This question is for the moderators, Is there any way of putting up a recruiting section on the forum? If it's already here I'm sorry i missed it. We all know getting new recruits is like pulling hens teeth but it may benifit us all, They are the lifeblood of keeping this great hobby going.
  Thank you for this great forum, I know it can't be be easy keeping up with it all!  

--Last edited by rick35ovcwa on 2008-01-25 09:02:04 --

Maybe we should start offering bounties?

Bounties? Huzzah! I just sent an inquiry to Ken but if we're talking bounties, perhaps I should wait a bit longer before I commit to anything.

Seriously though, I'm quite interested in this hobby and have written to Ken. I hope to hear from him very soon.

-Mel

Mel who?  I've not received anything by way of email unless you have another name.

Please sign your full name to your posts...it's one of our rules.  Please write me again, unless your intials are M.H. I did receive an email from someone with those letters.

I'm new to reenacting how do you find the group for you.

Quote :

Cowboy wrote : I'm new to reenacting how do you find the group for you.

Where are you located?
What impression do you want to portray? Confederate or Federal or both?

You may want to post that information, and then people can try to point you in a direction..

Covington, Ky as for who to portray I don't know

Michael, you are the M.H. I was referring to.  That means I never received Mel's message.

Anyhow, I am going to return your email as soon as I can. I have a busy two days coming up, but bear with me.

Greetings Fellow Soldiers,
Ken, I talked at length with Michael on the telegraf last night.
He is going to check out a couple of local groups and we will see him at Caesar's Creek.  

He even has expressed an interest on a group from the Southern Camp.  

Your Obedient Servant, Comm. Sgt. Dan Girton, Co. A, 6th OVI

Thanks Ken:
I'm just trying to make the right move in to reenacting and any help that I can get will be great.

 

--Last edited by Cowboy on 2008-08-29 11:51:31 --

Howdy Ken et al, my name's Mel Glover and I'm in the Dayton area (Fairborn). Not sure why the e-mail didn't go but I sent it through the 'Mustering In' link on the home page. Anyway, my e-mail is: mel_annette@yahoo.com  

I've been wanting to get involved in CW reenacting for years but I haven't been in an area where a regiment is. I was hoping to start by just visiting with some members to get a better idea of what to expect like how often and where do you meet? Do you exercise outside drilling (not during events) or is that learned on the job so to speak? Are there regularly scheduled meetings? What's the initial cash outlay? Are there yearly dues? What are some good resources to learn more about the hobby? Where can I get my kit and how do I ensure that it is as authentic as possible without breaking the bank? I don't mind buying clothing a couple sizes too big, but I want to try on any footwear before I purchase. Is it possible to get loaner stuff for a while or do I have to sink a bunch of cash right away? I'm a longtime backpacker and don't mind sleeping outdoors, no matter the weather; combine that with a wide cheap streak and the sum is that I'd rather not sleep in motels if I can swing it. Being of good Yankee heritage, (an ancestor fought in a Maine reg't, I'd like to think the 20th but I'm not certain), I'd just as soon stay in blue but if it's expected that you play both sides, I'm okay with that too. I'm sure that unit rank is mostly a function of seniority and how much personal time an individual is willing to put in, but I am quiet happy to be a lowly private. How many events take place each year? Are they big or small? When? Where?

…You get the picture. Basically, I’m pretty excited about this and just want to learn as much as possible. If you can put me in contact with someone in my area I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks for reading this long post and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

-Mel Glover

Quote :

Private Glover wrote : …You get the picture. Basically, I’m pretty excited about this and just want to learn as much as possible. If you can put me in contact with someone in my area I would very much appreciate it. -Mel Glover

Mel,

There's a number of people from Ohio, including our fearless leader, Mr. Cornett, who live in Ohio and hang out on this forum. I'm sure a number of them will be in touch. The very first thing you need to do is figure out what you want from the Hobby and then find a unit that meets your needs. This is not always an easy thing. Groups vary quite a bit concerning their approach to the Hobby and how much authenticity they can stand.

Welcome to our wonderful, wacky Hobby!      

Greetings Mel,
I am Commissary Sgt. Dan Girton of Compant A, 6th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Union Army.( That means I am in charge of the coffee pot. )

Ken is a friend( and also with the 6th OVI. ) and he helped me get started three years ago.  

I live pretty close to Fairborn. ( Middletown, Ohio )
We could meet and "Chew the fat" over a cup of coffee or something if you wish.

Our big company meeting is in January and there is where we plan our yearly events and company affairs. We train at our winter dust off and in early spring at "Training Camp." We also train in our spare time at every event.

Let me know if I can help. If you would like to meet, fine, if not that is fine also.

Your Obedient Servant, Com. Sgt. Dan Girton, Co. A , 6th OVI  

--Last edited by Sink Rat on 2008-08-30 11:40:52 --

Bill, to answer your question I'll offer the following in no particular order.

-Being a CW buff, I'm always interested in learning more about it and a chance to experience a little of what the soldiers went through first-hand will be a big plus.
-As a kid I used to play guns with my buddies and here's a chance to do so without having to yell "Bang! Bang!" Instead I can use a stick that does it for me with the added bonus of smoke and stench. Ironic, since I've turned into something of a pacifist over the last several years.
-I mentioned earlier that I love being outside, rain or shine and this seems to be a good excuse. I've hiked in hail and slept in a tent at forty below, I've been sunburnt, frostbit, and windchapped but the worst day outside is better than the best day behind a desk. My only concern is that my knees are starting to give out, so Aleve has become my new drug-of-choice; chased down with a good microbrew, of course.
-I happened to catch a guy giving a living history talk years ago (1976ish) at Gettysburg and it was absolutely haunting. He had picked up a pocketknife with a Union soldier’s name and regiment scratched into the handle. A couple years later he found the same man’s war diary, so with a little research he was able to fill in the blanks and take on the persona of the guy. He explained what he was about to do and then turned his back to us and got into character. When he faced us again, he was a completely different man, hollow eyed, saggy faced, stoop shouldered. He’d seen the elephant and it was eerie. Afterwards he told us that he used to do it on a regular basis but it caused him bleeding ulcers so he’d mostly quit but returned just that once, since it was July 3rd. To possibly participate in something like that would be worthwhile indeed.


Dan, I'd very much appreciate meeting up over a mug. Will I have to strain the grounds with my teeth? I don’t mind, I just want to know what I’m getting into. If you'd e-mail me at mel_annette@yahoo.com or call me at 402-960-6331 (and I'll call you right back so the talk will be on my nickel, not yours), I'd love to get something arranged. I’m free all this week, day or night, but school starts back up the week after Labor Day so I’ll have classes two nights a week.

Thanks for getting back to me guys.

-Mel

Quote :

Private Glover wrote :I've been wanting to get involved in CW reenacting for years but I haven't been in an area where a regiment is.

Sent you an email about Company B, 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a reenacting group out of central Ohio.  My email is bbiederm@columbus.rr.com.  

Ken,

I've returned your questionaire, did you recieve it?

Yep, got it.  You and about eight others have expressed interest in joining us in the past week.  It's weird, I seem to get a flux of reruits like this, this time of year.  You will be hearing from me soon.

Quote :

Ken Cornett wrote :   You will be hearing from me soon.

Ken,

Is that a promise or a threat?  

  Hallo!

 "You and about eight others have expressed interest in joining us in the past week.  It's weird, I seem to get a flux of reruits like this, this time of year."

 Strange, as the Full Moon is over.    

 Seriously, good luck Herr Mel!

 My only advice is to look around, sample this and sample that, sit down and think what you would like to do and where you see yourself fitting in as you look at a smorgasbord menu of choices.
 And that it usually starts a Journey down a path, moreso than arriving at a fixed place.

  Curt
  Heretic Mess