Civil War Reenacting: Advice For New Recruits
Vložit
- čas přidán 21. 07. 2018
- Ever wonder what your new unit is expecting of you? How can you ensure you aren't the weak link in your unit? This eppisode dives into the fundamental expectations of most civil war units out there!
These are great points. We've discovered one problem is guys who aren't coachable. That is to say, they've bought all the gear (usually a farby or incorrect impression), and think they don't need correction or guidance. Being willing to always improve is a huge positive attitude we look for.
I’m a new reenactor and I really enjoy it I got to be an infantry rifleman last event and am attending another event this weekend I also am pretty young to get in the hobby at 15
I was 15 when I started reenacting. I started with an artillery regiment and I'm still with them today.
do not do infantry. find yourself a cav unti or artillery unit. youll have more fun.
Do you have to buy your own uniform? I'm looking to do some reenactments.
@@Redemptionproject09 I second that. Cavalry is fun if they have horses for you to ride or if you bring your own. Artillery is what most people start out with. Mainly cause it's the cheapest. Usually all you need is the uniform. Everything else, the unit should have. Most units have loaner uniforms as well.
@@lieutenantnitewolf3337 If you find a unit with loaner uniforms, then you probably won't have to buy it. However, you may find that they might not have your size. My first year, I HAD to have the suspenders cause the only pants they had that were long enough for me were 42 in the waist. If you want something that fits your size, I'd say buy your own uniform. It shouldn't be too much. The complete uniform shouldn't be much more than $100 if you get a cheaper one. On the other hand, if you're going for extreme historical accuracy, in many cases the uniforms they gave out didn't quite fit soldiers well.
I've been doing this type of stuff, since the Bi-Centennial of the Civil War, when my mother made my friend and I our Confederate uniforms. That started it all. Renaissance reenacting, Old West Gunfighters! I've never been involved with Civil War groups, but the scares are still the same, like having nightmares about not bringing my boots, or something as dire and small like that. Regarding the War? My Great grandfather, referred to as "Capt. Billy" by all of his grandkids. Rode with the 2nd Kentucky Regiment, Company D. When I gave his record number to researchers, they claimed they couldn't find him, believing instead, that he was probably a Partisan Ranger! Oh damn! Cap'n Billy has been my Western character for years! One of my aunts told me, "Capt. Billy was too young (1842-1934), to have fought in the Civil War, do you want to see his saber?" All of my family is gone now, and at close to 70, (and disabled) the most I cacn do now is sit at this computer and read!
Here is a question, how does one make a regiment? I am very curious, thanks.
Soter, Great question. In short, it is the same way any group of individuals that enjoy the same hobby get to start an organized unit. We started with only 3 of us getting together regularly to drill and expand our knowledge. That grew to more people being interested and thus we reached a point where we needed to formally organize as a unit. Getting new recruits is always a battle and will be something you will have to keep doing.
Simply find others with the same interests as you. Try not to make it formal until there is already a group of you that meets regularly for drill. Creating a formal organization and advertising a unit when it is just yourself is a bit premature. let it grow naturally. Thanks!
Alright, thanks for the info!
I've been doing ww2 reenacting for roughly 3 years. I've been looking to get into civil war reenactment recently and really appreciate these extra tips.
One thing that helps a newbie at his first event, is to make sure he is prepared for the weather. My first event at Prairie Grove, Arkansas in December, 1988 was a cold one. I didn't have a proper overcoat, only my uniform to keep warm, one blanket and that's that. I think if you want to make a new recruit happy, make sure he is comfortable, even if you have to loan him extra blankets, rubber poncho and make sure he brings long underwear. I wasn't told these things by the unit I marched with and I had a miserable time there. Just keep an eye on that guy if he stays with it, that he starts acquiring his own "traps".
One unit I was in was terrible at making sure everyone was ready for an event. Basically a notice of when/where event was and which side we were to portray.
Last few units was 100% better. We had an event schedule, pre event mandatory meeting to go over the actual event, travel, weather and gear required. We also had a monthly drill meeting to sharpen our skills and teach new members the roaps. Our 1st Sgt was the official Farb Inspector as well.
*LIKED* the video and your perspective on how to position yourself in a new organization. Good advice for the hobby and everything else that we do. Adding a favorite of mine: as new member gets a few events and experience in him/her this is a good opertunity to pass your learning on to the newest members - help the next new guy/gal out share what you have learned.
Hey 1stMinn Sharpshooters! Funny seeing you here!
Hay guys
Went to my first ACW reenactment a few months ago, and I watched this video just a few says before, and your tips made the experience so much better for me, and knowing I wasn't slowing things down, made the whole thing that much better, Thanks for the video (I also really love your videos about civil war gear)
Right on target, you hit the nail on the head! Thanks Steve.
Thanks for the video and for your passion. I've done reenacting and...its work. You are a soldier. Passion and work ethic make it better. If you don't have these, you are a detriment. Listen and learn.
First.Rate Pard!! l am recommending this video to a couple of our reenactor members and we are a hardcore unit. Hope to see you on "the field" sometime
Great video lots of good points do you have on any how to get new recruits
Great life advise! As for the poor attitude of not wanting to drill over and over again and labor, ect, what can I say, military life, as an enlisted sucks! If you want to know what it's like, that's it, whether now or than. Look at the movie Glory you train to fight, fight, fight only to march, march, march and do backing breaking work. The difference is as an reenactor you choose to do it and can quit if you don't like it, no one is whipping you, locking you up on half rations, etc. This is living history, the point is to portray out of respect those that have lived it, done it, etc. In the service everything you do has a point, whether it's clear or not. You drill march, etc for unity no one is an individual, you are a unit all the same. Secondly unlike in reenactment your mistakes gets you killed and others!
This is great life advice. Applicable to anything you're doing. Thanks!
Every one of your points apply to any endeavor one wishes to do well. They were well thought out and well expressed. Well done!
I wanna be in the cavalry....
I am part of Fort Delaware and my group is not he greatest everyone is in egnorant. Except one. But I come in all nice and they yell at me. And not in a re enacting way
Great advice there Yankee, you going to be a fort Pocahontas at the beginning of next month. Knibb's battery artillery unit, come into camp and say hello. I promise we won't take you prisoner LOL ;)
Good stuff.
Training on Camp Guernsey.
A shame we couldn't make it to Ft Caspar.
Gonna hit Ft Laramie before we leave.
Good advice for work generally!
Yea I’m new need advice this be my third year but still don’t know crap or fired a musket yet well can’t fire it till now I’m 16 now but yea this was good advice thank you man
Incredibly, these 10 things could be applied to almost any organization. Be it Civil War, WWII, WWI, et cetera
So helpful!
Good job! You said it well.
Thanks Scott!
Also, if you run into guys who've been in the hobby for quite a while, a working knowledge of Monty Python (Holy Grail), Zulu, Glory and Gettysburg, to mention a few items.
Greetings from Fergusons Light Artillery Company of South Carolina!
I'm from utah and I don't have any groups near me but I want to take part in a regiment, what should I do?
I do have a question can I wear my glasses that I have now or do I need 1860 glasses sadly I can't wear contacts
There should be a website that catalogs all the places where groups are
So I've been looking for recruiting reenactment units based in the War of independence and the civil war near where I live and am wondering what the best way to find a recruiting regiment is.
Contact your local historical society, museums especially those dedicated to the Rev War and CW. Many of the curators work with reenactors to host living history events and this is how I successfully found a number of units over the years.
are you supposed to stop showering in preparation?
What pointers can you'll give on recruiting new people. We have a small csa cavalry group, but find it hard to get stayers
Paul, if you figure out an easy solution you'll make millions. Unfortunately, recruiting is always tough. The best I can suggest is to be active and plan to attend, plan, organize events that fit within your unit's scope....and NEVER cancel an event...even if you the the only one who shows up. Being reliable has gone a long way for us. For example, we drill every month throughout the year...including the winter in the Rockies when the wind is blowing and it's -20 degrees outside. Having members know that there will be a drill weekend or event NO MATTER what has helped us out.
In conjunction with what the gentleman in the video said: be a PERSON first and foremost. I run into so many fellow reenactors who are so knowledgeable, but they really lack people skills, and as a result they have a tendency to turn potential recruits away without even realizing it. For example, when correcting someone's mistake or an error in their impression, don't be a dick. Offer constructive, supportive criticism that will help them improve their impression without giving them the urge to reply: "go fuck yourself." When people are coming through camp and coming up to you with questions, it can be fun to remain in character and make it immersive, but sometimes people are just looking to do some Q+A with a reenactor, and staying in character for that can weird them out. Just be socially aware, approachable, and make sure you and your guys hone your people skills in addition to keeping up a good impression.
Any advice for drummer boys? Planning on becoming one.
Most of that doesn't apply in mainstream units. The main thing you need is a pulse and interest in history. Most are willing to work with you where you are. I tried to be a campaigner. I bought all the right gear but I'm old and fat. So I couldn't go to any hard core events. I was mainstream most of my reenacting life. In a "family unit". I was 14 when I started reenacting. I wasn't prepared for the world. The hard-core drinking, the drugs and low moral character was shocking. But I just wanted to be one of the guys. The disrespect and mistreatment was hard. Being forced to do all the things no one wanted to do. Always being the outsider, the butt of every joke. But it was a "family unit." I don't reenact anymore, to many a#$ holes and egos.
Really want to slim up before I join so my belly doesn't go over my belt or just be pudgy and wide...so I guess I have time to exercise like I was doing since corona
The Civil War has been my top subject in school. After seeing my first reenactment I got interested in participating in reenacting. Do you have any more tip other then these tip from the video because I'm still considering joining.
Austin, the biggest thing to figure out is why you are interested in it and search out units in your area. I strongly recommend finding a unit that is busy and has a full schedule. Even if you can't make it to all the unit's events those units tend to be better than stagnant ones! Where do you live? PM Me if you can.
My home town is Shasta Lake City which is 7miles north of Redding California and I also live in Sacramento because I'm enrolled in Sacramento State.
LOL sure, no problem. Just one question, when do I get paid?
I'd honestly be perfect. I'm already in the US Army, so this stuff is totally natural.
i know morse code, can i be of use
Hey question how old do you have to be I'm 14 soon 15 am I old enough
Dead Walker, each unit has different rules but generally 16 is the magic age to carry a rifle onto the field. Get with some local units and see what their requirements are and go from there.
It's a shame I ain't gonna get far if I'm active duty military and wanting to do reenacting.
I just subscribed. I have a strong work ethic but, I wanted to join the military unable to so I thought I could go join a reenactment. I'm looking for reenactments like from starting from 1914 or something like Vercruz reenactment or starting off in WWI but, any reenactment is fine.. I want to go through training and do my part in the reenactment. I hear some people don't like the foods at times well no worries if I don't like it I will still eat just like they did back then. Drills so what its a reenactment this is what they did this is like the military back then. Be serious about it but, be willing. I'm not gonna jump in with a smile on my face cuz, back in a military program I said I wanted to join they said why are you smiling. I told them I'm excited to join. I never took it all too seriously but seriously enough I stayed for three years never caring about promotions which I only got promoted twice. I would love to join a reenactment but there are none in my area and now more so due to covid. I would love to watch the reenactment and or even join in with them. I'm great at following orders I will not fail and I will give 10000%. I reply with Yes Sir or Yes Ma'am or even No Sir or No Ma'am which saying No isnt the right way to be in a war reenactment mainly I will say Yes Sir or Yes Ma'am. I'm more of a night time person but, if you need watchmen or cooks I'm your guy infantry I'm your guy if I can't sleep at night til morning I guess I'm not sleeping I will even live how they lived back then. I'm dedicated, hard working and loyal. Three things that will make you more likely to be accepted. Also I don't mind if I don't sleep well I say sleep is alright after the war reenactment that's when you can finally get real sleep. I can sleep four hours and have the energy to do stuff if I have less thats fine might feel a bit sick but its all good not likely I will get more than four hours during these events also I have tons of positivity to spread I know some might be exhausted during the war reenactment but, maybe even if they are too tired for my positivity they will see that my positivity will grow on them and if I end up being out day one or day whatever I know that my positivity will be with them. I joined the military program and a sport in high school I was always happy and positive til my junior year and now I'm back with positivity. Negativity well your unit wouldn't like it too much and yea when you are out you will be missed but not your negativity if your positive and end up being out you will be missed and also your positivity will be missed.
How it goes or may go
Negative person: oh God 5 mile walk. ugh. I don't wanna walk 5 miles.
Your unit: ... can you believe this person
Negative person: this food is gross and I didn't get any sleep.
Your unit: Oh my God quit your damn complaining we know its 5 miles and we are tired too. We are in this too you aren't the only one so shut up.
Now for the positive person
Positive person: Come on everyone I know its 5 miles but, we are getting close.
Your unit: wow this guy isn't half bad he is so positive and he is right we should look at the positives.
Positive person: Eh didn't get so much sleep and the food may not be good but, at least we got some rest and had something to eat. It could be worse we could be starving and not have any sleep.
Your unit: wow a bit negative but, made it seem so positive at least he isn't complaining.
I know the second line may be a bit negative but I turned it into a positive and the positive person is what you should be in the reenactment not the negative sour puss. Always look on the bright side.
I’m joining the civil war reancment and I’m very excited Imma be the flag holder at first and then can’t wait comes next 😃
I know this video is kind of old, but can reenactor units accept minors?
Each unit is a bit different but most accept minors (
I am looking for a hardcore/100% authentic and realistic civil war reenactment group. Are there many of such groups or are they rare?
Karel, It depends on what you mean by 100%. But take a look at the Authentic Campaigner forum. There are a bunch of authentically minded units and a world of information there. See link below:
www.authentic-campaigner.com/
Hello new re-enactor here. I’m trying to be an authentic daytime southern belle, what kind of outfit and hairstyle should I do? We have so many union women but very few confederacy women, and I would really love to be an authentic one, especially since it’s my first time and we have a huge amount of people who take this very seriously and don’t want to offend anyone. Thank you!
I was at 158 too for my first time ever
I really want to join a unit but I can’t find a unit in my area any advice?
Where do you live? We should be able to get you in touch with someone.
@@11thovcI live in Minnesota, I actually did find a unit the 1st Minnesota I’m going to ask if I can join.
@@11thovc but a lot of the re-enactments are in different states and I might not be able to attend most of them so that’s a problem
Fitness I would say is a big deal
I do like that comment I've been reenacting 20 years. That doesn't mean anything.
Wish I had the money to do this
That microphone on your coat is not historically accurate. They didn't have those back then.
maybe he was the one who invented it?
The only thing I disagree with is the Uniform, not everyone has the money to afford everything to be super accurate to the time period.
Did I buy a water canteen that doesn’t exist yet? Yes, I rather pay 20$ for that instead of 200$ for an authentic one. Wanting more people to join the hobby, you shouldn’t criticize them for not having everything correct
I don’t think he talked about uniforms in his video, but I can tell you from experience that it is better to buy right the first time. If you can not afford an accurate uniform, your unit normally has items to loan out until you get the money together. Also, be patient and buy used items. I sometimes buying quality items used is cheaper than buying cheap inauthentic things new. I have three period correct canteens and their total expense combined is much less than $200.
I don't know what rank you are but you should be Tops or First Seargent...
Co:
Captain....soso
First lt uhh
Second lt. ...worthless
First Sgt is tops he runs the company.
If you ain't 15 minutes early you are late...bravo.
Wow didn't realize playing army was taken so seriously
I love God.
I want to be a calvary reenactor so badly, but unfortunately I was born a woman.
In other words a person reenacting for 20 years probably doesn't know
lmao
That hat just does not work ... goofy looking with the '51. Should have worn a Type II.
1. Must be a virgin
2. Must be at least 60 pounds overweight...