Improving the Experience

Jeremy Bevard

Many people have been reenacting for several years at the least.  At times it feels like many think it is getting stale.  They see it as the same old thing just in a new calendar year.  I think this is one reason why recruiting is down.  How do you entice a new guy when you yourself are getting bored?  Below is a list of things that I think could easily be done at every reenactment.  Every one of us could work to improve in these areas and more.  These suggestions would add spice to the same old event and make it feel new. 

• Work on period paperwork.  There was a long list of red tape that existed in this time period.  Adding just a small amount of it could really add to an event.  This paperwork in some cases could then be saved for a modern purpose.  For example, fill out a morning report after each morning roll call.  It is period correct and it can be saved to keep track of attendance at events.  The forms are available in various places.  I have some of them myself.
  
• Do things in camp.  Play cards, dice, cook, read, write letters, write in a journal and even sing songs.  All of this costs next to nothing and would add a tremendous amount of life to a camp.  It adds that camaraderie into an event that so often is missing.  No one wants to sit in, visit, or see an empty camp with nothing happening.
• Keep on eye on the drinking.  First off drinking any alcohol in the ranks should be stopped immediately and never be allowed.  If you feel the need to drink beer in camp after the public is gone then please do so in a period container at all times.  Police the cans and always keep them out of sight.  Drinking should also be done in moderation.  It will do nothing more then make you more dehydrated and cause you to suffer more in the next day’s heat.   Also, please keep all the alcohol out of sight and the talk of it should be nonexistent.  The opposite just gives reenactors a bad public image.
• Smoking cigarettes.  This maybe easier for me to say because I do not smoke.  But I will anyways.  Cigarettes didn't exist in any numbers in the United States until after the Civil War.  If you need to smoke please do so away from the view of others.  There are alternatives that would not spoil a good camp life.  Such as cigars in limited numbers and pipes which were much more common among enlisted men.
• Don’t over pack.  I’m not saying go campaign style or become "hardcore".  Just take a look at everything you bring to an event.  Then remember that you are only there for less then 48 hours many times.  Use a rule of three to decide what you need to bring.  First, determine what is needed to live for three days.  Second, if you haven’t used it at the last three events you went to, stop bringing it.  In the end this works to your advantage because you can leave an event faster and with less effort.
• Try to carry a kit.  I don’t necessarily mean to carry everything that you brought with you on your back all the time.  But try to wear a blanket roll or knapsack on marches and into the battles.  It will give you a more realistic feel of what a Soldier would have felt in the ranks.  When we go into battle you can choose to continue to carry it (what is read among veteran units) or you can drop it.  If at least the company commander is in on it he can even order packs to be dropped and place a guard with them.  Again, just adds to the experience for you and the public.
• Survive without a cooler.  Since I stopped worrying about a cooler and started eating period foods I eat better at events.  I also feel better during and after the event.  A strict summer sausage and cheese diet is not healthy. You don’t have to just focus on Hardtack and Salt Pork.  Smoked slab bacon is a great alternative to salt pork. Also, fired potatoes and onions taste great.  Maybe throw in a sweet potato some time for variety.  Dried white beans are great too.  Loafs of bread is an alternative to hardtack.  But if you are a little creative with hardtack, like they were, the stuff is not so bad.  Also, try whole roasted coffee beans.  Put them in a poke sake and crush them well with a log or rock.  Now use it as a tea bag.  It works great, trust me.
• Avoid using modern items.  One good way to start this is to invest in a quality pair of period underdrawers instead of wearing boxers.  You will not be disappointed. Also leave the wrist watch and other modern items in the car.  You won’t miss them much and it will add to your experience, I promise.

All these items along with everything else we do out there comes back to one thing.  When we are out there we are educating the public.  So, ask yourself if you are giving the public the right education about the men who marched bravely during our countries most trying time?

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