AUTHENTICITY

We try to be as authentic as possible in the Company D Boys.  That being said, we like to use our heads.  No one is going to get down and inspect the fly on your trousers for correct buttonholes.  No one will rip off your leathers and go over them with a fine tooth comb.  We want members to wear the right items and act the right way, but we're not going to scrutinize over every item you have (who made that coat?).  That being said--if it doesn't look right and isn't right for the impression, we don't want it in our ranks. 

Our authenticity rules vary a bit based on what type of event we are attending.  If we are attending a "hardcore" immersion event, our standards are much stricter than for local more "mainstream" events.  As a general rule, recruits should try to buy the best possible equipment and uniforms that they can afford up front.  It costs way more to replace low quality gear with high quality gear at a later date than it does to just buy higher quality (and more expensive) gear at first.  Don't rush out to buy everything all at once.  We have many people in our unit and can probably lend you many loaner items.  As a general rule, your first high quality items to purchase should be your shoes (bootees), hat, blanket, and coat.  These are the items that we generally have fewer loaner items in.  Check with someone in the unit before buying anything!!  Nothing is worse than spending a bunch of money on new gear and then having to replace it because it's wrong for what we do.    

Please check the IMPRESSIONS page for specific gear and equipment requirements for each impression.  Please check our links for the recommended vendors for these items.  There are many different items that are required for these impressions, but for a basic impression/kit, the following items will get you out and reenacting with us:

We realize that it will take most new recruits some time to assemble all of these items.  Our requirement is that all recruits continue to expand their equipment list and have all of the above items purchased within one year of joining the "Company D Boys."   

While buying the best quality items from the most reputable vendors will do the most to advancing your impression, here are a few helpful tips that don't cost a thing:

1.  Look at period photographs of how the soldiers looked and wore their gear in the field.

2.  Wear your belt at the appropriate level.  In the 1860s belts were worn at the "natural waist" that is, right around the belly button or navel.  DO THE SAME!  We're not trying to make a fashion statement--we're trying to portray a soldier of the 1860s.  

3.  Shorten your haversack, cartridge box sling, and canteen strap.  Nothing looks worse than a reenactor with his cartridge box hanging a foot below his belt, his haversack at his knees, and his canteen riding on his butt!  It's very simple to shorten each of these items. 

-The cartridge box should ride right at hip level. 

-Your haversack should be at the same level on the opposite hip. 

-Your canteen should ride just below the small of your back. 

This way, the gear will ride snug, yet comfortable, and won't be banging against your thighs on long marches.  It doesn't cost a thing to do this right, but will add greatly to the authenticity of your impression! 

**A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT RANK**

In the Company D Boys, we do not obsess about rank.  There are many groups out there who have outstanding impressions--coats, haircuts, gear worn correctly--except for one thing.  They field a total of ten soldiers, of which one is a Captain, one is a Lieutenant, three are Sergeants, and two are Corporals...leaving only three slick-sleeve privates out of TEN TOTAL SOLDIERS!!  That is nowhere near an authentic portrayal.

We are portraying a mess of enlisted soldiers.  By limiting rank we can fall in with any group--at any time.  We will field one Sergeant, perhaps one Corporal, and then the rest are privates.  We do not need rank to accurately represent the soldiers of the 1860s, and with the group we have it would actually be less authentic. 

If your goal in Civil War reenacting is to be a Lieutenant, Captain, or Colonel...we're not the group for you!  If you want to be a private and feel the lead fly by your ears in the heat of battle--then welcome aboard! 

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