Gettysburg Anniversary
 

This year will be the 150th Anniversary of the battle and there will be two events going on. The Union unit I belong to here in Ohio is going to the later one and the Confederate unit I belong to in Virginia is going to the earlier one. I've wanted to go for a few years but never managed to get there. This will be a big year and probably the last chance for me. I'm leaning towards going with the Confederates because I want to make the charge on the third day. The unit was one of Pickett's Brigades and my friend in the unit had two relatives in the battle. The wife is afraid the heat will be too much for me, but it's something I feel like I need to do. I will probably retire from re-enacting after the event and my friend has said it will be his last as well. I'm not sure what to do, but I have to decide soon so I can get registered. I'll have about five months to get in some kind of reasonable condition to be able to participate. I haven't used my musket in four years and I'd like to do it one more time. Any thoughts? I usually manage to get quite a varied response to my posts, so this should be interesting.

Nomad

You don't tell us the dates, but it can be darned hot around end of June 1st of July. You know what shape you are in, Nomad. You just need to make a wise decision. Don't go and get caught up in the excitement and blow a valve ;) I'd hate to wear one if those uniforms sitting in the shade in July, much less run up a hill in it. :D

Pickett's Charge is July 3. Ive been there and it can be very hot and humid, especially in a wool uniform.

However the armies had men of all ages in them, with real things firing at them, grape, cannonballs, etc.

I would probably go for it, its a once in a lifetime thing, and Id love to see it

There will be no running from this old boy. I think if I work up to it and don't get crazy I can do it. I've walked the real charge at a brisk pace a number of times with no problem, but I wasn't in wool or carrying my musket. Don't know how large the area is where the event will be held, so it could be a shorter walk and maybe not up an incline. If it is beyond what I can do, I'll just stay in camp and see how it goes. I know how it ends, so me not being there won't make a difference. I think somewhere deep inside I feel like this time we will go over that wall and win just like I hope each time I watch the movie. Guess it won't happen that way, though.

Nomad

The events take place the last weekend in June and the next weekend for the second event.

I agree. Make yourself a memory. Enjoy life while you can. If you can't "run up the hill" then take up the rear and go slower. But have fun. Life is short, so enjoy it.

I agree that you should do it. Just do it in an appropriate way. Live till you die.

My son participated in the 135th anniverary of Gettysburg. Being a part of Pickett's Charge is something he will remember for the rest of his life.

Don't pass up such an opportunity!

I went to the 135th great time. Wish I could attend again but you guys have fun, don't let the ghost creep into camp with you

It's very hot and humid here in July so it would be wise to try to condition yourself. Plan to drink alot of water. One of the biggest problems with the reeactments is the participants not taking in enough water in the humidity. That being said, there will be alot of medical staff on hand for the event. They will be out in the fields on ATV's to help anyone who needs it. I may be there myself as an EMS volunteer but don't know yet. It will be worth it to go as they are planning a memorable event. Just take care of yourself and enjoy.

I would have to give it a try, the whole once in a life time thing.

My wife, son, and myself have gone several times (just for vacation). My son is BIG into the Civil War.
I'd say GO FOR It, Nomad!
You may want to start to condition yourself starting NOW. Start walking - even if it's just to the next block - and each day keep walking just a bit further.

The couple times I've been to Gettysburg, it was in July - and hot. (Not as hot as what it was during the actual war - but still hot. I can't even imagine, war like conditions when it was so hot. (Not to mention after the war started and right after Gettysburg ended - the STINK from all those dead bodies - men and horses! In that heat, it wouldn't take long for flies to start, plus decomposition.

I know after the war, men were buried in shallow graves - but even after a few days of laying out in the sun - EWWWWWW!! And then to be the people who dug up the shallow graves shortly afterwards to try to identify the bodies - 1 big pile of decaying flesh.

I'm feeling sick just thinking of it.

I am reading a book by James Alexander Thom on writing historical fiction. He talks a lot in it about how important re-enactors are to those writing historical fiction.

We have visited 25 or so times since 2004. Unfortunately we have been unable to go as often as we used to. We usually try to go in spring or fall because of the heat and crowds of the summer. We were there in July 2011 and were visiting the battlefield while the event was going on at a farm outside of town. We were at the location where the Virginians of Pickett's Division stepped off to begin the charge. It was quite an experience to know I was standing at the same place and time they were 148 years earlier. Most reenactors do what they do to honor the soldiers of the time and to educate the public. There are some that think it's great fun to burn powder and play soldier. They don't have the respect they should have. For anyone who thinks war is all glory and fun, there is a book that I have and have read twice so far. The title is "A Strange and Blighted Land" "Gettysburg: The Aftermath of a Battle" by Gregory A. Coco. The first time I read it I got physically ill at times and actually decided to give up reenacting because of the horrors of what the book relates. Since I now know I had some relatives in the war as well as the builder of my home was a veteran of the war, I feel like I have people who I can feel connected to and honor. If you haven't heard this before...there are still men buried around the battlefield. They tried to remove all of them, but many graves were unmarked at the time or markers were lost over time. Pretty sad to me. I get a bit angry when I see people treating the place like an amusement park. People laughing and joking around. Kids climbing on the monuments which is a crime but they don't seem to care. Oh well, I'm just an old guy who probably cares too much.

Nomad

That's interesting. I've never heard that before. I do know they probably couldn't have made the movies "Gettysburg" or "Gods and Generals" without reenactors. All those unpaid people with their own accouterments. Some of the people in my unit were in at least one of the films. Pretty cool.

Nomad

I've read some good stories about paranormal activity when there are large groups of reenactors there. I have had some experiences but never a sighting. Maybe this time.

Nomad

I dont see the problerm. Step of with them. Trty to start in/near the front, and ease your way towards the reart as your speed allows, When you get puckered out, take a round and fall and suck on your canteen. Seems easy to me. IF its historical, Youll be dying like flys anyway

not going to pick. you can sigh up and work on getting in shape. if successful go for it is not back out you know how you feel i think it would be one heck of a memory.

I'm pretty sure I've posted this before and you can take it any way you want. When I was a kid I knew nothing about the Civil War until we studied it in school and even at that there wasn't much covered. I knew Grant and Lee and who won, that was about it. Every summer I would hear something on the radio about Pickett's Charge. I suppose it was the anniversary date and it was something they said like this day in history or some such. Other than the name, I had no knowledge of the event. Every time I would hear the name I would have a picture in my mind of an incline going off in the distance with some trees on the left of it. I had these "visions" well into my 20s. Fast forward to 2004. As I walked out past the North Carolina Monument along Confederate Avenue on Seminary Ridge for the first time, I knew immediately it was the place I had seen all those times when I was a kid. So why? Had I been there before in another time? Nothing is impossible I suppose. I feel a very strong connection that area and can't even talk about the charge without getting very emotional. Maybe I'm just ready for the loony bin. All I know is I feel like I need to make that charge. I've pretty much convinced myself I'm going. Guess I need to start training.

Nomad

Back in December 2008 I died attacking Marye's Heights as part of the Irish Brigade. I'd like to survive this time. I guess it depends on how far I have to go. At least if I do go down I won't have to worry about laying in the snow.

Nomad

Five months is a long time when it comes to physical conditioning.


If you start slow and consistently keep at it, you'll be surprised how much more you might be able to do. The important thing is to do something about it every day and don't give up.


You'll probably feel in shape enough to really participate at Gettysburg. And you'll live a better life in general.

My dad and bro got paid for G&G's. But dad had a speaking part that ended up on the cutting room floor and little bro got wired up with squibs and got to get shot on camera. So maybe that's the only reason they got paid.

Just remember, if you've ever gone down with heat, it will be easier to have it happen again. So keep hydrated and have fun. I know you want to "live" through this one, but take a hit if it gets to be too much. It's sad when someone one goes down for real at one of those.
DH is gonna go with our unit. They're really looking forward to it. I don't know if I'll go and reenact or not. I haven't been able to get to one sence the twins came along and we started farming full time, but I also went to the 135th as a kid so I won't be missing out too much to stay home and let DH go.

I hope you have a blast. It's gonna be epic.

Nomad,
A couple tips from another experienced cw reenactor (albiet a younger one, I retired when I got married and had kids because I didn't want to drag around the wall tent/camp stove/rope bed thing.)

-I would opt for the CSA unit. Why? Because depending on unit history, you can certainly play off a less "regulation" (COOLER!) uniform for 1863, and you may be able to use a canvas coat and breeches instead of the wool. (Again, depending on your unit's history.) By mid war there was a lot more "making do" as supplies got shorter and shorter.
Union uniform regs are a lot more stringent as well as better supplied so there's really no getting around a wool hat, wool trousers, cotton shirt and wool vest bare min in the interest of authenticity.

-Second rule of reenacting; When out of cartridges, weapon is misfiring, or you're just plain tired, "take a hit" under a nearby tree :)

-Drink lots of water and eat your pickles to replace your salts (tell the tourists it's to prevent scurvy)

I miss it sometimes. I was with a unit of cavalry "regulars" that were recalled from indian fighting in the territories when the war started. I played as an NCO's daughter when I was 14, laundress and cook when I was 16, and did the disguised soldier thing when I was 18.

If we did it again I think we would do a civillian impression. I've got a hankerin to polish up my german or slavic accents and run a tent establishment for the "providing of civilized female company and wives". Not nearly enough women of ill repute out there to accurately reflect the time period and place imo ;)

Have enjoyed this thread. First off, if you haven't read (but you probably already have) Confederates in the Attic by Horowitz. I've read it twice. Very enlightening and entertaining book about reenacting the War between the States. There are the "hardcores" who don't take processed food...they take chickens, etc. They sleep in tents on the battlegrounds, not in Holiday Inns, etc.
My brother in law has taken his four boys to Gettysburg every July1, 2, and 3 for the last 20+ years. I have been debating on going this year...as you mentioned it is the 150th anniversary.
I took my family to Gettysburg (during April) several years back...someone mentioned "ghosts" so I thought I'd include this in my response...There is a Celtic cross erected where we happened to be driving about, and I looked at it, as I was driving. Beyond the cross on a hill, for perhaps three seconds, I happened to see (just as if it were actually happening) a wagon being drawn by a team of horses, their mouths open, eyes wide, lots of dust being kicked up, men around the wagon running toward one another with swords swinging wildly in the air...the light was being reflected off the swords...this was all in full colour, but there was absolutely no noise...it all happened in complete silence. After three seconds, it was gone. Now, I am a truthful person and I don't make stuff up. I don't crave attention, etc. In fact, I didn't even mention it to my family until well after the vacation had ended. Some people believe me, others don't and it doesn't matter to me either way if you do or not. I just know that it was as real to me that day as my coffee cup is sitting here on the desk as I type.
I have read almost everything James Alexander Thom has written, and was curious about the book someone earlier mentioned. If they could provide the title, I would be interested...I would like to read what he says about the subject. I heard him talking about purchasing one of the earliest sets of encyclopedias for the purposes of putting himself into the mindset of what people back in the 18th century knew about the world back then...about eclipses, and solar system, etc.
I would urge you to do your best to get into as good a shape s you can, take precautions but be a part of it...What a wonderful memory you can give to yourself, that will be priceless for you for the remainder of your life. I hope you try, and if you do, please post photos, and give us some updates and threads about your experience. Take care

I never doubt anything someone sees at Gettysburg. I'm thinking the cross you mention is the Irish Brigade Monument a little west of the Wheatfield. Just past there and ahead around the bend is a sharpshooter monument. More than one person has reported seeing the sharpshooter turning to look at them when they rounded the bend in the dark. Since he is facing the opposite direction, that would be interesting. We have had a lot of paranormal experiences on the battlefield but only my oldest daughter has seen something. I haven't read the book you mention. I mainly read the history of the war, but I will try to find the book and read it. If I do go I won't be able to take any pictures. I wouldn't have any way to secure my camera when I wasn't using it. People have actually had muskets stolen at reenactments, so a camera would be nothing for someone to take. I had my cell phone in my pocket at the last reenactment I attended. I slipped on the ice and fell and unbeknownst to me my phone fell out of my pocket. Fortunately the first sergeant picked it up and gave it to me later. How embarrassing. I have some templates I can print out of labels for canned goods. No sense letting every one know I'm eating Dinty Moore beef stew. lol

Speaking of seeing things there...a few years ago just the wife and I went in the spring. We were having something to eat at the picnic area along Confederate Avenue and all of a sudden a black Monte Carlo with a big number 3 on the side went driving by. It was an exact replica of Earnhardt's car. I think that was carrying the ghost thing a bit far. We saw it again driving through Devils Den later when we were on Little Round Top. By the time I got the camera out and took a picture I didn't get a very good shot. Never saw it again. But the same day and just before the sharpshooter monument I mentioned the wife saw a monkey sitting by the side of the road. I didn't see it, but she swears it was there. I suspect it wasn't a ghost but someone's pet that got loose. And no, we don't drink.

Nomad

As far as remembering forever the event in your memory. I dont know how old you are, but ive been in 3 major SCA wars, and 4 or so smaller battles. I hardly remember them at all. The last was around 10yrs ago or some more. Im 65, and I can tell you that, if you are a active homesteader, gardener, farmer, youll have so much to think about that alla that will be just what everybody says it is, HISTORY

The last event I attended was December 2008 and I remember it very well. I had my heart surgery two months later and haven't been in the field since. Sleeping on the ground when it's 16 degrees leaves a lasting memory. It started to snow the next day as we were getting ready for the battle. By the time it was over there were 4-6" on the ground and still coming down. We were supposed to stay another day, but most packed up and went home. I am not active at all and have nothing to think about, so I may remember it.

Nomad

Disagree... in the 10 years since I quit reenacting, I've gotten married, started a family, and started homesteading and I still treasure those memories.

DB I wager your aways away from your mid 60s tho.

NO, Ive had 2 ribs broke, both collar bones fractured, Slept IN the rain, fopught during a tornado 5 miles away, Fought in chest deep water,
I KNOW I did that, But I can only remember peices of them all. I cant remember all the local fighter names I fought with EVERY sat nearly for 25yrs

I say go. You'll regret it if you don't.

Enjoying this thread! I would go and do what you are physically comfortable doing (well, as comfortable as one can be in the gear and the weather.) The 150th, especially since it may be your last, will be something to cherish forever. And I understand the emotional part of it. Stood in the ditch at Antietam in my early 20s and wept like a baby. The power in that moment was and is, 30 years later, unforgettable.

Cannot be at Gettysburg myself, but will be at Chickamauga as an observer. Can't reenact, screws in my ankle. And at 56, too old to be a hooker:run:

PS - are you, or anybody else here on the Civil War Talk forum? Just found it a few weeks ago.

I think you should go for it. Try and get yourself in better shape by then. Maybe drop a few pounds and start walking everyday, maybe try working out with some light weights too. Every little bit will make you stronger and more able to withstand the heat and extra activity....be sure to stay well hydrated.

The first time I walked out to the Point of the Woods at Gettysburg, a guide was talking to a group of young fellows he was going to lead across Pickett's Charge. I listened to him tell them to be quiet and respectful on their walk, because those boys are still out there. That's when I lost it. I walked back the path with tears streaming down my face. I was a bit embarrassed when I walked past people, but since then I have seen others who responded the same way and I know how they feel. Guess I wasn't so odd after all.

I had a brief vision at the Bloody Lane at Antietam a few years ago. I had walked out into the field where the attacking Union forces came from. As I turned around and was going to start walking back to the lane, I saw a volley fired through the fence right in my face. The flash of the muzzles and smoke, but no sound at all. It was brief but it happened. One of my heroes, John Gordon, was wounded five times in the lane during the battle...and survived. Love your last sentence. LOL

Nomad

Are you saying I'm fat? I think I'm just fluffy. I make sure to stay hydrated all the time and they have a rule at the event that your canteen must be full. That is one thing they really watch. I have some 5 lb and 10 lb weights on the floor right behind me. I was using them until my back started acting up after my last snow blower activity. I'm going to start with them again today. Three us us want to walk together here. We all could use the exercise. The youngest daughter is normal size, so she probably won't bother.

Nomad

I am a member of the Civil War Message Board, but I don't think it's active. I just went and looked at a thread about Gettysburg I posted on last May about us going there in two days for our 27th time and there hasn't been any response since. I'll have to check out the one you mention.

Nomad