Gettysburg Reenactment Advice

[Brian Wiswell]

Hi Guys,

I am attending Gettysburg this year as a reenactor. I am from California and will be attending the event with many others from our state (about 80 as a single unit). Like myself, many of us will be attending as a “first timer” at a back-east event. If there is any advice that you could offer to help make this a good experience for me (us), that would be great. BTY, we already have our flight, hotel (for when we get there) and rental car arranged.

Background info: I am from a mostly mainstream unit. Please don’t hate for this, I am trying to push for more progressiveness in our unit. Also, this will be my most “campaigner” type of event to date and really looking forward to that part.

I have been to Gettysburg as a tourist, 2 years ago and REALLY loved it!

I am looking forward to this experience and know that many of you have been reenacting in this part of the country and would know more about this event than myself.
Any help/advice would be great. And if you reply, please add your unit (at Gettysburg) so I may be able to stop by and personally thank you!

I will be part of the 8th Louisiana friday night (my home unit). We will be the 8th Alabama on saturday and it looks like either "Kempers" or "Archers" brigade for Picketts Charge.

Thanks,
Brian Wiswell

I will be the 8th Louisiana friday night! The 8th Alabama on Saturday and it looks like either "Kempers" or "Archers" brigade for Picketts Charge.

[C.R. Henderson]

Keep water in you at all times! It may sound simple or repetitive, but stay hydrated. Keep your feet in good condition, too, there's a great thread of nothing but helpful tips--one of those mega threads that people too often forget is there.

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1256&highlight=helpful+tips

There, that should do it..... all 12 pages of it!:D

[Brian Wiswell]

Thank you Chris, I'll look into it.

Brian Wiswell

[AZReenactor]

I moved this over to the Non EBUFU events forum since it really deals with a different type "reenacting" than this forum generally focuses on. I hope you enjoy your trip back East but from what I've heard regarding this event this discussion would really probably better suited to Osz or Common ground where they cater to more mainstream type reenactments. It is a shame you and your pards haven't pursued more authentic reenacting opportunities in the far West or looked for truly high quality events to make the trip back East for, they exist for those willing to invest in them.

[yankeecav]

Hi Guys,

Also, this will be my most “campaigner” type of event to date and really looking forward to that part.

I will be the 8th Louisiana friday night! The 8th Alabama on Saturday and it looks like either "Kempers" or "Archers" brigade for Picketts Charge.

There are two Gettysburg events this year and since you refer to Pickett's Charge I assume that you are going to the GAC-mega event. Is there a "campaigner" contingent going to this event?
I was under the impression that those leaning toward that end of the hobby were going to the Anders At High Tide event the weekend before.

[C.R. Henderson]

I was under the impression that those leaning toward that end of the hobby were going to the Anders At High Tide event the weekend before.

Not all of us. Each for his own reason.

[Chad Wrinn]

I'm going to the Big'un to see that many reenactors.

[Hank Trent]

Well, here's my advice. It won't make you happy at the event, but here it is anyway. :D

Plan as if you were actually going to the real battle of Gettysburg. Learn what you'd need to know in your role: bugle calls, drill, etc. If you're portraying an infantry private, take only what you can carry on your back, and only period reproductions, except discretely hidden modern medications. Take three days worth of period rations in your haversack and know how to cook them quickly in the field in a canteen half, tin cup or sheet-iron frying pan that you can carry with you. Take only half a shelter half (or some canvas equivalent) and a rubber blanket, and know how to set them up with a messmate to provide all the comfort you need.

Except for sharing a shelter half, be entirely self-contained, fit enough to march a dozen miles a day carrying everything you bring, and with the mindset that you're stepping back to 1863 to serve as a soldier and will do what they did, including marching long hours, standing picket, and so forth.

You'll be extraordinarily disappointed, but I predict you'll find surviving the event incredibly easy, since the marches will be shorter, the duties will be light, the extra pre-cooked food will be plentiful, the time in camp to prepare rations will be extensive, the transportation to your campsite will be by modern vehicle, and if you're expecting the hardships of 1863, the relative hardships of 2008 will seem like nothing.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[LibertyHallVols]

Folks:
If quantity's your bag, here's the place to discuss "the big 'un": http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/

Here at the A-C, quality is our bag, baby! Not knockin' you if you're goin' to the GAC event... some folks are going because of preference, some because of scheduling problems with AHT or the NPS events out there.

Thread closed.