EVENT SCHEDULE

December 8-10 Savannah, GA Ft.

McAllister Winter Muster

January 12-14 Baxley, GA Indigo Rocks

Tactical

March 3-4 Savannah, GA Ft. Pulaski

Muster

March 9-11 Averasboro, NC

May 2-4 Marching Through Georgia

May 5-6 McDowell, GA

June 1-3 Pickett's Mill, GA

Members need to contact Jerry

Gouge regarding their desire to participate

in the above listed events. We need to

begin registering now. Some of the events

require a registration fee. Let's register as

a group for each of these events rather

than have individuals sending in their

monies. Contact Jerry Gouge at 800-824-

8083 days, 843-757-3689 evenings or at

[email protected].

PROPOSED CANDIDATES

If anyone has a man they feel would

fit into what we are trying to accomplish,

feel free to mention his name to Jerry

Gouge who will publish his candidacy in the

next newsletter.

Proposed Candidates

Omar Alkalouti

Wayne Dobson

Alan Forrester

If you feel that these men do not fit with

our group call me. If I do not receive 2

negative votes for any of them then they

will be mailed invitations around the end

of December.

Outstanding Invitations

Jeff Jue

Jeff Kirkland

Brian Mead

Ft. McAllister Garrison

According to William Scaife's The

March to the Sea, Ft. McAllister was

defended by the following during the Dec.

13, 1864 assault.

Maj. George W. Anderson, Commanding

Capt. Thomas A. White, Engineer-in-charge

The Emmett Rifles (25 men) Capt. George

A. Nicoll

Clinch's Ga. Light Artillery Battery (50

men) Capt. Nicholas B. Clinch (wounded)

Co. D, 1st Regt. Ga. Reserves (28 men)

Capt. George N. Hendry

Co. E, 1st Regt. Ga. Reserves (47 men)

Capt. ? Morrison (wounded)

Major Anderson reported that he

had "150 men for duty," yet Federals noted

the capture of 230 Confederates, including

killed and wounded. These Confederate

forces were for the most part untested

troops; few had any combat experience.

As Hazen's men approached the fort

they captured a Confederate picket by the

name of Thomas Mills who served with

Clinch's Ga. Light Artillery Battery.

Unfortunately for the garrison, Pvt. Mills

spilled the beans revealing both the

strength of the garrison as well as the

defenses, including the torpedoes. By 4:45

PM Hazen's men were in position to begin

their assault, forming a semi-circle around

the fort. Their lines were formed roughly

600 yards from the fort.

A signal was received from

Sherman's headquarters at Dr. Cheve's Rice

Mill and Hazen's assault began. The fort

was well armed for another river incursion

but inadequate for a land attack. Many of

the guns on the land side were mounted en

barbette along the earth palisade and thus

made easy targets of the artillerymen

manning them. Several were simply picked

off by Federal sharpshooters hidden in the

tall grass. As the main Federal line gained

the last few yards before the moat several

Federals were killed by buried torpedoes.

". . . Just outside the works a line of

torpedoes had been placed, many of which

were exploded by the tread of the troops,

blowing many men to atoms; but the line

moved on without checking, over, under,

and through abatis, ditches, palisading, and

parapet, fighting the garrison through the

fort to their bombproofs, from which they

still fought, and only succumbed as each

man was individually overpowered." (Brig.

Gen William B. Hazen)

Although overcome by a tidal wave

of Yanks, several Confederates refused to

surrender. In a report, garrison

commander, Maj. George W. Anderson

wrote: "I would therefore most respectfully

call the attention of the general

commanding to the gallant conduct of

Captain Clinch, who, when summoned to

surrender by a Federal captain, responded

by dealing him a severe blow on the head

with his sabre. (Captain Clinch had

previously received two gun shot wounds to

the arm). Immediately a hand to hand

fight ensued. Federal privates came to the

assistance of their officer, but the fearless

Clinch continued the unequal contest until

he fell bleeding from eleven wounds (three

saber wounds, six bayonet wounds, and two

gun shot wounds), from which, after severe

and protracted suffering, he has barely

recovered. His conduct was so

conspicuous, and his cool bravery so much

admired, as to elicit the praise of the

enemy and even of General Sherman

himself."

During the assault, the Federals lost

24 killed and 110 wounded. Confederates

losses included 17 killed and 31 wounded.

In his memoirs, Sherman described the

scene: "Inside the fort lay the dead as they

had fallen, and they could hardly be

distinguished from their living comrades,

sleeping soundly side by side in the pale

moonlight."

By that night communications had

been made between Sherman and the

Atlantic blockading fleet via the now open

Ogeechee River. Remarkably, on Dec. 16,

the Federals had erected a wharf and

warehouse where the unlimited supplies

from the fleet would soon flow.

Savannah's fate was sealed and Gen.

Hardee evacuated his forces, including the

State Line, from the city on December 21,

1864.

Indigo Rocks Tactical

The Indigo Rocks Tactical is January 12-14

in Appling County, GA just outside Baxley.

The tactical is located just off of HWY 144,

12 miles east of Baxley and is being hosted

by George and Harvey Eason of the 1st

Georgia State Line. There are hundreds of

acres of wilderness to fight in with no

modern distractions. There will be

campaign camping areas in the woods for

both sides and there will be plenty of room

for tent camping in a large pasture. Plenty

of parking space is available. There will

be water available and some hay.

Firewood available for gathering and port-

o-lets. Chris Collins will be the CS

Commander and Jerry Gouge will be the

US Commander. Registration fee is $3 per

person. For more information call George

Eason at 912-367-4810 or Harvey Eason at

912-986-9688.

Editorial by George Eason

I would like to begin here by saying

that this little tirade of mine mainly

concerns Confederate reenactors, but it can

apply to either side. I guess I'm being

pessimistic but I can see the lines being

formed up in reenacting between the

progressive and or hardcore reenactors and

the basic farby or marginal reenactors.

Now mind you, I am NOT saying

that one is farby just because they are not

hardcore or progressive or whatever.

However, I do feel like there is right way

and a wrong way of doing things and when

the two get mixed there is bound to be

friction and some division. Perhaps this is

inevitable, who knows. I realize that this is

a hobby (lifestyle for some) and it's

suppose to be fun, but there are too many

folks out there that don't give a rip about

history or authenticity. Many of these folks

just want to camp out, drink a beer, burn

powder and glory in being a danged ole

rebel.

They love to run around giving the

Rebel yell, swearing their undying devotion

to Jeff Davis and proclaiming that the

South was right and we're gonna rise again!

YEE-HAW! Well fellows, I love the South

also and I hold dear to my heart all of it's

history and heritage. I had six ancestors

that served in the Army Of Tennessee and

I love honoring their memory by trying to

accurately portray a loyal Southern soldier.

It's in my blood and spirit to do so.

It's exactly for that very reason that I hate

to see their memory stained by folks that

apparently don't have a clue.

I often wonder how many of these

good ole boys can really tell anyone about

how the common foot soldier ate, slept,

cooked and fought while he's out on the

march. How many of them can go a

weekend without a cooler full of food,

cokes or beer? How many can get by

without their big wall tent and comforts of

home?

Can they really educate the public in

any way about the life of the common

soldier? Sad to say, probably not. I'm pretty

sure many of them would freak out at the

prospect of packing their gear on their

back for the weekend and living off the

contents of their haversacks. To a lot of

these fellows the word authentic or

campaigner is a dirty word. Many don't

even really understand who they are trying

to portray. Here's a good example of what

I'm talking about. A friend and I were

talking to a reenactor one evening and my

friend made the statement that he

portrayed a soldier of The Army of

Tennessee. The fellow we were talking to

replied, "Well ,you'll have to go to

Tennessee to do that won't you". This

reenactor was a first sergeant in his unit

and commander of a S.C.V. camp! The bad

thing about this is that it's not all that

uncommon. Perhaps I sound like a know it

all but how can you portray someone that

you know almost nothing about? You

certainly can't honor them.

I like to get along with everyone but

it's hard to sit back and watch some of

these folks as they make a mockery of

history and their ancestors. I'm sure that

some could say I'm being too critical, but I

have noticed that there's quite a bit of

criticism coming at us from some of the

mainstreamers. I've heard them sitting

around and blasting folks for being

hardcore fanatics and stitch counters and

so on. Not everyone has to be hardcore, but

don't knock someone because they are

trying to do something right. I've heard

stories that hardcores and campaigners are

hostile, but I've seen plenty of hostility

coming from those who could care less

about doing it the right way. I personally

know of two fine reenactors that were

forced out of a unit because they were

considered to be too dirty! For land's sake!

Confederate soldiers didn't get dirty! Yeah,

and I'll sell you the Brooklyn Bridge too!

To sum things up, I think we all

need to strive to do things right, do our

homework and keep on growing in our

knowledge. We will never know it all but

we need to keep working at it regardless.

We also need to be always willing to share

what we know with others and always be

respectful of their feelings. I also feel,

however, that if someone is ruining my

experience because of their lack of concern

for historical accuracy or by just being a

flat out farb, then I am not going to

hesitate to speak my mind. It's like my

father told me one day many years ago, he

said: " Son, there are only two ways to do

something, you can do it right, or you can

do it half-assed!"

FAMILIAR HINTS TO

INDIANA SOLDIERS

TAKING THE FIELD

BY HENRY B. CARRINGTON

I. YOUR ENEMIES - UNCLEANLINESS,

PROFANITY, INTEMPERANCE,

LEWDNESS.

Keep the Body Clean - After marching, if

feet are sore, bathe in salt and water. Keep

the hair close; air your blankets well. You

never take cold, no matter how wet, if in

motion. When retiring wet, rub the body

until reaction comes on. If possible, never

retire in a state of perspiration, until the

body is clean and dry. Be regular in the

calls of nature; constipation results in half

the diseases of the camp.

Swearing profanes the name of the god of

battles. Remove Him if you wish His

blessing. Keep your own self-respect, and

you cannot become a coward. The habit is

unmanly, useless and degrading.

Drinking - unless under medical advice, is

your greatest curse. A well man was made

with nerves to sustain him under labor; he

can depend upon them. - Liquor excites,

but brings reaction and ruin. Coffee is a

stimulus and is nutritious. Quit strong

drink.

Lewdness makes beasts of men - never risk

it. Be as pure as when at home. In a word,

be as good citizens in the field as if at

home, where mothers, wives and maidens

look to you for support and favor.

II. DIET AND COOKING

You will cook for yourselves. Your

rations are super-abundant; save them' you

can. In cooking, remember that half cooked

food is ruinous. Better use uncooked pork

or bacon, hard bread and coffee, than eat

victuals half cooked that need perfect

cooking. Beans require thorough cooking;

soak them over night; don't smoke them,

you ruin them; boil them over a slow fire

for three hours at least - the same with

hominy. Skim your soups often, it will pay

you. Start with clean cold water, in clean

kettles. If your kettles are foul, your

victuals will be foul also. Pepper and salt

your soup half an hour before it comes off

the fire. Onions in your soup are good.

They are anti-scorbutic, and if you can get

them, they are good against scurvy. If you

fry bacon, get your fat hot before you put

the bacon in a mess pan. The pores of the

flesh close up at once, and prevent its

becoming greasy and indigestible. Stale

bread crumbled and put over it will help it.

Start potatoes in cold water with salt; if the

water boils sharply throw in cold water and

chock it. When nearly done pour off the

water, and leave the kettle on till the

steam evaporates. You can have mealy

potatoes if they are good for anything. To

fry potatoes, put them first in cold water

half an hour; then into hot fat till brown,

cutting them into thin slices; if you don't

they only accumulate fat.

Boil rice gently, stirring constantly

until it is soft. Turn it into a kettle or

coarse towel, and pour over it fresh cold

water, then put it into a clean kettle until

dry; serve hot or cold, as convenient, with

molasses.

Don't burn your coffee [when

roasting.] Use a little fat or sugar, stirring

constantly over a slow fire. When browned,

cover with a damp cloth to cool' then grind

it passing the mill twice. Use clean kettles.

When the water boils briskly, throw in the

coffee, having first wet it, and let it boil

for two minutes; then dash in a cup of cold

water, and take it off the fire, let it stand

five minutes, pour it through a flannel

strainer, into another kettle, to be served.

In measuring the water by rations, allow

five per cent, --lee-way. -Poor coffee is

secured by excessive boiling. Good coffee

can be made in a few minutes, as directed.

Soup can be made of most anything;

save your beef bones for the purpose -

skim faithfully. After the first boil, and the

scum begins to rise, chock your fire and

only let the water simmer. If you boil too

hard, the pores of the flesh close, the

essence of the meat is retained with all

impurities, no scum rises, the meat is hard

and tough, the soup is thin and watery.

Otherwise the juices are extracted, the

meat is rich and tender, the soup is rich

and nutritious. The fat skimmed off, keep

if you can, for other cooking. Cook two

hours. Don't put in too much salt or

pepper; there is no remedy but thinning the

soup, which spoils it. Better add more if

necessary. In pork and bean soup boil

briskly for an hour with the beans alone;

then take the kettles off for fifteen

minutes, pour off the water, and put in

clean water, add your port without rind,

and boil and hour and a half or two

continuously.

Elbow grease and ashes applied to

your kettles will not hurt what is to be

cooked in them. Grease upon coffee,

because of dirty kettles, is an abomination.

Keep your kettles clean.

III. ARMS AND EQUIPMENT

These are as a wife and family to

the solider. Pet them. Keep your musket

dry and bright. It may save your life. Don't

use sand or brick dust. A little flour of

emery will last long and be of service.

Don't use oil to excess, a little carefully

applied, and well rubbed, is better; deep

flannel for the purpose; see that the cone is

clear, the lock action, free and regular;

your ball-screws and screw driver always

on hand. After cleaning your piece, leave it

perfectly dry. A little more time taken will

pay the pains. After guard duty, at night,

wipe off the dew; however weary, never

sleep until this is done. Better lie down wet

yourself, than leave your musket wet, if

both cannot be attended to. See that there

is no water in your bayonet scabbard.

Use common blacking for your belts

and leather equipment. They will then last.

It will pay. When oil or lard is used, use it

sparingly and rub well. It is seldom needed.

Don't use strong fat for the purpose. Keep

your ammunition dry and your boxes full.

Soldiers need neither bowie-knives

or revolvers. They are a secret weapon, too

ready in case of brawl, and useless against

a foe. Trust your musket and bayonet. If

you have six shots, and are hard pressed,

you will throw away your musket. You then

cease to be a solider. Remember, here, that

"crossing bayonets" is never done by any

considerable force. Few well authenticated

cases are found in history. Push on

steadily, coolly and persistently, and you

will win.

IV. OBEDIENCE TO ORDERS AND

COOLNESS OF TEMPER

These are indispensable to make the

good or successful soldier. A thousand

Colonels to a regiment is not provided for

by the regulation. Obey the one you are

allowed. Better obey an officer of less

experience, who is cool and courageous,

than try to dictate to those who are

responsible for the regiment.

Your safety is in your courage. The

shock of battle is soon over. The cowards

who bread and run, suffer most. If abused,

or maltreated, remember these is a just and

proper remedy. Don't try to execute the

law yourselves. It don't pay. Manfully ask

your rights, but obey orders. But soldiers

who do their duty, seldom complain.

Grumblers exist; always have; always will.

But don't you grumble. Bear toil and labor

patiently. You will be rewarded.

V. TRANSPORTATION AND

RAILROAD CAR DEFENSE

By Cars. - Load and unload by platoons,

one to the car. A train can load in ten

minutes. If in a hostile country, unite the

knapsacks of comrades on a set, hang them

between the windows, covering the vital

parts. The man by the window can have a

ready fire, having butt of musket against

leg of seat, leaning to window. Comrade

carries his piece erect, between his feet. He

can load while the other fires, exchanging

pieces. The men by the windows are

number one - their comrades in the seat

are number two. If train stops, number

twos pass out opposite side from attack -

falling upon the ground, firing beneath the

car, until the whole command can form. If

attack be made upon both sides, the men

should remain firm until the commanding

officer selects his place of formation, and

then steadily, by files, march to their

position. - Haste will only disorganize.

Meanwhile a fire may be maintained by a

squad from each car to divert attack from

forming parties. Coolness in such

circumstances is indispensable to safety;

and a prompt formation will defeat the

enemy.

Remember no train will be urged

into the face of a large force. Such attacks

are by guerillas, or small detachments.

Your self-possession will save you, and a

brisk attack will ruin your assailants.

On Steamboats. - Don't spread over the

boat at first. Twice as many men as you

suppose may be quartered on a steamer. If

formed in a single rank, in any space seven

feet deep - face to the partition - unsling

knapsacks; deposit them six inches apart -

number your men by companies in whole

numbers - unsling and spread blankets -

four double - and you have room and every

man has his place.

Remember that loud talking is

unbecoming a solider. Never be so situated

that the call of your officer cannot at once

be heard and responded to. You are minute

men in this war. A minute lost, is lost

forever. Save the minutes, and your toils

and labors will soon be at an end.

VI. THE SICK AND WOUNDED

Be brothers to those who suffer.

Your turn may come next. Be unselfish, for

you are comrades. Stint yourselves for

those who languish. Don't fret because one

breaks down. The best men may give out.

Share your canteen of cold coffee or water

with the weary. You'll not repent it. Better

that you suffer in part, than have your

regiment strewed for miles by the wayside.

Remember a bandage, even a handkerchief,

tightly bound above an artery, or both

above and below, if there be much effusion

of blood, may check the flow until relief

comes. In the hot sun, a sponge, or green

leaves, in the hat, slightly wet, may prevent

sunstroke. If threatened with frosted feet,

or fingers, promptly apply cold water until

reaction comes on. If very cold and drowsy,

don't give way to sleep until your

extremities are warm again. If gruel cannot

be procured for the sick, on the march,

crush corn, extemporize corn meal, and you

can, with salt and crackers make a very

respectable substitute. Stale bread, toasted

hard, soaked and seasoned, will give

nutriment, refresh the sick, and will require

but a few minutes stop.

In all things, cherish the unity of

feeling, which makes men one in sympathy,

as they must be one in danger and

adventure.

VII. LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Remember this is not a mercenary

war - a war for pay or plunder. Our true

condition is that of peace. Armies are but

an expansion of police authority, when civil

process is inadequate to maintain order in

the States. You fight to maintain civil

authority; that our country whole and

complete again, may know peace. You are

soldiers now - you are again to become

citizens. Let all your acts, therefore,

however earnest and aggressive upon the

enemies of the State, prepare you to

become better citizens, inasmuch, as by

your toil and sacrifice, you have learned

how precious our institutions are, and can

realize the value of a well ordered,

peaceful Republic.

Dare, do and endure, and you will

be blessed. Your fellow soldier,

HENRY B. CARRINGTON Col. 18th Inf.

U.S.A., Com'd'g at Indianapolis. And

Mustering officer for Indiana.

An Attempt at Defining the

Terms:

Authentic, Hardcore, Progressive,

Mainstreamer, Farb and Campaigner

By Paul Calloway

There is so much confusion about a

certain set of terms that I think it would be

useful to attempt to set some definitions to

these terms. It may confuse the matter

more, it may cause still more infighting -

but these are not my goals when writing

this article. Rather, I purpose to create a

forum for the discussion of these terms

alone. I also believe eliminating some of

the ambiguity in how we define ourselves

may lead to a more healthy reenacting

experience for all.

First and foremost, I believe that

there is room in the hobby for all. I think

Joe Farb has every right to go to a wide-

open reenactment and drink his swill and

go to the dance. At a wide-open

reenactment, Joe Farb shouldn't have to

put up with jeers and dirty looks from the

hardcore crowd. The hardcores should

expect Joe Farb to be there and it was

their choice to attend that wide-open

reenactment so they all should deal

maturely with the result. I also think Henry

Hardcore has every right to go to a

reenactment where authenticity

requirements are set to prevent Joe Farb

from showing up. If the event clearly says,

invitation-only, they mean it... Joe Farb

should get his invitation before he goes. If

he's turned down, Joe Farb should deal

with it and not go there seeking a

confrontation.

We all get a certain degree of

enjoyment out of this hobby or we wouldn't

be spending our dollars and time on it.

What tickles Joe Farb's fancy is likely to

be different from what might give Henry

Hardcore a rush. Let them both get what

they want out of the hobby and everybody

will be happy. We've all got guns... let's all

do our part in preventing anyone from

going postal.

To both Joe and Henry, and to all

those in between, I suggest you do your

homework ahead of time and attend events

that are likely to meet your expectations.

Henry Hardcore, don't go to the battle of

"Ya'll Come" where invitations are open to

all and expect everyone in the ranks to be

dressed in Child's kits or Wedeward sacks...

it's ridiculous but sometimes that's what we

expect. Joe Farb, don't show up at an

expressly campaign-style event with your

A-Tent and plop down in the middle of the

campaign camp and not expect some dirty

looks.

Now, back to the subject at hand. In

this document, I will attempt to provide

detailed definitions to the proceeding set of

terms. It has been my observation that

friction comes when any three of these

stages or levels are combined in the same

proximity (whether it be a battalion

formation or just in camp) and thus one of

my reasons for creating these definitions.

An example would be a battalion of

mainstreamers, progressives and hardcores

or another would farbs, mainstreamers and

progressives... combining any three has

been in my experience a major

disappointment to somebody.

Farb, Mainstreamer, Progressive, Hardcore,

Authentic and Campaigner

I look at these terms on a sliding scale:

< Farb >< Mainstreamer >< Progressive ><

Hardcore >< Authentic>

Reenactors normally slide from one level

to the next (normally left to right) and on

a on few occasions, certain reenactors have

been known to skip several stages on the

authenticity sliding scale. This can happen

when a hardcore or progressive group takes

a fresh fish under his wing and thus

intercedes in what some might consider the

"natural progression" or even "evolution" of

the Civil War Reenactor.

You'll note that I did not even

mention the word Campaigner which many

consider to be a level of authenticity in and

of itself. I do not ascribe to this belief.

Please read on as I discuss this in great

detail later.

Defining the Term FARB: Most

reenactors come into the hobby as a

FARB. Some of them stay right there

indefinitely, others begin moving toward

the right. When we talk about a FARB, I

think of wristwatches, modern eyeglasses,

coolers in camp, MRE's for rations, etc.

The term FARB is much like the word

"hoosier" which no-one really knows for

sure where it comes from. One of the more

believable explanations was explained by

Ross M. Kimmel in "Confessions of a

Blackhat: Recollections as a Skirmisher

During the Civil War Centennial; Part Six

in a Series: Friction and Film" which

appeared in the Winter 2000 issue of the

Camp Chase Gazette (Vol. XXVII - No. 3)

pp. 55-56.

"I have mentioned the F-word -

"farby" which survives in the reenactment

subculture today as "farb," meaning a

person who is not authentic." "Believe it or

not, it was invented in Gerry Rolph's

kitchen in the early 1960's, I think by the

time of the First Manassas reenactment."

"It originated as an adjective, farby, to

describe that which did not come up to

Blackhat authenticity standards." ".... farben

in German... means colorful, which

certainly describes many farbs."

Defining the Term MAINSTREAMER:

MAINSTREAMERS use general-line

equipment from sutler-row and usually

exhibit a "this is only a hobby" mentality.

Some folks start at this level, believing that

wearing wrist-watches and sunglasses are

obvious anachronisms that need be avoided.

They'll usually keep their coolers hidden in

their tents and often times are very

focused on the battles. It has been my

observation that they usually hold

hardcores in contempt even though they

most have never met or talked with one.

This was the case with me in the early days

of my reenacting experience. I frequented

terms such as "button-pissers, stitch-nazis

and stitch-counters" without really knowing

who or what I was describing. I only knew

what I had been told by other

mainstreamers and farbs. However, it was

at this stage of my impression that I could

easily have been described a campaigner! I

was using mainstream gear but sleeping

under the stars, eating out of my haversack

and shying away from status quo

reenacting. I don't think the term

Progressive could have been ascribed to me

as I had no interest in obtaining more

correct gear.

Personal Note Aside: Mainstreamers and

Farbs aren't all bad, and whatever you

might have heard, hardcores don't hate

them...

Defining the Term PROGRESSIVE:

Reenactors reach the PROGRESSIVE

stage when they begin making an all out

effort (within the limits of their finances)

to get things as right as possible. They'll

usually have an increased interest in doing

Living History and may have started to feel

that pitched battles are losing their luster.

When the event calls for garrison-style

camping, they will bring A-Tents and

limited camp furniture. If it's a campaign-

style event, they'll usually put up shelter

halves or sleep under the stars. They'll be

consciously looking for the best gear they

can buy and can be noticed as having a

more soldierly outlook and approach to the

hobby. Their views on hardcores are

noticeably changing and are now becoming

for appreciative of the research many other

hardcores and progressives have done

which they now realize is of great benefit

to them, the progressive reenactor.

Defining the Term HARDCORE:

This is perhaps the least understood of all

the levels / stages and thus I intend to

spend a fair amount of time on it. In the

grand scheme of Civil War Reenacting, few

have made it to the HARDCORE stage.

Although, arguably, more and more have

made it to the Hardcore level of late. Still

more think they've made it here but

probably haven't. Scott Cross of the

Mudsills has dutifully described in the

following manner in a recent web posting

and I've taken the liberty to quote him:

"After 20 years of Civl War living History

with the Mudsills, I have some definite

ideas [about the definition of hardcore.] A

hardcore bases every article of his

impression on documented sources, i.e.:

actual items in museums or private

collections. He doesn't have to do the

primary research all by himself, because he

networks with other trusted hardcores that

do primary research on artifacts. He

doesn't have to make all of his impression

parts, but knows who is out there that can

do it in the same manner as the 19th

century manufacturers. First-Person is

another part of being a Hardcore. Either

individual biographical research or unit

research is important to him. The first-

person stories of the common soldier are

an integral part of his study. Campaigning

is another factor. Re-enactments are not

important, because one can never

authentically recreate a battle. Marching

with minimal gear, camping and cooking as

they did, and experiencing every possible

hardship, from winter cabins to burning

and bending railroad iron, helps the

Hardcore to connect with those men from

the past. I would also have to include a

military mindset is also essential. Some

may disagree with this, but you can't

understand the day to day life of the

soldier without running a military style

camp, with competent officers and NCO's.

I suppose that we are looking for total

immersion type experiences in what we do.

The closer the experience, the more we

identify with the historical people, the

closer we identify, the better we can share

that knowledge with each other and the

public. I'm sure I've forgotten a few things,

but I'm also sure my comrades will fill the

gaps."

This is the big leagues where

complete immersion is the goal. Finances

be d***ed, there are no excuses to be made

at this level. Do it right or don't do it.

Some call this the BIRD principal,

ie."because it's right darn-it!" On a side

note, please don't assume someone is a

hardcore because they use the term BIRD.

Rather many hardcores shy away from the

term as it seems to trivialize and humarize

the effort of authenticity. Not everything in

life need be demoted to a catch-phrase.

Although, if you are a frequenter of the

term BIRD, don't let hardcores push you

around about it while saying other catch-

phrases FARB out the other side of their

head. Come on reader, smile, that was a

good point.

An excellent treatise on the

Hardcore movement can be found in both

the March 2000 issue of the CCG as well as

being posted on the internet. It's called the

Campaigner's Manifesto, written by Col.

Nicky Hughes of the Breckinridge

Battalion. (A similar treatise exists for

Civilian reenactors.) Although I don't agree

with how he has couched the term

Campaigner in his writing, I think the

manifesto clearly applies to the hardcore

movement. I'll spend more time discussing

the term Campaigner but suffice it to say

that using my definitions, a more apt term

might be, "The Hardcore's Manifesto".

Although the name Hardcore is a term of

derision by many mainstreamers, it is also

a badge of honor that most real hardcores

are happy to have ascribed to them. The

term campaigner however is adopted by

groups with clearly mainstream impressions

and thus my belief that in the context of

the manifesto, the term hardcore would be

more appropriate. This is not to denigrate

Mr. Hughes' work here though as it is

outstanding and should be the gold-

standard for serious reenactors in their

pursuit of authenticity.

Defining the Term AUTHENTIC:

Yes, finally there is the level of

AUTHENTIC which all reenactors should

strive for yet none of us will ever obtain.

The model authentic was the true Civil War

Soldier and we can know him through his

photographs, diaries, letters and other

primary resources. This is where we set our

sights and when the world of reenacting

politics begins to muddy the landscape, this

is the guiding light.

Defining the Term CAMPAIGNER:

With regard to the term CAMPAIGNER, I

view this as a particular aspect of a

soldier's life. At times the real soldiers

were on campaign, other times they were

garrisoned. In the world of reenacting, it is

possible to have a Mainstream Campaigner

(Chickamauga) or a Hardcore Garrisoner

(Ft. Pulaski.) I do not see the term

campaigner as an independent description

of ones commitment to authenticity except

as it relates to the scenario at hand. As I

mentioned previously

CONCLUSION:

To summarize, these are my humble

opinions having been in all these separate

movements at one time or another. I have

also had a great deal of exposure to all of

these stages of authenticity as a result of

the creation and maintaining of my

website, the Authentic Campaigner. I

expect there will be some disagreement

and perhaps even heated debate. You're

welcome to have your own opinions... as

someone has said they are said to be like

armpits - everyone has them and they

usually stink, including my own. A certain

amount of nastiness is generally expected.

Please, just keep the name-calling away

from using my mother's name... I get

touchy on that point. She's a good woman.

;-) Have your own thoughts on the matter?

Go to the Authentic Campaigner Forums

and Discuss it!

I respectfully close and wish you all the

best, regardless of what category I may

have inadvertently lumped you in. I am

fortunate to have dear, lifelong friends at

all stages - I hope that never changes.

MAHAN'S OUTPOST

For those of you who missed

Mahan's you missed probably one of the

best events ever. For some strange reason,

call it the luck of the draw or whatever

most of the Federal Regulars were in one

company that being the one led by Duke

Culberson. He was a fantastic commander

and from what I have heard ours was the

only company that met with success and

survive intact after Sunday morning's

"battle".

This was the first time for me that

I have been involved in a first person only

style event. It was not that difficult and

everyone in our company did a great job

staying in first person. One thing you have

to watch out for is modern day slang. I

found that the best way to talk was to be

slow and deliberate and to think out

everything in advance before opening your

mouth. I caught myself saying "cool" and

used the term "blow torch" to describe

Dutch blowing on a fire and "bathroom" to

describe a Reb relieving himself.

It pays to go prepared and the

Regulars were the only people that brought

some food and as a result our company had

a fine dinner late Saturday night. Though

spooning would have kept us a bit warmer,

it seems it will have to get even colder

before all of our modern inhibitions will

see us spooning.

I noticed that if a person does not

have access to all of the modern day

conveniences they are not missed. I came

to the conclusion that if we put our minds

to it we can be a lot more authentic then

we realize. Keep the faith boys!