I agree about "good better best" not being a useful arbitrary classification, though my personal classification system tends more toward "boring fun wow." And half the time, it's not even the event, it's the experience created by the people I'm with at the event.

Quote :

Hank just gave a good example of part of the problem.  By his account, he was the most "authentic" person left at that event, and I don't doubt it.  But I've also no doubt the others who stayed the night considered themselves more "hard core."

Exactly. My idea of fun and their idea of fun were at odds, regardless of what labels one uses, and there was no way to compromise.

Ironically, our position was pretty comfortable. We'd made a fire from the dry leaves found under an abandoned hardtack box, made a large shelter from our combined gum blankets, and I had dry clothes to change into that I'd kept rolled in my gum blanket all day. We were well supplied in food, since the next day's rations were abandoned on the hill.

But they saw "not reenacting anymore" as a reward for sticking it out, while I saw sticking it out as pointless unless I was reenacting. No physical comfort could have changed my opinion, and I figured no encouragement could have changed theirs. It was a good illustration of how similar people can be on the surface at the same event, yet what different mindsets they bring underneath.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

OK, let's stick to the topic at hand which is guiding those interested in trying the C/P/H events. So to follow up with some of the specific issues raised about events above (please try to keep the comments general in this thread, we don't want this to be a discussion on the merits and or negatives about specific events),how should someone prepare for an event they wish to attend and what should they look for in the event guidelines? I have some ideas but I'd like to hear others first.

Quote :

toptimlrd wrote : how should someone prepare for an event they wish to attend and what should they look for in the event guidelines? I have some ideas but I'd like to hear others first.

Robert

For someone planning to attend a c/p/h event, I would say you would want to start preparing early.  If this means going out and walking daily then do it, get youself prepared to move. Even if the event is not talking about a long march, you still want to be ready to move and quickly.  

I usually review the event guidelines and time frame and uniform requirements for the side I choose.  Then I look over my stuff to see if I need to add something to meet these.  An example is for the events like Shen 62, McDowell, RM, my shell jacket would not be appropriate, so I went out and purchased a battleshirt to use for these events.  *note, I did not attend RM, but I prepared myself as if I was going to be able to.*

I also suggest reading anything about the battle you will be doing, and any information that might have lead up to it.  This will help you if you wish to try first person.  You can talk about the route you took to get to the battle, you can talk about friends lost in previous action or to disease while marching/camping prior to the event.  

I would almost say avoid the pre-event "discussions" on websites because you might get tainted by someone else's opinion of the event who may not attend or has a bone to pick.  Read the folders where the organizers post updates or new information to help enhance your time at the event.

Also determine which manual the event will be using.  Some events use Hardee's, other use Scott's or Gilham's.  If it is not your regular manual, get a copy or look online and review the differences and start to practice those.

Not sure if this is what you were asking, but it is how I read the question..  

--Last edited by lhsnj on 2007-05-03 10:33:02 --

Ditto to all that Greg said. Though I dunno, I find the pre-event "discussions" useful to get my expectations in line, of course taking it all with a grain of salt. There really is a lot of variation between different events in the c or p or h category, which is not a bad thing at all, as long as everyone understands what everyone else is assuming.

As Greg said, it really does help to study the historic situation, and assume that you may have to do what was done. If the organizers are on the ball, they're reading the exact same things and plotting how to make it as realistic as possible. Like at I-600, where the man I was portraying died in prison. I thought I'd just skip that part. But the organizers surprised me Sunday by offering me a coffin to be nailed into--definitely a "wow" event.

For a truly fresh fish who's struggling to learn everything at once, I'd also suggest seeing if you can get any hints from veterans, your officers, etc. about what priorities to study. For example, when I was going military at one event, one of my officers dropped the hint that I might want to study picket duty in detail. Sure enough, I was assigned to picket duty the first night, all done by the book, and with so much to learn about drill as a first-timer, it's something I might have skimmed over in less detail without that hint.

Same way, at another event, I knew I was going to be given surprise ingredients to prepare supper for the officers, which might have included killing and dressing chickens for all I knew. That's something I'd be happy to learn for an event, but not something I'd be prepared to walk in and do without any chance to practice. I said I'd be willing to use any ingredients they gave, but asked for a hint if the food preparation would include live animals, and the organizer said no. So that saved a lot of preparation time that I could better spent elsewhere on things that I'd use during the event.

But it also points up that one should expect to be functional in your role, and really have at least rudimentary skills and physical ability that the person you're portraying would have, because there's a chance you may be called on to apply them. Which of course is what makes c/p/h events so much fun, in my opinion.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

Excellent, these are exactly the answers I was looking for. Any others?????

Knowing the organizers, the date, and a location is all you need to make the greenlight decision for some events. It's that simple.

"Knowing the organizers"

And, sometimes that's enough. When is LFR anyway?

Grumpy, the bilge pump hasn't been made that could have kept that event from sinking. Excellent case in point!

Got tobacco barn?  

Maybe if  they had a map...

Anyway, there are folks like me who can't get enough information about an event. I try to read everything I can about what's going on. I like the constant flow. Then there's folks who check the uniform standards, send in the registration fee and find out where they should park when they get there. They could care less what event they're recreating, they just know that someone had better give them a good time for their money without giving them any inconvienience, like living without your knapsack in 68 degree weather for a night(sorry, I just couldn't resist). Some folks want more from their weekends out than for someone to show them a good time. I'd rather be part of the good time. Your mileage may vary(now there's an over used term).

Great answers here, these were what I was looking for. The bottom ine is it is not that hard to get into a C/P/H event as long as you have the right attitude. In short:

1. Read the requirements and understand what it is you will be doing. If you have some deficiencies in equipment, contact the organizer and they will likely be able to work things out.

2. Read about the event you are portraying, study what actually happened and have a working knowledge of the event.

3. Get into the shape you need to be in. Obviously if you have two bad knees, are overweight, and the thought of marching up steep inclines is not your cup of tea then events like Rich Mountain and the Picketts Mill event next year may not be for you.

The bottom line goes back to attitude though. As you can see in all the responses, gear is hardly mentioned. It's about preparation, communication, and expectation.    

--Last edited by toptimlrd on 2007-05-07 09:27:40 --

I know this thread's been dormant for a while, but if anyone new drops by and reads this, I would like them to also take a look at the new "Library" folder. This new folder expands on the reading list we started here and irregardless of where you fall in the re-enacting spectrum, we ALL need to do more research.  

That reminds me of a question that came to mind recently.  Several period sources mention, as a treatment of blisters, mixing the drippings of a tallow candle with spirits.

I can find spirits in a lot of places (in Gettysburg at the orbing hour, for example), but who makes the best tallow candle?

Quote :

I can find spirits in a lot of places (in Gettysburg at the orbing hour, for example), but who makes the best tallow candle?

You can find tallow candles on ebay, but the real question is whether or not the aforementioned orb will go willingly into the light(source).

Thanks for bringing this thread to the "top 'o the heap'.  When I first enlisted and heard about this website I went and read through this entire thread from front to back.

It's packed with information starting with a great disertation regarding Man, Methods, Material.

After a year I know I have a long way to go but it's great having a place where you can ask questions without being looked down on or talked down to.  It's a lot like the 6th OVI where everyone wants to help you to be the best represenation of a Civil War soldier possible.

This particular thread is a great place to start and refer to for information!!  Thanks again.

Tom,

Thanks, I am humbled by your post and it truly made my day. If just one re-enactor has been helped by this then the reason I started it was accomplished. I actually began this thread before I became a mod here last year.

Robert,

it was one of the things that had me ask you to be a mod.

Thanks Ken, being a mod has also been a very enjoyable duty around here. It's nice to have someplace that doesn't always boil down to the predictable snippiness. I only hope I have lived up to my duties.

Quote :

Charles Heath wrote : Come...and see if we are as big a bunch of SOBs as everyone says we are.   I think Bernie can chime in on that aspect.

It only took me eleven months to notice this thread and Charles inviting me to relate my "journey" to my first history heavy event.

Reading through, I haven't seen anyone else from the "light side" describe their first careful steps into the "dark side", so here goes...

I started reenacting in October of 2003, so I'm still a fairly short timer to the hobby.  It didn't take long, though, to hear the stories about the button-pissers and stitch nazi's , as well as becoming aquainted with the word "farb".  It also didn't take me very long to notice that most of the events I went to were becoming boring for part of their time, particularly after the Saturday afternoon battle.  I'd heard about those "other" events, and wondered about them.

I wanted more of the experiences that I'd heard about, but wondered if I could fit in with the "big boys" of the hobby.  I'd already gotten my arse ripped a new one over on the A/C by talking when I should have been listening, so that didn't help.  And being shy and introverted around people I don't know was also a drawback.

But I still wanted to see if I could hack it, to meet the standards set.  I wanted to see if I could meet the challenge.  My then company commander had given us a good background in drill, and was also adept at making good quality uniform items.  Most of my other kit was bought from mainstream sutlers or E-Bay.  Would it pass the eyeball test I was sure to undergo?  Would I be laughed out of the camp, or not be able to keep up?  Would I do something absolutely stupid?

Neurotic little bundle of insecurity that I was, I decided to find out.  So I headed out alone to the 2nd Manassas LH in 2006, not even two seasons under my belt.  What the H*ll was I thinking!

To make a long story short, I fit in.  I kept up.  Nobody was as big an SOB as they sounded on the internet, and could be quite friendly and helpful.  They were pretty much normal, or as normal as anyone in this hobby can be.  The quality of the things I'd learned before-hand put me in good stead.  The event itself was more physically rigorous than marching fifty yards to the soccer field and back again, but not insurmountable.  I was worn out, but not beaten down.  I'd made it.  I could do this.  A few folk were surprised it was my first such event.

The main lesson I learned was that most anyone could do it if they were willing to make the effort required and leave the excess baggage at home.  Such events won't kill you, but will stretch you beyond your present comfort zone.  That turns out to be a good thing.

Quote :

flattop32355 wrote :  Reading through, I haven't seen anyone else from the "light side" describe their first careful steps into the "dark side", so here goes...

Bernie,

I've been in the Hobby for twenty years. Back in those dark days, we didn't have CPHer's or Mainstreamers. We had Farbs and everybody else!

I started doing campaign events almost from the beginning, only we didn't call them campaign events. We called them preservation marches and some of them were pretty demanding. We'd march anywhere from ten to twenty miles and sleep where we flopped.

Around five years after I got into the Hobby, the great division began. Groups and units broke up, made up, and everybody took sides. Mr. Heath's reenactor classifications pretty much got set in concrete. When the dust settled and everybody had gone their separate ways, I found myself as the Quartermaster in the First Battalion, ANV. I did that job for almost ten years. I got equally good at logistics and leaning on my sword during Battalion Drill. Eventually, the First Battalion went through a two year period of political infighting followed by a break up. The survivors of the original First Battalion elected me commander. A position I've held for six or seven years. I will soon be a charter member of the "Colonel for Life" fraternity.

I got involved with the new and improved CPH branch of the Hobby about five or six years ago. I had always done a Confederate impression and was looking for something different to try. I got out the check book and credit cards and put together a Yankee private's kit. My home unit, the 4th. Texas had always had a very authentic personal kit, so I knew which vendors to utilize. My first event was a Gettysburg living history, sponsored by the Columbia Rifles. Mr. O'Beirne didn't know what to do with me, so he foisted me off on the Rowdy Pards. The rest is history, as they say. I've been doing CPH events ever since. Usually three or four per year. That includes both reenactments and living histories. Here in the East, it's pretty rare to have more than two CPH reenactments in a season.

Frankly, I find CPH reenacting far easier than Mainstream reenacting. Read the event instructions and do what they say. Show up on time, shut up, and do what people tell you. The highest rank I've ever held is acting First Sergeant for a day. The lack of any real responsibility is just wonderful. The physical aspects really aren't too difficult. I spent twenty years in the modern military and all you have to remember is "Mind over Matter". If you don't mind, it doesn't matter! Unlike most people, for me, the hardest part of CPH events is packing. At Mainstream events, I take everything I think I might need. At CPH events, I have to figure out exactly what I will need and can still carry it for the weekend!

CPH reenacting isn't for everyone, but I would recommend that everyone at least give it a try. Many Mainstreamer's personal impressions have improved quite a bit in the past few years. The average guy could meet most authenticity guidelines with the kits they already own. Nobody is going to count the stitches in your cartridge box. Even Grumpy Dave isn't very grumpy in person.    
       

Great stuff guys, keep it coming. I'm so glad I bumped this thread. Bill, my story is similar to yours. I spent a couple of years upgrading my kit anticipating that I might want to try a campaign event soon. As soon as my kit was together and an event that piqued my interest came around I contacted the organizer since I would be an unaffiliated private and told him where I thought I was lacking. He bent over backwards inviting me out and EVERYBODY made me feel very welcome. It also didn't hurt that the event would be in the tier 1 of the AC by their current standards with 24 hr immersion. I had a great time and now spend as much of my reenacting time on that side of the hobby as I can.

I won't lie as I can truthfully say I have gotten in a little over my head once or twice    (Chikamauga LH for example, I had to drop out going up artillery ridge which was rather embarrasing). I am trying like crazy to get ready for New Hope Church.

Back to the original point of my first post, it's all about attitude more than anything.