Trip to Johnson's Island

I had the fortunate opportunity to be given a tour of the Johnson's Island archeological site and Confederate Cemetery located there.  This was a lucky opportunity as the only area open to the public is the Cemetery.  Johnson's Island was the location of an officers Confederate pow camp.  It opened in April 1862 and closed September 1865.  The prisoners were housed in twelve barracks buildings or blocks.  The inside walls of the prison included a hospital, sinks, wells and later two mess halls which were added during an expansion in 1864.  The Johnson's Island Military Depot saw around 10,000 men pass through its walls, a high population of around 3,200 and was the final resting place for 240.  Conditions at this pow camp were much better than most others however the men still lacked their freedom.

The ride out from Michigan was a pleasant one with great conversation all the way.  As we drove across the causeway on to the island we quickly passed the Cemetery knowing we would be back later.  We parked outside the dig area and started walking back.  As we came towards a clearing I could see different colored poles marking the locations of where some of the features of the camp were.  At the end of the field there was a large white tent with students working in and next to it.  Our tour guide greeted us right away and made us feel welcomed.  It was a busy afternoon there with several field specimens having been uncovered.  I am appreciative she took the time to explain things to us in between students calling for her.

Our first stop was to show us the work being done on the second latrine or sink.  There were several sinks opened and closed during the operation of the prison.  It was documented when each one was in use.  This is great for the archaeology work as it provides a specific time frame for anything found in these locations.  We then moved inside the tent which was over the location of one of the block houses.  Inside students were working away carefully clearing away soil and looking for any artifact.  Here a quick overview was provided on how the excavations take place and what they look for while doing it.  One thing I found interesting and never thought of is how the color of the soil is part of the archeological record to help uncover the story.  One example is the color of the dirt can mark where a tunnel was dug for an attempted escape.  In one area a bottle is emerging from the soil along with some metal items not far from it.   We were able to see several field specimens that were pulled from the site that day including part of a slate pencil, half of a hard rubber tube and a bone button.  We also were shown an inkwell prosser button and a few other items of interest and favorites of hers that were still on location.

The next couple of hours were spent watching them work, getting questions answered and enjoying the great weather.  For a few moments I sat on a bench looking over the site.  While I was sitting there I was imagining and trying to visualize what it was like and how it might have looked 150 years ago.  A wall around me with men in blue uniforms keeping watch while rebel officers walked around in civilian clothing between the building trying to pass the large amounts of idle time.  All the trees would be gone but could I see the water?  I couldn’t decide if I was there would it be good or not to see the water.  It could be a mental escape staring out over the bay but also a reminder of confinement and how far from home the Island is.

After the work day was over our knowledgeable guide took us back to an earthen fort that is still there and where another fort was located on the Island but is gone from quarry work and housing development.  Both forts were constructed after the attempted raid in September 1864 where men came over to Michigan from Canada with grand plans to free the prisoners.  This incident was what sparked the raising of the 30th Michigan, the last regiment raised in the state of Michigan during the war, which is a subject I have done some research on previously.  This visit was also a tie in with that piece of Michigan Civil War history.

After the walk back from the earthen fort we received explanations on what the colored poles are for.  The blue mark the corners of block houses, yellow the prison walls and red is the deadline.  This line was initially 10 feet from the wall and the prisoners were not to cross it or risk being shot.  After going over the dig site we drove over to the Cemetery as a final stop on the island just like it was for each of the men buried there.

The afternoon was topped off with some light discussion on hard rubber and gutta percha items and then more enjoyable conversation at a local dive.  I feel I only scratched the history of Johnson’s Island during that one visit.  That’s ok because I know I will be back to take another scratch at it.

Historical marker sign posted at the entrance to the archeological dig site which is private property.

The second latrine is being covered for the day.

Part of the grounds with the blue poles marking the corners of where buildings once stood.  The sinks were on the left side of the white tent.

Poles marking where the 1862 prison wall and deadline ran.

Inside the large white tent which covers one of the block houses.

Perhaps a bitters bottle emerging from its 150 year resting place.

The Confederate Cemetery looking towards the bay.

 

Campaign Packing

I received the question how to pack campaign style for an event.  There are probably as many varying answers to that question as there are men to answer it.  Below are what my opinions are on the subject.  These methods come about after lots of trial and error and reading primary accounts.  What I use and what I carry is dictated by the impression of the event.  The first section is what I do most of the time.
 

Knapsack

I place my folded issue blanket into the bag portion of the pack.  This is the side that sits on your back so the blanket provides protection from things poking you and a flat surface.  If I am bringing a shelter tent that goes on top of the blanket and some rope/twine gets shoved along one of the sides of the bag.  The envelope portion is where I put my personal items.  These almost always include a spare shirt (folded flat and put in first), socks, sleeping cap, housewife, huck towel, small fold up lantern or candle and a convenience poke sack.  That includes some scraps of fabric, toothbrush, toothpowder, Motrin, half a wood comb, foot powder and chunk of soap.  All of this is in tins or small medicine glass bottles.  My rubber blanket is folded and placed on top of the blanket bag and everything is buckled closed.  The rubber blanket is placed so if it starts to rain I or a pard can easily pull it out.  Now to cover some of the if’s and add on’s.  If I am carrying my small fry pan that goes between the bags on top of the rubber blanket to protect the wool blanket.  A hatchet would be put on the “shelf” created by the full blanket bag.  I have used to different methods for carrying a great coat.  One is to roll it up and place it on top of the pack using the overcoat straps (tip: run the straps through the arm straps so the bag has more support from sagging back).  I also have folded it and placed it in the bag and put the rolled blanket on top.  There is a trade off in each case.  With the coat on top you will have a dry blanket if it rains.  With the coat in the bag you have a more balanced pack which will ride on your shoulders better.  One thing that I am not a fan of is strapping my cup or boiler to the outside of my pack.  I have tried this and I find it just collects dirt which I don’t want in my food or coffee.

Blanket Roll

I take the blanket and fold it length wise a once or twice.  Place personal items on one end of the blanket.  With carrying just a roll you need to pack really light.  When I have done this all I have is extra socks and my convenience poke sack.  Finish the roll by rolling it up.  Stand on one end or have a pard hold the other.  Now twist the roll pretty tight and tie the two ends together with twine or an overcoat strap.  By twisting the roll it will help keep it tight, small and close to your body.  Put the roll so the “baggage area” is on your back.  Toss it over either shoulder, personal preference. 

With either of these methods there is not much extra.  Some items might be added such as writing materials or a pocket fishing kit on occasion.  I do my best to pack as if I would be carrying everything on my back all day long.  I also try not to back as if I am only going out for 36 hours since the men we portray were on campaign much more then that.  The best campaign packing method is the one that works for you  Just keep in mind you need to be able to carry the pack or roll for extended periods and read primary accounts so you can learn what they did.  It is not often you find details on how they packed especially later in the war.  To them it was just an everyday thing that didn’t really mater enough to write down.  Below is a link to an article written on this topic which includes some other methods and photos.

http://www.26nc.org/Articles/knapsack%20and%20blanket%20roll.pdf

Gottahaveit Progressiveitis

This is an updated and adapted article I wrote several years ago after someone asked me to write something on the subject of upgrading ones impression.
Almost eight years ago I knew I wanted more from the hobby. I slowly started to make improvements to what I was doing and how I was thinking. I have taken great strides with improving what I do in this hobby. I have spent the last eight or so years infected with the upgrading and buying equipment disease. Seriously, there should be an anonymous support group for this. “Hello, my name is Jeremy and I suffer from upgrading-gottahaveit progressiveitis.” So, does any of this make me an authoritative person on what makes a c/p/h reenaactor? No, but I believe I have some answers and opinions and I’m going to give them. Now let’s get started.
The number one most important part of upgrading your impression comes from your attitude. Forget the gear, at least at first. If you can not show up at an event with the right attitude you have nothing, no matter how much you spend. So what is the right attitude? The right attitude to me is walking into an event with the mind set you are going to do your best to represent the soldiers who lived in the time period being portrayed. The right attitude is not worrying that the public or how other reenactors will see you as different or not fitting in. Take comfort in knowing you are being as accurate as you can be. Know that you are showing the public what they came there to see. Know that whether you or the other reenactors realize it you are setting an example. The right attitude means changing and improving the things you have control over. You have control over how you personally camp, march, drill, eat, sleep, and what you buy and wear. Here is the catch. To really get the most out of having the right attitude you need to have friends with you who do it to, the more the better.
Alright, so you and your friends have the right attitude. This must mean you want to start upgrading and buying better gear. Where do you start? I’m going to give my formula for buying gear. I’m sure there are lots of varying opinions but this one is mine. It has been developed from all my trial and errors. I wish I could have seen something like this when I started. I’m not going to get into where to buy or what makes a good item. There are other sources for that and perhaps future posts. I also am not including smaller items such as socks and mess gear. These can be purchased as you go. This formula is also assuming you already have a complete mainstream-sutler row kit.  However, I think it still can apply if starting from scratch.
The first three items I would upgrade or purchase would be a forage cap, sack coat, and blanket. Why? Because these seem to be the most noticeable when they are inaccurate. This includes how they look and feel on you. Next, I would recommend a canteen, shelter half, and haversack. A bad canteen can also be seen from far off and at times I think the same with a haversack. With a correct blanket and shelter half you can now pack properly for an event with a blanket roll or knapsack. The third round should be a good shirt and trousers. You now have a complete basic uniform. Now start looking for your leathers and an original bayonet. You should wait to upgrade you bayonet scabbard until you have your good bayonet. This way you know they will fit together. Now, start getting the other less essential items. Knapsack, dress hat, spare shirt, brogans, ect.
During this whole process I hope you have been reading and more importantly absorbing what you are reading. Instead of just reading Hardtack and Coffee as if it is just another book read it as if it was written to be your personal “how to guide”. First hand accounts are a c/pher’s guide and instruction book. To me a big part of the progressive reenactor is researching and learning. With that they should not be afraid to change what they think and how they do things. During this reading you should start to forget and challenge many of the reeanctorisms that exist. One simple example of this is haversack stuffers.  These items don’t stuff your haversack. They stuff your knapsack, blanket roll and pockets. Your haversack is for food related items. When you carry correct rations you will realize why. Nobody wants their book or image from home damaged by grease, crumbs, and other nasty food crud.
Now we have the gear, are developing the attitude and knowledge what else? Remember your likeminded friends you found? Bond with them. Become pards, comrades, messmates, whatever term you want to use. Learn to work together and trust each other. Preparing your rations or whatever else you have to do is much easier if it is split up between men. This also includes carrying items. Everything you bring should fit on your person and you should be able to wear it most of the day. If you can’t, take a close look at what you’re bringing to an event. A way to help with this is do what they did. You partner up and work with your messmates again. Trust me there is plenty of room in a shelter tent for at least two men and even three. In other words each man gets half a tent.
Now you have all the ground work laid out. Take the next big step and get out of your comfort zone. Remember, being uncomfortable means growth. Register and go to a true c/p/h event. The cost really is minimal as long as you have a day or two of vacation time to take.  Don’t be afraid of the veteran progressives or the event standards. Instead learn from them all. Use the event standards as an opportunity to expand your knowledge and upgrade a piece of gear. The men you meet at the events will be glad to help you and happy to have you. Especially if you have a firm hold of everything talked about above.
Well, I hope I have answered some of the questions that might have been out there which prompted me to write this. If nothing else I assure you that if you follow the formula and guidance written here, you will very soon contract your very own case of upgrading-gottahaveit progressiveitis.

Hastings

I didn’t plan to attend this event until just a few days before it took place.  One of my messmates decided to get a small group together and go.  He planned and provided the rations for a very small cost.  I had only been to the Charlton Park event once before and it was in my second year in the hobby.  We arrived later in the evening on Friday and found out our little mess for the weekend shrunk to just three.  To my surprise two good pards from Indiana that I had not seen since April were there.  We met up in the parking lot and caught up for a few moments before heading to camp.  The three of us went to the area for the company we were falling in with and found a spot in the company street to put out our bedrolls out and get comfortable.  Of course, we stayed up till about 1am talking quietly with each other and catching up with the Indiana boys around a small fire.  About an hour after we all turned in I was awoke by hooting, hollering, gunfire and other nonsense going on in the road near our camp.  I realized some of the shouting between shots involved something to do with “yanks” and “yankee”.  I never even sat up and nobody else in camp did either, thankfully.  They were ignored by all.  What childish and ignorant behavior.  I have no idea who these few individuals were but I hope there were some repercussions for there drunken, disruptive behavior, however I doubt it. 
In the morning rations were issued to us of salt pork, hardtack, black eyes peas, rice, potatoes, onions and coffee.  The boiling of coffee and frying of pork commenced at once.  The meal of black coffee and fried salt pork was topped off with a boiled hardcracker fried in the pork grease.  The rest of the morning was spent in a battle in a large rolling field.  Unfortunately, instead of taking advantage of the ground we marched right up to each other and blasted away.  This along with the lack of proper loading and firing techniques in the front rank by some young men I fired three rounds and then went to the rear as wounded.  The afternoon was spent wandering and catching up with friends and getting to know some new ones.  For the afternoon our combined group had grown to just enough for a small company so we received permission to do so for the afternoon battle.  As we advanced out on the green our position in line was on a road right in front of a cannon.  After two shoots from there our little company was all lying in the street.  On arrival back to our camp I started right away on making supper.  The peas had been soaking in water since about 11 to speed up the cooking.  I added more water, some rice, potatoes and onions and started it boiling.  Some salt pork was fried up real good and then the contents of that pan were all added to the boiling pot.  Near the end I added about half of an apple that was foraged to cut down on the salt.  Those that ate it said it was a very good and filling stew.  Eating authentic or campaign style does not mean starving or tasteless. 
After supper, I tried to fish with a pocket fishing kit in the lake but the results were just snagging lily pads so I gave up.  The rest of the night was spent talking, walking, singing and laughing some more with friends before turning in.  This night was warmer and I slept sound for about 5-6 hours.  We awoke and started a repeat performance for breakfast.  Nothing was said to us about when to be ready.  I returned from getting water and found the rest of the battalion getting their leathers on.  I guess we missed the memo.  We finished as quick as we could and met up with the company from Indiana, which suited us fine, just before they marched off for the tactical. 
We marched around to the rear or what I assumed the rear was of the confederates.  With no other federals it seemed in the area our captain order us to charge the up the ridge.  The rebs and the couple of cannons up there made that a useless effort.  Even with a coordinated attack it would have been.  For us the tactical was over firing one shot.  Back to camp we marched.  For me and my messmate this ended the event for us as we decided to hit some antique stores.  Overall I had a good time on my return trip to Hastings.  It was the friends that were there that made it all worth it.  I also felt it was getting back to the basics of what my Mess was about when we first started which was to provide a positive example of the progressive side of the hobby at local events.  Hopefully we achieved that.  I think we did as several questions were asked of us during and after the event by others.  

The Beginning

I have been thinking about starting a blog for sometime and finally I am getting around to it.  I decided to do this to document my experiences, share information with others and it’s a way to live in the hobby even when I am not at an event. The postings here will all pertain to Civil War reenacting in some way.  This could include some history, gear reviews, event reports, rants and editorials.  My goal is to post something at least once a week.  The writing will be casual and conversational.  No awards are being sought after. 

Now just a bit about me.  The hobby has been part of my life since fall of 2001.  During that time I have been to many events running the full spectrum of mainstream to progressive.  I have upgraded every item in my kit at least once during this time.  Militarily I have portrayed everything from a private to a major in the infantry.  This fall I will have a chance to expand that list some more but that is for a future post.  I often see events from many different angles including being in the ranks, involved in the planning and recruiting and being in some staff position.  I enjoy the drill, material culture, the micro level view of the war and the camaraderie.  Hopefully, you will find the posts interesting and worth while to read.