ive been on a few boards, trying to figure it all out. ive always wanted to do the re-enactments. im slowly getting all my husbands gear ready to go... im slowly sewing 4 childrens and mine clothing. in all reality... we dont know what to expect behind the scenes. my husband wont have a rifle until next yr, we spent our extra money on clothing so we can start attending. thankfully our group expected that and dont expect you to have the rifle for a yr

my husband is only going because i want to do this. but im sure as we start going, he is going to love it. he said hes not sure he wants to do the military drills again (he spent 4 yrs in the navy).

He could always do a civilian impression.

i told him that too, but he said nah...he rather be doing something than nothing lol...  hes actually discussed going back to the navy, so i know him better than he thinks

Depending on his skills, he could be "doing something" at an event.

We have a guy in our group who is very good with period woodworking and so for some living histories he would bring his tools and do a period woodworking demonstration.

I think there is more to civilian reenacting than sitting around waiting for the soldier's to come back from the battle.  Just depends on the event and the desire of the person.

I also have an avocation that translates well into priod civilian life, I am working on becoming an ordained minister. I work closely with two ordained ministers to help me as I work towards receiving my ordination. Other possibilities are:

Shopkeeper
Teacher (could also be female)
Carpenter
Cobbler (learn how to repair period shoes and make $$ in the process)
News Correspondent
Farmer

The only limits are the amount of research and effort he wants to put into a civilian impression. Of course there is also the Invalid Corps.  

--Last edited by toptimlrd on 2007-03-13 15:32:31 --

he has a uniform (just no rifle right now)... i think he will enjoy it once he gets started..its usually a push to get him started.


so...what can we expect?

Quote :

chatrbug wrote : he has a uniform (just no rifle right now)... i think he will enjoy it once he gets started..its usually a push to get him started. so...what can we expect?

You can expect the unexpected.

Actually I would say that you can expect to get out of the hobby what you put into it.  

As a soldier, I expect to show up at an event and be told where I need to be and where I need to go and what I need to do.  
Prior to the event, I like to try to learn about the battle if there is one happening and also the months leading up to it.  It helps me get into the right frame of mind.  So even if it is an event that isn't going to be history heavy, I can still find some nuggets to enjoy it.

Quote :

he rather be doing something than nothing lol

It just depends.  For example, recently we had an 1857 camping trip where we were to cover about 8 miles a day (though we didn't quite get that far), through a National forest.  During the hike we stopped to look at flora and fauna, discuss geological features, and many other cool things.  We carried everything in on our backs...

The upcoming 1864 trial event will include men as witnesses, jurors, defendants, the prosecutor, defense lawyer, judge, baliff, sheriff, inn staff; since this will all be done in real time, it means they'll have something to do all day, and in the evenings they'll be mingling with the other guests and staff  doing period things like gambling, smoking (period cigars or pipes), chewing, singing, drinking... all in character.  

There are all kinds of rolls for men (and women) in the more hardcore level events, and real need for civilian men at most any event.  With the trial event I will be utilizing some of the inn staff as witnesses in order to have enough people, and the baliff will be acting as guard during the event as well.  

There are always active rolls for men at the more hardcore events.  And of course one doesn't have to always kick back and relax at mainstream events either.  My husband Hank and David Morgan went to Selma as Nitre works employees and actually went around collecting urine for the works.  ;)

At Struggle for Statehood we had men who handled oxen, horses, chickens and pigs.  We had a pig slaughtered and butchered and cooked up and fed the army.  We put a roof on a cabin, chinked and daubed the same cabin, and just all kinds of fun stuff.  

So as you can see, from the poorest to the wealthiest men don't have to do nothing at civilian events.  The sky's the limit depending, of course, upon the event and the organizer's needs.

Linda.  

--Last edited by Linda Trent on 2007-05-07 16:00:45 --