We are living historians trying to portray a particular time period in history. The vast majority of us are not out there to re-live the war and all of its horrors. I am sure that none of us would like to see another outbreak of unimaginable death and decay. Our purpose is to educate the public about one of the darkest hours in American history and to honor those who lived in that time period.
The first time that I reenacted with my friend, Vaunda, I found out that she is descended from Jefferson Davis. I am a descendent of James Albert Hard, the oldest veteran of the Grand Army of the Republic (Union). There we were, sharing a tent at a reenactment and laughing about what our ancestors would have thought. The point is that the past is past, and any animosity should stay in the past. It was Robert E. Lee who said after the war, "it is the duty of every citizen, in the present condition of the Country, to do all in his power to aid in the restoration of peace and harmony."1 Lee also said, "Dismiss from your mind all sectional feeling, and bring [your children] up to be Americans."2 The Civil War ended almost 150 years ago. Why are we still fighting it?
I don't have a good guy/bad guy mentality. What is most important to me is the character of the man, not which side he fought on. It takes two sides to have a battle--or a reenactment. If we had only one side represented we would be unable to have a true historically accurate event. Although I re-enact as a union civilian, I have great respect for the men in gray, as a whole. The Civil War is over. Why are we still fighting it? After all, we are Americans, not adversaries.
1 & 2http://www.vahistorical.org/publications/historycorner_lee.htm
I agree whole-heartedly with what you've said here. I am a history lover, but more than the facts and timelines I find the stories the most fascinating, why people did what they did and felt what they felt. I think if we can understand those things we can better understand ourselves, and learn from others' mistakes. I found out not long ago that I am descendant of two young Union soldiers in separate Missouri calvary regiments. I had no idea, and I suppose being in Oklahoma we feel more 'southern.' But I'm really proud of those young men who manage to fight and survive and go on to have families so that I could be here!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed reading your blog!
Heather
I have often wondered why Americans are still fighting over the Civil War. It seems the Civil War reenacting hobby has taken on its own tensions beyond the 150 year old conflict too- arguments over authenticity, gender issues, and regional animosities. While I agree we should all try to be as accurate as possible in this hobby, it is indeed "a hobby" and should be enjoyed by all who participate.
ReplyDeleteKim I agree with you what side of the war they were on did not make them bad or good. There were good people and bad people on both sides as there are in today's world. Being reared in the Deep South there is a lot of resentment toward the northern states but most of that came about because of how people in the south were treated after the war and because the war devistated the culture of the south.
ReplyDeleteI had always joked with people often saying, "I was 16 years old before I knew Damn Yankee was two words." After the event in Jefferson, Texas which was the first time I wore a blue uniform at a reenactment I thought others were mostly jokeing, I found out different with that woman. But I do reenactments because I enjoy history and I believe it should be taught. History is often not politacally correct and has no feelings of right or wrong but it should be taught unsensored. Teaching hate slants that truth and tarnishes the history and memory of those that made it.
Jimmy