To Navigate: Hover mouse above the Lookbooks: Librarians submenus to navigate to the following pages: Civil War Re-Enactment, Museum, Procession, Schwarma Truck, Costumes, Teaser, Scene 26 Flashback.
CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENTS
These are reference shots I took at the Civil War re-enactment on July 1. I learned a tremendous amount that day. Here are some highlights:
There are 3 main groups in a battle: Union soldiers, Confederate soldiers and Artillery. Each side has their own Artillery who are the ones who move and operate the cannons. In the world of re-enactment, these soldiers often flip sides (and have both uniforms) to serve whichever side is going to win. Both sides with have cannons, but the winner's cannons often outnumber the loser's.
Battle Planning: For these smaller numbered skirmishes, the battles are not choreographed. The generals and NCO's meet in advance and come up with a plan, and the outcome is fixed (south wins in morning, north wins in afternoon). Therefore, much of it is improvised once it starts, including who dies when since there are no real bullets. The infantry soldiers don't know the plan usually and just follow orders as the battle unfolds which explains why Dewan, Troy and Roach are all confused by the quiet.
Flags: The Union Flag would have 34 or 35 stars. W. VA was the 35th state. If the flag has 35 stars it is pristine. If it has 34 it can be old. The Confederates had 3 different flags - 1st confederate is the one with just 3 horizontal stripes and around 13 stars, Second National Confederate is a white flag with the box at top left with crossed stars, and Confederate Battle Flag which is the one we associate more with Confederate Flag- 2 crossed bands of stars on a red background with gold fringe around it. Interesting fact: The confederate flags were not used by Klan members until 1868 and peaked in 1920.
The Re-enactors and Politics: Most of the re-enactors choosing the confederate side are doing it for the following reasons: to represent family history, because that side is more family friendly at these re-enactments, it's more fun and laid-back than the uptight Union side, or because they identify as rebels in their own lives (hence Griz). There is a rule that no modern politics can be discussed at these events and there are many openly gay members of the Confederate side re-enactments. Many people choose to be on the Confederate side so they can get a more balanced perspective from what is taught in history classes in school. All of the re-enactors I spoke to are devout history buffs and know every detail of this war. They buy all their own equipment, spend all their free time doing this - lots of times with their families - are very bonded to each other and find a social outlet they don't have in the rest of their lives. One particularly touching story was a man on the Confederate side who has been doing it 30 years and told me he is on the Autism Spectrum and this is the only place he feels accepted for who he is.
Cavalry: In these battles there are soldiers from both sides who ride their own horses and are trained acrobats who can fall off them- our contact Brent Young is one of them and has worked in film and television for a long time. There are also dismounted cavalry who fight on their feet because they didn't want their horses to die. In the real Civil War, horses were so loyal they would take bullet hits for their owner and not run away, even if owner was shot off of the horse. A common site was dead horses on the battlefield- very moving and sad.
Townspeople: At these events the women and children dress up in period costume to go watch. I have some photos of spectators below. Not sure we would feature them in our battle scenes, but we could have them be part of the Procession in Scene 24. During the Civil War, they would pack picnic lunches and watch the battles, then clean up the dead while army moved on.
Young Boys: There were several 12 year old boys fighting in the re-enactment. I asked about the bell for meal time and I was told everyone cooked own meals so there would not be a big call for chow. But a bell could be rung for a Church service or to gather people for another reason.
Drum and Fife: There was one drum and one fife player from each side on the battlefield who played through the fight. It would be good to have these for our battles and also in our procession.
Authenticity: These re-enactors know their stuff and have studied every detail for years. Many are big fans of the show and will be watching for inaccuracies and have a vast internet network where they would talk positively or negatively about the portrayal. They think Gettysburg and Glory do a great job. Several of these guys said they would be a resource and I have their numbers.
Camp: The re-enactors have these canvas tents not far from the battlefield. The small A-frame ones are for regular soldiers, the large ones are for officers. When they are not in battle, they hang out in character in these tents- sleeping, eating, cooking, etc. I think we could set these up near the Schwarma truck. There were lots of anachronysms like blue portapotties next to the battlefield and camp that I think it would be fun to play with. As well as people drinking smoothies because it was so hot.
Field Debris: During opening scene and other battles- Overturned cannons, wagon wheels, dead horses (too much?) added to emotional stakes of battle
Abraham Lincoln: They had an amazing Lincoln Impersonator who spoke for about 30 min and gave the Gettysburg Address. I think it could be great to have him as part of our procession.
Humor: The day was not without levity- A Union Major came up to me and said they lost their Color Guard (flag holder on the battle field) to a bad back- would I like to fill in.
Quote summing up why many do it: "A re-enactment is the only place a janitor can be a general for a day."
More reference Photos: The Civil War Oregon Facebook page has gorgeous professional photos and video: https://www.facebook.com/civilwaroregon.ncwc/ I have the contact info for Steve Young, the professional photographer and videographer who shot these if we want any photos for our museum or potential B-roll, although not sure anything will match. Definitely check these photos out as they are closer up to battle than I could get.
There are 3 main groups in a battle: Union soldiers, Confederate soldiers and Artillery. Each side has their own Artillery who are the ones who move and operate the cannons. In the world of re-enactment, these soldiers often flip sides (and have both uniforms) to serve whichever side is going to win. Both sides with have cannons, but the winner's cannons often outnumber the loser's.
Battle Planning: For these smaller numbered skirmishes, the battles are not choreographed. The generals and NCO's meet in advance and come up with a plan, and the outcome is fixed (south wins in morning, north wins in afternoon). Therefore, much of it is improvised once it starts, including who dies when since there are no real bullets. The infantry soldiers don't know the plan usually and just follow orders as the battle unfolds which explains why Dewan, Troy and Roach are all confused by the quiet.
Flags: The Union Flag would have 34 or 35 stars. W. VA was the 35th state. If the flag has 35 stars it is pristine. If it has 34 it can be old. The Confederates had 3 different flags - 1st confederate is the one with just 3 horizontal stripes and around 13 stars, Second National Confederate is a white flag with the box at top left with crossed stars, and Confederate Battle Flag which is the one we associate more with Confederate Flag- 2 crossed bands of stars on a red background with gold fringe around it. Interesting fact: The confederate flags were not used by Klan members until 1868 and peaked in 1920.
The Re-enactors and Politics: Most of the re-enactors choosing the confederate side are doing it for the following reasons: to represent family history, because that side is more family friendly at these re-enactments, it's more fun and laid-back than the uptight Union side, or because they identify as rebels in their own lives (hence Griz). There is a rule that no modern politics can be discussed at these events and there are many openly gay members of the Confederate side re-enactments. Many people choose to be on the Confederate side so they can get a more balanced perspective from what is taught in history classes in school. All of the re-enactors I spoke to are devout history buffs and know every detail of this war. They buy all their own equipment, spend all their free time doing this - lots of times with their families - are very bonded to each other and find a social outlet they don't have in the rest of their lives. One particularly touching story was a man on the Confederate side who has been doing it 30 years and told me he is on the Autism Spectrum and this is the only place he feels accepted for who he is.
Cavalry: In these battles there are soldiers from both sides who ride their own horses and are trained acrobats who can fall off them- our contact Brent Young is one of them and has worked in film and television for a long time. There are also dismounted cavalry who fight on their feet because they didn't want their horses to die. In the real Civil War, horses were so loyal they would take bullet hits for their owner and not run away, even if owner was shot off of the horse. A common site was dead horses on the battlefield- very moving and sad.
Townspeople: At these events the women and children dress up in period costume to go watch. I have some photos of spectators below. Not sure we would feature them in our battle scenes, but we could have them be part of the Procession in Scene 24. During the Civil War, they would pack picnic lunches and watch the battles, then clean up the dead while army moved on.
Young Boys: There were several 12 year old boys fighting in the re-enactment. I asked about the bell for meal time and I was told everyone cooked own meals so there would not be a big call for chow. But a bell could be rung for a Church service or to gather people for another reason.
Drum and Fife: There was one drum and one fife player from each side on the battlefield who played through the fight. It would be good to have these for our battles and also in our procession.
Authenticity: These re-enactors know their stuff and have studied every detail for years. Many are big fans of the show and will be watching for inaccuracies and have a vast internet network where they would talk positively or negatively about the portrayal. They think Gettysburg and Glory do a great job. Several of these guys said they would be a resource and I have their numbers.
Camp: The re-enactors have these canvas tents not far from the battlefield. The small A-frame ones are for regular soldiers, the large ones are for officers. When they are not in battle, they hang out in character in these tents- sleeping, eating, cooking, etc. I think we could set these up near the Schwarma truck. There were lots of anachronysms like blue portapotties next to the battlefield and camp that I think it would be fun to play with. As well as people drinking smoothies because it was so hot.
Field Debris: During opening scene and other battles- Overturned cannons, wagon wheels, dead horses (too much?) added to emotional stakes of battle
Abraham Lincoln: They had an amazing Lincoln Impersonator who spoke for about 30 min and gave the Gettysburg Address. I think it could be great to have him as part of our procession.
Humor: The day was not without levity- A Union Major came up to me and said they lost their Color Guard (flag holder on the battle field) to a bad back- would I like to fill in.
Quote summing up why many do it: "A re-enactment is the only place a janitor can be a general for a day."
More reference Photos: The Civil War Oregon Facebook page has gorgeous professional photos and video: https://www.facebook.com/civilwaroregon.ncwc/ I have the contact info for Steve Young, the professional photographer and videographer who shot these if we want any photos for our museum or potential B-roll, although not sure anything will match. Definitely check these photos out as they are closer up to battle than I could get.
