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T.M.M.S. (Toting Too Much S***) and Other Incorrect Things
By admin | February 5, 2008
Now, before I start, please don’t take me as a hypocrite. I enjoy the small pleasures of life just like everybody else. Hot and cold running water, soft beds (and softer women), heating and air conditioning and the like. However, I have since learned that even with these comforts there is a time and place for each. We claim to be “reenactors” or people who portray a certain time, period in time or event. In other words, if we claim to be a reenactor then we must also admit that when we do it wrong we are no longer reenactors, but people who just like camping. Why am I bringing this up? Because, even though most of the time we fall in only among ourselves, where we allow almost anything, there are still times when we fall in with groups of people who are striving to be the type of reenactors that fulfill the definition above. Case in point. At the 145th Shiloh last year many of us chose to go as “hardcore” as possible, falling in with no tents, one or two blankets at the most and a handful of food to sustain us over a two-day period. But, we soon found ourselves surrounded by massive sheets of canvas that try to pass off as tents that actually existed 140 years ago, portable heaters, and every modern form of convenience that could be brought in with a duel-wheeled trailer.
I am not trying to hurt anyone’s feelings, but I am trying to make a point. All reenactments should provide an area that is as free from the “farb” as possible for those who are actually trying to reclaim a part of their past and separate them from those who are only there to camp.
The picture shown here is a classic example of how just one person could ruin a good hardcore event. This event had been billed as one for the hardcore fanatic, including a full day and night campaign event with a battle both days in as rough of circumstances as could be provided. During the first day’s march we came across this individual you see on the far left of this photo. I have obscured his face so as not to embarrass him, but please note with me some points of interest here. The roll of at least 3 blankets. The orange top of his electric socks. And last but not least, his nightlight slung onto his knapsack. There are two types of people who fall
out at events, those who are injured or those who have T.M.M.S. (Toted Too Much S***.)
This is an example of T.M.M.S. Not only is he killing himself by carrying all of this stuff, he is ruining the experience for others. To begin with the lantern he is carrying is the same one that we all buy at Sutlers and praise it for being so authentic looking. It may be authentic looking for Sutlers but not one that existed during this period. Even if it was, he would not be toting it slung to his backpack that way. They are too fragile and after a while even one pound can feel like 20. Go with a candle by itself, or with a candle stob made out of the spout of a canteen that has been separated for use as a plate and that can be easily transported. DO NOT stick your bayonet in the ground and use the top of it for a candle holder unless you have found an extra bayonet lying around on the battlefield like your predecessors did. Otherwise the next day when you are told to fix bayonets you will find yourself asking for time to scrape the wax out of so it can fit onto your rifle. How about the blankets? Back to my original statement, do not tote more than you are willing to carry.
The average soldier during the war only had one good blanket, maybe two if he was lucky. My GG Uncle who is buried at Camp Nelson was buried in his brother’s only blanket which he had given for the burial. Again, if they were fortunate enough to have more than one blanket they were usually tossed to theside of the road during a march. Why is it you think that relic hunters are usually more interested in hunting the advance and retreat routes than they are battlefields? Because most battlefields have already been picked over, but the routes remain a virtual cornucopia of treasure from soldiers who were T.M.M.S. and threw it off.
Another thing to notice from our picture is the way the gentleman is carrying his knapsack. It is hanging low on his back. The soldier on the same row with him has his high on his back for two reasons. First, it is not loaded down with a bunch of unnecessary stuff that is causing it to sag. Second, by wearing it high on your back, your shoulders are carrying the brunt of the weight and not your lower back. That may not sound like much unless you have ever had back problems then you know how little it takes to almost cause a paralyzing pain in your lower back and legs from T.M.M.S.
I seem to always be able to figure out how much and of what type of GIDUNK to carry but for the life of me I always seem to over-pack when it comes to food items. Food for a two or three day reenactment should fit in the haversack but, in the event you pack heavy, or are bringing more than three days of food, put the extra into the knapsack. Limiting campaign-rations primarily to salt pork, hardtack, and coffee not only makes one more authentic, but these items take up less room and weigh less than the rations consumed by most reenactors. Forget about canned food!
Remember, that Sutlers will sell anything they can to make a buck, and I have noticed that the majority of reenactors will buy anything if it looks old. It’s okay to farb out once in a while, and the older I get the more I appreciate it. But there is a time and place for everything and everyone. Remember, if you are in a military camp at large Battalion Events, try to hold the Farby (and women folk) down to a minimum. If you are falling in with a bunch of guys who have gone that extra mile to be as authentic as possible, leave the non-period stuff out. If you can’t, then fall in with another group. The key to all of this is to have fun, but do not spoil someone else’s fun while you are at it. Most of all, do not carry so much stuff that you have to fall out at an event you have looked forward to participating in for months. Be safe
By Robert Hutcheson
This article can be downloaded from the January, 2008 edition of the newsletter located at the top of the page…great Civil War articles written by Civil War buffs in Arkansas.
Topics: Old But Helpful Newsletter Articles |
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