Southeast Coalition of Authentic Reenactors

The Outpost event in Nov. 2000 gave me more experience in learning how to have 1^st person evolve at an event. Some of my pre-conceived ideas were of no worth while some skills developed on the spot. Since then, First Person (FIRPER) can be more elusive at many events. All of us are guilty of breaking FIRPER, but maybe these tips will also help. This is my third revision of this article as I have learned more after each event. I hope you enjoy it:

1. IT’S ALIVE!!!: Don’t try to force things too quickly. Allow the characters to develop over 4-10 hours. This requires that you at least try to engage in at least some simple conversation. Company officers and 1^st Sgts. should be prepared to begin dialogue if needed to find out basic info about each reenactor. With some influences, you will find how this sort of first person comes to life. Of course, there will always be some reenactors that can just not play along very well, but I feel most authentic reenactors are there to play it out if the situation is right.  At Living Histories (LH) or Adjuncts, you may

Want to write a script for a portion of your presentation. (see also #11).

2. INFLUENCES: You need some pre-set triggers to evoke the life of first person reenacting. Before the event, try sending out some mail for mail call. Some I have used are as follow:
   1. Send a letter telling of the loss of a child.
   2. Send a ‘Dear John’ letter.
   3. Send a letter telling of the death of a parent.
   4. Send a romantic letter from a sweetheart or wife.
   5. Send a provocative CDV or letter from a mail order house.

What these letters will do is breathe some real life into the

reenactor’s characters. Letters are not the only method of Influence. Try to have pre-planned some event or activity prior to the event that will evoke some response or emotions from others. Hopefully, they will give some heartfelt first person response. This is where things really start to take off and take on a life of its own.

3. SILENCE ALSO WORKS: If you are not sure what to say, then

say nothing. You normally won’t ruin anyone’s experience by being quiet. But, try to develop a character and share information if asked. I don’t recommend everyone playing the strong, silent types. Try to ask some simple questions, "What did you do back home?", "Have any children, wife or sweetheart?", etc.

4. HAVE A PERSONA: Before the event, have a persona ready to

go. To do that well, you need to know what regiment you are portraying. Look on a map and see where they are from. Know some of the surrounding cities. Know what the economy was based upon. Quality, Authentic

events usually publish useful regimental histories, letters, county info, etc. Then be able to answer the following questions if asked:

4. 1. When did you join?
   2. Where are you from?
   3. What is your profession?
   4. Tell us about your family? (wife, sweetheart, mom, dad, etc)
   5. Who are your pards in the company? Does your mess have a name?
   6. What are your feelings on slavery, union, rebellion, and politics?
   7. What battles have you been in?
   8. Have you ever been wounded? Where? Type of wound?

5. KNOW YOUR PARDS: Try to learn the personas of a couple of your pards. You would have been acquainted with several guys that you grew up with. Maybe have some pre-set funny stories to share (i.e. "Remember when we were hunting down by the creek and that…").

6. PERIOD NEWSPAPERS/TRACTS: Get some reproduction

Newspapers or tracts. Be sure the date is appropriate for the scenario, Read an article in camp and it can bring up some lively debate and help further develop characters.

7. No ACADEMY AWARDS PLEASE: Unless you are a very good actor, don’t try and over-act. Nothing is worse than someone trying to repeat the Irish, Sgt. Major impression from Glory.  You can have a different persona without acting unreal. My companies 2^nd Cpl at Outpost played a very believable, German immigrant because he didn’t overdo it. He even came to be called "Dutchy" by the men.

8. BREAKING FIRST PERSON: There are times when first person needs to be broken.  OF course, in an emergency, first person will be broken to assist others. Urgent matters should be handled through the chain of command. Ask your superior, “Can we discuss something in private?” Then break firper when out of ear shot from others. Try to ignore intrusions to maintain first person.  Don’t be unrealistic if some folks break firper when there are lots of intrusions at once (tractor going by, modern buildings/parking lot, modern sutleries, lack of any semblance of authenticity, etc).

1. CREATE A FIRPER TIME FRAME: Since firper can be a bit of work and require some concentration, I suggest picking a pre-set and pre-published time frame for firper to take place. It sets a realistic limit for reenactors to maintain firper. For example, an event that runs Fri-Sun could have a firper period from Sat dawn to Sun morning.  You may also set it into two periods.  At most EBUFU/authentic events I have been to, good reenactors maintain firper for about 8-12 waking hours and then things start to wane.  Outpost II maintained it very well for about 30 hours!

10. IF YOU CAN”T CONTROL YOURSELF: First find some self control at least for a certain period of time by refraining from modern chat. Try to keep your voice down If you slip.  The reality is that you may be ruining someone’s moment.  If there are a lot of intrusions (see #8) it may be tempting that firper can and justifiably be broken.

11. CIVILIAN CUSTOMS: Since most Civil War soldiers were civilian soldiers, it is important to learn some 19^th century, civilian customs. Here are some basic examples, that may help:

1. Men never speak to a woman that they have not been

properly introduced to.

1. Men should remove their hat in the presence of a lady they are familiar with or when in a building.  When removing your hat, remove it completely and do not show the inside of your hat.  Do not merely tip your cap, as this is rude.

1. Always refer to people properly with, “Mr.”, “Miss” and “Mrs.”  Even husband and wife refer to each other using “Mr.” and “Mrs.” when in public. Remember, a military camp is no place for a lady. Many proper civilian customs may be dispensed with for a military camp. Learning about period cooking & preservation, skills & crafts, social customs (parlor games, etc), rituals (marriage, funeral, etc), politics and morality will all be useful for firper.  You can learn more about civilian life and impressions from the following sources:

The Columbia Rifles Research Compendium

http://www.columbiarifles.org/crhandbook.htm

You can also spend time chatting with some quality, civilian groups like The Homespun Living History Guild

http://www.scarreenactors.com/homespunlhg/

They have spent considerable time researching civilian topics.

12. LIVING HISTORY and ADJUNCTS: Living Histories and adjuncts present different dynamics for first person. Adjuncts are authentic scenarios done at a mainstream event. Firper at adjuncts should be done during prescribed hours when the public will be viewing (Interpretive tours, Candlelight tours, etc).  Don’t waste too much time trying to get authentics to maintain firper during times multiple intrusions at a mainstream event.  Try to have your interpretive area a short distance, but out of sight of the mainstream camps and sutler areas ( if possible). But, do not make it too far as you won’t get the public to walk much further than ¼ to ½ for the entire tour in most cases.  Living Histories at Nat’l and State Parks is great way to educate the public.  First person should be done when it fits the parks schedule for the public to be viewing. For both adjuncts and Living histories you should always have an interpreter who speaks to the public and explains what they are seeing. Interpreters should also be in authentic dress and be one of the more knowledgeable reenactors.  You will need to decide if the reenactors will be “ghosts” and they will not be communicating with the public. OR If the reenactors will interact with public, but only in their first person personas.  Questions in first person should be answered to the best of your ability within your 1860’s vocabulary and understanding.  Use your interpreter to tell the public what you are talking about in modern terms.  If no interpreter is close by, you can explain things in modern terms to interested individuals after your presentation.

13. READ: There can never be too much research! Read as many common soldier and material culture accounts and books as you can. All reenactors should read the following books at a minimum:

Hardtack & Coffee by Billings

The Life of Billy Yank by Wiley

The Life of Johnny Reb by Wiley

Corporal Si Klegg and his Pard by Hinman

Company Aytch by Watkins

These suggestions may sound like you would need a week to develop, but at Outpost we developed strong personas by the end of a 30 hour scenario. It is important for a few people to preplan out some basic scenarios to recreate and send those out to all participants prior to the event. I can’t stress how important it is to have a great attitude, it is more important than most any other factor. Good luck!

Jim Butler