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Hello,
I am very new at Civil War living history and am needing lots of info / pointers. I live in Frederick, MD, so I am able to attend several different battlefields, encampments, etc. One pointer that I received, which made sense, was to try and find someone from that era who lived in Frederick or one of the surroundings towns who worked for the railroad and try and portray them.
I already know several of my faults. I tried to find / do / buy everything at once. Then I started finding out about Frocks, and evening wear, and ( expectedly ) that different social classes wore different items or maybe the "same" item, but of a different fabric or cut. These items, along with different ettiquette had my head swimming.
I was not certain what social class a railroader would fit under. I also was confused as to whether a railroader would wear brogans, boots, bootees, etc. I had also fallen prey to some sutlers who probably meant well, but gave me wrong advice and purchased period incorrect vests and other items for myself and different items for my wife.
I tried to look at the pics of Matthew Brady, but those are city folk and I would also presume a higher social class than I am representing. I understand that photography was not cheap back then, and so, there are (seemingly) fewer photographs of country or small town middle or lower social class individuals than others.
I have since stopped purchasing and am asking even more questions ( sometimes getting more confused ) and also focusing on my occupation, time of day I will be needing period clothes for, my social class, and my living location.
One of my concerns was that, if I went to an encampment or re-enactment wearing my railroad clothes, and the railroad did not even come close to that area, how could I explain my presence there, other than possibly fleeing from invading forces, or joining ranks with a militia or being a government spy.
I read the posts back in 2004 about some of the providers for foot wear, and pegged soles versus sewen. I do not care to ressurect some of the somewhat heated discussions that were posted. If there are any old posts that would answer my questions, please refer me to that post number. If there is any other input, suggestions, or advice, please feel free to directly e-mail me.
Thank you in advance,
Mark Phillips
I am very new at Civil War living history and am needing lots of info / pointers. I live in Frederick, MD, so I am able to attend several different battlefields, encampments, etc. One pointer that I received, which made sense, was to try and find someone from that era who lived in Frederick or one of the surroundings towns who worked for the railroad and try and portray them.
I already know several of my faults. I tried to find / do / buy everything at once. Then I started finding out about Frocks, and evening wear, and ( expectedly ) that different social classes wore different items or maybe the "same" item, but of a different fabric or cut. These items, along with different ettiquette had my head swimming.
I was not certain what social class a railroader would fit under. I also was confused as to whether a railroader would wear brogans, boots, bootees, etc. I had also fallen prey to some sutlers who probably meant well, but gave me wrong advice and purchased period incorrect vests and other items for myself and different items for my wife.
I tried to look at the pics of Matthew Brady, but those are city folk and I would also presume a higher social class than I am representing. I understand that photography was not cheap back then, and so, there are (seemingly) fewer photographs of country or small town middle or lower social class individuals than others.
I have since stopped purchasing and am asking even more questions ( sometimes getting more confused ) and also focusing on my occupation, time of day I will be needing period clothes for, my social class, and my living location.
One of my concerns was that, if I went to an encampment or re-enactment wearing my railroad clothes, and the railroad did not even come close to that area, how could I explain my presence there, other than possibly fleeing from invading forces, or joining ranks with a militia or being a government spy.
I read the posts back in 2004 about some of the providers for foot wear, and pegged soles versus sewen. I do not care to ressurect some of the somewhat heated discussions that were posted. If there are any old posts that would answer my questions, please refer me to that post number. If there is any other input, suggestions, or advice, please feel free to directly e-mail me.
Thank you in advance,
Mark Phillips
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