What guides your impression?

[Duff]

Re: What guides your impression?

Personaly, one of my favorite aspects of the hobby is to research the unit you will be at a specific event. I like doing impressions that are "different" (I love early war events!).

However, my unit does alot of living histories by ourselves and when I do those, I am part of the 61st NY. My 61st NY stuff is much more researched than any othe impression I do. This is because I use it at every living history and at any event without a set impression.


PS The 61st was a pretty genaric looking unit. The only differences are SNY belt buckles and the fact they wore Frock coats all the time.

[DougCooper]

Re: What guides your impression?

The 4 basic aspects that govern my schedule are (in no particular order):

1. Authenticity level (fidelity at recreating the soldier's life and the army experience)
2. Comrades attending (unit schedule vote) and organizers
3. Preservation emphasis
4. Family schedule

Distance (I fly to everything), job, unit, side, uniform requirements (big closet) and such don't matter. Hard marching trumps garrison.

A perfect year for me is a mix of events - 2 NPS/State Park LH events with a preservation goal (Fredericksburg After the Battle, Bristoe Station, Glendale), one large event (NSA) and 2 campaign events (Into the Piney Woods, Bummers and Pickett's Mill).

I don't know if I fit into the poll either.

[Dale Beasley]

Re: What guides your impression?

It's all about the EVENT and WHO you hunt with.

[PalmettoBugler]

Re: What guides your impression?

Like others, I find it difficult to choose just one option. First of all, I just want to be there and participate. When I start packing my gear and smelling the oil on my leather, the smoke in my uniform, (blue or gray) I can't help but start grinning. However, I'm a bugler. I go to toot my horn. But, on occasion, I've been asked to put away the horn and carry a rifle, other times, I did both. My ancestors where Confederate. I prefer to be Confederate, but I'm happy just to be out there (sometimes I perform the service of providing a Yankee target for my Confederate pards on the other side of the field). At many of our local events, we alternate Confederate/Federal on Sat/Sunday battles. I would go for an event just for the experience, so as I said at the start, I JUST WANT TO BE THERE AND PARTICIPATE!!

[Rob]

Re: What guides your impression?

D. All of the above.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: What guides your impression?

D. All of the above.

But if you had to choose the closest? - Johnny

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: What guides your impression?

Hallo!

"What guides what impression you want to portray at events?"

Oh, alright, you twisted my arm...

The ability to step out of a Time Machine in say the year 1863 and fall in with a company; and not being perceived or taken as anything different by those around me.
And the rest is just details.

;) :)

Curt

[Southern Cal]

Re: What guides your impression?

I was a corporal in the U.S. Army during wartime about 35-years ago so the traditions I learned then have left me with an old fashioned but hopefully not too stuffy opinion that I should always guide my impression in light of honoring the uniform of those who fought. I believe that when I wear a Union uniform, I still represent the United States Army and should act like it.

At events, that means wearing a correct uniform of the period, having correct weapons and gear, and properly maintaining it all as all idle soldiers would have been required to by their NCO's (no badly tarnished buttons or rust on the firearms, and shoes well blacked). Uniforms get muddy, torn, sweaty and dusty soon enough during a reenactment, but when in a "formal" camp setting, that coat and set of trousers can still be brushed up and sewn up. It also means that I need to pay pensive attention to acquiring the soldierly skills of the period.

In the same way, when I wear a Confederate uniform, I should honor those who fought in that uniform. OK. so Johnny might not have any black for his shoes, and maybe too little polish to waste on buttons. But that rifle better be polished and free of dirt and rust.

In short, I just play act at what those boys died for. I have fun doing it and wouldn't be a reenactor if I wasn't having fun at it. At the core though, it's important for me to show respect by giving a good account of myself, continuing to learn and thus improve my impression, and to set a quiet but visible example for others to follow.

It is interesting that the Sons of Union Veterans of The Civil War, at one time, severely frowned on reenacting; considering the activity in itself as as dishonoring the uniform and the memory of the soldiers who fought. This attitude has changed a deal but I still keep a pristine set of uniforms and accoutrements along with a designated parade rifle and white gloves put aside for use at official events.

It's about respect and honor. From some recent controversial posts I've read on this and another site, and from some recent "trading" that I and others have been sadly involved in; just like those bounty jumpers who took the money and ran, there are still some out there who observe no bounds of respect and are completely without honor. But we're not them.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: What guides your impression?

Curt-

I think ANY authentic hobbyist secretly wishes this deep down in the back of his mind... ;):p

Thanks -Johnny Lloyd

Hallo!

"What guides what impression you want to portray at events?"

Oh, alright, you twisted my arm...

The ability to step out of a Time Machine in say the year 1863 and fall in with a company; and not being perceived or taken as anything different by those around me.
And the rest is just details.

;) :)

Curt

[Lone Guard]

Re: What guides your impression?

My answer wasn't one of the options but my primary impression is guided by local and regional history. I do an awful lot of presentations at museums, state parks, schools, etc. and the connection to local sites and history opens a lot more doors than a "generic Civil War impression would" as well as provides an impetus to continually do further research since more local sources and resources are near at hand.

I especially like being able to do events and activities where I get to walk in the actual footsteps of the men I am portraying as I explore the wide open wilderness areas of Arizona. The opportunity to present lesser known history or to stir up preconceived notions a little when talking with the public and other reenactors is also a bonus.

^What he said.

Too much happened in Arizona, let alone the entire Southwest, for it to be ignored. The unique impression and experiences that we have make the hobby much more fun than pretending a farm field in Queen Creek (an hour's drive out of Phoenix) is Virginia. If I were to move to Michigan, North Carolina, etc; you could bet good money that I would switch my impression to suit that location.

[DougCooper]

Re: What guides your impression?

Hallo!

"What guides what impression you want to portray at events?"

Oh, alright, you twisted my arm...

The ability to step out of a Time Machine in say the year 1863 and fall in with a company; and not being perceived or taken as anything different by those around me.
And the rest is just details.

;) :)

Curt

Dang Curt, I think you got it.

[JimCarrol]

Re: What guides your impression?

My impression is also guided by local history.


Jim Carrol

[lambrew]

Re: What guides your impression?

Family history. The relatives on my mother's side fought for the Confederacy, and left a detailed account of who was where when, who was wounded/killed ect. in several different North Carolina regiments. On my father's side they fought for the Union in a few different Michigan regiments. However the details are a mystery. So I am portraying a Michigan soldier while digging up the family history. I guess it helps motivate me.


Your humble servant....
Sean Collicott