Newt
Joined: 14 Jul 2008
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 Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 1:46 pm Post subject: 35th NCT Impressions and Field guidlines 2009 |
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35th NCT Personal Impression Recommendations
2009
Greetings fellow reenactors!
We have pooled our reenacting experience as well as our reenacting desires to bring to the group what we see as simple suggestions to improve our impressions and appearance to better portray the Confederate and Federal soldiers. We feel that the following suggestions would be beneficial to our unit because they would not only make us look, feel, and soldier better, but will entice and attract the kinds of enthusiastic folks who desire truly authentic reenacting. While we feel we should all strive to be as historically accurate as possible, these suggestions are exactly that: suggestions. They are not mandates. This is a volunteer organization taking part in a national hobby. No one will be forced, only encouraged to abide by these suggestions. They will not be condescending in nature. Opinions have been taken by military members and pooled together in a non-discriminatory manner to hopefully improve the personal impressions of our company. We owe the success of this endeavor to three groups of people. First and foremost, to the fighting men of both sides who gave their lives for the cause they believed in. Second, to the American public who views the events we attend and take part in. They need to see the war for what it truly was, not for what we wish it was based on our modern day political pre-conceived notions or our modern day comforts and lack of attention to detail. Lastly, we owe this to our fellow reenactors. We all do this for different reasons. Yet, for whatever reason, it should be the unanimous goal to do it right and strive to be as authentic as possible. We would be doing our brothers in the field a disservice if we were not constantly trying to evolve and adapt to re-creating the most authentic unit we can.
Enjoy!
More Jeans cloth, Less pure wool.
We portray a North Carolina infantry unit and that requires that our shell jackets, sack coats, and trousers all be made from jeans cloth. The NC soldier was primarily issued jeans cloth material and sustained such garments throughout the war. During late war events, it is suitable on occasions to have trousers made from differing materials and color patterns, tints, etc. (Not every button necessarily has to be buttoned. However top button must be buttoned at all times.)
Strive to have that “worn” look.
Don’t worry if your accouterments, leather gear, kit, knapsack, or uniform has a slightly worn look to it. Now obviously one should strive to look dignified and orderly as a soldier, yet life on the march and in campaign would have obviously taken its toll on issued and non issued gear. So unless your gear is in tatters or is falling apart, don’t be afraid to get a few more events out of it. For example, a pair of brogans that we might take 5 years to wear out in modern times might not last 5 months in the war. However, one should always be wary of the “ragged Confederate running through the woods barefoot with 3 teeth and half a shirt with his daddy’s squirrel gun” myth.
Don’t be afraid to get DIRTY!
We all know that reenacting can be expensive, and as such, we often don’t want to soil such expensive and costly clothing and gear. But you also have to take into consideration that after many days of consecutive marching on dusty roads, fording creeks, tramping through mud bogs, and sleeping on the ground that a soldier would certainly not have looked like he had just marched through Pennsylvania Avenue. Once again, stray away from the ragged Confederate syndrome, but if you get a little mud on your trousers or jacket here and there, don’t sweat it. It can look great depending on the situation. Besides, we all have washing machines at home.
NO cowboy hats.
We all have our farb stages. However some tend to take longer to come out of than others. We all too often see “cowboy” or western type hats at events. Be aware that sutlers will sell anything to make a profit and just because you see it in a sutler tent does not make it authentic. I have yet to see a period photo or tintype of an infantryman, artilleryman, or even a cavalryman with something resembling a cowboy hat. Take heed of the fact that the style of most slouch hats in the 1860's was to have the front and the sides of the brim rolled or shaped upward, not downward toward the ground. So whether you are new to reenacting or are a seasoned veteran and you find yourself in the market for new headgear, you will be fine if you stay away from anything resembling a cowboy hat or a Crocodile Dundee and Indiana Jones special.
Carry a knapsack or bedroll.
It would be very correct to have all of your company go into the battle scenario with either a knapsack and/or a bedroll. Yes, Officers too. It was very commonplace for infantrymen to march miles to the sound of the guns and go straight into the fight with bedrolls and packs. There VERY rarely would have been a time or safe place to drop packs and bedrolls before going into battle due to the threat of enemy cavalry raiding in the rear and the possibility of theft and simply advancing too far and too fast to recover the gear.
Remember the chronology of your headgear.
Always be conscious of the fact that while doing a Confederate impression, one should strive to remember that from ‘61 to early ‘62 events, kepis and forage caps were quite common. Yet for events set in late ‘62 through the end of the war, slouch hats would have been the common headgear for 60-80% of the men in a company. In portraying any events done in 1865, hardly anyone should have a kepi or forage cap. However for Federal, kepis and forage caps are acceptable any for any time period and are encouraged over slouch hats due to the more efficient supply from Northern factories and almost unlimited resources. Also, Hardee hats and the Steven’s model slouch hats are an excellent choice for Federal impressions, especially when doing western events. Remember: Lose the feather in your slouch hats!
Lose the brass.
The less brass insignia and decoration on your hat or other gear, the better. Period photos as well as personal accounts prove that these were not only NOT issued to either side, but they were expensive and the soldiers would have had to buy them on their own. It is understandable that some may choose to wear these because of unit or company pride. However, we would be bringing the company more pride in doing it right and showing crispness and authenticity in the field.
Wear accouterments higher and tighter.
This is one of the MOST important and simple things you can do to improve your impression and it is something that take virtually NO money. Soldiers and civilians wore their pants a little higher up around the waist back in those days and consequently, their accouterments followed suit. Moreover, accouterments were worn higher up around the waist and in between the underarm and waist because (and any reenactor who has been marching for more than five minutes) you will soon see that marching for long periods of time will cause your haversack and cartridge box to flop and bounce around on your thighs and legs for those of us who are vertically challenged. In addition, wearing your accouterments higher and tighter is simply more comfortable. Also, remember that when wearing a blanketroll/bedroll/knapsack, wear your canteen OVER your bedroll and knapsack. Don’t wear uniform or accouterments loosely or sloppily. Honor the fighting men.
NO gaiters after 1861 events.
Sure fellows. They look cool sometimes and they are great for keeping your feet dry and keeping high grass and briars from ripping into your lower pants leg, but let’s be honest. After about late fall of 1861, you would be hard pressed to find a pair of gaiters on any infantrymen on either side, especially in the Confederate Army. They would have been simply unnecessary weight and extra gear. So unless you are portraying 1st Manassas or another 1861 event, lose the gaiters.
More dog tents and shelter halves.
Sure there were wedge tents in an army camp. But in today’s reenacting world, the significance and prevalence of dog tents and shelter halves have been somewhat forgotten. The addition of good looking dog tents (even if you don’t actually sleep in them) can make for a great looking camp street. Also, just campaigning on the ground wherever there is a suitable place is also an authentic option whenever possible and practical.
The less branch insignia/designation, the better. (Ex: hat cords, red/yellow/blue trimming and piping)
This may have been somewhat common very early in the war, but accounts and period photos reveal that there was little use of and for excessive branch insignia and branch designation such as the above mentioned items. However, the occasional black hat cord for North Carolina troops may have been seen here or there. (This does not apply to Richmond Depot Jackets with black trim and piping, as this was commonplace with this jacket.)
More overcoats at winter events
An obvious statement. Especially when doing federal, you should wear an overcoat in the field. Overcoats were pretty much a common garment for the Federal army. For the Confederates, it was more of a luxury. However, when doing Confederate, it is ok, especially when doing late war events to wear an occaisional federal light blue greatcoat.
Wear scarfs and gloves at Winter events
These add to the realism of the life of an average infantryman. Period scarves of quality materials are good. Fingerless gloves are even better. Homespun scarfs and gloves are also acceptable.
***Even if you don’t camp “hardcore” or campaign, you should look hardcore in the field, in your impression, when drilling, and in battle. What goes on and what is in the inside of your tent is strictly your business and should not be meddled with or ridiculed. However, when you step out, you are open to the eye of the spectator and owe it to the men who fought, the public, and your fellow reenactors to do it right.***
More roller buckles and brass and toothed buckles and less “CS” buckles.
The North Carolina infantryman primarily wore a black roller buckle belt, but towards the end of the war events, you could be a little more liberal as to the tint or color. In addition, roller buckles tend to be more comfortable. Just as long as it is authentic looking, quality leather with a good looking buckle.
NCO’s–Black Chevrons!
The North Carolina infantry NCO’s were issued and wore black chevrons, as did several other states’ infantrymen.
***De-farb your Enfield! No bluing.***
There is still to this day no definitive evidence to prove that the 1853 British Enfield was shipped to America with the bluings on them. As far as we know, there have been no originals with bluings found on them and you will likely never see a period photo of a soldier with an Enfield that has bluings. You can remove the bluings with a soft, high grained sand paper or sand paper sponge. Or, you can send your rifle off to be “de-farbed” Also, there should be fewer rifle slings—especially for late war events. Period photos point out again and again that these may have been more rare than originally thought.
Remember chronological impact on impressions, uniforms, and firearms.
As stated earlier with headgear, always remember the chronological order of your jackets, trousers, and accouterments. Early war means more NC shell jackets and sack coats and mid/late war means NC shells and Richmond Depot jackets (Remember, jeans cloth). AS for firearms, for early war events, the 1842 model Springfield is am excellent choice for either side. For mid/late war, more Enfields, Richmonds, and ‘61 Springfields. ‘61 or ‘63 Springfields are great for Federal events.
Haversacks
More tarred and linseed oil haversacks would be nice for Confederate, although a healthy mix of varying haversacks including a few homespuns for Confederate is quite accurate. Also, when doing Federal, the black tarred haversack should be the haversack of choice.
All too often at events, we see officers of all ranks with farby golden lace trimming and he (or heaven forbid, she) looks like he came straight out of the farb-fest television specials of the 1980's. If you are a Confederate officer, such trimmings would be uncommon and impractical after Spring ‘62 events. Also, if you are below the rank of Major, try to lose the double breasted sack coats. Federal Officer uniforms, especially in late war, tended to be no different than an average private’s jacket with his rank and insignia on them. Don’t misunderstand; officers were a breed apart and were expected to look and act as such, but silly and over the top lace trimmings were losing their allure and place when it came to mid-war. If you are an officer, don’t be afraid to wear and authentic and every once in a while, worn looking slouch hats. Again, you are an officer and should not look like a slouch, but you should not look extremely different than the men you are leading, especially in late war events. And please...an officer with a knapsack or bedroll is a major plus, especially if you are a Lt. or Captain. You are the leader of a company or platoon; you live and fight alongside these men.
Officer tips and advice:
All too often at events, we see officers of all ranks with farby golden lace trimming and he (or heaven forbid, she) looks like he came straight out of the farb-fest television specials of the 1980's. If you are a Confederate officer, such trimmings would be uncommon and impractical after Spring ‘62 events. Lose or tone down the excessive lace trimmings haughty brass. Also, if you are below the rank of Major, try to lose the double breasted sack coats. Remember: Think field practicality. Federal Officer uniforms, especially in late war, tended to be no different than an average private’s (four button) jacket with his rank and insignia on them in the form of shoulder boards. Don’t misunderstand; officers were a breed apart and were expected to look and act as such, but silly and over the top lace trimmings were losing their allure and place when it came to mid-war. Also, remember that anything that made you less of a target in that type of warfare was key. Officers with slough hats and knapsacks/bedrolls is a major plus!! If you are an officer, don’t be afraid to wear an authentic and worn looking slouch hat. Again, you are an officer and should not look like a slouch, but you should not look extremely different than the men you are leading, especially in late war events. And please...an officer with a knapsack or bedroll is a major plus, especially if you are a Lt. or Captain. You are the leader of a company or platoon; you live and fight alongside these men.
More jeans cloth kepis and forage caps.
Remember (for Confederate) that jeans cloth is more authentic, comfortable, and breathable than pure wool. If doing Federal, you would have to have a pure wool forage cap or kepi. Also, when wearing these kinds of caps, period photos indicate that is was the style during that time period to turn or angle the bill upward. NEVER fold your bill in the baseball cap fashion as this is extremely farby and non-period.
Other random tips, advice, opinions, and shared knowledge.
• ***Study and try to imitate period photos. (Especially NC infantrymen)***
• Mix and match accouterment and gear tint and color (more so in late war)
• ***JUST BECAUSE A SUTLER SELLS IT DOESN’T MEAN IT’S AUTHENTIC***
• More cigars and pipes, less cigarettes. (For smokers of course)
• Everyone needs a groundcloth or poncho.
• ***Think, look, and act as a soldier would in whatever climate, place, time, situation. (However, don’t be overly dramatic)***
• ***There were NO fat Confederates.***
Not a mean joke or meant to harass anyone. But honestly, the only thing scarier to a Confederate soldier than an incoming minieball was a day without a meal. Unfortunately, they saw many unfed days. By the end of the war in late ‘64 and ‘65, these brave men were almost starving.
• Lose the feather in your slouch hats.
• ***Remember: Are we actual living historians or just a bunch of guys getting together and “playing” Civil War? We will get more enjoyment out of doing this right.***
• ***Remember: We are re-creating the war, NOT re-fighting it.***
• ***Don’t let your modern-day political perspective of the war have a negative or apathetic impact on your impression.***
• Best hats–Dirty Billy, Clearwater, Tim Bender, Ben Starbuck Caps.
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