150th Gettysburg and the American Civil War –
It’s Not Just for Americans
As
we prepare for the first of two commemorative reenactments for the 150th
anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg that will begin this Friday, it is
important and fascinating to appreciate how this most American of wars has
resonated with others throughout the world.
Yes,
there are groups that study the American Civil War (“ACW”) and participate in
reenactments outside the USA and many of those re-enactors will journey to
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to participate in this historic event. There are at least two active ACW groups in
England that hold regular events. There are ACW re-enactments in France,
Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Australia, Italy, and Holland. We have had the
pleasure to meet and photograph some committed living historians that travel to
the US one or twice annually to participate in specific qualify events.
One
might wonder why someone from across the seas would care about the ACW. Why
not? We Americans study the history of other nations. I love the study of the
100 Years War, the English Civil War, the War of the Roses, the French wars
against the Cathars, any conflicts of the Middle Ages, the wars of the Holy
Roman Emperor, the wars between Spain and the Moors…..okay – you get the
picture. War is terrifying and
fascinating. The ACW has the distinction
of being the first war for which photographers captured the true cost of battle
and publicized the images of dead soldiers to the general public. Before the
ACW, war was romanticized by the heroic paintings of Court artists that were
tasked with inspiring the citizenry by the valor of those who died for a
glorious cause. There was no actual documentation of the dirty, horrifying,
agony of death on the battlefield.
And,
the ACW uniforms are really cool, particularly early war Confederate
uniforms. Confederate uniforms are much
more fun, stylish and swoon inducing to women than those bland arsenal issues
by the federal army. And from a woman’s perspective, there is something
undeniably appealing with wearing a voluminous skirt over a cage crinoline with
one’s waist cinched in an ever-so-flattering corset. If only the ladies footwear of the ACW period
were more attractive! I personally, as a woman who loves fine footwear, find even
the most stylish boots lacking. But I
can say that I did feel of that era as I sauntered down the spiral staircase at
the White House of the Confederacy last Saturday.
So
welcome to all who come to honor those who came before us at Gettysburg! Come
by and say hello!
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