Top six questions asked by the public when reenacting.

As some of you may know I reenact the Civil War. You know those guys that go out on weekends and “play soldier”? That’s me, and although I think it’s important to remember our past and the men who fought for the country that we live in today I know it is a very unique, border-line crazy hobby for anyone to be a part of. You’re not telling me anything new there: I am crazy.

Anyway, I reenact with the 8^th Virginia Infantry, Co. F & I. I’ve been reenacting since I was 12 years old, so this is my ninth year donning the butternut uniform (I haven’t washed my clothes in that time period… or any other. Time travel joke, nailed it. Only a matter of time. Aayo, pun!). I’ve encountered a whole lot of people during that time and ironically enough it’s the normal people in the modern clothes who entertain me the most. So in honor of my ninth year reenacting and it being the beginning of the sesquicentennial (150 year anniversary) of the Civil War here are six questions you’ve always wanted to ask reenactors or actually have and my ridiculously sarcastic responses to them:

6. What side do you fight for?

I wish I was joking when I say people ask me this. Yes, it’s true; my uniform is more of an oatmeal color but come on people! I chalk this one up to the public school system. Teach the Civil War! Don’t skirt around it like the smelly piece of cheesecake you left in the refrigerator too long. Let me give you this guide though, and I know I am generalizing so all you fellow Civil War buffs don’t flame me out of the reenacting community please: Blue = Federal soldier, anything else = Confederate.

5. Is that a real gun?

Yes it is. It’s made of metal and hurts when you hit your head against it. It makes fire explosions which are hot and loud. If a piece of lead was placed in the gun with the gunpowder it would in fact kill someone if shot. This brings us to our next question:

4. Do you shoot real bullets?

Imagine the reality television! CSI: Gettysburg! The possibilities are endless! People, if we shot real bullets there wouldn’t be enough of us left to do any fighting. Who would be crazy enough to reenact? A lot of us may be pretty hardcore when it comes to authenticity but that’s ridiculous.

3. Did you sleep here last night?

Okay so I can see where you’re coming from with this question but is it really so crazy that I slept out here on the ground? All it is is camping. Sure I have nothing that’s been invented in the past 150 years with me and in the past I’ve gotten hypothermia, battled swarms of mosquitoes, woken up with small rodents sharing my blankets, and nearly come to blows with a possum (unnatural creatures), all it is is camping.

2. Are those uniforms hot?

Let me paint the picture for you: Its early July, 94 degrees Fahrenheit with an 80% humidity factor. Not a cloud in the sky and you are in a long-sleeved, wool, cotton-lined jacket, long wool pants, muslin shirt and long underwear and socks. Oh yeah, you’re carrying about 40 pounds of equipment. Sweat is pouring from every inch of your body and someone asks you if the uniform you are wearing is hot. How would you react?

1. How do you know when you are shot?

I left this one for last because this is by far the question I am most often asked.  And to be honest its not that dumb of the question because the answer is kind of dumb itself. So get ready because this is kind of a complicated system. Are ya tired? Okay, you’re shot. Are ya out of ammunition? Okay, go ahead and take a shot. Are you surrounded on three sides by enemy forces, all of which just unleashed volleys into your front and flanks? You’re dead.