Reenactors Unite!

[[RG]Chewie]

Just wondering how many Reenactors we have on these forums..
Im with the 71st PVI (1st California)

[GeorgeCrecy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AECwzIh5wEI

Corporal of the 7th Illinois Volunteer Infantry/1st Oregon Volunteer Infantry, and Private of the 97th PVI from when I was in Philadelphia, at your service!

(And whatever gave you the idea that this is "Off Topic?" Hehe)

[PvtPalmer11pvi]

Pvt. 11th PVI Co. K (The Bloody 11th)

[George]

We don't really have units in Aus, but I represent a Confederate private. I also do early medieval (Viking age/Dark Age) reenactment, in that I represent a wealthy Anglo-Saxon.

[TrustyJam]

We don't really have units in Aus, but I represent a Confederate private. I also do early medieval (Viking age/Dark Age) reenactment, in that I represent a wealthy Anglo-Saxon.

A whealthy anglo-saxon you say?... You better watch out - half the dev team are danes. We'll relieve you of that treasure. :)

- Trusty

[1SGT Shannon]

15th SC Infantry, Co. C (Kershaw's Brigade, Longstreet's Corps, ANV), 76th PA Infantry "Keystone Zouaves", and 97th Indiana Infantry.

[oldwesttrooper]

I would call myself some kind of "hobby historian" + doing living history Indian Wars & Pioneer era 1860s-1890s , i have also portraied a johnny reb some years ago.

[PvtPalmer11pvi]

For all Reenactors would you consider yourself a Campaigner? Progressive? Or Mainstream? Any photos or your impressions? What brought you to the wonderful world or reenacting?

I personally consider myself more progressive... I dont sleep in a dog tent (I sleep in a nice comfy A Frame mostly because the old lady wouldnt be to happy getting changed in a dog tent). I strive to be as authentic as I can while not spending outrageous amounts of money on my gear. I do bring modern items with me and use them but I do hide them from the public.

My Impression is posted as my avatar because im just awesome like that :P

I have always Been interested in the Civil War since I was young and first say the movie Gettysburg..prompting many many visits to the Battlefield since I live only under 3 hours away. Then I found out I had numerous ancestors who had fought. 3 in the 11th Pa Reserves Co. I (40th pvi) 1 in the 63rd Pvi and 1 in the 11th Pvi who went MIA during the Battle of the Wilderness and 2 in the 206th Pvi and thats what I have found so far. I also had family in the south during the time so who knows :P

[[RG]Chewie]

I see myself as a campaigner . My unit does allot of living history so I want to make sure I'm giving the right impression.

Any body here going to the 150th of cedar creek in October?

[1SGT Shannon]

Progressive. As authentic as possible in what you see, but not opposed to a good sleeping bag, propane heater, or battery powered fan in the tent. Clothing is hand-sewn on top stitching and machined where stitching is not visible. I have done some research in this area and have found that sewing machines were likely more common than we think. A friend has an original Godey's which has an ad in the back. Godey's was giving away sewing machines to ladies who sold subscriptions to the magazine! There was also a man in Charleston, SC who ran a girls school and taught the young women to machine sew. When the war broke out, the gentleman began producing uniforms for the army which were machine sewn, an example of which is in the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum. Machine sewing was also increasingly seen in the uniforms produced by the Schuylkill Arsenal as the war went on.

[[RG]Chewie]

I'm finding more and more through research that uniforms were all different from one another usually in more ways then one. The union sack coat for instance either had a lining or no lining, stitching and some times color were slightly different. It was all based upon what was available at the time. I have even read that a small amount of federal early war uniforms were dyed with logwood and logwood after a while in the elements turned a rust brown.

[1SGT Shannon]

Yep, although I had not heard of Union logwood uniforms. Any references to which regiments? You will probably enjoy just looking at the available fabrics here:
www.bnbtart.com/
I have also seen Confederate trousers that were striped horizontally and in uneven widths due to the yarn they were made with being from different dye lots, although the color was supposedly the same! My favorite Federal uniforms were made of a fabric called "shoddy." This was made by sweeping the lint from the sewing room floor, patting it down flat and adding glue to hold it together. One regiment uniformed in shoddy cloth was rained on on the march to 1st Manassas and was practically naked when they arrived.

[PvtPalmer11pvi]

Chewie;3831']I see myself as a campaigner . My unit does allot of living history so I want to make sure I'm giving the right impression.

Any body here going to the 150th of cedar creek in October?

Cant wait for Cedar Creek! I still have my first uniform I purchased from Fall Creek many years ago. I have a Wambaugh White and Co. Schuylkill fatigue blouse coming. I also need to see Mr. Dirtty Billy at cedar creek for a new hat

[[RG]Chewie]

Found this quoted in multiple forums online

An article in Scientific American, August 24, 1861 also substantiates this color change:
STABLE AND CHANGEABLE COLOURS - FRAUDS
A regiment belonging to this city (of Washington, D.C.) lately returned after three months' service, and the blue coats of all the companies but one seemed to be as bright as they were on the day the men left. The exceptional company had not been in service over eighteen weeks, as it was a reserve raised after the body of the regiment had gone to Washington; and all coats of this company were entirely new deep rich blue color, but they had become a dirty drab color on the shoulder and all parts that had been exposed to sun light. This cloth had been colored with logwood instead of indigo, and it was a fraud, as logwood can be applied for one-fourth the cost of indigo at the very most. Such frauds should be traced to their source and the guilty parties disgorged.

[[RG]Chewie]

Just purchased a dirty billy private purchase forage cap last tuesday :) however i am quite envious of the WW & CO fatigue blouse you have on the way.
.

[PvtPalmer11pvi]

Im very excited I have saved up for a year for this jacket lol and Honestly How is your cap? I heard some people at Old Bedford Village saying he has been slacking on quality?

[[RG]Chewie]

I believe that the federal issue forage caps are on par with the quality of the time, they do look like they will last quite some time however. His private purchase forage caps (if he has any) are much better quality again, as they were in the 1860s, but you pay a higher price (around $145.00).

[PvtPalmer11pvi]

I have saved up my pocket change since last September for a dirty billy hat I have about $130 now But I will see what he has with him. I remember some people saying he was definitely going to be at Cedar Creek so we shall see in October :)

[rebeltim28]

I use to many years ago. 23rd Va. we were out of Richmond.

[Devmc99]

In the 28th Massachusetts "Irish Brigade". I may be going to 150th cedar creek with my unit.

[[RG]Chewie]

We should all try to meet up at cedar creek if we can and maybe help get the word out about war of rights, at the appropriate Times of course. I was wondering if any of you were attending the fort Delaware pow event this weekend?

[GeorgeCrecy]

No, definitely need to shout several times during the battle, WAR OF RIGHTS!!! ;)
At the same time, I am afraid that us West Coasters are not going to be able to join you. Cedar Creek is a great event though.

[PvtPalmer11pvi]

That sounds like a great idea Chewie.. As for shouting WAR OF RIGHTS! I shout at the rebs anyway so I think I can handle that ;)