Making a Research Collection

[lukegilly13]

At first I was hesitant to make this thread (move it/delete it if you must) but after kicking it around I granted its approval. I've seen several posts get deleted and sometimes just heavily criticized because the poster was looking for detailed answers without doing any research. Generally, people do not like to give away their hard earned work (and who can blame them!!!!!). I believe that often those posters are not mature enough in their educational background to understand research. To a lot of young folks, research means simply "google it." As an authentic/hardcore/progressive reenactor, your impression should be based heavily on research. How are "converts" going to learn? It would be nice if they could pick up the skills in school but the truth is, that often times they will not! The problem is, all authors claim that their book is the best...and it may be...but best for one thing is not necessarily best for another. With all of that being said, I have decided to compile a suggested reference list that is BEST FOR OUR HOBBY. My personal interest lies mostly with the ANV, however, I believe that some books will prove to be good references for both and I am going to attempt to make one for the 4 generics (easter and western confederate; eastern and western federal). So, if you've read a book, viewed a collection of images, read journals, etc. etc. etc.....that you believe is a must read for your impression....I'd like to hear about them. Please restrict websites to those that you have viewed and know are backed with valid sources. If you post, try to let me know (unless it's obvious) the impression this book is good for...and very briefly why. Thanks in advance!

PS: Don't hesitate the post the obvious....there are folks out there who have never heard of Echos of Glory, Co. Aytch, etc.....

[JimKindred]

Re: Making a Research Collection

This topic was covered four years ago through a series of articles written by Curt Schmidt. They are located in Camp of Instruction under the title Sample Research Project - http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ead.php?t=2165

[lukegilly13]

Re: Making a Research Collection

Jim, thanks for the post! You are right...he did do an extensive series on how to do research and exactly what you should be looking for. My posting/interest is a little different...I wish to make a bibliograph AC suggested texts. Similar to the Approved Vendors list in a sense....a list of Books, Articles, Websites, etc... that have been confirmed (by those who have used them) to contain information useful to our side of the hobby. The list will not be an exclusive list, nor will the references listed be useful to everyone and correct for everyone...they will simply be a good starting point.

[Gary of CA]

Re: Making a Research Collection

Have lots of room.

I must have over 600 volumes (most of them read) of books on the Civil War. 1/3 are by historians and 2/3 are published diaries, journals, letters and regimental histories (by the boys). That's over six bookcases packed with books and sometimes it's hard to find a particular title.

You might also consider an on-line cataloging system (recommended by someone here) as you build your collection.

Networking is important too and besides this board, there's also The Company of Military Historians. Composed of historians, curators, museum directors, conservationists, writers, reenactors and hobbyists, they're largely into the material culture of armies and there are experts on Union and Confederate uniforms there. They get behind the scene tours of museums too (like the Tenn State Museum in Nashville where we got to see Sam Watkin's 1st Tenn battleflag).

If you research, write it up. You can submit it to a host of websites or magazines including the one published by The Company of Military Historians. Research that goes unpublished is research lost.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Making a Research Collection

Hallo!

An interesting project to be sure...

But this morning I am cyncial if not jaded in that it is often the very "nature" of the Glowing screen and boards/fora in an era of Instant Gratification, Short Attention Spans, and 15 second Sound Bytes that a "reference library" of books is what many if not most lads are NOT looking for.

And that does not raise another POV often raised by some lads:

"When it comes to spending limited money on things... get better gear or books?"

Meaning ask the question on-line- get the benefit of other folks' knowledge, experience, books, and artifact collections- get the question answered instantly and immediately without haivng to go places, spend time and money doing research- and then spend that money saved on the clothing, gear, or impression. (Espcially on some photo reference books that are $150.)

(Yeah, I know. I am guilty of contributing to the Problem. But I am a natural born Sharer and Teacher with an over 3,000 book personal reference "library" and a keyboard. ;) :) )

:)

Curt the Curmudgeon

[JimKindred]

Re: Making a Research Collection

Jim, thanks for the post! You are right...he did do an extensive series on how to do research and exactly what you should be looking for. My posting/interest is a little different...I wish to make a bibliograph AC suggested texts. Similar to the Approved Vendors list in a sense....a list of Books, Articles, Websites, etc... that have been confirmed (by those who have used them) to contain information useful to our side of the hobby. The list will not be an exclusive list, nor will the references listed be useful to everyone and correct for everyone...they will simply be a good starting point.

It may be a good idea but just like the old saying "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" the same goes for research material, you can lead a beginner to the library but you can't make him read or in many cases comprehend. They have to want to do that on their own.

I stopped spoon feeding research material years ago. If someone asks a question I will give them the book title and page number after that it is all on them to dig the answer out.

[JimConley]

Re: Making a Research Collection

Impressions can be very specific depending on period of the war, theatre, unit, place, etc and it does not help to over-generalize because that only hurts the advancement of authenticity. Before one can pinpoint what a proper specific impression consists of, there should be an understanding of the basic life of a soldier:
What were their practices while in camp? On the march or campaign? Fatigue? In battle? Etc
What types of uniforms and equipment were used? Where did those items come from?
How did they drill?
How did they communicate with each other?
What did they eat?
How did they sleep?

That list is by no means complete, but you get the idea. Understanding the what, why, when, where, and how will allow for a good start that can be transferred to further gathering information on impressions and will ultimately make one an overall better participant.

Here are some resources that I would suggest. As with the list above, this is far from complete. But these are all resources I have found helpful:

Hard Tack and Coffee by John D. Billings (I don't care what impression you're going for, this is THE place to start)

Writing & Fighting From the Army of Northern Virginia: A Collection of Confederate Soldier Correspondence edited by William B. Styple

Writing & Fighting the Confederate War: The Letters of Peter Wellington Alexander Confederate War Correspondent edited by William B. Styple

Writing & Fighting the Civil War: Soldier Correspondence to the New York Sunday Mercury edited by William B. Styple

Co. Aytch: A Confederate Memoir of the Civil War by Sam R. Watkins

Rebel Private: Front and Rear: Memoirs of a Confederate Soldier by William A. Fletcher

Cadet Gray and Butternut Brown: Notes on Confederate Uniforms by Thomas M. Arliskas

Confederate Industry: Manufacturers and Quartermasters in the Civil War by Harold S. Wilson

A Survey of Confederate Central Government Quartermaster Issue Jackets by Leslie D. Jensen

Confederate "Columbus Depot" Jackets: The Material Evidence by Geoffrey R. Walden

The Federal Civil War Shelter Tent by Frederick C. Gaede

U.S. Army & Militia Canteens: 1775-1910 by Mike O'Donnell

Selected Civil War Photographs, Library of Congress

The Manuals:
Scott's
Casey's
Hardee's
Gilham's
Camp and Outpost Duty for Infantry by Butterfield

This does not include the numerous other sources that are available as well. Various published letters, published photographs, newspaper articles, public and private collections of uniforms, equipment, and photographs as well as other original records such as Quartermaster records and uniform contracts.

There is so much to take in that no one will ever be done. The best advice I could offer to anyone wanting to better their knowledge and impressions is to start with the basics, then dig deeper. As stated above, you can offer all the information in the world to someone, but that does not mean that they will utilize it. People learn in different ways too. I have always been a visual learner, so I have spent many hours going through photographs and looking at what originals I can get my hands on then follow it up with reading. If someone truly has an interest in bettering themselves in this hobby, they will find their own patterns for researching and studying, ask the right questions, and apply it.

[lukegilly13]

Re: Making a Research Collection

Jim thanks! This is exactly what i'm looking for! You are very right!!!! There's no way you can ever be done...I have read countless books and viewed thousands of images myself...however, there's no way I'll ever see every good image and read read every book. That's why the references to books I do not have or have not read are great! Thank you!

Maybe it's because i'm a teacher...but folks come to me all the time asking...where can I get more information? Hence the bibliography of useful books i'm creating!

[Will Eichler]

Re: Making a Research Collection

Greetings,

My .02 comes on the logistics side, which was well covered in a previous post. I have purchased Book Collector from www.collectorz.com for about 30.00 and have been very satisfied with it to track my book collection as it has grown to just over 300.

Easy to use and free updates on the software. Not a paid advertisement, just a satisfied customer.

Good luck with your collection.

Will

[sthabig]

Re: Making a Research Collection

Luke,

Any progress on that collection? I would be interested to see it.


Thanks,

Tyler Habig

[lukegilly13]

Re: Making a Research Collection

There has been a little progress made. As references are coming in quite often, the hold up is that I am trying to personally review the ones that come in that I have not heard of or read or were refered by several folks I trust. I appreciate the advice to put this online and I plan to do so. When the URL is established I will post it on this thread. Thanks for any help...if you want to recommend a book just post here!

By the way, anyone that can recommend some 1st person journals or memoirs (similar to Co. Aytch) for ANV would surely be appreciated!

[sthabig]

Re: Making a Research Collection

I think that having the "default" attitude that beginners will not appreciate a veteran's help and will whine until given the answer is not in the best interests of the hobby. Of course there will always be people like that and perhaps the hobby is not right for them if they shy away from hard work. I really think what Luke is doing is great and will certainly help those who really wish to put a lot of work into their life-long passion of reenacting.

Thanks,

Tyler Habig

[McKim]

Re: Making a Research Collection

Here are some of my Favorites that are source works many authors use.

#1. Reminiscences of the Civil War by General John B. Gordon, C.S.A.

#2. Three Months in the Southern States by Arthur J.L. Freemantle who makes many interesting observations such as; The stonewall Brigade being made up of Older men and the slouch hat, brown being the most common color.

#3. War from the Inside by Frederick L. Hitchcock 132nd Penn Infantry. Not a Confederate but he did make observation of his enemy.

#4. All the books in the Virginia Regimental Histories Series.

[Pvt. Middleton]

Re: Making a Research Collection

Another great book to look into for the life of a Confederate Soldier is "The Life of Johnny Reb" by Bell Irvin Wiley. His collection of letters, and accounts of soldiers and their families has led to numerous chapters of detailed camp life, and homefront life as well. I am still in the process of reading this fine piece of Civil War Reading but I definitely enjoy every moment of it. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to further their knowledge of the life of a Confederate Soldier. He also has another book but of the Union Soldier, "The Life of Billy Yank" as well. Both great pieces of reading, I highly recommend!

[lukegilly13]

Re: Making a Research Collection

Thanks for the suggestion...it's on the list!!!