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superficial or outdated publications, entertainment media, or other suspect sources.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
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.