Confederate or Federal?

[ky4union]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

I do primarily federal. The guy who got me into the hobby did just federal. The rational was that you only need one kit, and every event needs federals. I started drifting into the progressive side of the hobby doing just federal but started piecing together confederate kits bit by bit going into and through the 150ths. I've spent enough time around enough lost cause, mainstream confederate reenactors, who are too invested in the myth to be able to talk about the history, that I'll only do confederate with very select progressive groups primarily for the sake of getting the experience and being able to educate the public from that side. I still prefer federal. There's also the thing where all of my direct ancestors who served during the war (that I've found so far) were on the federal side, but I didn't find that out until well after I was rooted into my unionism, myself.

[bully6nhv]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

Federal: primarily due to the group of friends that got me into ACW, also having 5 ancestors fight for Union has something to do with it.

Pete Matthew
6 NHV
Yellow Breeches Mess #2
Williamson Lodge #307 F.&A.M.

[rdykes]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

I do CS, had family in both the AOT and the ANV as well as some state troops. Reading their records and then reading about the battles they fought in has always made it a more real experience when going to events.

[Eric Tipton]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

Grew up in Ohio and had ancestors on both sides. Private George Tipton fought with John Hunt Morgan in the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry and on my Grandmother's side, Elijah Hull fought with the 40th Ohio, although I'm not sure how much fighting he actually did. Ironic that my predominate connection, George, actually invaded my home state. Kind of sums up my attitude about the two sides in the war. I forgave George a long time ago... but my Dad tells me that he rolls over in his grave every time I don the blue. ;)

I started with the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in Cincinnati and out of that, Mess No. 1 was born. We do a Federal Impression for about any theater and time in the war. I have done Confederate several times, including a famous event where a pie was stolen. I was a Confederate on Snodgrass Hill at Chickamauga, but couldn't bring myself to fire on what would have been Ohioans in front of us at a firing demonstration, so I acted like I was loading my musket the whole time.

I guess I started as a Federal more out of Ohio Pride than anything else. If I had been born in a different state, it probably would have been different. I honestly don't see the "sides". Both members of my family who fought were Americans.

[Strawfoot]

Re: Confederate or Federal?



Never really been a question with me.

[RW0369]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

I checked Federal, because that's my preferred portrayal, though currently I belong to a mainstream Confederate unit. This reminded me of a conversation I had at Remembrance Day with some Liberty Rifles guys, in regards to people who will only do one side for a host of reasons. For me it comes down to what group I would rather hang out with for several days at time. The impression really doesn't matter, the people you're there with absolutely does.

[RugerSAFan]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

Federal. They were by far the strongest group on my side of state when I first joined.

[J. Donaldson]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

Western Federal all the way. My first unit was the 16th Iowa out of Davenport, Iowa, and all things Western Theater have been my choice of personal research ever since. All known direct ancestors served in Federal units in the West or in the Trans-Miss. I did Confederate for a while, but I sold off the impression three years ago.

[FlatLandFed]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

Federal impression.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

I dress to suit the occasion.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

After 15 years of doing nothing but federal I tend to enjoy doing CS a little more often. But I dont really care what the impression is as long as it is done right.

[bhastings]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

Federal. My great great grandfather was with the 1st Ohio Light Artillery.

[GenuineInformation]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

...I'm with you fellers.

[MuleyGil]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

Confederate.

Most of my ancestors wore grey or butternut. I have the kit for US Marine, but prefer the Southern impression. I feel like a traitor when I'm wearing blue.

[Kanawha Riflemen]

Re: Confederate or Federal?

Mostly Confederate, but I do some Federal as well. It all depends on time period, event and impression.

John A. Miller
Monterey Pass Battlefield Park and Museum