A Reenactor’s List
					( C ) 2005
				By Jason Z. Dehart
	I’ve got three big Civil War reenactment events coming up in February and March, and since two of them involve some degree of travel I thought it would be a good idea to give the uninitiated a glimpse into what somebody in this hobby might bring along with them for a comfortable three- or four- day stay in the field. I should start off by saying I do not camp "campaign style," which is to say you just bring your blanket roll in a horse collar and sleep under the stars on the hard cold ground in all kinds of weather. That’s not for me, although it does cut down on prep time and space requirements. No, I’m afraid I need all the stuff listed below. Of course, such a list will vary according to individual needs and tastes. This list is not in any particular order, since all the items here are more-or-less necessary and important. 1. A gassed-up SUV. 2. A-frame canvas tent, tent pegs, tent poles and hammer. 3. Musket. 4. Powder, percussion caps and blank cartridges. 5. Uniform: hat, shirt, trousers, longjohns, socks, extra socks, shoes, sack coat, belt, cartridge box, bayonet and bayonet scabbard, cap pouch, haversack, canteen, gum blanket/poncho and tin cup). 6. Modern clothes for transit to and from the event (t-shirt, sweat pants or shorts, sneakers) 7. Cooler (can be hid from sight with blankets) 8. Bottled water. Lots of it. For drinking, washing and reviving people in heat-induced coma. 9. Canned food, can opener and mess kit (plate, knife, spoon and fork). Plus, a variety of haversack snacks like trail mix or beef jerky, or even fresh fruit like apples, oranges and bananas.) 10. Dish rags. 11. Soap and towels (Or, bring along some baby wipes. Great if you can’t get to a hot shower). 12. Musket cleaning supplies (wipes, oil, cleaning jags, etc.) 13. Ice. Especially if it’s hot. Keep in cooler and stick your head in it after the fight. 14. Important medications, if applicable. Spare eye glasses, too. 15. Driving directions, maps and cell phone numbers of guys in the unit. 16. Cell phone and car charger. 17. Money. 18. Cot, sleeping bag and extra blankets (Okay, so the sleeping bag is optional, but it adds more padding to the cot). 19. Candle lantern with matches and spare candles. 20. Plunder box for small items like matches, candles, musket caps, tobacco, pipe, smoking hat, musket cleaning tools, pocket knives, cartridge tubes, etc. Can be locked to keep out the curious and those bent on thievery. 21. Did I mention water and ice? 22. Camp chair or stool. 23. Toothbrush and toothpaste. 24. Last, but not least, a pee can (not a pecan). Can be any reusable plastic jug, or a jug made specifically for the purpose at hand. Excellent for those cold, rainy nights when you don’t want to bother with walking clear across camp to the nearest portalet. As a matter of good sense, an improvised pee can should be marked appropriately and kept separate from your other liquid-bearing containers. 25. Oh, and one more thing. If you are musically inclined, bring your instrument! And toss in a disposable camera for recording "magic" moments. It may seem like a lot, but it’s really nothing compared to what other folks might bring to make themselves at home in various other events. My brother, Florida’s Cracker Tenor, has to back up a trailer whenever he goes to a mountain man rendezvous. That’s because his needs are a lot different than mine and therefore he has a lot more stuff to pack. Some folks who don’t camp authentic at all will, of course, bring their RVs and TVs along so they can have ALL the comforts of home. Of course, planning and preparation gets more complicated when you bring your wife and kids along. You have to take care of their needs as well as your own. My point is, living history participants don’t just magically arrive on the scene and disappear into the woodwork when it’s all over with. Going to any of these events takes planning, preparation and attention to detail to make sure a grand time is had by all. It’s a lotta work, especially after driving for several hours, but it’s worth it. Until next time.
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Jason