Confederate Research Compendium

[Watchdog]

With the positive reaction to the publication of The Columbia Rifles Research Compendium, the Watchdog Quarterly is going ahead with plans to produce a Confederate compendium. The working title is Wearing the Gray (WTG), and the editor-in-chief will be Craig L. Barry. We have assembled a small group of editors (including John Tobey and Patrick Reardon among others) to assist Craig. The table of articles is under developement. We are also looking for article ideas from others. You may submit drafts or just article proposals to me at thedog@watchdogreview.com. I will forward them to the editors for evaluation and consideration.

The target date for WTG publication is late 2008. It will be comparable in size and structure to the CRRC2.

Of course, I am also willing to publish civilian compendiums (men's and women's) as well as ones for cavalry, artillery and other impressions. Proposals and editors are always welcome for these subjects.

As usual, all the net proceeds from Watchdog Quarterly are divided evenly between the Watchdog's preservation efforts and the editor(s)/or contributing organization(s).

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

Bill,

You probably want to assemble--if you haven't already done so--guidelines for researching and annotating articles, and guidelines for graphics (both image quality/pixels, and copyright issues).

Also, the CRRC is geared almost exclusively toward Eastern Federal infantry (although much of it is applicable to other theatres and portrayals). What's the intended focus of a Confederate compendium--East, West, both, infantry-only, etc.?

[Silver Spring Guards]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

This is great news

[Minieball577]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

Indeed it is great news! Thanks.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

Let me jump in here... My co-editor, partner and the sine quo non for this project is William Adams, and we are being assisted by John Tobey of the CRs, Patrick Reardon of the (UK) Lazy Jacks Mess, Tom Ezell of the 6th AK Capitol Guards and others. We have been putting together a diverse and top notch team of other subject matter experts from the ranks of historians, firearms collectors, CW enactors/enthusiasts and historical researchers many of whom are in possession of original documents and material culture. It will not duplicate the content of the CRRC 2nd ed. We are about a year into the project with an eye towards a mid-to-late 2008 publication. Additional details will follow as the publication date gets closer.

We are delighted by the enthusiastic support from the Authentic Campaigner Forums for the Watchdog publications such as Columbia Rifles Research Compendium 2nd Edition, Civil War Muskets: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy and Making Cartridges. We believe "Wearing the Gray" will follow in that tradition and serve the South as proudly as the CRRC 2nd edition does the AoP.

[Marc29thGA]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

I shall be anxiously awaiting it's publication! CRRC2 is on my "Must Buy" list to add to my libray. Thanks in advance for your work on this book!!!

[csuniforms]

CS Research Compendium-What do you want to see?

Bill,

You probably want to assemble--if you haven't already done so--guidelines for researching and annotating articles, and guidelines for graphics (both image quality/pixels, and copyright issues).

Also, the CRRC is geared almost exclusively toward Eastern Federal infantry (although much of it is applicable to other theatres and portrayals). What's the intended focus of a Confederate compendium--East, West, both, infantry-only, etc.?

This might be the first time, at least where I have witnessed, authors asking their readers what they want to see.--

What are interested in? Original research on Confederate Material Culture? A Treatise on CS Clothing? Fabrics? Depot Jackets? How to sew your own? or Where to buy the best?" "The Trans-Mississippi Soldier?" "Army of Northern Virginia 1862?" "Enfield VS. Springfield?" "Orignal Firearms, Why not use them in the field, they did." You chime in.

CSuniforms
Author; Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown.
Tom Arliksas

[Guy Gane III]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

FINALLY!!! I was wondering, after finishing the CRRC2, if there would be a Confederate version in the works. I'm ecstatic that there is interest enough to make such a monster! Best wishes and good luck!:D

P.S. Would there be a Western Federal book in the works?

Cheers,

[Charles Heath]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

Would there be a Western Federal book in the works?

The venerable Hardcracker Handbook covered the western federal fairly well, but most of the newer reenactors have probably never seen a copy.

[Marc]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

IMHO the Confederate version would be larger just due to the varied uniforms worn by the CSA. Still need to get my copy of the 2nd Edition CRRC. It will be a great resource for the boys in grey and my own knowledge base which is lacking on Confederate Uniforms etc. :D

[Silas]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

Until this book gets published, you might inquire of your pards whether any possess a copy of the 3d Mississippi manual published sometime last decade. A solid read.

I borrowed a friend's copy many years ago. Had it in my brief case. Went to the local library. Some wonderful person broke into my old truck and stole the brief case. The thief got the manual and some files about a couple of my car prowling cases. I put out a plea on this forum for a replacement copy and some saint whom I don't recall sent it to me sui gratus. Back to my friend went the new copy.

I'd borrow his copy again, but I'm afraid someone will break into my new truck.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

Until this book gets published, you might inquire of your pards whether any possess a copy of the 3d Mississippi manual published sometime last decade.

That would have been Tom Czechanski in January 1998, for the 3rd Miss. Inf. Regiment's COI. It was $10 plus $3 S/H at that time. Fine collection of articles with just a little bit of duplication between it and the Hardcracker Handbook. About the only nit worth picking is I do wish he'd noted the sources of some of the articles that were chapters from books, or from obscure perodicals.

[Tom Ezell]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

With a little extra research, it was possible to track most of them down as to source...

One thing the Hardcracker book did get me to do was to start a clipping file of pertinent articles, sources, and what-nots for research... Some of the old-timey A-C posts had good stuff as well, and went into the file.

As volatile as web sites are, a good mantra is that "if you don't save it or write it down, you may not be able to find it again."

[Charles Heath]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

With a little extra research, it was possible to track most of them down as to source...

Maj. Tom,

Yep. "Most of them" is the operative phrase. As anal rententive as I am about such things, I wanted the source for all of them. One other little tool that helped the 3MHB and HCHB was the addition of a table of contents and manual pagination. Some of those articles are 20 years old, and still as fresh as the day they were written, too. Others have aged a little bit, with the addition of new research.

One minor item overlooked in the rush to develop a CS compendium is the CRRC-1 had the advantage of 20 years of research pretty much compiled in one place on day one. I don't know that anyone really has that kind of draft article cache for confederate man, material, methods kicking about. While I hope so, I do doubt it, so the work shall be substantial in that regard.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Confederate Research Compendium

Tom Arliskas, author of "Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown" is currently working on the CS clothing section for "Wearing the Gray". Most of Tom's research is based on period accounts or taken from period documentation as opposed to previously published research. As with other Watchdog publications, it is hoped that W T G will measure up, provide value to readers and stand the test of time.