American Civil War reenactors/hobbyists?

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Greetings,

I'm curious if there are any other folks here that are into history... specifically the American Civil War? I have long believed that there is a large number of people in the reenacting world that are on the spectrum, but wonder if any of them are on here?

So... any of you guys do any reenacting? Any of you study the Civil War?

I'm interested in a lot of US history, and I do have an interest in the Civil War. My great grandpa was shot in the leg at the Battle of Antietam, and he survived (when most injured soldiers died of infections even if the wounds were minor).

Every year in the fall, they hold a 2-day reenactment of various battles of the Civil War right here in Moorpark, CA. I think it's the biggest reenactment camp in the country, and they've been doing it for decades. I've never participated, but it's interesting to see Union and Rebel soldiers carrying cap & ball revolvers, in line at McDonald's while it's going on

Charles

Here's a link to the people who put it on: http://www.civilwaralliance.com/CWA/Moorpark1.html

I love history and think that it’s very important. I go through phase I use to study the Civil War several years ago and still do just not as much. Before that it was World War 2, especially Rommel and his Afrika Corp and the American Indian Wars has always been a favorite of mine. Right now I am studying all I can on the Revolutionary War and the Colonial period.
I would agree with you about there being a large number of reenactors on the spectrum. I thought about doing it myself but having SPD makes me uncomfortable in groups.

I'm usually very uncomfortable in groups as well, and still am to a certain extent in my capacity as a living historian (especially in drill formations), but I love to teach. I don't do the typical reenacting thing -- my AS won't allow me to be anything but over the top with it. If you sent me and the guys in my group back to the period of the ACW, it is likely that the people of the time would not be able to recognize any differences in what they wore and we are wearing. We eat as they ate, sleep as they slept, and do everything that they did... except get shot at and contract diseases in camp.

I think the key to me being comfortable in the group I am in is because it is VERY small -- just about 5 of us right now -- and I don't see it growing to large. When I first started I was in a group with a bunch of fat old guys who resented my education and attention to detail in research. THEY made me very uncomfortable, and because I often did things on my own and didn't pal around with them, I was pushed away and isolated as a weirdo within that group -- a pretty typical occurrence in my life.

Anyhow, it's all about the history for me (and sharing it with others). It's about stepping out and learning the bits and pieces you can't get from a book. I do manage to do a lot of it on my own as I typically sew my garments alone and do a lot of training for events alone. It is a very intense hobby. I think if I lived somewhere where the Revolutionary War happened, I would be doing that too. I have often considered doing pioneer type stuff as well.

It seems like the only time I'm comfortable (and that's probably too strong of a word) talking to people (or am I talking at them?) is when I am teaching them something I am passionate about. I guess that's why I do it.

When I was into World War II stuff, it was mostly black coat SS stuff that intrigued me -- and scared a lot of other people. I once wore a death's head pin and a round SS button on a jacket (which I thought only showed my interest in them historically, I guess)... I was unaware that people were getting the wrong impression about it. I guess I'm blind to that kind of stuff. I don't seem to have that kind of problem with ACW.