SQ8: A period civilian skill or two

[Charles Heath]

So, at an upcoming event where you have some built-in leisure time, if the opportunity came about to learn a minor, but common, civilian skill with easy application to the military side of things -- would you take the time to do so?

Keeping in mind for this particular event the skill teaching session is not only practical, but documented, and a portion of your registration dollars partially covered the cost of the training. Intentionally neither mentioning the event nor the skill in question....

[AZReenactor]

Yep, always ready to learn something new...

[cap tassel]

Yes I'd do it. But make sure of the quality and that we don't have to imagine too much.

[Marc29thGA]

Most definitely would want to learn the skill – anything to improve myself in my impression or myself. Plus, you never know how that skill may be useful in the 21st century.

[Jim Moffet]

Well, I've oft read that there were lots of lumberjacks in many Federal regiments - no doubt Confederate as well - and ONE of the coming events, with lots of built in leisure time, might be a fine place to teach period lumberjack techniques...if there are any other than swinging an ax and pulling a saw. You might even build a new log structure - another skill thats underrepresented. I've never studied period 'jack techniques, but it might be a good set to know more about.

Along those lines - how 'bout sawyer skills! Let's hand cut some logs into boards! (Not that I'm volunteering for the lower end of the saw!) Then build another new hut!

Campaign masonry and chimneysweeping - construction and maintenance of fireplaces and flues - with adjunct courses in building bake ovens and their use.

Similarly, hand sewing / repair of clothing and equipment could be taught - too many of us haven't a clue (didn't read the CRRC!) about how to properly patch their trousers.

And anything that can be done to forcefeed us modern city boys agricultural practices of the day are always appreciated!

Jim Moffet
First Minnesota
Western Brigade

[Johan Steele]

I would be willing to pay money for other people to learn how to use period tools. How to properly split wood, use a maul or crosscut saw even how to dig a set of sinks. Common everyday things that the men we represent knew how to do from childhood are vanishing skills to many of this generation.

[flattop32355]

So, at an upcoming event where you have some built-in leisure time, if the opportunity came about to learn a minor, but common, civilian skill with easy application to the military side of things -- would you take the time to do so?

I hate that ten letter limit on posts.

Yup.

[Greg Renault]

How about knitting?

[Abrams]

I would take the time to learn a skill, sure. Any period skill.

The recent forum post on the dyeing of yarn, and the techniques and processes used fascinated me. Before that post, I would likely not have known/admitted that I would have had any interest in that, and likely because of my ignorance of that topic.

[Spinster]

Ron,

Realize that every period trade is like that----dizzying amounts of information, stuff that the tradesman absorbed over a span of years, and that we attempt to portray in small snippets of time. When I write this stuff down, I'm torn between giving the small amount of detail I do write, and taking the endless time to go into the great detail needed to actually replicate the process.

Most years when I do my fall dye run, I've got an apprentice in tow--one who has done the basic required reading to have a clue as to what is going on, and has some corollary skill already (like plant identification or chemistry). One of the funniest things I've heard from one of them was "I'm exhausted--who knew that watching water boil was so much work?"

Think about your own modern work, and how one task could be taught throughly and implemented in the span of a day.

And now that we've gotten you interested, I'll let you in on a secret---much of period civilian life has these sorts of fascinating byways. Wars and battles pass right on by..........

[Hank Trent]

Realize that every period trade is like that----dizzying amounts of information, stuff that the tradesman absorbed over a span of years, and that we attempt to portray in small snippets of time.

That is so true! One of the things brought home to me when I tried to portray a lawyer this summer was that the real barrier holding us back from accuracy is not so much the clothes or even the surroundings. It's the lifetime of skill these people had, that we're trying to portray with only a fraction of the experience. Few people like Mrs. Lawson have managed to blend a period job with a modern business.

And the older you get, the worse it gets. Ah, to be able to pass for an awkward 18-year-old apprentice!

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[Parault]

Yes, I would be eager to learn something being taught during downtime,for a civilian skill.

[rdr5mo]

Be careful what you wish for ,with Charles sense of humor he may plan on having a school of the barber:D

[Jim Moffet]

Be careful what you wish for ,with Charles sense of humor he may plan on having a school of the barber:D

I'd second the motion on Mr. Heath's sense of humor - or of grim reality - and that we should not tempt it;)! But the proper use of a razor was one skill not learned at a camp of instruction nor taught out of Scott's, Hardee's, Casey's or Gillham's; that every one of us men over the age of 17 probably knew - or at least one barber per mess would have known. There's another under-represented skill in this hobby.

Better have the hospital steward available during the practice session! I don't recall the QM manual telling how many bandages nor how much lint should be in stock when training a company of 'recruits' how to properly prepare for Sunday inspection!

Jim Moffet

[cap tassel]

Be careful what you wish for ,with Charles sense of humor he may plan on having a school of the barber:D

Now that would be very interesting. At least for Southern states the barber was almost always a free black man. John Perry wrote in Myths and Realities of American Slavery that free African Americans pretty much had a monopoly on this job in Southern cities and cited an English writer that wrote that it was a "birthright." Still I suppose the average man's aptitude for cutting hair wouldn't be any worse now. But isn't reenactor hair already on the short side as it is? ;)

[Rev]

I'd second the motion on Mr. Heath's sense of humor - or of grim reality - and that we should not tempt it;)! But the proper use of a razor was one skill not learned at a camp of instruction nor taught out of Scott's, Hardee's, Casey's or Gillham's; that every one of us men over the age of 17 probably knew - or at least one barber per mess would have known. There's another under-represented skill in this hobby.

Better have the hospital steward available during the practice session! I don't recall the QM manual telling how many bandages nor how much lint should be in stock when training a company of 'recruits' how to properly prepare for Sunday inspection!

Jim Moffet

Shaving with a straight razor is not a big deal. I do it every morning. It is the only thing that can cut this barbed wire beard and not tear up my skin. Just make sure you don't use on of those cheap razors!

School of the Barber would be nothing. He might have School of the Nitre producer in mind!

[Greg Barnett]

I strive always to remain teachable. Even these fellars feel the same way.

'The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn'.
- Alvin Toffler

'Learn as if you were going to live forever. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow.'
- Mahatma Gandhi

[Spinster]

School of the Barber would be nothing. He might have School of the Nitre producer in mind!

Lawrence, one must use the powers of elimination here :rolleyes:. Chawls does not have Selma on his list of events for 2008.

Though Hank can relate a funny story of the guy who had forgotten to fill the bucket, borrowed one off our cart and stepped behind the tent to make a contribution. Yet another illustration of the effects of age on our ranks.

[Longbranch 1]

Quoted from Warren L Goss, " Reflections of a Private "
Specifically while with McClellan during the Peninsula Campaign

" Considerable foraging was done, on the sly, about the neighboring plantations, but as a rule foraging was severely condemned by our commanders. There was much tobacco raised in this section of country, and we found the barns filled with the best quality of tobacco in leaf; this we appropriated without objection on the part of our officers. As all trades were represented in our ranks,that of cigar-maker was included, and the army rioted in cigars without enriching the sutlers."

I will be " foraging " my neighbors' barns later tonite, my apprenticeship begins on the morrow :D

Wondering if we are talking about skills, as above, that would be common in the field, or something else.
Smiths, farriers, cabinetmakers, wheelwrights, carpenters, etc...
Necessary, but usually seperate support groups, usually with an inordinate amount of tools involved.
Just my basic 19th century cabinetry/ carpentry tools fill up a steamer trunk sized workbox. And that's without the shave-horse.

Perhaps occupations such as these could be set up as mini-COI's providing an interest and time allowed during an event?

Regards,
Kevin Ellis,
26th NCT

[Charles Heath]

Folks,

Try not to confuse "trade" or "craft" with "skill." Evidently some posters have managed to do this already.

[mslaird]

I would be willing to devote some time and a bit of money to learning a useful skill.

[MacCaithaigh]

Sir Charles,

How about skinning, buthering, and "COOKING" in the field. The emphasis on cooking.

Pete McCarthy
POC'R Boys Mess
Columbia Rifles

[Rob Murray]

Pete, You forgot killing and gutting. :eek:

[Iron Scout]

Shoot,

It's not only a trade but a skill....how about leather stitching and field repair ie. sewing with two needles and the tools used thereof? It's not difficult at all; I've taught my nine year old. I generally carry thread and two needles with me to events and find many folks need a frog, end of a cartridge box or even the stitching on a shoe repaired. They seem shocked I can sit down and accomplish the task in no time at all. I also have an entire compliment of period tools. Just an idea.

Neill Rose
PLHA

[Abrams]

Folks,

Try not to confuse "trade" or "craft" with "skill." Evidently some posters have managed to do this already.

I was one, heh. But any skill/trade/craft would be fun to learn more about in my book.

It could be learning how to sharpen a knife with period equipment, sewing up a shoe, starting a fire with flint and steel, or learning a new song. I'm in.

In fact, just keeping a straight edge razor sharp in the field would be interesting. I am sure most did not carry a 2' long strop, so I imagine they had a smaller version, or just a small dedicated piece of leather for that purpose.