer. Any thoughts? Any idea where one might find a repop Wide Awakes cape or other useful accoutrements?
Ken Aldous
GGG nephew of Wide Awake member,
Sergeant Albert E. Higley, Co. H, 22nd NYSV
Ken Aldous
GGG nephew of Wide Awake member,
Sergeant Albert E. Higley, Co. H, 22nd NYSV
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