VOLUME I NUMBER 1.0 Men, welcome to the first edition of our new newsletter, THE GEORGIA REGULAR. There will be one issue per month. As this publication is yours, it is incumbent upon you to assist in its publication, said assistance will manifest itself in your prompt contribution of editorial content by the 20th of each month. We want this newsletter to contain topical articles pertaining to improving impressions, camping skills, cooking skills, opinion articles, equipment maintenance, uniform enhancements, etc. Within reason, all articles presented by a member will be published in relatively short order. We should aim for a newsletter and content which results in all forward thinking authentic reenactors wanting a copy and scrambling each month to obtain the next issue.

WELCOME It is interesting to note the overwhelmingly positive response we have received from our efforts. Without exception our invitation and the focus and theme of our endeavor has generated much enthusiasm. Even those who have chosen to pass at this time have offered their support and feel that we are on to something. Of course this is to be expected as we would not have invited the chosen few if we did not have an inkling that they would be receptive. What is really interesting is that those accepting an invitation to join the First Georgia Regulars did so blind to an extent, meaning that they really joined without knowing, to any large degree, the identity of the members. This speaks highly of the character and self assurance of those joining and says a lot about how really on target we are with what we are aiming to accomplish by forming this unit. Salute!

First Georgia Regulars Roster

Current Members

Brad Bonner Valley, AL

Jim Boone Kingsland, GA

Alex Carter Matthews, NC

Hamp Chauncey Dahlonega, GA

Robert Corey Hinesville, GA

George Eason Baxley, GA

Jerry Gouge Hilton Head, SC

Chuck Haskell Waverly Hall, GA

Dutch Henderson Milledgeville, GA

Andrew Jerram Dahlonega, GA

Richard Kelly Waverly Hall, GA

Jamie King Orlando, FL LeBron Matthews Columbus, GA

Phil Maxfield Leesburg, GA

Trace Scalf Valley, AL

Brad Scott Ft. Benning, GA

Mark Taylor

Outstanding Invitations

Kyle Beach

Clint Powell

FROM THE RANKS It is with much satisfaction that I join the First Georgia Regulars. After years of crusading within my home unit (the Columbus Guards), I have been pushed to the point of burn out tying to influence a unit that is destined to remain mainstream. During this time, I have made enemies of men who I considered friends and have unknowingly offended many in the name of authenticity. Those who know me, will readily agree that I can be abrasive in my over zealousness but I have always had the best intentions; to push my home unit beyond the "weekend with the boys" status. Recently, I even considered finding another unit and leaving the Columbus Guards. When Jerry Gouge envisioned an alternative to leaving the Columbus Guards, I jumped at the opportunity. You see, I am and will always be a faithful member of the Guards. Many of the members are my best friends and just because they and I do not see eye-to-eye concerning authenticity, this doesn't mean they I have lost my love for the tradition of the unit. However, for my interest in reenacting to revive to the level that I had when I first put on the shell jacket in 1988, I need something more. I need an occasional event that I do not see an Igloo cooler or a cot in one of those damnable A- frames. I need to be able to smell the smells and hear the sounds that they heard in 1863. I need to have my legs painfully ache from a force march and my gut to cry out in hunger pains. I need to experience the next level of reenacting without the intrusion of the modern inconveniences. And, I need to have this experience without alienating my friends who do not wish to spend a weekend reenacting like I wish to reenact. So that is why you see my name on the roster. My time is very valuable. Between my family and my career, I have little time to waste being judgmental and argumentative. (Those who know me well may very well say that being argumentative is what I most cherish in life.) I am looking forward to pulling on my slouch hat and seeing you guys in the field. Bully for the Regulars!! R. Kelly

INVITATION RESPONSES Here are some excerpts from the acceptances received thus far. 1. "I am honoured by your invitation to join the First Georgia Regulars and accept the invitation with gratitude. While I enjoy the 2d Georgia and the re-enactments we attend I have felt that there is something missing in the experience with all the attendant modernisms that seem to creep in. As I have been 18 years in the modern light Infantry I am elated that I can continue in that service, although in a different era. Field life really is not that much different between then and now. There are two things I have noticed in other units that I think detract from the accurate portrayal of Confederate Army life. The first is rusty weapons and the second is poor drill. While his uniform may have sometimes been in rags, I am sure his musket was clean and ready to fire. Also, given the time spent in camps between campaigns, the average Confederate Soldier was likely an expert at drill and could execute commands flawlessly. If the First Georgia Regulars can correct these two things alone I think it will have made real progress." 2. "Thanks for the letter about starting a new unit. I am very interested in it!! I'm sure that this unit will be a good foundation for future reenactors. Thanks again, I take this as a high complement and I hope it is but I am just glad to be a part of it!!! Thanks again!!" 3. "You can definitely count me in. This seems like what I've been looking for. I've felt a little stale for a while now, I really want to move on to a higher(or is it lower?)level of living history. It seems as though this will be a learning experience and a more controlled environment, I'm excited about it. Oh, and by the way, nice letter." 4. "Let me just say that I'm very excited, and honored to possibly become a member of the First Georgia Regulars. I am honored at being chosen to be a part of this group. I'm assuming the regulars will function on a national level. I have noticed across the internet that there are a lot of brigade/battalion level organizations like the FGR, and it seems to be a tremendous asset to the hobby." 5. "HUA! You don't know how many night drives home this issue has been discussed by my dad and I. One way or another, I am for it." PROPOSED CANDIDATES The membership process is as follows: a current member proposes a candidate; the candidate's name is then published in the next newsletter; the then current members have the option of saying either yea or nay; in the event two members feel that the prospect should not receive an invitation to join we will not send him an invitation. The following men have been proposed as potential new members. If you feel that one of these men should not receive an invitation, get in touch with Jerry Gouge at either 800-824-8083, 843- 757-3689 or [email protected]. Any man not receiving two nays by April 14th will be sent an invitation shortly thereafter. Harvey Eason Rod Glock Paul Jerram Andy Lang Robbie Mitchell Mark Pollard 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. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FIRST GEORGIA REGULARS Organized at Macon in the spring of 1861, the Georgia Regulars included men from Atlanta and Brunswick, as well as Glynn and Montgomery counties. Sent to Virginia, the regiment fought in most of the major battles of 1862, before being sent back to its home state to recruit due to its losses of men to wounds and disease. Stationed along the Apalachicola River in Florida during 1863, the regiment suffered heavily from disease and sickness, with a corresponding lowering of morale and effectiveness. "This [location] was useless from a military point of view, and our ranks were more decimated by malaria than if we had been in many battles", recalled John Porter Fort, a member of Company B. Sent to reinforce Finegan shortly before the battle, at Olustee the Regulars probably numbered fewer than 200 muskets. Captain Henry A. Cannon led the unit at Olustee, where it served on the Confederate left. The unit suffered losses of three men killed and twenty-five wounded. A detachment from Abel's Artillery served with the Regulars at Olustee and suffered several casualties. Later in 1864 the regiment served at Charleston and Savannah. It surrendered in North Carolina in 1865. [Jerry Gouge has multiple copies of Footprints of a Regiment by William Andrews, 1st Sgt. Co. M, this is the history of the 1st Georgia Regulars, contact him if you and would like to borrow a copy.] COMPANY STRUCTURE Our eventual goal will be to have a membership sufficiently large so that we can field a decent sized company at all events. The company would be composed of two platoons with 1 sergeant for each platoon (1 sergeant, 2 corporals and 14 privates). Each platoon would be composed of two sections with each section having 1 corporal and 7 privates. Ultimately there would be (when on the field) 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 3 sergeants, 6 corporals and 42 privates (54 people). In order to accomplish this goal, we would have to have a membership in excess of 54 as some members would want to fall in with their local units at some events. If our numbers were fewer than three sections, we would be commanded by the senior sergeant and if fewer than one platoon by the senior corporal. Thus, all members will be required to have the capability to portray both their higher rank and a private's impression. In the event that we brigade with elements of other units, depending upon the arrangement we work out with the leadership of the other unit, some of our senior leaders may be able to carry their higher rank despite our having fewer men present. Based upon the above outlined structure and to facilitate a fair amount of growth over the coming months, it seems reasonable for us to carry the following rank structure: one 1st lieutenant, two sergeants and three corporals. Right now that means we would have one lieutenant, one sergeant and one corporal too many. However, based upon the enthusiasm which we are seeing relative to our proposition, I see us at two platoon strength by the end of the summer. Additionally, we need to be prepared for some of our members falling in with their home units at some events and necessarily have to have some back up. I do not see the officer playing that role on the field for a while unless we brigade with another unit. Since we will all come to an event with our private's gear, we really will not appear top heavy. I think we want to keep politics out of our group as much as possible. However, we need to elect some leaders to help facilitate some semblance of structure. To that end, we need some nominations for the above referenced positions. Send or call in your nominations to Jerry Gouge. The nominations will be for lieutenant, sergeant and corporal. Members can be nominated for multiple positions. The two nominees for sergeant receiving the most votes will become the sergeants, the one with the most becoming 1st sergeant, ditto for corporals. I know this is a pain but it is something that needs to be done. We can discuss length of tenure and any other "rules" at the first event which we attend en masse. But I hope we will not overburden ourselves with rules and regulations. IMPRESSION VARIETY A number of members have mentioned that normally when at an event in Georgia we should typically portray an Army of Tennessee impression. I think most of us agree that this is the case. I think that most of us have an AoT impression as well as Federal gear. You will note that from the above brief history of the 1st Georgia Regulars that they served both in Virginia and later in Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas. However, they did not serve with the AoT until the 1865 campaign in the Carolinas. After some discussion with a number of the members and unless there is some major objection, I think that our Army of Tennessee impression will be the 57th Georgia Volunteer Infantry. Dutch Henderson knows more about them than I do so if you feel the need to discuss the issue, call him at 912-453-1861. Also after discussions with members and again unless there is some major objection, our Western Federal impression will be the 2nd Iowa Volunteer Infantry. This unit served throughout the war in most of the major campaigns. They were at Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Chattanooga, Resaca, Atlanta, etc. They have an honorable record. I doubt we would galvanize if we travel all the way to Virginia, but feel free to make a suggestion as to an Army of the Potomac impression. I am kind of partial to the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry which was destroyed at Gettysburg. But whatever, I hope that this is satisfactory at least for the time being. WOMEN IN THE RANKS We mentioned in the invitations that there would be no women in this unit. I suppose if there was a woman at some point that none of us knew to be a woman and "he" was good enough to become a member we would consider him as we would any other "man". I also suppose if we were doing a living history at a fixed installation such as Ft. Pulaski or Ft. Jackson it would be reasonable for women to participate as visitors from town, company cooks or washer women. We can discuss this at future events. I recently noted with some dismay when I received my company newsletter from the Albany Guards, 4th Georgia that they now had a woman on their roster. It made me sort of sad. It was brought to my attention that at Olustee that she had, in full view, gone out for a squat in the palmettos when we were waiting in the staging area prior to the battle. Though I did not see her this unsettled me a mite and I am sure that some were embarrassed by this. While reading Footprints of a Regiment, I came across the following amusing anecdote. "I find conscript officers stationed everywhere I go, watching for some poor devil who is trying to keep out of the army. If he cannot be caught any other way, will run him down with Negro dogs, and then take him to the front in chains. I would rather be at the front and take my chances than to stay at home in the swamps and be run down by dogs and then have to go. One fellow was caught in Albany, Ga., with a woman's dress on and was chained and carried to the front in that condition. Would prefer death a dozen times to being carried before our soldiers in that plight, for there is nothing more contemptible in the eyes of a soldier than a coward. Besides, no able-bodied man with a spark of manhood in his breast can stay at home and see his country overrun by the vandal hordes of the enemy, who destroy everything in their reach."

RAMBLINGS ON STYLE One of the things we can all work on is how we physically look. Most of the men in the War Between the States were young and lean and they spent a lot of time out of doors. It came to me the other day that a fellow with some gray in his beard or mustache can make himself look a bit younger by being clean shaven. For a stretch a bit of coloring can cover some of the gray on your head (not that we have any, wink). Many of us could lose some pounds and get into shape. I think it would be a good idea if we all were to do some daily walking. It will help our health and make it easier for us when we are in the field. I recently joined Gold's Gym and hope to drop 40 pounds over the coming months. Stay tuned for developments on this. What would happen if we fasted for 2 days prior to an event? I doubt we would lose any long term weight but the hard tack, salt pork and parched corn would seem mighty tasty when we were hungry. Just a thought. Also we need to work on our tans. I think that most of the men in the war would have had tans on their face, neck and hands if not on arms and legs. I plan on spending more time outside or using some self tanning creme to brown up a bit. We also need to watch our modern hair styles. There are some styles today that would not have been seen in the 1860's. You can probably find a style in an old picture that does not look too out of place in today's society. I think that ear rings need to be avoided when possible. I think we would all be healthier if we were to quit smoking. But if we must smoke, we need to use a pipe at an event, no cigarettes. And cigars are a bit wasteful by 1860's standards but some rough cheroots might work. Possibly a bit anal, but by applying some common sense we can improve our image without spending a bunch of money.

SHELTER HALVES Research indicates that the Confederate soldier was not issued a shelter half. It seems that in order to stay dry in rainy weather we will have to do some advance planning. Maybe some flies would do the trick. Some of us can use "captured" shelter halves. We could also make use of some fabricated brush or limb arbors. I am looking for a shelter half, one of those light weight authentic types, so far they seem to cost $75 or so, which I doubt few of us are willing to spend. Maybe we can reproduce some using the purchased one as a pattern. In order to make a dog tent we need two or four matching shelter halves. We need to discuss this issue and develop some strategy for dealing with unpleasant weather. It makes no sense to go campaign style only to head for the house when the weather turns bad. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

AUTHENTIC BLANKETS Everyone seems to be making a big to do about blankets. I see that a group up north has done some research and is now reproducing a Federal issue blanket which costs roughly $150. Seems kind of pricey to me, but to each his own. I tried something this week and I want everyone's opinion at the next event, but I think I might have found a way to make an authentic looking blanket at a reasonable price. I looked in Echoes of Glory and noted the color of some of the Federal issue blankets. I remembered that I had in the garage my father-in-law's old World War II navy blanket. It was worn and not very heavy but it was a cream colored wool. So I said what the hell, I went to the store and bought three boxes of Ritz dye (dark brown, dark green and gray). I mixed the dyes together, followed the instructions and dyed the blanket in the washing machine. It came out this dark Tuscaloosa gray, looks very cool and matches the color in Echoes. I still have to remove the machine stitching on the edges and then hand stitch, but I think it will work. You all can let me know what you think. But if you think it looks right, I think we would be able to find some old wool blankets at a military surplus store and save some money and improve our impressions.

EVENT SCHEDULE We need to have some discussions and develop an event schedule. For the time being we need to avoid choosing dates that conflict with the Georgia Volunteer Battalion calendar as some of our members will wish to fall in with their home units. I think we will be able to get together to talk at Greensboro, West Point, Clinton and Resaca to hash out some of the details. If anyone has any events in mind, please pass them along to Jerry Gouge. As Battalion adjutant, being responsible for the guard mount, I think that I will be able to look after our interests in terms of camp site. I think we might be able to serve as the pickets and then we would be able to camp campaign style on the peripheries of the garrison style camps. Even though some of us choose to fight in the ranks of our home units at the local events we could still serve/camp together after the battles are over. We have spoken with the park service people at Kennesaw Mountain and we are optimistic about holding a living history there next year. I think we will be able to participate with Joslyn's group at Ft. Pulaski in March. In order to go to Pickett's Mill we will have to brush up on our stitching and police our standards a bit, but I see us there in the not too distant future. I am exploring the possibility of us participating in the Mahon's Outpost immersion event in the fall. I have contacted Medich's Battalion to determine their calendar of events. They are campaign style and we might have some fun with them. I think that we might be able to have a living history at Ft. Jackson in June. I am still exploring this. If we like we can have a fishing, live fire, drill, weekend bivouac in Wheeler County in June, July or August and an authentic deer hunt, live fire, drill weekend bivouac there in September. Let's discuss all this soon.

AUTHENTICITY VS. OUR PERCEPTIONS OF AUTHENTICITY by Jeff Sherry As a longtime reenactor, going on 15 years now, and a member of the Ninth's Advisory Panel, for what it's worth, it has been a habit of mine to research my uniforms and equipment to insure that I could be as "authentic" as possible. Perhaps this comes from doing the War of 1812 where all of our clothing is custom made as there are no sutlers making the stuff. Like many fresh fish, I often bought what some "veteran" in the unit told me to buy, thinking it must be well researched or they wouldn't be wearing it, right? At first I was pleased with my choices, hey, I looked like everyone else in my unit! I soon found myself replacing this stuff with better made and better researched items. I then noticed I started to stand out. Was I uncomfortable with this? At first, yes. Then I came to the realization that I was very confident in my research and that I stood out for a reason. The reason was the sutlers I bought all that other junk from wouldn't know an authentic fatigue blouse or forage cap or canteen cover if it introduced itself to them. My favorite argument used by these thieves is "contract variation!" Stop and think about that one. Yes, the Federal Government contracted out uniforms and equipage but these had to pass inspection and meet the standards of the U.S. arsenal that did the contracting. But, I digress. A recent article in Camp Chase Gazette on "Hardcore Reenacting" describes my penchant for research and never being totally pleased with my impression as indeed being "hardcore." Wow, I don't even urinate on my buttons, not on purpose anyway. I don't really want to contract lice just to experience it and I don't knowingly eat meat with maggots in it. Then just what is "hardcore" and what is "authentic"? The article came to the conclusion that constant research into uniforms and equipment, drill, and first person and battlefield impression are what makes a "hardcore" or "authentic." To do this, first research original items of clothing and equipment. Then research new sutlers and suppliers for new and more authentic articles of clothing and gear. If you thought there were a lot of sutlers at mega-events, there are dozens and dozens of small suppliers out there making really good stuff that you'll never see at a mega-event. Many don't even advertise. So, what do we have to do to be authentic? Wear the best clothing available, know the drill inside and out, know your unit's history and the history of the war, and act like a Civil War soldier so you can talk intelligently to the public and other reenactors.Now, finally, to my title-"Authenticity vs. Our Perceptions of Authenticity." A recent camp fire conversation made me wonder about what some reenactors think is authentic. Do you think long hair and long beards are authentic? Do you think really short hair is authentic? Do you wear a frock coat instead of a fatigue blouse because you think the blouse looks sloppy and the frock looks more "military" or because you think you "look better" in a frock coat? Ask yourself this question? Whose idea of "military or sloppy"? are you using? A 20th century spit and polish U.S. Army notion of sloppy or a 19th century version. If you examine photographs of Civil War soldiers, officers and enlisted alike, you will see a wide variety of frocks, blouses, and shell jackets that look down right sloppy by our standards. That's not the point! The point is they wore them and they often wore them in a sloppy way! They thought it looked good! How about your cap or hat? I once read an article by "Dirty Billy Wickham," the hat maker, in which he said he hated to see a reenactor and his lady walk into his tent to buy a hat because the lady invariably picked out a hat that her partner "looked good" in but which bore no resemblance whatsoever to a correct hat for that army or that unit. Did you like Longstreet's hat in Gettysburg? Tom Berenger looked cool in it, but historically it was a lousy hat! Do you wear your hat pulled down over your eyes like Clint Eastwood because you saw a photograph of a Civil War soldier wearing his hat like that? I doubt it. Did you buy your forage cap because you liked the way the crown "falls forward just right"? Do you roll the visor on your forage cap like a modern baseball cap because you saw a photograph of a Civil War soldier wearing his that way? I defy anyone to show me a photograph of a Civil War soldier or an original forage cap with a rolled visor. To begin with, the leather used in originals and good repros won't roll like that and secondly, more often than not, if the visor isn't flat, it was pushed up in front. Do you think you look good like that? I doubt it, but real Civil War soldiers thought they did. Would you roll up your trouser legs for a photograph? They did! Look at photographs taken in camp or in the field, not a photographer's studio. They rolled them up to keep them out of the dirt and mud and because they probably were too long! What looks good to us today and what makes an authentic impression should not be dictated by 20th century military standards. We really aren't doing this to "soldier" are we? We are supposed to be "reenacting" the Civil War, not some 20th century war. It is about time every member of the unit looked hard at their own physical impression, i.e. clothing, caps and hats, and equipage. Start by getting rid of the $20.00 forage caps and the purple fatigue blouses that have shrunk up on you and shorten up your haversacks, canteens, learn the drill inside and out and start acting and looking like a Civil War soldier. We can all improve. Let's all work on it.

THE CAMPAIGNER'S MANIFESTO by Col. Nicky Hughes 1. I am committed to developing and practicing the most historically accurate portrayal of a soldier of the American Civil War now possible. The only limitations I place upon the accuracy of my impression are due to a prudent concern for maintaining modern standards of health and safety, and those limitations naturally enforced by lack of information resulting from the passage of time since the Civil War. 2. I obtain the most historically accurate clothing, equipment, and other relevant items available to me. I insist upon the use of proper materials and construction techniques in all reproduction items. I handle my finances in a manner that will prevent financial considerations from limiting the accuracy of my impression. 3. I recognize that many vital aspects of Civil War soldier life - terror and wounds in combat, death on the battlefield or in the hospital, camp diseases, and much else - cannot be re-created effectively in a living history context. I do not see this failing as an excuse to be lax about other aspects of my impression, but as a challenge to insure that all I can portray is presented as accurately as possible. 4. My impression is based upon serious research into and careful analysis of reliable sources of information about the experiences of Civil War soldiers. I recognize the need to employ the historian's skills, including the ability to evaluate possible sources of information. I place considerable reliance upon documented research conducted by others, but I do not base my impression upon the claims of those who manufacture goods for the reenacting market, reenacting traditions and customs, superficial or outdated publications, entertainment media, or other suspect sources. 5. I am prepared to change my impression to incorporate improvements dictated by new historical information as it becomes available to me. I recognize that our understanding of the details of history changes over time. I welcome constructive discussion of such matters, and I share information freely. 6. I portray the Civil War soldier as my knowledge of history leads me to believe him to have been while on campaign - unencumbered by impedimenta. I limit the items I use when portraying soldiers to those items that I could reasonably expect to carry upon my person for extended periods of time under the harsh conditions experienced by Civil War soldiers. (Exceptions for cavalry, artillery, medical, some officers, and other specialized impressions are to be expected - within bounds set by historical information.) I use my research into period soldier practice to determine what equipment I should carry. 7. I usually portray the typical common soldiers who made up the great mass of men on the two sides during the Civil War. My impression may reflect regional variations in clothing and equipment and changes over time during the war. I can vary my personal impression to suit differing locations and dates of depicted events. Except in very special circumstances, however, I avoid presenting exotic impressions such as Zouaves, marines, sharpshooters, sailors, highlanders, and such. 8. Although my primary interest is in soldiers on campaign, I am able to portray soldiers in garrison or winter quarters when appropriate to a particular event, scenario, or historic site. I am willing to change my personal impression to fit various situations. I apply the same standards of historical accuracy to such portrayals that I apply to my campaign impression. 9. I maintain myself in a physical condition that allows me to portray Civil War soldiers with realism. I keep my weight at a level that honestly represents men living on period soldier food and performing period soldier duties. I am able to walk distances and perform chores required of me while depicting soldier life. I am willing to accept standards of personal hygiene and grooming consistent with soldier life in the field during the Civil War. 10. I recognize that a successful impression cannot be superficial. My objective is not to conceal modern items but to re-create a historic time and place in detail. Therefore, my impression is as accurate and complete as I can make it on every level - including all of my clothing and the contents of my pockets, knapsack, and haversack. Further, I am familiar with the material culture of the mid-19th United States in general, and not just with objects related directly to the military. 11. While portraying a Civil War soldier I eat food that simulates as closely as possible the rations available to the men in the situation being depicted. However, I do not endanger my health by consuming food known to be dangerous. I dispose of human waste in a safe manner. 12. I handle and maintain weapons in a manner intended to insure my safety and that of others around me, and which reflects period practice in a way consistent with modern safety requirements. 13. In pursuit of the complete Civil War soldier experience, I am willing to take part in accurately staged re-creations of typical military activities including marching, drill practice, army ceremonies, guard and picket duty, simulated combat, food preparation and other aspects of life on the march and in bivouac. I learn as much as I can about the details of these activities so that I can portray them realistically. If called upon to do so, I am willing to continue the living history experience around the clock during events. 14. I recognize that large-scale infantry maneuvering and combat were based upon battalion formations. For the purposes of participation at large events, I associate myself with a battalion run in a manner consistent with The Campaigner's Manifesto. I subject myself to the discipline inherent in such a military organization and participate fully in the battalion's activities during events. 15. I realize that Civil War soldiers had life experiences before the Civil War and that the lives of civilians continued through the war, affected to various degrees by it. I am committed to learning about antebellum and wartime civilian life to better understand the historical context in which soldier experiences took place, and to permit realistic interaction with serious civilian reenactors. 16. I employ first-person living history techniques whenever appropriate. I take great care to avoid behavior, language, and comments that might disrupt accurate living history activities. I strive to attain a mental attitude appropriate to the person I portray when in character. 17. I do not "hide my candle under a bushel." I take advantage of situations that allow me to share my knowledge of the realities of Civil War soldier life with fellow living history enthusiasts and with the public. I participate in living history activities, especially at smaller events, and in educational programs. 18. I see "mainstream" reenactors as potential converts to living history at higher levels of historical accuracy, and I avoid conflict with them. I conduct my relations with them in a manner consistent with the behavior expected from mid-19th century gentlemen. However, I do maintain my own high standards of excellence for portraying Civil War soldier life. 19. I limit my discussion of and participation in politics at events to that appropriate to the event historical scenario. I leave my views on current events and modern-day reenacting politics at home. 20. The greatest pleasure I derive from Civil War living history comes from the knowledge that I am re-creating the experiences of the soldiers who fought it with the greatest fidelity to history I can manage. _