Authenticity Rendezvous

This is the section of the Young Campaigner where you can post any questions, suggestions, or criticism about authenticity. Here is your chance to say that you have seen something really farby and you don't want to see it again. Please, keep the conversation respectful.

Comments

[Pvt. Dan Cotton]

Greetings,
I have been reenacting now for about 5 years and I am getting fed up with the lack of authenticity that plagues the hobby. My group, the name of which will go unsaid, does not attempt authenticity. They do not wish to be uncomfortable for a weekend. Worse, they critize me for attempting to be authentic. I feel the time for change is upon us. If there is anyone else out there that feels as I do, please post in reply. Thank you,
Dan

[Pvt. Ben Miller]

amen friend just last weekend saw a man with a plastic canteen. i saw a whole unit, on the field with blue jeans on. It's time that we do something about it........ but what? I belive that the intire reenacting comunity, not just Civil War my friends but Rev. war F+I every thing will be plauged with farbs thats why we (the authentic reenactors) stay away from them(farbs). I say for the younger reenctors we need to take the farb fame and snuff it for the good of reenacting........ but then here comes the question.....How? that my dear friends I don't think will be solved in our life time. comments please.

[Pvt. Dan Cotton]

Thank you Pvt. Miller for responding.
I wish to form a unit with the proper focus and balance. I feel some comapaigners and hardcore reenactors are cocky and intimidating. However, I feel the farbs are far too lenient. I am quite annoyed with my group because they seem unable or, more likely, unwilling to give up comfort for a weekend. I got into this hobby about 5 years ago thinking that authenticity was the point. Now, all I see are reenactors obsessed with comfort. What do you thunk Pvt Miller?
Sincerely,
Pvt Dan Cotton

[William]

Dan,

If I may, not all hardcores are "cocky and intimidating" as you say. They do research and take their impressions seriously, and to many mainstreamers, this seems intimidating. As for changing the mainstream, it is sadly just about impossible. If people want to be comfortable, they are going to do it. If you aren't interested in joining a serious "hardcore" unit, there are a number of units that are progressive, but attend 'streamer mega-events as well as campaign events. If you aren't happy with your current unit, don't try to change them, just find a group that fits you a little better. Let me know if I can help you with finding a new unit, and I would be happy to provide my 2 cents.

Sincerely,
William Chapman

[Pvt. Dan Cotton]

William,
First, I wasnt try to slam all hardcore reenactors. Notice that in my previous post I said SOME, not ALL. That being said, by my personal experience the hardcores refused to even fall in near us in line. To me, that is rude and absurd. Second, I am not trying to change my unit, if anything I am changing myself and seeing if I can still fit into this unit. I am a union reenactor from western pennsylvania. If you know of any units, William, that might better fit me feel free to let me know. Any ideas are welcome. Thank you.
Pvt Dan Cotton

[William]

Dan,

Sorry, I suppose you are right. Perhaps Sykes Regulars might be a good fit.

-Wm.

[Pvt. Dan Cotton]

William,
I did not intend to be malicious. I am sorry if I came accross as such. My current problem with my group is not that they dont attempt authenticity, but that they ridicule me for trying. What do you think I should do? Leave or attempt to make it work? Currently I am leaning towards trying to make it work but I do not know if it is possible. I did not know if you had ever been in this position before or knew someone who was.
Thanks,
Dan

[Pvt. Ben Miller]

Dan,
As I am doing I'm trying to do the same. I'm tring to get new unit that will do many different impreshuns but all a.a.p (Authentic.As.Posible). and by that meaning authentic to a point were we are comfortable but not farby, this should be the goul of every unit, but sadly not. to wrap it all up, I think me and you think alike. Are you on the authentic campaigner?
thanks,
Pvt. Ben Miller
P.S. sorry I didn't get back to ya sooner I was up at Fort Niagar and Ticonderoga.

[Pvt. Dan Cotton]

Pvt Miller,
No problem about not getting back sooner. I feel as though you are speaking my language. Authentic but comfortable is my goal as I well. As of now, I am a campaigner in all areas with the exception of food. That is an area I am looking into as we speak. Are you an authentic campaiger by any chance? If you are, do you have any tips on food. What I can or should carry with me? Anyway, I believe you are completley correct, authenticity should be the goal. Unfortunately, groups my like the one I am currently in are ruining reenacting. It bothers me, but not as mush as the fact that I am ridiculed for being willing to surrender my comfort for a weekend. How is the formation of your group coming? Are you union or confederate or both? Thanks for your comments. It is very encouraging to learn that I am not alone in my feelings concerning authenticity.
Thanks again.
Your humble servant,
Pvt Dan Cotton

[Pvt. Ben Miller]

Dan,
Comfort is a good thing. Yes I am an authentic campaiger, I have a good artical on food on campgain if ya give me your E-Mail address I'll send it to you.
And I think ya miss under stood me are you on the Authentic Campaigner web-site and forum? my unit has only 4 people but we range age wise from 13 to 16 years old so we arn't going to many events just yet. Right know we are doing a Virginia Military Institute impreshuns (the VMI cadets) but we starting to move up to a union impreshun of the 69th New York or a 2nd West Virginia. we also do southern civilon impreshun. I am glad to know there is someone with my problum too
your friend,
Pvt.Ben Miller

[William]

Dan,

Its ok I understand. I have been in a similar situation before, and my advice would be to just find a new unit. Sometimes the one you are in just isn't a good fit.

-Wm.

[Pvt. Dan Cotton]

First to Pvt Miller.
My email is dan.cotton@geneva.edu. I would be most delighted to have that article. I have been reenacting for almost 5 years and I have just gotten progressively more authentic. Now, i feel it is time for the next step. Where are you guys centered out of? And I agree with you, comfort is good. I also believe that comfort is attainable with using only what the soldiers had. Do you agree? Thanks for posting Pvt Miller. It is so encouraging to know I am not alone.
Your comrade in arms,
Dan

To william,
Sadly, I am starting to think you are right. It is unfortunate though, this is my first group and we were quite tight. That is till the ridiculing began. Thanks for your advice and help.
Sincerely,
Dan

[Pvt. Ben Miller]

Pvt. Cotton,
E-Mail sent! And I would have to say that authentic food is one of the most neglected subjects in reenacting. Our unit is centered out of the Harrisonburg aria of the Shenandoah Valley (Va) But I'm in New Market (hence the New Market Cadets) Yes I do agree with ya. I prefer to go with what the soldiers had. People would be amazed with how comorfortable a big pile of straw can be:)
Your friend,
Pvt.Ben Miller
Virginia Military Institute
Cadet Corp.

[Pvt. Dan Cotton]

Pvt Miller,
I regret to inform you that i did not recieve your email. You can try again at that email or try my other one moonknight1708@yahoo.com. Which one to try I will leave at your discretion. I agree, straw is comfortable and also quite warm by my experience. I have never been to New Market but I have done Cedar Creek. Thanks again.
Your fellow campaigner,
Dan

[Pvt. Ben Miller]

Pvt. Cotton,
O.K. I tryed the one at yahoo. It truly is really a good artical it has a little bit more Confederate but the Confederates had the same rations as The federals , but did not get the exact rations.New Market is a good eventThey really give you a good area to stay in if you get lucky you get to stay in the house:)
Your fellow campaigner
Pvt.Be Miller
Virginia Military Institute
Cadet Corp.

[Pvt. Dan Cotton]

Pvt Miller,
It worked. A thousand thanks. I am sure the article will help immensely. I have heard that New Market as another name, "Mud Market". HAHA. I do not know if it is true or not. Since you are also a campainger, may I ask what you use for shelter? Just a shelter half? I hope you do not mind me bouncing ideas off of you. I am new at this campaiging thing and am looking for any advice. Thanks,
Your fellow campaigner,
Pvt Cotton
11th PVI Co.C

[Pvt. Ben Miller]

Pvt.Cotton,
Any time friend, and I've heard that name. As well as "mudvill" "tailer stealer" and,"brogan susker town", and we have got those names becouse of one event that we literaly had to get every tractor in ten miles to get the sutler, artilery and cavalry trailers out of the mud. I use different kinds some times I don't use a shelter just a gum blanket and blaket. but if I use a shelter I'll use a Panther Primitive's shelter half. I would have to say they are nice, strong, and light weight. Mine sat through a powerful hail storm with me under it!!! and I slept better than I do in my bed at home!! No holes, nothang, now that a good tent, or the bigest streek of luck I've ever had in my life!! and no I love the questions:)any ouestion ya can think of just hollar;) You interested in music?
Your fellow Campaigner,
Pvt.Ben Miller
Virginia Military Institute
Corp. of Cadets

[Pvt. Dan Cotton]

Pvt Miller,
What do you use to put your shelter half up with? Sticks and rope? I am planning to start all out campaigning next year, food and all. I am really excited about it. Music as in period music or non period music? Non period most definatly. Period music definately as well. I love the 2nd South Carolina string band. Fantastic music. Also, what do you do on an extremely chilly night? Kind of like the ones I have experienced at cedar creek in october. I am so glad I can ask you questions. This will be most helpful and getting me started in campaigning. Thanks alot. I look forward to your response.
Most respectfully,
Pvt Dan Cotton
11th PVI Co. C

[Pvt. Ben Miller]

Pvt. Cotton,
I used 2 poplar poles with nails in the ends for the gromet holes and hemp rope, wood tent stakes. and thats good that your geting in to campaigning youll sooner or later get in to a rountien and seting up your camp will be as easy as taking a step.
And I ment both I'm in a old time fiddle tune band (B+B fiddles) and my unit messes around with it. My cuzz lived next to the older fife player in the 2nd South Carolina and Lov them aswell. For your question use as many blakets as you can fit in your pack and were a wool "Voyagers" cap, pull it over your face. ALso take off your under garments (if ya can) and were only your wool, and bring a extra pair of socks. For more tips look at the artical that Will has on the Camping page.
Your fellow campaigner,
Pvt.Ben Miller
Virginia Military Instutute
Corp. of Cadets

[Pvt. Dan Cotton]

Pvt Miller,
I went up to the house of one of the other reenactors in my group and he is with me. He wants to quit this group and might start campaigning with me. I hope he does, because I do not thinking campaigning should be done alone.
I have been tinkering with ways to put up my shelter half. If it is going to be dry, I will most likely sleep under the stars. But if it rains, that course of action is less than appealing haha. If you ever decided to go yankee, you will have to let me know because I would be honored to fall in with you.
I am not looking forward to the remaining events I will be attending with my group. I know there is much work to do before I can, but if I had my way I would start campaigning immediately. It sounds like the ultimate civil war experience, the kind I have been searching for. Have you ever slept without a tent on a rainy night? if so, how? Thanks so much for the help. You are truly a great friend and comrade.
Sincerely,
Dan Cotton
11th PVI Co C

[Pvt. Ben Miller]

Pvt.Cotton thats good, I aggre campaigning should not be done alone for various reasons. And you will be tinkering with that tent for all the time that your reenacting.(its only fair to warn ya:)As it has been said in the old days they said "stay the course" as you should with your unit. Just look forward to campaigning. And I will let ya know and I would be honered as well to march with you.
were have you gotten all of your gear? and don't rush into camaigning, get all of your gear first and mess with it awile becouse this is not something that you just rush in to.and for your question, yes I have and I made do that night by puling my gum blaket I had under me, over me. Well I stayed dry, can't say mutch for my sleeping:) good talkn' with ya!
Your fellow campaigner,
Pvt.Ben Miller
virginia Military Instutute
corp. of cadets

[Pvt. Dan Cotton]

PVT Miller,
Luckily, tinkering is something I am good at haha. I got all of my gear from either Fall Creek or The Regimental Quatermaster. I have everything I need to campaign, seeing as I have been doing this for 5 years I would sure hope I have the necessities haha.
I may or may not stay with this group. If I can make it work I would love too but if I cannot, I cannot and I will leave on the best note I can.
Becoming a campaiger, for me, has been a slow continual process since i entered the hobby. First came the dog tent, then the blanket roll, then the knapsack. I have been getting more and more authentic with each passing year so I figure that I am going to end up a campaiger eventually. It is exciting to think I will become one.
Well, that night sounded very pleasant haha. I have alredy experienced nasty weather and I am sure I will experience it again. At the 145th Manassas event at Cedar Creek in 06, we had rain come down so hard that it was a whiteout on the video haha. Speaking of cedar creek, are you going to be there this year?
Sincerely,
Your Comrade and Bother in arms
PVT Dan Cotton
11th PVI Co. C

[Pvt. Ben Miller]

Pvt.Cotton,
Sorry I ain't got back to ya. this a big year for me (it's the 150th anniversery of the french+indian war)I did 8 events beetween July 4 and now and wore 3 holes in my Moccasins. And yes, If all will go according to plan
I will be at Ceadar creek If I just come Saterday. will you be at 3rd winchester in Luray Va.?

[Dan Cotton]

Pvt. Miller,
I apologize for not getting back sooner. I went back to college and things have been hectic. I did not make it to Cedar Creek. The weather turned me and my group away. I have been making a lot of progress getting into the campaigning side of reenacting. Now, I just need to find campaigner event and a unit to which I might be in. Anyway, the reenacting season has come to a close for me and I look forward to working on my impression. How ware things with you?

PVT. Dan Cotton
11th PVI Company C.

[Pvt. Ben Miller]

Pvt.Cotton,
Well I'm back in school, didn't go to cedar Creek becouse my grandad isn't doing to good heath wise so we thought we sould stay close right know. I tell ya The Authentic Campaigner Fourum is pretty good for getting tips on getting your impression better and they have special events they do thats made up of mebers on the fourum. I don't know what they're like yet but I hear they are pretty good. I don't know what I could tell ya for a unit, I ges just fing some one to mess with our one of your friends to mess with.
Your friend,
Pvt Ben Miller