Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

[Eric Tipton]

Evening Folks:

We have a major announcement tonight. From here forward, the Authentic Campaigner will no longer list or promote "adjunct" events. For those of you who are not aware of the definition, adjuncts are mainstream events where there is a large campaigner presence, usually in the form of a battalion. There have been many successful adjuncts over the years, culminating with the 150th anniversary events, but times have changed and we must change with it.

Post-150ths, we had a shortage of EBUFU (Events By Us For Us) efforts and a bit of a hangover from all of the adjuncts. Since that time, a new crop of event organizers have sprung up and we have many choices for EBUFU's. At the same time, the number and attendance at mega events has dropped noticeably. It is time to focus on our own efforts exclusively.

The 2018 adjuncts currently listed will be grandfathered, but not promoted by the AC. For 2019 and going forward, adjuncts will not be listed or promoted here.

We look forward to continuing our strong bonds with those of you who are creating and promoting EBUFU events. Now is the time to move forward with those efforts in earnest and continue to raise the bar to create the best events the hobby has to offer. Your creativity and passion are what makes this community tick. Let's keep it goin'.

[ajroscoe]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

Eric,

I'm sorry to hear of this decision. I heartily disagree with this new direction for the Authentic Campaigner and hope the staff will reconsider. I, like many reenactors on our end of the hobby, only get to attend 2-4 events a year, and I strive to do the events that will interest me the most. While some EBUFU events sound exciting, other don't strike my interest. Some are at times that are not convenient for me, and those of us who only do one uniform are limited when a year is heavy in the other side.

Some of this end of the hobby's best accomplishments have come at adjuncts. We all clamored to ride the steam boat for the Shiloh adjunct in 2012. BGAburg in 2013 saw us field a full brigade of C/P/A reenactors in blue and still have a battalion in gray. 40 Rounds first event was Bentonville. Just last year, my friends and I hosted an adjunct as part of On To Richmond and did a night march that was 85% off pavement.

All of these events have had a "draw" of some kind and worked to build an "event within an event." Large events give a sense of scale that is all too often missing at EBUFU events. Those of us who have done and continue to do this model pick our events and work with people who try hard to make a good event. No one does this at GAC for a reason. Frankly, our biggest events consistently continue to be adjuncts. There are few EBUFU events that actually put 300 plus men into the field.

Making a hard division between EBUFU events and adjuncts is the wrong way to go with our end of the hobby. It breeds an elitist attitude that has already been creeping into the online interactions within the hobby. We all see the "Civil War Reenactors" page on FB and the trolling and spitefulness of some on there. Why do we want to add to that? Most of us started as mainstreamers, myself included. My first kit is laughable to me now, like almost everyone here. But we all had people reach out from this end of the hobby and convince us that there was another way to go about reenacting. If people see us as a "them" then they will not want to make the move.

I hope that the group will reconsider this decision, for I feel it is the wrong way to move as a forum.

[WestTN_reb]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

I find this to be an extremely short-sighted decision. It was encountering authentics at streamer events that lead to my transition to the history-heavy side of the hobby in 2006. Over the years, I have personally witnessed many reenactors make the transition, inspired by authentics coming to streamer events and taking the time to talk to them.

If this is the direction the AC chooses to go, you will be shooting yourselves in the foot. You are only reinforcing the elitist stereotype many mainstreamers accuse you of.

[CSchneider]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

An excellent decision. With the increasing presence of the authentic living history community on social media, there is no longer any need to show an authentic presence at a mainstream event (and therefore "support" a mainstream event), just to show that you exist and attempt to gain recruits. 40,000 people have watched a cell phone video from a recent EBUFU event, and some authentic groups have seen a 200% increase in active membership over the last few years, largely in response to having abandoned adjuncts and simply put on good events. The future face of Civil War living history is here. It is time to make it our own.
-Craig Schneider

[Matthew Joe Mallory]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

This is a terrible decision. Like John, and Andrew both mentioned, it presents an elitist attitude that the authentic community is already accused of. Whether right or wrong, it will confirm the streamer belief that all authentics are stitch nazis, and that if you don't have a $600+ jacket sewn by one of the approved guys, then you're not going to be allowed at events. It creates division, and will ultimately effect even this end of the hobby. Adjunct events are tools that can help the authentic community gain more recognition, and increase membership. In my farby days I bought into the belief that all authentics were bad. It was the adjuncts, and other authentics that come to mainstream events that changed my mind. Because of them I started improving my impression, got away from the "crowd" I was around, and brought my unit to a much higher standard so we can start doing more authentic events. We still have work to do, but every time we get to see, or work, with adjuncts, it increases our desire to do so.

You're closer to winning the battle than ever before. More people are getting interested. More people are realizing that the bad things they've heard about authentic campaigners are not true. Now you've retreated from that battle. Now people won't see you, except at your own events or online. Now the streamers get to say, "hey, they really are bad, they've even shut themselves off and won't let anyone go to their events."

This is the wrong path. You had a formula that was working wondrously, and now you've changed it. I too hope you reconsider this decision.

[NMVolunteer]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

I agree with John Spain and disagree with Craig Schneider. Out in the far west, our options for Authentic events are extremely limited to perhaps one a year at most unless we are willing to drive 1500+ miles. There was the wagon escort up in Wyoming, a few things over in Kansas, and those are significant drives. On the other hand, if I skip the mainstream events, I would have nothing to do all year. At the mainstream events, there are people who are willing to do more research for their impressions and are willing to learn. There are also people who had to buy crap-quality from online sutlers and are slowly saving up to buy the right gear, and each year encouraging them helps. Municipal employees and teachers are paid poorly out here, so we have to save a little from each paycheck to invest in good-quality but expensive items like Missouri Boot and Shoe brogans. $400 including shipping is a lot.

There are also other members here who attend the same mainstream events that I do. We should not voluntarily withdraw from these events, but instead attend and help others learn. The older attendees might be written off, but the people who are still under 30 can be guided in the right direction.

[CSchneider]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

Folks do realize that a website isn't telling you what you can and cannot do, correct? It would seem that The Authentic Campaigner has simply decided to use a portion of its website to promote authentic rather than non-authentic events.

-Craig Schneider

[jtrotta]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

Folks do realize that a website isn't telling you what you can and cannot do, correct? It would seem that The Authentic Campaigner has simply decided to use a portion of its website to promote authentic rather than non-authentic events.

I agree Craig. That is how I read it. If you want to go to a mainstream event.... enjoy....

[Eric Tipton]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

Posted on our Facebook feed and on the CW Reenactors FB Page:

The truth is, personally, I would like to see ALL of reenacting prosper. This benefits everyone commenting on this thread.

As has been discussed ad naseum, the numbers are shrinking on the mainstream side of the hobby - specifically at large events. I have offered several times my thoughts on how this can be addressed - using the same methods that have been successful in recruiting more people to authentic reenacting. Namely, social media, cohesion, planning and having a centralized schedule.

Coming from my own personal perspective, as the owner of the AC, we can’t fix the problems of mainstream reenacting, so we are going to concentrate on our own efforts. This is what our market wants and we are listening.

It is convenient to point the finger at authentics as the hardcore boogeyman at the root of your problems, but what really needs to happen, for the hobby at large, is for the leadership of the mainstream to follow our example, listen to your members and figure out a game plan based on what THEY want. I could go on for several paragraphs about conversations, e-mails and phone calls I have had with mainstream organizations offering my advice, but I don’t see any changes. I see the same tired approaches and complaining on the very platform - Social Media - that could be used to rectify some of the problems.

In the mean time, you will see more announcements coming very soon where the authentics are furthering our cooperation and plunging ahead with our agreed vision.

To paraphrase, the momentous decisions that need to be made in the mainstream hobby are in the hands of the leadership in that hobby. We have a clear vision of where the authentic side needs to go, going forward. Do you?

Sometimes change needs to be instigated by creating a disruption in the status quo. That is one of the many reasons we are making this move at the AC.

The rest is up to you.

[mike44thva]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

When I started in 1991, the unit I joined was the Explorer Post of the Boy Scouts. However I wasn't even a scout. Based in Louisville KY, we did Western Theater events. When I left the 11th KY Inf in 1993, our Captain Andrew White was in talks with members of the Mudsills to do more authentic events. Fast forward to 2004 when I rejoined the hobby, I joined a mainstream unit. Always thinking about previous experiences and events, I found the CWR forum, and then the AC forum. 2 different areas, with different ideas, but within the same time period. After some time and research, I was willing to beg to attend Perryville which I used to go to every year in KY, and was pointed in the right direction by Johnny Lloyd. He was almost mythical at the time, however was very accepting and patient with me. I went with SCAR (Mossy Creek Mess), and had a blast. After that event, I continued to read, research, and attend the events I wanted to attend. I've met some great people that I didn't think would give me the time of day, and learned a whole lot. However, whatever the event, I knew the expectations and the exposure. I've been to mainstream, progressive, and authentic events, and will continue to do so. But I'll know what the expectations and exposure will be whenever or wherever I go. It doesn't change here in the AC Forum. Rules are rules, the message is what it is. I understand both sides of this discussion on the surface, as well as the direction of the AC Forum. And that's good enough for me. Agree or disagree isn't the question. Its accept it, or don't. I'll continue to come here, try to learn more, and go to authentic events and increase my experience. I'll also continue to go to the CW forum, just like others do. They each serve their purpose. I don't see this as an "all or nothing", rather a slight tightening of the barriers.

Sorry for the ramble, just my .02¢.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

I think that some adjuncts have their place but the AC was set up for the campaigner side of the hobby and that is the niche it should stay in. My first such event was The Advance Guard. I was looking for something better than the mainstream and came across the Authentic Campaigner. As I read the posts and saw the events that were being put forth, I thought that this was exactly what I had been looking for. So, I signed up, went to an event where I knew absolutely nobody and had a great time. I think many others on this side of the hobby have come into it pretty much the same way.

While I have taken part in some excellent adjuncts, I have also been in some real flops. Folks can still do adjuncts and organize them and there will be plenty of authentics that will take part if it is a good effort. But, the AC was founded to be an advocate for the authentic/campaigner side of the hobby and I think it has drifted from that. In fact, I think this side of the hobby has. I see too much mainstream/farb stuff going on at EBUFU events; going to the car to drink or run into town for a bite to eat, bringing alcohol into camp and partying, not doing guard duty, drill and other activities that used to set us apart from other aspects of the hobby. As a result, I have lost interest in many ways because there is nothing unique or satisfying at many of our events. I blame that, rightly or wrong, on the adjunct mania we went through during the 150th cycle. We got lax and we drifted away from our basic principles.

I think it's time we got back to that philosophy and do what we do best.

[Michael Semann]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

I'm all for keeping the "Authentic" in the Authentic Campaigner. Whatever road that leads the forum, that is the path it should follow.

[KPavia]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

I have a cautious but optimistic approach to this re-focus of the AC.
Living out here in Utah means living very far away from all events, EBUFU and mainstream adjuncts. And the only reason I've been to the adjuncts is because of the awesome experience they offered on the original ground. Shiloh, Gettysburg, Bentonville, Perryville, OTR were all great events (for me, at least), and I won't stop looking for adjuncts that have something unique to offer. But if this re-focus of the AC means that t there will be more authentic events to choose from because of where the spotlight will shine then I think it's a win for everyone.
And the closer to the western theater, the better!

[Spinster]

Re: Adjuncts at The Authentic Campaigner

Folks do realize that a website isn't telling you what you can and cannot do, correct? It would seem that The Authentic Campaigner has simply decided to use a portion of its website to promote authentic rather than non-authentic events.

-Craig Schneider

Hooray!!

A strong focus for the leadership in this place.

No one is saying I can’t do school programs. I do them regularly—That’s how I educate about the period and the civilian homefront.

But if I want to LEARN, give me a focused event, with excellent standards and documented portrayals, sufficient time to get ready for that portrayal, adequate logistics, and sometimes even original ground. I’ll go for that every time. I learn about the period and about myself.

I’m coming to the age where I’m more useful with logistical support than field portrayal (Wauhatchie, Sixth Corps March to Gettysburg). But I still learn from that.

There have been some great efforts in adjuncts—but at Great cost of time and organizing effort as members of the history-heavy end of the hobby spent countless hours, made countless site trips, and checked in to endless conference calls in order to advocate for the needs of Authentic troops. I was watching this dynamic as I advocated for civilian needs interior to these mainstream organizations.

So much more can be gained in quality events by focusing the efforts with people who ‘get it’. It’s certainly time to draw the focus back to Authentic in Authentic Campaigner.