“A Helpful Hand”
By
Cpl. Matthew Mickletz
The intent of this article is to inform both new and old reenactors of things that can ruin a reenactment and/or their impression. Some are really obvious, but overlooked on most occasions. Most are things that really have a tendency to irk me at events (my pet-peeves). Whether it be mannerisms, modern anachronisms or those things that are plain unauthentic they all play a part in it.
I am narrowing it down to just the equipment facet in this article. Note, that is more focused on the mainstream reenactor that enjoys going to the “big events”, living histories and not really hardcore stuff. All in all this, article is an attempt to help with the “defarbing” right off the bat and gear the beginning or current reenactor up for the next level of reenacting authentically which one may wish to pursue now or in a few years.
You’ll notice it is more of a list of Do’s and Don’ts. I am guilty of many and have been improving ever since. I just wish to inform you about mistakes that I made or see being made at evets and keep you from making the same ones. Hope it helps!
I remain YOS and comrade,
Cpl. M. Mickletz
First lay all your gear out in front of you. Than start picking away at the stuff you more likely than not, won’t need. Your basic kit should be comprised of the following:
Sack coat – Trousers - Braces (suspenders) – Forage Cap - Socks – Shoes – Shirt – Wool blanket – Gum Blanket or Oil Cloth (Ground Cloths) – Haversack – Canteen – Tin cup and/or Boiler - Belt with Cap box, Scabard and Bayonet – Cartridge box – Underdrawers (if you got them) – Tent half – Candles – Plate – Spoon – Knife – and a Pocket knife and housewife really can come in handy – Hope I didn’t forget anything!
Pretty straight forward and obvious, huh.
It is to note, however, that I know some groups do things differently. If your going campaigner and truly authentic then you will only need one tent half. If it is more of a living history or if your group just always sets up tents one or two (or even better and more authentic) per person, then two tent halves would be needed.
The same applies for the other things mentioned and will mention. Whatever your group’s guidelines are, follow them. These are what I consider the absolute basics you should take to most events.
¨Things not to bring:
DON’T BRING . . .
- A cooler, especially a huge Coleman that is impossible to hid. Hardtack may not be the ideal meal but you can’t be wrong in bringing and eating it. Other palatable, slow to go bad and period foodstuffs can be found out there or made at home. Period food adds a lot to an impression.
- Slim Jims, trail mix, candy bars, soda (beer) cans or granola bars. If you don’t bring soda (or beer) or things that spoil easy, why would you need a cooler? Try period food and recipes out. It is just a weekend or a couple days usually. The modern conveniences will be waiting for you when you get home. I know some may require certain food items due to dietary needs. That’s the only exception I see necessary to make.
- Flashlights. I have seen and have a very tiny one that could be hidden easily. But I personally found no need for mine after forgetting it once. They ruin the atmosphere of campfires and candles.
- Gas or battery powered lanterns. Same reasons not to bring them as flashlights.
- Anything plastic. Try repro paper to wrap things up or cloth poke bags.
- Bright white bleached Tee shirts. One of the biggest destroyers of an impression. Try going without one. I have never worn one since I started 5 years ago. Authentic shirts will not be thin like most sutler row ones. Flannel and thick cotton is the way to go.
- White cotton socks. There are guys out there that make authentic cotton socks if you do need or want them.
- ANYTHING MODERN. If it doesn’t look like a 19th century item or if you have zippo as far as research to back it up, don’t bring it! Of course there are obvious exceptions such as medications. Also, in my group some carry ice packs in case the heat takes a punch at a pard.
- The two tent halves, as I’ve mentioned earlier. Remember, they carried only one half each. The best thing to do if you want to really do it right is to have everyone in your unit buy the same make of tent. That way you can button your half together with any of your pards and you got yourself a tent for two. This can be tough (take it form me) when one guy sees one make as better and another guy sees a completely different one as correct. Try to catch this early. If it is too late, then you can’t do much. For this reason I bought two halves. When I go campaigner, I bring only one. Living Histories or encampments, I usually bring both.
A saying I and many others like to go by is, “Less is More”. Pack light, pack what you need, no more and pack authentically. This can lead to a great impression.
àAlso to consider: theft has plague reenacting over the years. The less you have the less you have to worry about be stolen or tapered with while your away from camp drilling or at a battle.
¨There are also things you just won’t need to buy when just getting started:
DON”T BUY. . .
- Gaitors. Unless the original unit your group portrays had them and require them.
- A slouch hat, initially (for federal impression). This is something you may want to use for late war impressions. They most likely won’t be required by your unit. Forage cap first!
- Elastic braces (suspenders). Those bright red ones really stand out.
- A bandana. I have yet to see a picture of an enlisted man going Rambo. They just didn’t have them.
- The ever-popular haversack stuffer! The haversack was for your food! Avoid getting sucked into the little things that you buy that can add up cost wise.
- Blue “speckled” plates, bowls and coffee pots. It wasn’t invented until after the war.
- Cheap leathers. Some stuff out there is just plain horrible. You will have to pay more for quality leathers. Talk to others in your group about where you can get “the good stuff” or you can e-mail me.
- Stainless steel plates, cups, utensils or canteens. It doesn’t weather or wear (or rust!) like tin. If you want to do it right, go tin.
o Side Note: Canteens were not lined with bees wax.
- A lantern. I bought a $30 one initially. That has since been sold. They are cumbersome to tote along, you always have to worry about breaking the glass on the trip to an event and soldiers just didn’t carry the on campaign (for those reasons). I have a small fold up tin one and one a carved from a tree branch. I bring either one or the other. Or use your bayonet, like they did!
o Side note: Bee’s wax candles last longer than the 4 for a dollar deals, worth the extra $.
- ANYTHING QUESTIONABLE. Again, if it doesn’t look 19th century or have documentation to back it, don’t buy it.
If it’s tough to tell whether or not it is authentic and/or acceptable, ask a vet! Yeah some of them can be wrong too. Do your reading, surf the web and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Guys like me love to share the knowledge we have, hence this article. I basically educated myself after buying useless items that just sit home and receiving false info on items. You shouldn’t buy anything you immediately put into question.
Feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Please, if you are just getting into the hobby, find a group to join first, then you can worry about buying stuff. Some of the worst mistakes are made do to false assumptions of what you need to get started. A lot of groups out there lend equipment to “Fresh Fish” allowing you to pace yourself and not have to buy everything at once. Also some prefer certain sutlers and may not approve of something you previously purchased.
If you are a current reenactor, please do not take what I said as insult. You have every right to reenact the way you feel is correct. This article contains suggestions that have improved my impression and made every reenactment I attend feel more fulfilling. Not only does it feel more like I’m back to the 1860s but it correctly informs the spectators of the life of a soldier of this great and horrible Civil War we remember.