Improving Your Impression: Not About Money: by Paul Calloway

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Randy,

This image was posted a few years ago, and it was labeled "Burying the dead at Antietam". The guy on the right MIGHT be using his shelter half as the outer layer of his bedroll.

You decide...

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ntietam+photos

[Randy]

Great photo. Looks like some of the guys are wearing India Rubber blankets and the one with the pick on his shoulder might indeed be wearing a rolled-up shelter tent. Thank you.

[Pvt. Middleton]

I must say after reading this article I can say that I fall in a category of, "Financially Unable to Buy Everything That Is Specifically Needed" However, the majority of my equipment I own and wear out in the field is from my best friend/mentor and he has been in the hobby for 30+ years now. He has taught and guided me in the ways of presenting myself in the best and authentic of manners, both in uniform and impression. I began reenacting 5 years ago. I am still ever researching and reading on the lives of soldiers back then and always looking for first hand accounts of what they the soldiers lived through back in the War and what their thoughts, and feelings were. I have been to many Mainstream events. I plan to attend my first Authentic Even this Spring (Race To Knoxville). And have been conducting research on the soldiers of the unit and the battle itself.

I am 17 years of age. I have always thought that reenacting was about 2 things. 1) Honoring those who fought before us and those that died in order for us to portray this epic event in our Nation's history. 2) We are their for the throngs of people who do not know what went on then, or may not even know who Gen. Lee was!! We are out their every weekend, rain, snow, heat, cold being living classrooms and i feel that we must do our best to recreate every aspect of the war within reasonable boundaries. I strive to show that even though I may not be the age that many individuals in the reenacting community are, there are still few of us who do our research, read, listen and re-create and do our best to embody the Confederate Soldier. Gear, or not, IMHO it matters upon your willingness to take time out and read and research what these men went through and why and our responsibility as reenactors to honor them and do the same.

I could ramble on longer, but I feel this is enough. Thank you for your time...

Pvt. Steve Middleton
63rd. Volunteer Tennessee Infantry Regiment
"New Knoxville Mess"

[ltdan25th]

I think i have reread this thread about ten times over the past couple years..It just makes all the more sense each time..And trust me I can relate to the whole Mainstream sutler selling your THEIR bag of goods..

[colorado infantry]

Going back to Paul's original editorial. I complete agree with the idea that it cost much more in the long run to start out farby or mainstream. I just recently began improving my impression trying to make the jump from mainstream to progressive. When I started the hobby 16 years I joined a unit that was the epitome of farby. Coolers in the tents, muffins out of plastic containers from breakfast, hiking boots etc. I eventually moved on to a unit that actually straddles the line between mainstream and progressive and am now continuing to improve my impression. Now that I'm moving towards the progressive end of the spectrum I find that I have to replace almost all of my gear. If I had simply started out buying the good stuff, and joined a unit that valued a good impression, I wouldn't be trying scramble to replace everything before the season gets into full swing, and not to mention on a limited grad student budget. I too have heard so many people in the hobby try to convince a comrade not to improve their impression. When I fell in with my original unit (the extremely farby one) a few years ago for old time sake my impression, which was only mainstream, was looked upon with suspicion and I must admit that I received a lot of criticism.
Oh well, I'm now paying the price for my foolish farby ways, and it has nothing to do with the higher quality, more accurate, pieces being more expensive. So thanks Paul, you hit the nail right on the head.

[ky_yankee94]

New to the reenacting hobby. Just recently joined the Western Federal Blues. Any tips on gear, sutlers? Thank you, Jacob Dunn

[LibertyHallVols]

New to the reenacting hobby. Just recently joined the Western Federal Blues. Any tips on gear, sutlers? Thank you, Jacob Dunn

Jacob,
Your question is so general and broad as to be virtually unanswerable. I would make the following recommendations to you:
1) READ READ READ - there is wealth of information on this site, both in the articles and on the fora. Read the articles and peruse the forum for topics that interest you. Then, if you can't find the specific information you need, post a specific question.

2) Your pards in the Western Federal Blues are very knowledgeable and will be able to direct you toward the gear that best meets their standards and guidelines. Use those resources! They will help you greatly!

Welcome to the hobby!

[Butternuts and Bluecoats]

Paul's article hits the nail on the head. Weh nI first started I fell victim to this a few times and it bit my in the arse later. However since joining the site, I've been able to view a lot more and with the help of pards, experience a whole lot more as well. Now I'm in the process of making my own uniform and accoutrements! Thanks to all on the AC Forum!
Best regards,