Gettysburg Living History

[Bill]

The Rowdy Pards are hosting a company sized Living History event at Spangler's Spring on the Gettysburg NMP, during the weekend of May 9-11, 2008. We will be portraying the 2nd. Massachusetts Infantry for the weekend. Participants will be expected to maintain a campaign-style impression when in Spangler's Meadow and while interacting with park visitors. Participants will be free to tour the battlefield or take advantage of the sutlers and local economy after the last demonstration Saturday afternoon. Friday night arrival is ok, keep in mind that park rules require all participants staying on the battlefield to be in camp no later than 10:00pm (this also applies on Saturday evening too). For more information contact Bill Rodman at wrodman1@aol.com.

[Bill]

Re: Gettysburg Living History

Guidelines – GNMP Living History – May 9th -11th 2008

Unit Impression: The “Andrew Light Guard” Co. C, 2nd Massachusetts Infantry (3rd Brigade/1st Division/12th Corps AoP) July 1863

General Impression Guidelines:
We are trying to create the appearance of the mid-1863 Army of the Potomac soldier on campaign. This is a NPS event and there are typically lots of knowledgeable visitors in the park. The standards are high here, but very achievable so don’t get spooked.. The biggest part of any good impression starts with a good cap and good blouse…. Because that is what people generally see when they are looking at you.

However the following rules are absolute:

No modern eyewear – please use contacts if you must
No modern jewelry
No wristwatches
No modern tobacco products (i.e. cigarettes) allowed in camp or in view of any participant or visitor
No common tents, wall tents, cots, coolers, sleeping bags
No coon bones, Masonic emblems, harps, pirate flags, etc.
No alcoholic beverages allowed on park property (NPS Rule)

US Uniform Items:
Forage Cap, Dark Indigo Blue – Preferably a "Type 1 or Type 2 Pattern"
Fatigue Blouse, Dark Indigo Blue, Lined - "Sack Coat"
Trousers, Sky Blue Kersey, foot pattern
Issue Shirt, Domet Flannel (Preferred) OR Civilian Shirt, Cotton or Flannel (please avoid plain white muslin “boiled” shirts)
Issue Stockings, Wool OR Civilian Stockings, Cotton
Issue Drawers, Canton flannel OR Civilian Drawers, White, Cotton
US M1851 Bootees, Jefferson
1st Division/12th Corps Badge, Red Star, to be worn on the cap or fatigue blouse
Company letter may be worn on forage cap

Weapon:
Preferred: M1853 Enfield Rifle Musket with locking socket bayonet
Acceptable: US M1861 Springfield with locking socket bayonet
Forty rounds of blank ammunition packaged in arsenal packs with caps.

US Accoutrements:
US M1857 or M1861 Cartridge box, .58 cal with US box plate, sling and breastplate
US M1850 or Shield-Front cap pouch
US waist belt with belt loop and US buckle
US bayonet scabbard, two rivet pattern of 1859 (preferred) or seven rivet pattern of February 1863 (acceptable)
US M1853/55 Double Bag knapsack (Shorts patent acceptable) Note: The only permissible lettering on any knapsack must relate to the 2nd Massachusetts
US Haversack, black, painted
US two or three panel shelter half with hand worked buttonholes and sewn grommets
Blanket, Gray/ Brown with Stitched "US"
Gum Blanket
US M1858 canteen with brown/gray jean cover and sling (NOTE: Bulls-eye pattern canteen if used must have a cotton rope attached stopper in the style of the Phila depot)
Mess gear to include tin cup, tin plate, knife, spoon etc.

Rations:
Rations will be provided by the individual. These should consist of the basic marching ration (hardtack, coffee, salt meat or bacon, sugar) supplemented by local foodstuffs that are historically in-season in Pennsylvania during the summer, eg: cherries; or foodstuffs that could be obtained from local Pennsylvania farms, e.g. bread, milk, butter, eggs, chicken, beef, fresh pork, bacon, hams, garden produce, cheese, crocks of apple butter, jelly, jam, preserves, pickles. However please: No modern packaging!!

If you have any questions, or are planning to attend; please contact Bill Rodman at: wrodman1@aol.com

[Bill Cross]

Re: Gettysburg Living History

Looking forward to it! Time to catch up with old friends, too.

[Jim Peterson]

Re: Gettysburg Living History

I'll be departing Fayetteville, NC Friday morning looking for an ETA of 4:00ish.

[Bill Cross]

Re: Gettysburg Living History

Hey, thanks to all the RPs who made it and our guests. If it's all about "paying it back," then here's Bill O'Dea showing how it's done with the next generation of reenactors. Made this little feller's day and his small pard next to him! :wink_smil

Heck, the young man's got enough stripes to take a turn at some mainstream events!