In this thread earlier this year , I had everyone help me come up with a nice 30th birthday gift for my Civil-War-Lovin’ friend. I ended up offering to take her to a local Civil War re-enactment, which happens to be this weekend.
So now I need to plan. What does one wear to these sorts of things? Do I need to bring a backpack? Is there stuff to eat? How long should we expect to stay? Will there be a lot of walking? Do I need to bring earplugs?
I’m quite adept at going to big festival concerts, and I sort of figure that this will be like that but I want to double-check to make sure so my friend has a really great day.
I have only been to one, but I don’t believe there were any food vendors. the Union and Confederate encampments will likely be cooking over open fires, but it’s not for the public. It probably wouldn’t hurt to bring a picnic and some extra bottled water. There was a good bit of walking. The guns were loud, but not that loud. The smoke from the cannons gets quite dense and is smelly. Stay out of the way of the horses and if you’re squeamish, look down while you’re walking so you don’t step in manure.
My family does rev war re-enactment, but I assume there are significant similarities.
Wear comfortable clothes for walking outside, and sun/rain protection as needed.
They’ll likely have at least some food for sale, even if just hot dogs, but a picnic lunch would be a good idea. Also, might be good to bring something to drink.
Check the schedule for any things you really want to see. The battles are pretty much the highlight. But there might be demonstrations of music, games, fashion, military tactics, etc.
Most importantly, feel free to interact with the re-enactors. These are basically a bunch of good-natured geeks engaged in their hobby, and glad to talk about it and share it. Pretty much everything they are wearing/using will be authentic, and they will be glad to show it to you. But remember that most of them will wish to stay in character. And if there are any areas that are roped out, stay out of there to respect their privacy. These folk are camping out there over the weekend, so they have to have some place where the public isn’t tromping through.
The re-enactments I’ve been to allow you to walk through the camps, but not to step foot onto the actual battlefield. Generally, the field was mined with pyrotechnics to mimic cannon fire without using actual cannonballs.
I have no idea which side won that particular battle, but I always enjoyed sitting closer to the line of the losing side. The charge and retreat was fun to watch.
Two things I’d recommend particular to Civil War reenactments:
Get a book or two that includes at least a little bit about the actual battlefield your’re visiting. That way you’ll be thinking about it and looking for things and imagining, instead of just thinking “oh look, trees and grass.”
Do not stand directly in line with any cannon they are going to fire. Even from half a mile away across the field. It’s MUCH LOUDER in the shock cone right in front of the thing.
Lawnchairs, sunblock, bug-spray, 2 litres of water per person, enough snacks in a backpack that you can share & still get some (and if you think you can get away with it, a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a cork-screw. Cheese & bread are optional, but era appropriate. A wheeled cooler filled with ice & drinks is not era apropriate, but can still be fun ). If you can, also pack two emergency ponchos in case it rains.
And under no circumstances should any progeny created be named ‘count’. It’s cruel & unusual.
What to wear: comfortable clothing suitable to the time of year. Very comfortable walking shoes. In addition to the things suggested above (bug spray, sun screen, water and something to sit on), I’ve found an umbrella to be useful, rain or shine. If rainy, it keeps you dry. If sunny, it provides shade. I use it walking around and also duct tape it to the back of the lawn chair while watching the battle.
If you haven’t already done so, you can probably get a schedule of activities on-line. With the schedule there’s usually a list of what sutlers (vendors) will be there so you can find out what food will be served. The ones I’ve gone to always have vendors selling food so I often don’t bother to pack any unless we’re camping.
I like to arrive as soon as the event is open to the public (usually 9:00). While the battles usually aren’t until the afternoon, the best time to talk to people is in the cool of the morning. Many of the reenactors will have been camping out–so they’ll be up early.
Have a wonderful time!
<hijack> In looking back at the linked thread, I saw that Miss Purl McKnittington and Lissa had questions about my daughter’s re-enacting and about getting appropriate civil war era clothing. I’m sorry for not answering. If you’re still interested let me know. <end>
Thanks for the answers, all. I didn’t realize we could talk to the reenactors. The closest I’ve gotten to this sort of thing previously was the jousting show at the Excalibur in Vegas
Funny about the emergency rain ponchos. They are like a running joke between my friend and I. We’ll probably have 4 of them between us.
There is a schedule on the Web site but other than a pie contest judging at 2 PM, no mention of food. I’ll bring snacks.
I’m sure my friend will know all about the battle. She is really a Civil War buff. It will excite her to no end to explain to me what the heck is going on. I will tease her by continuously asking which side we are on. hehe
Heck yes I’m still interested! I don’t even remembered what I asked, but I’d love answers.
Sadly, I missed the Civil War reenactment in Platteville this year during Dairy Days because a) I thought it was War of 1812, and b) they didn’t advertise it. Pah! Had an atrocious fuchsia silk dress and willing sidekick and everything.
Zipper, I hope you and your friend have a great time!
Hey, I was in Zoar several times as a Civil War reenactor (when I was with the 51st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, almost a decade ago). There wasn’t ever an actual battle there, so you might come up empty-handed on that front. And everyone’s already given you the good advice I would have about visiting.
Email me at w7fb7vo7dr7ey7@a7ol7.c7om (just take out the 7s) if your friend would like info on the Cleveland Civil War Roundtable, of which I’m now a member.
<proud mother moment>My daughter was the “Belle of the Ball” at Platteville. She got a sash and her picture in the paper and everything. <end> Miss Purl–maybe you should go to Old Wade House (Sept 29-30). http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wadehouse/events.asp?id=203&dte= . It should be a great time.
In the last thread there were questions about my daughter’s and my characters–I’m a laundress, she’s a seamstress. The question was about whether the laundresses who travelled with the troups were “loose women.” We’re actually part of a civilian group of reenactors. We have a blacksmith, a number of families, and several other characters that you would find in a civil war era town. So, we’re basically just ladies fending for ourselves while our menfolk are off fighting. We have our own tent and set it up like a “house.” One of the reasons we joined the civilian group was that they have more activities for women. After a while, just watching the battles can get old if you aren’t participating. We have more fun sitting around and discussing hoop skirts, corsets and stuff with the other ladies and figuring out how to cook in dutch ovens.
We did consider being loose women, but were told by several veteran reenactors that people who try the “Belle Watling” character frequently get ostracized. I guess even pretend hookers aren’t appreciated by the more conventional.
). If you can, also pack two emergency ponchos in case it rains.