What is the Cutting Edge Today?

[Jim Moffet]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

Allow me to provide an example of what history dictates for a public event. It is a "big Pay-to-Watch event.""

This upcoming June there will be an event adjacent to GNMP called "At High Tide." There will be various scenarios based on the Battle of Gettysburg. On the Union side; eastern reeenactors will be representing eastern Federals, western reenactors (with a few friends from the east) will be representing western regiments in the Army of the Potomac. My command, the Western Brigade, will be westerners.

Over the course of this event, our battalion will be representing different units: the 2nd Wisconsin of the Iron Brigade in one scenario; the 14th Indiana of the Gibraltor Brigade in another, and the First Minnesota in yet a third.

What will the public be seeing if they enter our camp?

ALL of these regiments are well documented. When they were on the battlefield at Gettysburg, they were travelling lean-and-mean. No wagons, no heavy canvas - only what they could tote on their backs. Rations were issued to each of these commands in extreme northern Maryland, and they didn't get anything else during, or AFTER, the batttle - There was no time for foraging: there was a battle to be fought and won. The Confederate troops that faced these units hadn't time for foraging, either.

So our impression at AHT will be just as their's was: our unit will issue proper rations, so when the public visits our camp - such-as-it-will-be, they will see troops eating salt pork, hard tack and drinking coffee in the heat of a summer's sun. The camp will be just what it would have been in July of 1863: maybe dog-tents, if the men are so inclined, or rows of exhausted men simply flopped on the ground. Cooking gear will be limited to what men could carry: muckets and an occasional frying pan.

Will this provide the visitors with a great experience, I surely hope so! They will be looking at exactly what the Army of the Potomac looked like in mid-1863 - nothing more (like camping gear that was more than 20 miles from the battlefield) and nothing less.

That's what history dictates at this event.

And that should be what enactors dedicate their impressions upon.

Jim Moffet
Western Brigade

[BrianHicks]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

On that note...let me pose this: if your participating in an event that is more of a public event (paying spectators) and you add things to the camp scene like A tents, cast iron cookware etc. but only period correct items, is that wrong or "farby" because its not campaigner?

If it appropriate for the historic scenario the vent is representing..,. then it is not inappropriate. But keep in mind. The individual Soldier, nor a small mess of soldiers would have access to iron cookware. Those items would have been used at the regimental or Brigade level or above kitchens.

The public wants a show. I am not at all saying that Igloo coolers covered by a blanket and cans of Budweiser are acceptable, only period correct items that may have been found in a more static camp. As long as your true to the period and in the course of interaction, whether first person or not, you get across the point that "not every soldier carried all of this" I think it can be beneficial. For the most part I think the public likes the show and if that gets them interested enough to listen to what you have to say then mission accomplished. Besides, as living historians many of us have the habit of collecting old rusty antiques that we love to display. This is obviously only plausible in a fairly accessible camp site and for more of a garrison type setting, but I don't think that makes it any less of an event.

We have enjoyed numerous Garrison events open to the public, in which historical accuracy was rather well maintained. I-600, Fort Granger, Fort MCallister, Shiloh last year, etc. All were Living History Events at which the public came through the event. All were Garrison and well attended by participants. There were established Commissary kitchens, and tentage (or actual Barracks).

Granted... these living histories were not a part of the big 'Pay to watch' battle reenactments. And I don't see how you can accurately have a good quality representation as you described above, at such an event, without the detractors also being there in far greater numbers (detractors?... I mean the things such as the Ice Cooler under the canvas, the iron grates over the fire pits, the folding wooden chairs, and tent flies in front of most of the tents, etc.).

[kevin]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

On that note...let me pose this: if your participating in an event that is more of a public event (paying spectators) and you add things to the camp scene like A tents, cast iron cookware etc. but only period correct items, is that wrong or "farby" because its not campaigner? The public wants a show. I am not at all saying that Igloo coolers covered by a blanket and cans of Budweiser are acceptable, only period correct items that may have been found in a more static camp. As long as your true to the period and in the course of interaction, whether first person or not, you get across the point that "not every soldier carried all of this" I think it can be beneficial. For the most part I think the public likes the show and if that gets them interested enough to listen to what you have to say then mission accomplished. Besides, as living historians many of us have the habit of collecting old rusty antiques that we love to display. This is obviously only plausible in a fairly accessible camp site and for more of a garrison type setting, but I don't think that makes it any less of an event.

[Ken Cornett]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

Well I guess that means your not going to PM now, right? Just kidding Mike, as always, be careful while serving. I hope it isn't a long stay.

[Strawfoot]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

Paul,

That was less than a month after 9/11... I remember standing in battalion formation on Sunday AM, looking up at the flag while Warnick broke period for just a moment to tell us our planes were hitting the gomers in Afghanistan.

At that moment I thought there was nothing more beautiful in this world than an American flag rippling in a breeze.

I haven't changed that opinion. In three weeks I leave for Afghanistan again (fifth time over there in five years.) Let's hope we wrap this thing up soon.

Paul, don't forget to look me up when you come to Dallas!


Mike Phineas
Arlington, TX

mphineas@sbcglobal.net

[paulcalloway]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

That was very good! We did the 105th OVI and the WIG did their 48th TN on the CS side. It was great to have 2 great efforts at the same event, one on each side.

A favorite memory of mine. That was a terrific weekend.

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

The closest I've came to this was Paul Calloways adjunct at Perryville in 2001.
Werent you there?

Mike Phineas
Arlington, TX

I was there doing the 48th Tennessee, with the WIG battalion......
Perryville 2001 was a very neat experience for both authentic sides.

[kipothold]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

Banks' Grand Retreat (circ 1864) - March 2007

[DougCooper]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

Brian,

I would not be surprised to see that trend continue as a relationship of trust is built between the NPS and those groups in the hobby that have demonstrated their seriousness about what they do and the respect they have for the battlefields they are on.

I recall back in the late 70's, Bob Serio and I drove down to Vicksburg to try to persuade them to let us do a living history at the park. It was unheard of back then. We stopped at a dingy old gas station in Vicksburg and used the bathroom to change into suits before we went to the park because we were really worrying about making a good impression.

Anyway, it was almost like being at an inquisition. There were a number of NPS people in the meeting and they were very suspicious and hesitant to let us do anything, but somehow we convinced them to let us have a go at it. It turned out well and accomplished some trust building.

The atmosphere and spirit of cooperation between the NPS and the authentic side of the hobby has certainly changed for the better.

Grass roots relationships are still the order of the day with the NPS. One would hope that the good work we are doing from east to west will begin to have an effect above the individual parks. Years of mistrust of us and our motives and educational abilities are not easly push aside. Meanwhile, the best thing we can do is to continue to build trust between groups of us and the individual parks. Well done you guys!

[Dale Beasley]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

Brother Hicks,

You are correct. "Living History On the Move"....it sounds better now!

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

The closest I've came to this was Paul Calloways adjunct at Perryville in 2001.

That was very good! We did the 105th OVI and the WIG did their 48th TN on the CS side. It was great to have 2 great efforts at the same event, one on each side.

[Strawfoot]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

"IMHO, our abilit"y to ramp up the so-called "authentiocity level" in getting closer to my personal Mental Picture of the Time Machine Model is of greater interest to me these Daze."

A cutting edge event for me would be attending an "invitation only" event with an "All Star" cast of living historians. (Hardcore, Hardcore, Hardcore). No second rate impressions allowed, and everyone should look as real as possible. I have no problem with newbie authentics showing up, as long as their kit is first rate, they know the drill for the impression, and look like soldiers. Officers and NCO's should be very knowledgeable at their tasks, and excellent at what they do. First person should also be presented as good as possible, for the impression we are doing.

For me, nothing beats a hardcore company full of experienced authentics.

This, my friends, is my seven cents!

The closest I've came to this was Paul Calloways adjunct at Perryville in 2001.
Werent you there?

Mike Phineas
Arlington, TX

[Michael Comer]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

Brian,

I would not be surprised to see that trend continue as a relationship of trust is built between the NPS and those groups in the hobby that have demonstrated their seriousness about what they do and the respect they have for the battlefields they are on.

I recall back in the late 70's, Bob Serio and I drove down to Vicksburg to try to persuade them to let us do a living history at the park. It was unheard of back then. We stopped at a dingy old gas station in Vicksburg and used the bathroom to change into suits before we went to the park because we were really worrying about making a good impression.

Anyway, it was almost like being at an inquisition. There were a number of NPS people in the meeting and they were very suspicious and hesitant to let us do anything, but somehow we convinced them to let us have a go at it. It turned out well and accomplished some trust building.

The atmosphere and spirit of cooperation between the NPS and the authentic side of the hobby has certainly changed for the better.

[BrianHicks]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

Dale,

We are starting find a few National Battlefields that will allow us to move about the park. We have been very successful with this at Chickamauga. At Shiloh next April we hope to move across several fields there. By following the actual routes of the unit we are representing, and demonstrating the types of tactics/actions that unit used on that particular field (and in some cases... in real time, matching the time and movements of that original unit) it really makes the 'Living History' far, far more appealing (and...cutting edge????).

[Dale Beasley]

Re: What is the cutting edge today?

The Cutting Edge...

Now this may upset a few folks...but just my opinion... Get out of the "Living History Mode"...I mean the static display scenario...BORING...It reminds me of the zoo. The events that we are applying ourselves toward..i.e. Outpost, Picketts Mill, events that need physical attention, much like in a manner that the real soldiers of the period lived...that is where it is at.