Captain Monoghan - 6th Louisiana

Captain Monoghan - 6th Louisiana

What role do you portray?
I am the captain of the 6th Louisiana Volunteer Infantry

What is your real name?
Robert Even

What do you do in real life?
I am a youth care worker, night monitor at a residential care facility.

How long have you been reenacting?
About five years now.

What is your role in your unit?
As a captain I make sure people in the unit maintain safety at all times. I designate rank, I command on the field, I make sure orders are followed. In camp I make sure they have proper passes, that everyone makes it to payroll, make sure everyone has the proper gear, make sure tents are up in a straight line conforming to regulations, and that everyone is behaving.

What is the history behind the person you portray?
Captain was an Irishman and an engineer. Rumor says he was somewhat of a gambler as well but not professionally. He put up a sign to recruit Irish members and ended up with two companies. They were assigned to Col. Isaac Seymour to form 6th Louisiana. Monoghan actually made it to the rank of Lieutenant Col. and actually commanded the 6th Louisiana. before he was killed

Why did you pick this role to portray?
My own heritage I am part Irish. I was looking for some one to portray that was Irish. My two nephews are also part of the unit and we have a member that is second generation American from Ireland. This unit was a perfect combination for us as an Irish Southern unit to explore and portray members of our heritage.

What did you do to prepare for this role?
Internet exploration comes in really handy. I have six books just on Louisiana units. And I found other books and just kept reading. Did research at libraries to find out what uniforms and flags were like. We talked to other units that portray units that are similar.
Drilling a lot, some people have military experience and some don't. Even so we have to drill a lot to become a well drilled and snap unit.

Where did you find your equipment?
Some of the uniforms we actually made. We go to sutlers for pre-made clothing and weapons. Sometimes you can get good deals. We try to be as authentic as we can. No plastic or anything like that.

What is your favorite question from a child?
My favorite is : "Do you really shoot at people?" It really is a here's your sign question but we try to be serious about answering that question. My answer is that no, we do not shoot live rounds at people. We use only the gunpowder to make the noise and smoke. Even that can be dangerous so you still do not want to point it directly at some one. You have to make sure there is nothing else in the barrel of the gun or it will fly out as if it were a bullet.

What is your favorite reenactment and why?
There is a lot of them. First you get the bug where you can see and feel things that would make a great battle scene. Then there is the fever is where you start working out strategies to place your men to advantage and if I were commanding I'd do it this way. Then there is the Addiction. That is when you love coming to events because it is a great stress reliever and you just cannot seem to get enough of the atmosphere. It takes me back in time. I think I was born in the wrong time period.
The very favorite I have done was not a reenactment but, a funeral for the crew of the Huntley.

Mother Mary Elizabeth, S.S.B.

Mother Mary Elizabeth, S.S.B. 

May I call you Mother?
"Mother is fine or Sister"

Are you real?
"Yes, I am a real person and the person I portray is real. My habit is authentic and I trained with Catholic Nuns to prepare for this role. However, I am not a Nun in my Civilian life.

Will you tell me about your real life?
" My real name is Kelsey Jones. I am a retired nurse and I have been Civil War reenacting as a Nun since 1997. I write grants for the Mason City Civil War Council and create web sites. I am a partner in Doc Eli's Period Products."

What is Doc Eli's?
"Doc Eli's is a company the sell Civil War era paper goods, forms and haversack items."

I understand you have a book being publised.
"Yes, Battlefields, Bibles and bandages will be on the shelves in about 6 weeks."

What did you do to prepare for your role as a Civil War Nun?
"I did a lot of research and spent time at a convent learning about Nuns, their history and their work.

Aren't you hot in the habit?
"Our habits are made of natural fibers. They breathe and wick the sweat away from our skin so we feel the heat relatively the same as you do in your shorts and tank tops. If you are hot then yes, so am I. If you are comfortable, then chances are so am I. Some people acclimate to the habit better than others."

Why do you do this portrayal?
"As a reenactor we are historians. I found an area that was not being portrayed but, had a huge impact on medicine and religion in the United States and decided to concentrate my efforts in that erea. Some of us love to act, others love to teach history. We all do it because we enjoy what we do. We have fun!"

Do you get paid to do this?
"Usually no. most events may feed us a single meal. Expenses come out of our pockets, including the gas to travel to events. We do this out of passion for the hobby, not for money."

How often do you reenact the Civil War?
"For some of us not as often as we would like. We work events around our civilian work scheduals. Some of us can do this every weekend (the luxury of being retired) and others may only be able to do events a few times a year."

Where do you go to events?
"We travel all over the United States. You can ask us about other events where you live. Every weekend there is an event somewhere, sometimes more than one. So we can pick and choose where we want to go."

Where do you sleep?
"Right in the tents you see us at. We have period cots or sleep on pallets on the ground. It is just like a camping trip. We cook our food over an open fire, play games, reaad or talk around a roaring camp fire at night."

What did Nuns do?
"Nuns were many things during the Civil War. They were exceptionally good nurses. They were well trained in European medical schools and brought their training here to do missionary work. Nuns were often administrators of hospitals as well as surgical nurses and ward nurses. They also worked in the chapels, kitchens and pharmacies. Oten they were the only ones alowed to take care of quarentined ill."

Thank you Mother.
"You are welcome."

Mary Anne Todd Lincoln -The President's Wife

Mary Lincoln

Mary Ann Todd Lincoln – The President’s Wife

What is your persona name?
Mary Lincoln. Having been married over 160 years I don’t use my maiden name very much. I also don’t use my middle name very much either. I signed all of my correspondence Mary Lincoln.

Do you belong to a group?
There is a group called the association of Lincoln Presenters. They have attempted to locate everyone in the country who do this portrayal. At last count I think there were one hundred fifty Abraham Lincolns and about two dozen (24) Mary Lincolns. Some of the Mary’s portray her by them selves, but 10 or 12 work as a team with a Mr. Lincoln.

What is your real name?
Donna Daniels

What do you do in real life?
For the past 10 years this has been my husband’s and my full time occupation. We have been actually doing this for 18 years. When we started Max (the husband) worked as chief of maintenance at a bank and I was a receptionist at a law firm. This started as a hobby for us and then became a business on the side in addition to our other job. In 1994 the bank he worked at was bought out and the whole department was downsized. We thought that maybe this was just God’s way of saying it’s time for you to do this now. I am so glad he looks like Abraham Lincoln and not Grover Cleveland, because I don’t think we could make a living portraying Grover Cleveland.

Why did you pick this role to portray?
Well the most obvious reason is because my husband looks like Abraham Lincoln. However, the most important part of my role is to redeem the honor of Mary Lincoln. I think there is a lot of bad press that was undeserved. I try to show people that there were good things about Mary’s character that tend to get overlooked because people are more interested in how much money she spent. I endeavor to show that I am more than a one dimensional character. There is more to me than shopping!

Please tell me more about Mary’s history.
Mary was born in Lexington, Kentucky. Her father was a wealthy business man and very involved in local and state politics. Like most wealthy families in the south Mary’s family did own slaves. Mary’s father was not really a pro-slavery man and that helped to fashion Mary’s views as well. Her father recognized that educated women attracted better husbands. Unlike other women of the period Mary was allowed to get a very good education. Being well educated means that one could speak French and do needlepoint! Mary was quite frustrated that she was not allowed to study higher education subjects and go on to University as her brothers were.

Mary’s father was also grooming his daughters to become political wives so Mary and her sisters were permitted to listen in while political conversations were going on. This was unusual because girls were not supposed to know very much about politics. I believe that it was instrumental in preparing Mary to become the best possible partner for her husband in furthering his political career.

Have you ever regretted the choice of role?
Sometimes on hot sticky days we look at each other and say “why did we say we would do this? But, generally speaking it has been very rewarding and we have enjoyed the opportunity to educate as well as entertain. Sometimes people make the comment “ oh you guys are the best Lincoln, we’ve seen other Lincolns and they are not nearly as outgoing as you are.” I don’t think that is fair to some of the other Lincolns. They may be more accurate than we are. Lincoln may have been more aloof, distant and withdrawn, especially late in the war. And who wouldn’t be with the pressure of the war. But, max and I feel that we are here not only to be historically accurate but, also to entertain the public and you can’t be entertaining if people feel they can’t approach you.

What did you do to prepare for this role?
Research, research, research. We felt that if we were going to do this we had a responsibility to do it well and to have our facts straight. I do other things to increase the resemblance between Mary and myself but, some things you just cannot change.

What is your favorite question from a child?
They usually don’t ask me as many questions from me as they do from Mr. Lincoln. They usually ask him are you the real one? We try to make sure that children understand that we are pretending to be the Lincolns. From me they usually want to know about the children we (the Lincolns) had.

Where did you find your dresses?
I have them made for me. Many of the Civil War ladies make their own clothing, but, I am not talented that way. It is a big challenge for me to sew on a button, though my husband says I am very good at writing checks. I have the good fortune to know several ladies who’s business it is to make reproduction dresses. My goodness, they wouldn’t be able to support their families if I didn’t give them work!

Can you share with me who makes your dresses?
Verna Metz form Elgin, Illinois who runs Ivory Tower. Linda Wetter and Betty Essling, my sister-in-law, have both sewn for me. Marta Vincent from the Ladies Bodice in Hampshire made my most recent dress for me. It is a reception dress that has a train on it. It is a stand in line to greet people dress.

What is your favorite reenactment and why?
Keokuk is high on the list because it is the first one of our season and it gives us a chance to visit with friends we have not seen all season. It gets us back in the swing of this kind of event. There is also a three day event in Jerseyville, Illinois on Labor day weekend. It is a very casual event to begin with and on Sunday night instead of everyone backing up and leaving you can stay around camp fires and visit. That is good for us because we don’t often get to do that because we always have “official duties” elsewhere on Saturday night and by Sunday everyone is gone.

Ward Hill Lemmon - The President's Body Guard

Ward Hill Lemmon - President Lincoln's Body Guard

Are you a member of any special groups?
I work with and hang out with a group of people called "The Friends of the Civil War" Which is all about civillians.

What other civilians are with this group?
A Confederate Spy, a Preacher, a "Copperhead", a couple of southern Plantation Ladies.

As Mr. Lemmon do you work with any other body gaurds in protecting Mr. Linoln?
No, When I wasn't around he was at the mercy of the Washington City Police Department.

What do you do in real life?
I drive a truck for an electrical supply company.

What is your real name?
Joe Essling

How long have you been reenacting?
This will be my 16th year as Mr. Lemmon.

Please tell me a little bit about the history behind Mr. Lemmon.
He was a lawyer in Danville, Illinois when Mr. Lincoln followed the judicial circut into Danville. He would prepare the papers for the court cases and Mr. Lincoln would try them. They became very good friends in that period. When Mr. Lincoln became President of teh United States, Mr. Lemmon appointed himself as Mr. Lincoln's personal bodygaurd.

Why did you pick this particular role to portray?
I could be because my sister and her husband portray Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln. I do really enjoy it and I cannot think of anything I would rather do. It fits me.

What kinds of things did you have to do to prepare for this role?
Lots of research on different web sites and reading. Mr. Lemmon's law office is actually still in existance in Danville, Illinois (even though Mr. Lemmon is deceased now). I didn't have to learn much else.

We hear about the heroics that are performed by bodygaurds gaurding numerous presidents. Would you really step in front of a bullet meant for Mr. Lincoln?
Yes, I would.

What kinds of things do you do to make sure the President is safe?
Usually if we go to a social function, I am the only one allowed to carry a pistol. I wqatch to make sure no one else is carrying any side arms or other weapons. In the field it is more difficult because there is more people to watch and I am by myself. Today, there is a group of bodygaurds surrounding the president. Back then there was only myself.

What equipment do you carry?
I carry a vest pocket derringer, a set of brass knuckles, a six shot revolver (1851 Navy Colt Revolver) and a knife.

Where did you find your equipment?
The pistol, derringer and my belt were given to me as a Christmas present by my wife and some friends who got them from Dixie Gun Works in Tennessee.

What is your favorite question from a child? And how would you answer it?
The question I get asked the most is have I had to kill anybody? My answer is: "Why, would it upset you if you are not the first?" It usually stops the questions.

What is your favorite reenactment and why?
Keokuk, Iowa because the town is really behind the reenactment. They actually are very aware that it is going on and don't react funny when you are at a store dressed in period clothing. Other places they ask you what is going on. In Keokuk they ask, "Do you portray some one in particular we should know about?"

J.D. Avery -Undertaker

J. D. Avery - Undertaker

What is your Persona name?
I do not portray a specific persona

What role do you portray?
I am an contracted civilian undertaker.

What unit/group do you belong to?
I am an independant

What is your real name?
John. D. Avery

What do you do in real life?
I am a retired funeral director and grief therapist.

How long have you been reenacting?
Since 1998

History behind the persona you portray?
Embalming became a neccessity at the very begining of the Civil War. Dr. Thomas Holmes, who we recognize as the father of modern embalming, very quickly realized that this was going to become very important. In fact, he embalmed Col Ellis Ellsworth who was the first military casualty of the Civil War. He was a friend of the presidents and pleaded with him to allow him to embalm Col. Ellsworth. It was such a success that it kick-started the proffession of embalming during the Civil War. With the boys being so far away from home the common carriers would not carry unembalmed bodies because of the stench. That of course helped further the proffession of embalming also.

Why did you pick this role to portray?
Being a funeral director it was kind of a natural for me. I started as military. I found this horse drawn herse that I use in 1999 and completely resored it and just kind of went from there.

What did you do to prepare for this role?
Other than my official training as a mortician, I was afforded access to most of the papers of Dr. Ed Johnson who, before his death, was the foremost athourity on Civil War embalming. So, I perused and studied his and his daughter Mellisa's writings and research. That gave me a good solid background. There is extreemly little written about the embalming surgeon during the Civil War.

He (Dr. Johnson) had collected and researched everything there was to know about the Civil War embalming surgeon. Some of it we have to use conjecture because we just don't have the information available. So we use what would have made sense for that day.

In real life I took my training in Missouri. While we did not have to become liscensed as embalmers, I did do some embalming as part of my training. So I have had the experience. While I did not enjoy doing it in my career, I do enjoy doing it this way (using a mannequine and display set up)

When children ask you "Do you really...?" what do they ask?
Do you really embalm people? I did very breifly in my career. But, here in reenactments, no I do not. I use a mannequin to show that procedure. I do not use real live people, no.
They ask about the embalming fluids, whether I like what I do, how can I do what I am doing, how did I get into doing this. Sometimes I get an especially inciteive question from a child who has experienced a death recently in the family or a intuative child.

What kind of equipment do you use?
They used a very minimal of equipment. They used a scalpel, scissors and hand pump. Basically that was it. I do have those pieces of equipment.

Where did you find your equipment?
I found some one on the internet that knew about it in Indiana and went over and looked at it. I did not purchase it though. I walked away and could not sleep for a week. I went back and bought it. Most of the other equipment I found on e-bay. The mannequin is actually a receciannie that died! I carry a wooden coffin called a toe pincher, a nicer coffin that I do not carry with me and a children's coffin that also does not travel with me.

What is your favorite reenactment and why?
Mmmm.... Mmmm... Mmmm... I have enjoyed all of the national events that I have been to, simply because in years past I have not been able to travel and visit the National Battlefields, and this has afforded me that opportunity.
I also enjoy doing presentations for children at schools. It is an area that most children do not get any education about either in real life or historically. I get a lot of good questions and a lot of interest. It takes some of the unknown away for them.

Thank you very much for your time. For the children reading this you should come to an event and see Mr. Avery if you get the chance.

Commander Daniel B. Conrad -Navy Surgeon

Commander Daniel B. Conrad of Winchester, Virginia

May I call you Commander?
Yes that is the proper form of address.

What is your real name?
Larry Denny

What do you do in real life?
I'm a retired park ranger for Louisianna State Park though I still am part of properties management in Louisianna and Virginia. He is ex-navy and ex-airforce, policeman, fireman.

How long have you been reenacting?
I have been reenacting since 1959. I have worked with Gulf Coast Living History Association as fleet surgeon, CSS Tennesse, CSS Virginia at hamptom Roads.

What is the history behind your persona?
The Commander was a commando of sorts. He went to medical school at Winchester Medical School in Winchester, Virginia. He also attended the US Naval Academy. In 1861 he was on assignment to take Japaneese embassadors back to Japan after Admiral Perry broke the trade barrier. When the voyage was over the southern officers were interred as traitors.
Conrad manage to escape and get back to the south. He offered his services to the provisional navy of the Confederate States. He was assigned the rank of captain and later promoted to commander.
He was present at First Manassas as Medical Officer with 1st Virginia Regiment, even though he was a Naval Officer. His boyhood freind Hunter Holmes MaGuire was able to secure that position for him. MaGuire was General Jackson's Personal Surgeon.
He participated in the raid on USS Underwriter at New Bern, North Carolina in late 1864. He actually boarded an enemy ship under fire. He also served with Admiral Buccanan at the battle of Mobile Bay.

Why did you pick this persona to portray instead of a land locked one?
I read a book about him and was captivated by his history and career. He was a real hero! I got to hold the cutlass he held when he boarded the USS Underwriter. It had his name stamped on the crossguard. "Deovindice" the CSA motto is stamped on it as well.

Do you really go on board ships to do reenactments?
Oh, yes. I'm also the medical advisor for the USS constelation in Baltimore Harbor, a fully rigged sloop of war. Though I usually do that as a US navy officer since it is a Federal ship!

Do you get to help sail them or are they at anchor when you are on board?
The constellation is foating at anchor, though it does go on "turn around cruises" down the harbor and back twice a year. They did tour down to Annapolis this past spring but, that is unusual. I just finished helping them complete the surgery and sick bay. Mostly I gave advice and lending surgical kits.

Who owns the ships?
Non-profit organizations.

What is your favorite reenactment and why?
First Mannassas in 1961. It was not only the best but, also the first real reenactment ever. Prior to that there was just the North/South Skirmish Association doing live fireing. This was a living history and I was hooked for good.

What changes have you seen over the years?
I have seen a lot of changes over the years, mostly in equipment and uniforms. We had the best leather gear and weapons and they were original back in the first days. The uniforms were atrocious though. Now the uniforms are far superior and it is all good. We had only infantry, dismounted cavalry and mobile artillery then. Now we have so many different units (Marines, Sailors, Mounted artillery and cavalry) and a host of other impressions including civilian. It is wonderful!

Thank you for sharing with us.
It's great talking with you kel~

1st Sergeant Dave Grill

1st Sergeant Dave Grill, 32nd Iowa, Co. B

May I call you Sergeant or Dave?
Sergeant, Mister Grill or David is fine.

What do you do in real life?
I am a service rep for a manufacturer of grain dryers. I travel the upper midwest on service calls, setting up service schools at dealerships, helping put on farm shows and helping with research and development work at the factory.

I understand you are getting ready to go on a big trip.
Yes, the company is sending me to the Ukraine to put on some service schools for some new dealers. It is a new market we just opened up. If it works out then next year it might be Russia.

That will be fun and you will learn a lot!
I'm looking forward to it.

How long have you been reenacting?
Ahh, I've kinda lost track. 6 or 7 years I think, since about 1996 or 1997.

And what is your role within the unit?
My role now on the field is as 1st sergeant. But, in the unit I am also president/secretary.

What is the history behind the role that you play in the unit?
The 1st sergeant has always been part of our military history. You can find some form of 1st sergeat all the way back to Roman times. The basic unit of the army is a company an this is traced all the way back to Roman times where they said centurians and that meant a hundred men. The 1st sergeant is the top non-commissioned officer of the company. Even to this day "they say" it is really the sergeants that run the army. The sergeant has a lot of responsibilities. he made sure the companies were formed and the company was taken care of and did every thing possible to make the officers look good.

Why did you pick this particular role to portray?
I really didn't pick it. I started off as a private with the company. All of our "non-coms" (non-commissioned officers include ranks from corporal to 1st sergeant) are elected. I was elected corpral and then sergeant when that possition came open. Just a few summers ago they elected me 1st sergeant.

But, why an infantryman?
The closest unit to where I live was the 32nd and it is an infantry Unit. It was the first unit I was invited into. It just made sense. I don't have a horse to be in the cavalry nor do I have a cannon. I have never regretted my decision.

What kinds of things did you have to learn to get ready for the role?
Basic infantryman has to learn the manual of arms, basic manuevers and different commands. As I moved up in rank I studied more and got books like the "Hardee's Manual of Arms" and Army regs and other publications plus watching and observing other units with more experienced people during drills.

Do your really fire bullets in the gun?
You can and I have. There is a friend of mine near Clemme Iowa that has a shooting range I go to occassionally. I have also taken part in the life fire competition at Boscobell twice. On the battlefield is strictly blanks. In fact there is always a danger of residue from bullets being still in the muskets. When that happends and it becomes dislodged it can cause injury. That has happened so, it is always a good idea to clean it thouroghly. Even better to have a second musket. One for reenactment use with strictly blanks and the other for live rounds.

Where did you find your weapons?
My fist musket came from my wife's uncle and cousin who have a gun shop in Michigan. They happened to have a 2-band enfield (it is the more expensive model) and sold it to me for half price. I prize that one because it came from family and because of the value. The rest of the equipment I got from James Country Merchantile and Coon River. Coon River is good for the tents and things but, I lean more toward James Country because my wife and his both went to the same high school. Plus he does gunsmithing and has saved my butt a couple of times when my musket broke.

What is your favorite reenactment and why?
First of all let me prface that by saying that when I first started reenacting the biggest thrill for me was the battles, the fighting. Now there are other things away from the battlefield that give me a kick. Maybe it's interacting with a little girl who is a spectator ior at her first ball, or the situation of when I am trying to solve a problem with a complaint from a soldier and for a minute I loose track of what time frame I am actually in. It becomes that real that I feel like I am in the 1860's. I would say that my most favorite event (and it's hard to pick) would be Claremont of 2003. At that one I portrayed Congressman David Henderson. The different interactions I got to do portraying him has to make that my favorite one yet.

Marty Williams 16 year old Bugler

Marty Williams 16 year old Bugler, 32nd Iowa, Co. B

May I call you Marty?
That's fine.

Marty, do you portray a real person?
No, not really. I'm just honoring all the musicians.

What do you do in real life?
I'm a student in 11th grade at RRMR

Do you have any hobbies besides reenacting?
I like to hunt and go clay pigeon shooting, I'm in sports. I am in wrestling, cross country , track and baseball.

How long have you been reenacting?
Oh, about 8 years now. I started off as a runner like most young boys do and worked my way up.

Marty, what is your role in the unit?
I am a private with the company and carry a rifle as well as bugle commands.

Do you actually bugle commands?
Yes I do. In campment bugle commands and also on the battlefield, like charge and a few others.
Why did you pick this role to portray?
I play the trumpet in the band at school. My dad thought it would be cool to have a bugler in the company so I became a bugler.

Do you like this portrayal?
I got a bugle and found some calls and practiced, got better at them and found that it was fun!

What did you do to prepare for your role? Obviously you had to get a bugle and learn how to play it.
Yep, I learned how to play it. Then, I talked to some other buglers in some other companies that had been playing for a long time. They gave me some tips and told me what books to buy. They helped me to practice. The books come from suttlers usually and they have the commands in them and tell a little story about them.

Where did you find your bugle?
At an auction. It isn't an actual Civil War model but, it is close and works for one.

How would a Civil War Bugle differ from a bugle of today?
The Civil war bugle was better quality and a little bigger.

I noticed your bugle is wrapped in cording. Were they all like that?
Yea, in the army any way. The cording tells what part of the army you are in. Blue is for infantry, Red is for artillery and Yellow for cavalry. Every company had their own bugler so they could call messages over distances.

Marty, What is your favorite reenactment and why?
Probably Stockton, It is because of their battle field, how it is set up. It has a big hill and a really big spot to have their battle at. Even though it was really cold when we had it, it was a good time.

Mitchell Wells - Runner

Tanner Creery as Mitchell Wells-Runner

May I call you Mitchell?
Yes, just call me Mitchell.

Mitchell what is your real name?
Zachary Creery

What do you do in real life?
I just go to school in North Fayette Middle School in Fayette, IA and collect Yugio cards.

How long have you been reenacting?
I started at Belle Plaine, Ia last year (6 months)

So this is really your first Year?
yes it is.

Mitchell, what is your role in the unit?
I deliver messages. Sometimes I get lost and sometimes they have to help me. (Interviewer chuckles) There was this one time that I was told to take a message to a colonel. I asked the him what the man looked like and he told me well he has a white beard! I looked around and evryone seemed to have a white beard! I kept thinking is this guy joking? So anyway I asked around and found the guy finally.

What is the history behind your persona?
He started as a runner and when he was old enough he was in the cavalry for real. He was a great, great, great, great uncle. He was a brother to the person my brother portrays.

Why did you pick this role to portray?
I am too, young to carry a rifle with the infantry.

Do you like this portrayal?
Yes, mainly I just like runnin'.

What did you do to prepare for your role?
I practice running and try to remember everything I get told. One time I almost forgot a message! And I had to run down a steep hill and I almost fell! My brother and the General died out there in the field. A bunch of us were arguing about what equipment we were going to take.

Do they really die out there?
Nope, They just pretend. If they didn't pretend you wouldn't see ME here!

Where did you find your equipment?
We went on the internet to find my uniform. The only other thing I need is my pouch and we got that there, too.

What kind of equipment did you have to have?
A canteen, kepi, coat, vest, pants shoes and long underwear cause things get itchy. Of course a haversack to keep notes in, papers and pencil. But, I don't use those things.

Why not?
Cause I don't have time to write things down. I just have to remember them. When you are a runner you gotta run! Those guys are shooting at you.

That is very interesting Mitchell. What is your favorite reenactment and why?
Usher's Ferry- It was a great day! My dad got wounded and had to go to the field hospital and I got to go with him. And, I got to go to the saloon and have (root) beer and play cards with my buddies. The saloon keeper saw my bowie knife and made me disarm! So I took it out of my boot and one of my friends yelled for me not to stab him cause he wasn't cheating. I told him he better not be and laid it on the table. Abraham Lincoln was there. We had fun there.

Claremont is a period correct encampment style living history.
Yep, and it also gets me closer to my ancestor Jose Wells.

Thank you for your interview Mitchell, that was fun..

Joseph Wells Drummer

Joseph Wells 15 year old Drummer 32nd Iowa Co. B

May I call you Joseph?
Just call me Little Joe or just Jose

Jose what is your real name?
Tanner Creery

What do you do in real life?
Practice drumming and go to school in North Fayette Middle School in Fayette, IA

How long have you been reenacting?
After Keokuk about a year.

Jose, what is your role in the unit?
I drum the orders and cadence for the unit.

What is the history behind your persona?
Company D 18th Iowa Infantry died in Louisiana of dysentery while he was fighting. He was my great, great, great, great grandfather.

Why did you pick this role to portray?
I was too, young to carry a rifle with the infantry so I decided to be a drummer instead.

Do you like this portrayal?
Yes, I like it very much.

Do you think you will quit drumming when you get old enough to carry a rifle?
Maybe, or maybe I will continue to drum when we have enough me to take the field. We don't have any other drummers and I really like what I am doing.

What did you do to prepare for your role?
I learned to drum at the age of 11. I had to get a musician's uniform with the blue trim (has the uniform on), a period drum and sticks, I had to learn the special cadences for the orders.

Do you really drum out orders?
Yes, Each cadence means something different. I can tell them (the men) to march, forward and retreat, commence and cease firing, fire by the piece or fire at will. Just all different things.

Where did you find your equipment?
We found it in Oregon. The first drum I had we accidentally got a Revolutionary War Drum,
so we exchanged it for this one.

How does this drum differ from the drums of the 21st century?
This drum is made of mostly wood. It is painted red with the eagle emblem on it and says Reg. US Infantry. It has a single line braided rope that also forms a strap so you can carry it
on your back when you are not drumming. To tighten the head there are leather adjusters with brass brads on hemp rope lines. [The 21st century drums have metal screws with wing nut tighteners.]

That is very interesting Joe. What is your favorite reenactment and why?
Claremont or Usher's Ferry because they are really close to history as living history events. Usher's Ferry is in a 1860's town. And Claremont you are really close to the roots of reenacting, doing things they would have really done.

Claremont is a period correct encampment style living history.
yep, and it also gets me closer to my ancestor Jose Wells.

Capt. Elias Jaycox, Surgeon 16th US Medical Corps.

May I call you Doc?
"OK"

What is your real name?
"Don Evans"

Why did you pick the role of a Civil War Surgeon?
"I thought the surgeons of the Civil War had a very important role in the outcome of the Civil War by healing soldiers and getting them back out to their families or back on the line to fight. The history student of today needs to know about their contribution to the war effort and the contributions they made in medical advances."

How long have you been reenacting?
"I started 9 years ago (1996) as a private in the 32nd Iowa Co. B volunteers. I moved up to quartermaster later and then moved into medical field as a steward. In 1999 I became a surgeon."

What did you do to prepare for your role of surgeon?
"I began volunteering as a patient first. I also began reading publications on surgeons and how they performed their duties. I practiced some surgeries and talked with fellow surgeons from other units as well as my own. I watched a lot of surgeries being performed and watched the surgeons prepare the patients for surgery. That helped a lot seeing them do it."

What is the history behind your persona?
"The person I portray was my Great, Great Grandfather. However he wasn't a surgeon. The surgeon part is a composite of many surgeons. This surgeon was educated at Rush Medial College in the 1840's and joined the army as a surgeon in the 1850's."

Do you really do surgeries?
"No. All our surgeries are staged to simulate actual surgeries performed in the field hospital. These surgeries include head injuries and traumas, internal surgeries (invasive surgery to remove bullets and foreign matter imbedded in soft tissue without bone damage) and amputations."

Why did you amputate so much?
"Amputations were performed by necessity. There were often so many wounded that if we performed a resection on shattered bone it would take hours in which other men would die. We also found that when we amputated right away instead of waiting until the soldier made it to the main hospital he was more likely to live."

Where do you get your medical stuff?
"The instruments I get at antique stores or on e-bay. Other items I get at flea markets, garage sales, and some are home made. Sometimes other surgeons have extras they are willing to sell."

As a field surgeon did you use anesthesia?
"Yes"

What kind?
"Ether and chloroform were used pretty widely in both north and south. I prefer chloroform, though."

Why?
"Ether has a short shelf life, is hard to transport and can be explosive if exposed to flame. I like my cigars and I like my fingers right where they are. Sometimes we have to perform surgeries at night and use lanterns and candles for light. That wouldn't work too well with ether! "

What is your favorite reenactment and why?
"The next one I am going to, because it gives me a new set of people to teach about Civil War Surgeons."

Now that you have that out of your system, do you really have a favorite?
"If I had to pick just one it would have to be Boscobell, Wisconsin. They have a huge community involvement to put on the reenactment as well as coming out to watch the show. The whole town turns out! Because of that they get a lot of reenactors and the event keeps growing every year. When there are a lot of reenactors we have more opportunities to do medial demonstrations."

And you like doing medical demonstrations?
"Yes, all surgeons like doing demonstrations when there is a large audience and lots of reenactors as patients."

Thank you for your time Doc.
"You are welcome anytime."