Civilian impression questions.

[hardeeflag]

Hello,

I have been inactive in the hobby for about 3+ years because of time, work, family obligations and other issues. I was involved in the military end but during my absence sold off all my long arms so for the immediate future military is not and option. Now about in my mid 40s and with whitening beard, I am not so sure I am going to jump right into military. For an enlisted man I think that age was the exception. Anyway I am looking at researching for a civilian impression.

First having never participated in the civilian impression I am really at a loss of pin pointing a specific impression to begin with. I suppose most of the events I will attend locally mostly it would be living history presentation topics. I have always been interested in scouts and secret service and would probably do this typically as a presentation topic only. One document I have always found as good read was Luis J Dupree Fagots from the Campfire - http://docsouth.unc.edu/fpn/dupre/menu.html. This is an excellent source on this topic. Also from a woman’s perspective is COURAGEOUS JOURNEY civil war journal of Laetitia Nutt. This journal not only documents an incredible tale of a wife and her children just behind her husband at the front (she actually had a small cabin built for her by the men at Tunnel Hill) and their hardships but also a second hand account of Capt. LM Nutt’s LA Cavalry company and their conversion from dismounted cavalry serving as infantry to being remounted as Scouts serving behind enemy lines and reporting enemy strengths and movements and reporting directly to Gens. Granbury, Cleburne and J. E. Johnston. I have always been fascinated with type of service (in Dupree’s source they seem to have operated in civilian clothing not sure about Nutt’s men). Has anyone ever done this impression? Anyway any other impression suggestions would be great.

Secondly, I am interested in quality civilian gentlemen’s clothing. Right now I am looking for a good black sack suit. As discussed on numerous other threads I am looking for someone who uses the broadcloth that is not thick. Many of the surviving examples I have seen to be finely woven than I have seen today. Would Satinet be better? Please educate me. I also need a source for eye wear. As I have gotten older I cannot read small print anymore. Also bags used for traveling by a civilian. Also anything second hand is good – hint, hint. Any suggested sources not listed on the AC site here that are high quality men’s civilian garments, or could you steer me to the ones you prefer listed here? I appreciate any feedback while I am information gathering. Thanks.

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: Civilian impression questions.

Sir-
Welcome back to civilized society, Pvt. :-) Most will agree it is best to consider what events you are likely to attend as a civilian. If most are living history lecture stations, then proceed to organize your research on scouts, spies, and secret service into a lecture. You would then want to search out photos of known scouts/ secret service as well as descriptions, character drawings, and such to begin to ascertain what is common attire for a gent in that trade. If the events you are attending are scenario based, you will want to focus your research on general 19th cent. life and choose attire that can be suitable for many impressions and scenarios with the changing of certain garments and accessories. This will leave you open to changing your impression as the needs of each event change. A military man may create one or two "basic" impressions and be fairly certain that one will be suitable, no matter the battle being re-enacted. Civilians often need to change their impression for the specific event... so may have 6 or 7 entirely different impressions in a single season.

[Hank Trent]

Re: Civilian impression questions.

Sir-
Welcome back to civilized society, Pvt. :-) Most will agree it is best to consider what events you are likely to attend as a civilian.

What she said.

If it's primarily interpretation for the public, and doesn't need permission/approval/integration with the rest of the event, I'd say that you have more leeway but also need to focus more on the basics of interpretation--catching the attention of the spectators, sharing a few primary points, having more detail if they're interested, making it memorial or engaging more than dry facts, and so forth. After hours, well, I've not been able to figure that out. There usually doesn't seem to be much history-related to do at most events like that, with some notable exceptions.

If it's a civilian role at a typical c/p/h event, there's more chance for a realistic, functional impression, so you'd be expected to be able to do what you're portraying, i.e. if you're a spy, be able to cover a few miles efficiently alone to get to enemy lines and report back, be ready to spend the rest of the event as a prisoner if you're caught, etc. Also, since the event will be looking for functional civilian impressions to fit the particular historic scenario, as Elaine said, not every event might need a spy, but if you have some basic 19th century skills you can usually tweak them to provide something the event needs. In that case, it's more reading the event description or contacting the organizers to find what's available and choosing which role you'd want.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[hardeeflag]

Re: Civilian impression questions.

Most of the event locall here are not complex at all. Mostly demonstrations. I think most it would lend to talks and displays. Intelligence sector I feel would only go as far as display as I cannot imagine being able to incorporate that into any event as a whole. I will keep thinking on it. I have some skills...

For material items such as clothing and other items. Anyone want to PM me with any vendors. I have what is already listed here on the AC but if there are some outstanding vendors I may not know about please let me know. Thanks