Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

[Abrams]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

I have never been to an event. Mainstream or otherwise. Closest thing I went to would have been a "Rendevous" based on the mid-late 1700's.

But I have decided to go to and participate in a Civil War event. I can see now I need to just go to a couple before I spend too much on my own kit, because I would want it to be as correct as possible to the event I would attend. If I like it, I'd do it again. I can see its going to take me a grand or more (cash) to assemble a serious impression, and so I'd like to do it right.

Thats why I am here. The amount of info you-all have assembled here in these forums is impressive, and has already stopped me from making a couple dumb mistakes. It is also daunting to a new comer, and the shear volume of it prevents me from finding what I may need to know. See, I do not even know what I don't know.

After reading here, I think I'll take my time assembling my kit, and do it right.

Once I figure out what impression I'll be doing....heh

[Charles Heath]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

Ron,

Welcome to this crazy hobby. Being in Illinois, a good group to contact is the Old Northwest Volunteers (ONV). Most groups and individuals have gear to loan to people just getting into the hobby, and that is an option to try before you buy.

[RJSamp]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

Ron,

Welcome to this crazy hobby. Being in Illinois, a good group to contact is the Old Northwest Volunteers (ONV). Most groups and individuals have gear to loan to people just getting into the hobby, and that is an option to try before you buy.

Edwardsville is almost on the other side of the moon from ONV headquarters in Wisconsin.... aren't there closer groups in New Madrid MO....Memphis TN.....Kentucky....even Southern Illinois or St. Louis?

[Shotgun Messiah]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

Edwardsville is almost on the other side of the moon from ONV headquarters in Wisconsin.... aren't there closer groups in New Madrid MO....Memphis TN.....Kentucky....even Southern Illinois or St. Louis?

RJ ,you pawning him off on the New Madrid Guards... We will take him hands down...come on down Ron and fall in with us..

[D Harrelson]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

In re: mindset of this facet... There were several reasons I got involved in this segment of reenacting. You touched upon a few

1) atternding events that interpret ACCURATE Civil War history

2) To attend events that recreat the life of the CW soldier...

Both of these are about the same genre.
of enthusiasim

I think most people attempt to do some research when they evolve to this level.

Don't kow where you've been going for the past five years, but I see most people tying to devolve most of their Jarni-Dell's-Lammers leather goods ASAP but the wait for most stuff can be a tolerable while. I hope you understand it isn't an overnight thing. I've been waiting for a pair of Mattimore shoes for over three months. I could have gotten a pair of Fugawees in five days... Spot on vendors are going to take a while. They have to eke out a living from some other source than the few hundred that demand the best and most accurate. How many cartridge boxes or pairs of shoes do you have to sell per month @ $150 to pay a $1700 mortgage plus feed a couple of children and meet a basic living wage? Maybe you could ask one vendor who just moved into my neck of the woods.

"God knows where slouch hats"... I only know of three vendors of ACCURATE slouch hats and for some reason their turnaround isn't as hateful as the rest of our material culture. What you perceive as a problem may only occur because of lack of direction and mentoring, not indifference.

Painted haversacks also fall into the statements mentioned into the above two paragraphs.

Knapsacks... I can rage on about the sham reproduction I bought from Spiros Marinos in 1997 or I can wax poetic about the one bought from Chris Kibbler in 1998.... again luck and income purpose come into play from the vendors.

You also mention coats and jackets, canteen covers, socks, drawers, shirts, rifles, etc but again these are all problems of production to an extremley small niche of the public and as a producer of such on a full-time basis would make it difficult to make a living wage. Let us be thankful that there are some who attempt this on a part-time basis and let us rue the ones who tried (and failed because of lack of income) but left us with standards the next generation will attempt to produce.

I'm 6'3", 235 lbs, age 55 and have nowhere near an ACCURATE physical impression. Can I afford the right kit? As I said to a couple of youngsters at Nick Duvall's tent at September Storm (while they were pondering purchase of a couple of canteen slings). Nick, give me this belt, that scabbard, the other cap pouch, and one of those cartridge boxes... EXCUSE ME BOYS... you got an old fat farb with good matrerial culture and a pocket full of money who can buy any damn thing he wants...

Worry about the attitude first and the material culture will come along. It took me seven-or-eight years to get a good kit and that was with study and mentoring.

Now, if I could drop 45 pounds, 3 inches, the cancer, bad feet, diabetes, high blood pressure, and f***ed up shoulder, I might swap my spot-on kits for some Jarni-gear...

Be careful for what you wish, you just might get it....

Donald Lewis Harrelson
Who would like to be D Harrelson

[Abrams]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

Thanks for the warm welcome and info about some units I may be able to hook up with. :)

Nothing is ever close to Southern Illinois. If its located in Illinois, its in or near Chicago, heh.

I appreciate the tips on authentic groups that are resonably close to me, and I would expect some traveling to be involved. Sure it would be nice to find a group near St. Louis, the nearest major metro area, but if I wish in one hand...

I'd be glad to travel to hook up with knowledgable people, or to set something up and meet at an event. I am not sure how to best proceed, but I figure I have the winter to figure out how to get together with some good people.

The Kansas City area is no further than the Chicago area, and frankly, since I went to college in Fulton Missouri, and partied a fair amount in KC, I am more familiar with the KC area than Chicago. Memphis is a similar distance.

I too need to work on my physical impression more than the uniform and gear, as I am 48 years old and overweight too. But if I shave my beard, I drop 10 years, and I am dieting. ;)

I'd like to make contact with the New Madrid Guards, or anyone else within a 4-5 hour drive, that would not mind adding an old fart to the ranks. I assure you I plan to take this hobby seriously, and treat it with the respect and honor it deserves, and would like to associate with those who feel the same.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

Ron,

It's not so much where you live, but where the events are located. Take a good look at the Primary events for 2008, and make a couple of good decisions. In a super-regional band of territory that runs from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast, as loosely bounded by the Big Muddy and the Big Scary Mountains, you'll find a Phoenix rising from the ashes of what was once a robust hobby in the upper midwest, and the land where OSU fans are hanging their heads lately, but I digress. Once you get into the Waffle House Belt, you'll find a willing dance partner for these folks in the form of the WIG.

You are within good field position to travel to Athens MO, Pea Ridge AR, Pittsburg Landing TN, and enjoy Marmaduke's Raid, among other events next year. Bump into me in the parking lot at some event some day, and I'll tell you a story about just how fast I can change a flat tire after dark in one of the "choicer" neighborhoods of E. St. Louis.

[Abrams]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

Thanks for the info Charles. I saw the Nashville event coming up at the end of the month, and plan to go. I was reading up on the Pea Ridge event also, and thought that was do-able also.

Since Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing) is the closest "major" battlefield to me, I went the first time by myself, since I could find no takers for that trip. Then, just about a week ago, Dad and I went to Shiloh and had a Great Time. (side note-we even went by Buford Pusser's house/museum which is nearby) I would love to partake in any festivities being planned for Shiloh in April 2008, and plan to go whether I take to the field in uniform, (if I have it together by then) or just to observe (if not, heh).

PS-There is nothing like night time in East St. Louis to get you to move like a pit crewman from NASCAR, eh? ;)

[BorderFox]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

Hello All,
Being new to authenticity I just wanted to add.
The level of cooperation and the striving to excel is refreshing to myself. I have reenacted for 7 years and been out for about the same. The reasons I left the reenacting community was the constant infighting and political bollocks in the "mainstream" about getting that Dollywood Impression that way the "spectators" get their moneys worth by at least being able to cheer the "right side". I worked hard on my impression, I was proud to represent myself and the men who fought. I took advice from seasoned reenactors and researchers and tried to give the "spectators" an impression of what it was like, not what the "commanders" of so and so Reenactors Incorporated LLC thought it should be like to draw money. I think that by sticking together, as those on this site and others who strive to honour the men who fought seem to do, a few disagreements in the "authentic community" are trifling next to the myriad forces at work behind the "mainstream community".
In the "mainstream" standards are dropping to fill lines, money seems to be the God of the Field, and picture-book blue and grey clad good guy/bad guy mentalities are destroying any concept, or hope that the memories of the ACW will live on as unbiased history.

That is only my opinion from what I experienced.

I remain, as always, your obedient servant,
Jno. Fox

[mattifatti]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

As someone who is looking to get more involved in the authentic side of the hobby I do find it overwhelming with the amount of money that has to go in to your kit (among all the other things one must do to attain the satisfaction you get out of pursuing that authentic side of the hobby), BUT it all must be done! I do believe that if you feel like a soldier of the 1860s it will help you more act like one. That is not to say that if you do have a good uniform you will automatically become an authentic reenactor. I do agree with "Duff" as we both have seen many a reenactor who sits under the fly braggin of his uniform but refuses to go out on guard duty cause he wants to sit back with his bottle of whatever.

I also agree with Doug about his comment about bad command and leadership. I would think that all sides of the hobby can be affected by this. I have been at what would be un-authentic type of event that were at times very period and this was a result of how our commanders were using us and how well they knew their commands. I have also been at events that were supposed to be authentic and had at times a less than authentic experience as when at a certain recon event, the commanding general came charging through the frontlines blazing away with his two pistols shouting, "Forward men, forward!" He had a great uniform but his attitude wasn't where it should have been.

Yes, the way you look is important and it does need to be balanced with how you portray your impression. I do agree or at least understand what everyone is saying. For those that have been in this part of the hobby for some time, from your perspective, does a bad knapsack or jacket ruin your weekend if the person has done their best to fit the impression with how they look and act? Does the authentic side of the hobby need to be broken down into Varsity and Junior Varisty levels where if you don't meet all the requirements or are not that far along in your impression than you make the JV squad? Is it expected of somebody, such as myself, to get a fabulous kit together, as well as working on my actions and words, before I try to step back onto a field at an authentic event? If so, how would one then get experience and receive suggestions to make their impression better?

I know that the Columbia Rifles reseach compendium is a great resource that reenactors can utilize to help their impression. Are there other vendors to contact to get a copy as I have placed an order with the suggested vendors but it is backordered and has been for several months.

Matt Kraybill
Co. C, 61st Regiment New York Volunteers

[Michael Comer]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

Mr. Mueller:

I sent you a PM.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

Matt,

We need to figure out a way to get you to some of the better events, and away from the mythology.

[mattifatti]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

Charles,
I absolutely agree and am looking forward to setting my own personaly schedule for next year to include some authentic events.
Thanks,
Matt Kraybill
61st New York

[Old Reb]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

After spending a pile of money putting together the "perfect kit", I suggest that storing it away in the tool box of your truck is the way to go. Don't clean nothing and that way it is in mint condition when you take it out and a little WD-40 will take care of most of the rust and mold.

[ohpkirk]

Re: Authenticity Levels: Progress or Decline?

Tom,
I don't think Danny McCoslin's Twelve Steps to Improving One's Authenticity is appropriate for anyone other than Danny...and maybe Dougie.