How detailed does one really need to get?

[Cruzatte]

Back when I first started volunteering at Ft. Osage, I worked out a whole biography about a fictionalized character in his early 40s who decides to go adventuring up the Missouri River and see the Shining Mountains. I worked up all sorts of details about how I got out to Missouri, and all about the home life I left behind--including a name for my character. I learned all sorts of things that a middling sort would have known about national and territorial politics. I even learned a few period phrases and some slang. And you know what? I never used one scrap of it. Sometimes I wonder, how worthwhile is it?

Well, time has passed--about 11 years now, and I've switched impressions. I'm now the company fifer. (There actually was a fifer stationed at Ft. Osage. His name was Starks Simonds.) I haven't bothered to invent a fictionalized historical biography explaining what a 50 plus year old guy is doing in the US Army stationed at a remote frontier outpost. Right now it's enough to play the Duty Calls, and a few marches mostly for the entertainment of the visiting public.

Cruzatte :imo:

 

[streamsidejeff]

Good post ,I am new and would like to read some input on this.I am looking forward to seeing you at the Fort,live close by.... :RO:

 

[Cruzatte]

Good. Hope to see you there. I'll likely be out for Independence Day. You'll recoginze me by the red coat, and the tall shako.

Cruzatte

 

[Wart]

The Coht National Gathering was at Fort Osage the past two years. I haven't been able to make it there yet but hope to next year. If you run into Bryan Everhart, tell him Wart says "hi" :front:

 

[Henry]

How detailled does one NEED to be ?

Well... how detailled is one ASKED to be ?

If your hobby is period trekking alone in the woods
nobody is asking and you may do as you want.

If you are part of a re-enactor group , then
follow the guide lines of the group , or of the event.

Some groups are very strict of facial hair and
eyeglasses , some much less .

I did notice , like you , that for events
with the public , people are more interested
in your gun and clothes ( especially when wearing
the " brayet et mitasses " - breechcloth/leggins)
than in your personnal travels or love stories <g>.

Votre d