ask a civil war reenactor
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Wyldfire
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As a reenactor of another period I have to say that the Civil war folks put on a hell of a show.
To field Rainshine's questions. Yeah people really do this sort of thing. It's a fun way to study the period of the reenactment group.
It depends on the group and their rules, but I can imagine the majority have a time period for each battle scenario. Either at the end of the scenario, or more likely, at the first break in action the "dead" are cleared from the field. Most of these groups don't have the numbers to fully reenact the battles so they rotate you through as you "die" to help represent the numbers of actual troops.
Most groups want to represent the spirit of the period not the actuality of it. We medieval reenactors like to reenact the period, not things like the plague.
To field Rainshine's questions. Yeah people really do this sort of thing. It's a fun way to study the period of the reenactment group.
It depends on the group and their rules, but I can imagine the majority have a time period for each battle scenario. Either at the end of the scenario, or more likely, at the first break in action the "dead" are cleared from the field. Most of these groups don't have the numbers to fully reenact the battles so they rotate you through as you "die" to help represent the numbers of actual troops.
Most groups want to represent the spirit of the period not the actuality of it. We medieval reenactors like to reenact the period, not things like the plague.
Wyldfire
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In most cases there is an admission fee, but it is primarily intended to cover the costs the group incurs in putting the event on. Things like site rental, portajohn rentals and maintenance, and supplies for signage, advertising and such.
Wyldfire
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In some cases (Like the group I am in) we take about half of any profit for it and put it into what we call loaner garb, for newcomers to the group to use (and in some cases when they like the outfit, buy.), until they can get their own wardrobe up to snuff.....
remy_lebeau8
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wyldfire what time period are you? I guess I should have subscribed to my own thread but I thought it died.
remy_lebeau8
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Usually just the rest of the battle. National events with 3 hour battles would have you get cleaned off the field and sent out as reinforcements I would guess, but I am artillery not infantry so I dont know all their rules. At the end of the battle someone plays taps and everyone gets up.
The events have small admission fees but that covers costs of renting the land/portajohns etc. Also covers powder bounties and other fees to keep reenactors coming. If its a national event, money tends to go to battlefield preservation as well. Most events end up loosing money in the end
Wyldfire
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He he he I'm not set on any real hard and fast period except within the SCA's timeline.... With I believe is 900 a.d. to late 1600's last time I checked....
remy_lebeau8
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Have one actually and I have thought about it. Paid 100 for mine though.
I have a little bit. A friend showed me a book on sex in the civil war(cant recall the name). It had nudie pictures from the day, and letters between brothers and cousins comparing dick sizes and shit like that, maybe talking bout their latest prostitute.
remy_lebeau8
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Oh so you're a Renascence nerd eh? Makes my hobby look cheap in comparison
Wyldfire
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remy_lebeau8
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At times. But I bet a home made catapult is cheaper than a cannon.
Probably. Guess it would depend on the size though. I want to build an Elvin rouge/assassin impression, but I haven't found armor I like at a reasonable price yet. All I want is the breast/backplate, greives, and gauntlets or whatever them forearm covers are called. Fuck 400 for a leather breastplate though.. my whole Civil war uniform probably cost 400 for EVERYTHING outside of my musket
Wyldfire
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You're paying for the armorer's labor really.
remy_lebeau8
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Ya I understand that and I know leather can be pricy. Sabre belts run 50 bucks for the cheap imported stuff and upwards of 150 or more for and american made one. I'm trying to find the thinner stuff. I dont need battle ready leather, just something that looks good. I did find one but it was rather plain. Id love to have more of the scale kind of armor, But I cant afford something that nice.
jen_litgirl
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Sorry Remy,
I meant to ask if you were crazy with a heavy dose of sarcasm that I think was lost in my original post.
I'm impressed with the work and dedication that you guys put into reinactment.
remy_lebeau8
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Na its ok I am crazy. I mean shit I wear wool in hundred degree weather!
As far as work and dedication, I couldn't say. I'm not part of a host unit, so we just show up and play.
ThinkWrite
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What kind of sex goes on at these events?
All that time together, camping out, you must have some stories to share?!
All that time together, camping out, you must have some stories to share?!
remy_lebeau8
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I'm sure quite a bit, especially with alachol. No crazy stories though. Well there's one event where there's a old boat dock or somethin. It's all covered and such. Guess you don't go in there with a flash light if you catch my drift. I've never been there. The Missus isn't one for getting it under a tree when guards wander around.
Wyldfire
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See? You get stuck in wool. I get to wear thin flimsy gauzy stuff in my gypsy persona
......
remy_lebeau8
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I can post some in the morning. I'm at work now and posting from my phone.
remy_lebeau8
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See? You get stuck in wool. I get to wear thin flimsy gauzy stuff in my gypsy persona
Eh it isn't too bad. Perk of artillery is I can get out wearing the coat.
I've never been to one but I have heard about them. I'm guessing the more involved you are the higher rank in the military you get to be. Is there a guy out there who gets to portray Grant or Lee? Is it always the same guy or do you get to take turns? I bet Lee gets ALL the ladies
remy_lebeau8
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I've never been to one but I have heard about them. I'm guessing the more involved you are the higher rank in the military you get to be. Is there a guy out there who gets to portray Grant or Lee? Is it always the same guy or do you get to take turns? I bet Lee gets ALL the ladies
All your ranks are usually elected by the unit they are with. So ya time and popularity will get you higher.
As for grant and lee, each area seems to have their own guy. As long as I've been reenacting, its been the same lee, grant, davis, and Lincoln. Know a guy that does forrest too.
Oddly enough, last I saw lee he did have a few ladies around him
