Community was a vital part of a Civil War soldier's existence. These young men volunteered to serve as a part of a regiment with their own state's name on it. Often, the entire regiment was raised from one town. In the case of rural soldiers, at least their company was raised locally. The first officers were usually elected. Popularity, not skill, gave a man his shoulder boards. Officers were often called "Bill," "Jack," or "Mr. Stahl" rather than "Sir" or "Captain." These men knew each other. Entire families of sons enlisted in one company. Friends went to the recruiters together.

This sense of community followed them out of their native state and into the field. With poor food, long marches, and serious cases of homesickness and dysentery striking them, they had to rely on their pards. These men saw the horrors of not only death and destruction on the battlefield, but they also watched people they had known for years suffer and die from what we now consider "childhood diseases." There is no way these men could have survived these experiences and returned to be good citizens after the war if it wasn't for a profound sense of community. Pards carried each other through the bad times. They also celebrated the good times.

The very base of what I see as portraying the infantryman isn't the uniform, it's the man. Our friendships and camaraderie have made this part of the portrayal easy. I believe we do an excellent job of portraying the heart and soul of the men who served the Union.

Since we have the base of the soldier covered, we can build from there. This month I want to address quick, easy, and inexpensive ways to improve impressions. Lots of this material comes not only from my experience, but that of others and articles written in the Camp Chase Gazette.

1. Hike up your traps: Cheap and easy, this will not only make you look better, but you will also be more comfortable. Your traps should ride somewhere between your natural waist and the top of your hips. If they are any lower, they will bang against your legs. Although it isn't noticed or is only mildly annoying in the short amounts of time we wear our gear, it would become a real problem when a soldier stepped off for his daily 20 mile march. You can do this by sewing your haversack and canteen straps to the right length. I don't recommend tying knots in your straps, but if you must, tie the knot low on the strap, near the canteen or haversack. This way the know won't cut into your shoulder.

2. Be careful of your hat brims: Looking at photos will show that forage caps weren't often curved down like we do our baseball caps today. They were either left the way they came, or to be a little daring, turned up. For a good example of this, look at Scott Cummings and Brian James Egen in the "School of the Soldier" tapes. One style of forage cap, called the McDowell (the one's Jeff O'Donnell sells), seems to want to curve down a little. That's okay, just don't help it along. The majority of slouch hats should have the edge of the brim turned up. There are very few originals or photos I have seen that have turned down brim ends. One doesn't have to be over zealous about this, just a little roll will do.

3. Weight loss: I mention this because it is always a safety concern in our hobby. Work to stay physically active. You will have a better time at event because you won't be as tired and it will help guard against heat problems. Isn't this great, all that and it helps an impression.

5. Knives: Knives in sheaths on belts weren't often seen after 1861. Smaller knives in pockets or haversacks were versatile enough to do what the infantryman needed. Big knives got in the way and were heavy. The soldiers were trying to travel as light as possible because they had to carry it all with them.

Go back to my my Civil War page