| Home |
| The Regiment |
| OFGMR History |
| Re-enacting |
| Newsletter |
| Handbook |
| Calendar |
| Awards/Services |
| Fort Griffin |
| Research |
| Trading Post |
| Links |
This page is devoted to you, the "Fresh
Fish" or Beginner. As with many hobbies, the cost and complexity
you face can be overwhelming. There is an enormous amount of
research material to digest, and a seemingly unlimited number of
impression-related items on which to spend your hard-earned cash.
The purpose of this page is not to scare you off or deter you in any
way. Its purpose is to prepare you for your role in this exciting
hobby. And, hopefully, to save you some time and money.
Always question your motives.
There are many reasons why people get involved in re-enacting.
Now, ask yourself why you want to do it.
Re-enactors commonly stress a
reverence for the past as a primary motivation for braving the elements,
sleeping on the ground and enduring a weekend spent downwind from the
port a-potties. The depths of that conviction vary from individual
to individual, and are readily apparent at many events.
Educate the public?
Raise awareness of lost and threatened historic sites?
Spend time with like-minded people?
Relate to the experiences of the civilians and soldiers in the most
authentic manner I'm willing to allow?
Expand my knowledge?
Raise my children in an environment in which history is something to be
honored, rather than disparaged?
Advance my modern political agenda?
Drink beer?
Play with guns?
Wear costumes?
An equally-cited rationale is
the need to educate a public that displays an often shocking ignorance
of history. However, for all of the quips about the audience's
inability to identify the colors worn by the combatants (or even the
victorious side), some re-enactors display a lackadaisical attitude
toward maintaining an even rudimentary standard of authenticity.
The untrained eye can pick out
a modern Igloo cooler yards away. Modern food and beverage
containers, cigarettes and beer cans all stand out as anachronisms.
One could look at this as a joke, but the comments I've heard when
spectators are passing out of (what they believe to be) earshot indicate
that it's often hard to take history seriously when those trying to
disseminate it don't take it seriously themselves.
Many of us who are old
hands at reenacting have favorite horror stories about the hobby that we
trot out for new recruits. There is always someone in the company
who remembers the new guy who showed up at this first event in a
polyester uniform, or recalls how their previous unit split three times
before they finally got into a group that was fun and authentic.
We playfully spook the newcomers with tales of hardships and pitfalls,
and there is truth in these stories, as many of us know all too well
from experience. But the hobby can be a lot of fun for those who
stick with it and learn their way around. For most of us,
preparation for events and being part of a company are almost second
nature, but these things can be a source of anxiety for the new recruit,
and lead to criticism and unnecessary cost (ouch!). The first
summer of reenacting also can be a make-or-break time for new hobbyists.
It may determine whether they are hooked for life or end up selling
their equipment in October to take up needlepoint.
Here are some tips to help the new guys avoid some of the hardships and
pitfalls in their first seasons and get right to the fun, and to help
units hang on to those precious recruits. They may help them save
time and avoid hassle down the road.
Network! Network! Network!
This is a must for new re-enactors. Re-enacting is a social hobby.
Don't be afraid to walk up to strangers and ask questions or compliment
someone on his or her impression. Most will be glad to answer
questions and appreciate the compliment. Talk to guys from other
companies and brigades. You will be falling in next to many of
these people at some point down the road. Networking also helps to
get you known. A unit's reputation is made by its members, so
always try to be amiable and ready to learn.
Get a Mentor
Some groups require or provide them as a matter of course. Whether
required or not, it really helps to have someone who you can call on for
help with questions on drill, authenticity standards, problems with
other members and other needs. This can be anyone in the group you
are comfortable with, from your commanding officer to the person next to
you in the ranks. It helps to get someone who has the weight of
experience on his side and who is well versed in your unit's history.
Many larger units use their sergeants for this job as a matter of
course. Find someone who knows and is willing to share, and pick
his brain.
Keep A Journal
Many re-enactors do this to pass the time (just like the original
soldiers on both sides) and to keep track of things they wish to
remember about events. This can range from the mundane, such as
noting the amenities at one event were inadequate, to the memorable:
"Kids crowded around when I began describing my uniform to the crowd."
Journals can be used as references for past events. It is
especially helpful for novices to record satisfactions and
disappointments, costs and those special events which they may want to
come back to. It is also an easy way to record what happens at
unit meetings.
Keep out of Power Struggles
This is almost impossible at times, especially if you have attached
yourself to a mentor. It is easy for recruits to get pulled into
existing problems and to be used as leverage by one side or another.
But try to be neutral as long as possible. This will help keep you
out of hot water. You should be wary of joining a unit with a
reputation for strife. On the other hand, be aware that friction
within a unit is almost impossible to avoid.
Practice your Drill
New members will stand out at drill until they learn it well enough to
become comfortable with it. Whether your unit drills once a month
or once a week put in some extra time when you are first starting out.
It makes life easier during those first events. You'll blend into
the unit quicker, and it can help avoid embarrassment for the whole
company when you take the field.
Follow your Company's Authenticity Standards
They say clothing makes the man, and in re-enacting uniforms and
accoutrements make the soldier. Most companies have done a ton of
good research into their impressions and will have specific standards
and supporting information available. It is useful to ask your new
commanding officer to show you someone in the group who can serve as a
model, especially if you are just getting your equipment together.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Often, members of your new
company will know where you can find used goods that meet their
standards. Larger companies may have a quartermaster or a specific
person in charge of maintaining authenticity. In any case, be sure
you ask before you spend.
Be a Generalist
Impressions for novices as a rule, should be plain in uniform and
equipment. Cutting out some of the detail reduces initial cost and
gives you greater freedom later as you develop your impression or if you
change units. It as a good idea to look at not only your company's
requirements, but to keep an eye on those of nearby companies as well.
Go to some Small Events
Everyone loves the big events but often you can have just as much fun at
local living history events. They can provide a friendly
atmosphere and good practice for the new re-enactor. Many small
events allow novices to get some experience before showing up at the
larger, maximum effort events on their schedules. They are worth
the effort.
Do Some Research and Preparation
Perspective re-enactors have an incredible wealth of knowledge available
at their fingertips.Get a copy of your
unit's history and pertinent information about your uniform and
equipment. You might want to write down an impression script and
practice for questions. You probably will have plenty of
opportunity to be questioned by onlookers; be prepared. Also,
practice for public speaking. You may look up during a
conversation at an event to find you have 20 onlookers. Try to
give them something they can come away from the event thinking about.
Realize that doing Living History is a Continuing Process
You can't know and do everything from the start. Many of the old
hands will tell you that after years of re-enacting, there is always
another item that could improve their impression and another book to be
read. Your first few events can be as fun as they are awkward, and
with practice and some common sense, it just gets better the more you
know.
Incidentally, this
hobby, like most, has a unique terminology. Listed below is some
of the more common terminology heard within the hobby. Most terms
are somewhat open to interpretation, but the general ideas are
essentially there.
Farb: A disparaging term, commonly said
to have evolved from the statement "Far be it for me to criticize, BUT .
. ." Also possibly a derivative of farben (colorful). As
with so many things, a farb is anyone who is less authentic than you
are, and a raging fanatic is anyone who is more so. Needless to
say, this word carries a stinging connotation when applied to an
individual or group. Examples: Conspicuously placed Igloo
coolers, combat boots, polyester clothing, zippers, yards of gold braid,
blatantly anachronistic behavior or objects. A Farb Fest is an
event laden with highly inauthentic elements.
Family Oriented: As the name implies, this is a unit which
encourages family participation. The degree varies, and is
constantly the source of debate around re-enactors campfires, real and
virtual. Some unit's allow women into the ranks, others allow
women on the company street. Family oriented units with a focus on
authenticity might have distinct areas and roles open to its members.
Hard Core, Progressive, Campaigner, Authentic: Some will
argue that these terms denote the same thing; others may claim that they
denote subtle differences in impressions. A campaign oriented unit
stresses a minimalist approach, literally like those on campaign in the
1860's. Such units frequently have stringent rules regarding dress
and behavior during an event. Hard Core, as one might expect,
implies a unit with the most stringent approach to authenticity.
The often pejorative term stitch counter and always pejorative phrase
stitch-nazi describe individuals whose obsession with historical
accuracy becomes obnoxious to those around them. This is of course
highly subjective.
Material Culture: Refers to the tangible aspects of and
material goods associated with life in the 1860's.
Immersion: An effort to literally submerge one's self in
the physical, social and psychological aspects of the Civil War era.
An immersion event ideally will provide re-enactors with an opportunity
to have an experience virtually devoid of anachronism.
Anachronistic: An element, object or
behavior that simply doesn't belong to a particular time period.
This might be appropriate for David Lynch movies, but it tends to weaken
impressions. Examples: football discussions, modern politics,
visible coolers, etc.
Seeing the Elephant: Possibly another form of anachronism.
This occurs when one becomes so caught up in the mood of an event that
they simply forget, even for a moment, that they aren't in the 19th
Century.
Sources:
"So You Want to be a Re-enactor?" By Matthew Roberts,
as reprinted from the October 1997 issue of the "Camp Chase Gazette"
"So You Want to be a Civil War Re-enactor!" from: http://www.blueandgray.net/reenacting101.html