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WHY ARE YOU HERE?
Some suggestions for the appropriate female reenactor.
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WHY ARE YOU HERE?
Some suggestions for the appropriate female reenactor.
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Here are some suggestions if you want to be an accurate representation of the war period and do it with an acceptable reason. One thing that is very important - you have to be honest with yourself. If you cannot be comfortable at events, than what is the sense in going? If you are a quiet person, please don’t try to portray a Vivandier, it won’t work. If you prefer being with ladies all day, then you really shouldn’t dress as a man and try to be a soldier, you’ll hate it. If you have a very strong southern accent, you had better not try to portray a member of the northern Christian Commission. Think, think and think some more about it. Whatever role you chose to portray, the most important thing to do is RESEARCH. Look for photos of women who did what you want to do. The library is a great place to start. Your librarian can help you locate books about very specific subjects. Go online and do a search for “Civil War Nurse” and it will bring up thousands of sites worth reading. Make notes of women who were actually in the war. When talking with spectators they love to hear names dropped. Try to mention the common women, but also mention some not so familiar. For example, everyone knows Clara Barton. But how many history books speak of MaryAnn Bikerdyke? Bring some new information to the public, don’t just re-hash what they already know. If you have trouble remembering names, then pick one lady who struck your interest and focus on her alone. |
Have fun and remember, WHY YOU ARE HERE!
| Traditional
female roles found in camp~
The common woman was NOT at the battlefield or in camp. Civilians were not commonly found around the military. The following were the only accepted civilian women to be present. |
| Laundress: Beginning early
in the war nearly every army had at least one laundress per 20 men.
They were generally women trying to support themselves or were traveling
with a male family member. Your attire will be work clothes, traditionally
a long plain skirt and blouse with sleeves rolled up, no hoops, nothing
fancy, hair netted or braided, plain skirt and blouse, very little underpinnings,
full coverage apron, large bonnet (slatted or full brimmed) for weather
protection. Wear flat shoes, no long fingernails, and try to
roughen up your hands. You should have tubs and soap and scrub boards.
Cook: same as laundress in clothing, be prepared to cook all weekend. |
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Nurse: Most nurses were not in close contact with the actual camps. There were usually hospitals of some sort where the nurses were set up. However, you could be a field nurse if you are so inclined. History has recorded women who did cover the battlefields in search of wounded. Your attire would be similar to the working women above. Have simple supplies with you like bandages, washbowls, soap, bottles of what appears to be medicines, and you can include whiskey, since it was the #1 medicine of choice. A little dried blood on your apron might help with the impression. Be prepared to drag bodies and support wounded soldiers. A scarf wrapped around your hair would be appropriate. |
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| Sister of Mercy (or some other order): Nuns were quite often present on the battlefields and in camp as the angels to serve the soldiers. Your attire needs to be researched for accuracy with details. Every order had/has their own style of habit, check it out. Nuns were thought to have “Divine protection” and were often spared bullets whizzing past them. With such identifiable attire, it was very clear to both sides of the conflict they were non-combatants. |
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Camp follower/refugee: These ladies followed the military for a variety of reasons. Mostly it was because they had nowhere else to go. Some women supported themselves as prostitutes, but this is not very well accepted in today’s hobby. Your dress will vary according to your circumstances. If you were well-to-do and now a refugee, your dress should reflect your hardship. No hoops, battered shoes, unkempt hair (after all, you were accustomed to having servants). An old blanket for a wrap, be prepared to possibly sleep outside if you don’t have a tent of your own. You may include your children in this role, since many women had to drag their entire families along. Your tent should be set up off from the main battery of tents. If you can hide some family valuables on your person, that would be great (a favorite Bible, a silk hanky, silverware, or any small heirloom. Be warned, however, only bring something that is not important to you in case you should lose it!). If you try to present the seedier side of this persona, be prepared for rude, lude, and crude treatment. Your apparel should be befitting of the profession. Do your research because the “woman of the evening” in 1860 did not dress like that of the 21st century. |
| Private’s wife: Unless you
can do the duty of a cook and/or laundress, you probably shouldn’t be in
camp with your man. Privates very seldom had
their women accompany them.
Officer’s wife: This role will allow a little more attractive apparel. If your husband is an officer, you have the luxury of being with him. Your impression will be that of a typical wife. Chances are you still wear a hoop and may even have a servant along with you. Slaves were common in camp. Underpinnings, hair, accessories will all be traditional “lady” style. You may bring needlework to do, books to read, or other items of leisure. A little (!) makeup might also be allowed. |
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| Non-traditional
female roles in camp~
Do not try representation without documentation! |
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Vivandier/Cantineer: These ladies were generally YOUNG and the daughter or friend of the commanding officer. They were uniformed in feminine versions of whatever uniform the troop was wearing. You will camp with the men, drill with the men, and appear on the battlefield with the men. Be sure to attend all meetings to discuss your part of the activities. You may carry a small weapon, sword, or knife. Mostly, you are there to carry the flags, water jug, and offer coverage for dead bodies (drag them out of view). Most of these ladies carried canteens filled with the 3 “w’s”: water, wine, or whiskey. This role will give you the opportunity to be in the battle and still maintain a feminine persona. |
| Soldier: This is the most controversial part a woman reenactor can take on. There were documented cases of females impersonating men in order to fight. The key to your role is to NEVER LET ANYONE suspect you are female. You cannot be a soldier during the afternoon battle then dress up for the evening ball in a gown. Don't let spectators see you go into the Ladies Room, use a non-gender facility when people are watching. As in the real army, if a woman was discovered, she was immediately sent home, you will be too. Pay attention to the slightest detail of your disguise. Cover feminine features, including your hands and neck. Pad your uniform to hide a slender waist and back. Keep your hair short and masculine. Use black powder to roughen your chin so it looks as if you need a shave. Apply fake facial hair if that would help. Talk seldom and quietly. Many soldiers reported knowing of a “shy private who kept to himself”. This could have been a woman trying to keep from being discovered, especially during her toileting activities. Be prepared to bunk in with other men if there is a shortage of tents. Keep in character if you do. If you show any attention to a fellow soldier you could be suspected of covert sexual orientation (a common occurrence when a soldier had his wife along!). If your fellow soldiers know you are a woman, try to get their cooperation with your disguise. Having a mate call you “honey” or use feminine pronouns will blow your cover. |
| Traditional
Female Roles in Civilian Camps~
Be friendly. Your attire will necessarily have to reflect the character you are portraying. Do the research to see what someone in your economic class would wear and carry the appropriate accessories. Remember how you pay attention to details of your 21st century wardrobe and do the same with your historical wardrobe. Do not carry a pretty lace fan with plastic handles. Plastic wasn’t invented yet. Even if it is really pretty, it would not have existed in 1861. If you are a senior lady, you should wear clothing that is age appropriate. How silly is it to see a 70-year-old in a mini-skirt? It was the same in the 1800’s. Do the research. |
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Christian Commission: These
volunteers, both men and women, were generally from the North and brought
faith and hope to the soldiers. Some of their work included distributing
Bibles, holding church services, writing letters, teaching the illiterate,
and conducting conversions and revivals.
Sanitary Commission: These volunteers
performed similar duties to those of the Christian Commission but were
more medically related. They raised money for medicines, supplies
and food and brought them to the armies.
Fundraising: You could set up a bazaar to show the many things that were made by the women and sold as revenue for the armies. In the South they had “gunboat bazaars” that actually paid for several gunboats to be built. Do not confuse this with a SUTLERY. You are not there to make money but to educate the public. If you chose to offer handmade goods for sale to the public, including the reenactors, you might consider using the proceeds to go to your unit or to help the many causes in heritage preservation. Always check with the event organizers before setting up a bazaar booth. |
Reenacting can be fun, educational and exciting.
Just be sure you are dressed appropriately!
