I read a great letter to the Editor in Civil War News this morning, from a former Marine who had become a so-called "hard core", or "campaigner" reenactor. The writer had for a time been fascinated with the hyper-"accuracy" pursued by his "campaigner" mates, particularly given his military background. But after hearing fellow "campaigners" criticizing "mainstream" reenactors, and sneering down their noses at those who have not spent $2,000.00 to concoct what they believe to be a "period correct" uniform, the letter writer became disillusioned with being a "hard-core" reenactor, and asked whether the hobby should not be more about being inclusive of all those who are enthusiasts about the history of the War Between the States.
These divisions in the Civil War Living History / reenacting community have long troubled me. I went into the hobby because (1) I have been nuts about Civil War history since growing up in Virginia, (2) living it to the limited extent we do has been learning the War, its causes, and its personas, from the inside out, and (3) I truly believe that teaching people the honest history of the WBTS is an important function I can help offer to the American public.
Regardless of how detailed once chooses to be in preparing his or her "kit", the simple fact of the matter is that none of us are more than weekend warriors. No lead is flying, no one has been taken out of their homes for years on end to serve in the army, and the political future of our country is not completely at stake in what we do. Some of us simply enjoy re-living some of the experiences, and others of us enjoy teaching others about what we have learned.
While I have spent a significant amount of money to portray my collateral ancestor, Maj. Gen. Isaac Ridgeway Trimble (CSA), and take pride in the accuracy of my portrayal and my uniform, I am by no means a "stitch nazi" who obsesses over such things as hand-stitched buttonholes, or whether I am the same age and body type as the General. (He was 5'9", and I am 6'1", but I am approaching his age, 59, at the start of the War). My absolute high point came when, after riding the horse trails on the Gettysburg battlefield in uniform, one of the licensed battlefield guides, who must take an extensive test to gain their license, approached me by saying, "General Trimble, I have some people here who would like to ask you some questions." He got it, which I took as a high compliment from a well-trained guide.
I do not criticize campaigners for their choice to march to battlefields, camp in the open, obsess over the accuracy of their uniforms, or wipe their backsides with leaves. Where their attitude and mine depart is on their self-congratulatory criticism of others in the hobby who do not take things to such extremes. I strive for accuracy in what I do, how I speak, and in the appearance of my camp, and I help others to reach appropriate levels of accuracy themselves. I am no better, and no more important, than the lowest-ranking grunt in the infantry - we are all part of telling the story of a momentous time in American history.
I think there are "hard core" types in every hobby or avocation. There should be room enough for everyone.
Cheers.
Posted by: R. Sherman | May 28, 2010 at 10:22 AM
I concur! We do our best to portray the lives of a Civil War soldier (husband) and a U.S. Sanitary Commission worker (Me). We researched our roles, and in my case, my display items. Our main goal is to educate the public about life during the 1860's and events leading up to, and after the war.
How is a hardcore, hidden in the woods away from the spectators, able to reach the public as we do? What good is proper stitch count if the public can't get close enough to see it?
My husband has his "war worn" uniform on when he is in camp. We have no modern conveniences visible and we know our history.
Isn't that just as important? I think the public is more confortable with those of us who worry less about thread count anyway!
Posted by: Terri Lynn Hagen | June 01, 2010 at 06:47 AM