[revwardoc]

OK, now you've struck a nerve! As an active Rev War re-enactor I can safely tell you that the average re-enactor is not what you think. For one thing we are constantly doing research on our chosen era and even the children could tell you a thing or two about Revolutionary America on subjects ranging from military tactics to home life to social classes to the causes of the Revolution, etc. Personally, my portrayalis that of a regimental surgeon (after 15 years of portraying a soldier) so I have read well over a dozen 18th century medical journals and have acquired some authentic and reproduction tools of the craft. In fact, with all my research and equipment, I feel I could amputate your arm or leg and you just may live through the procedure.

Lets talk about danger, and it is a dangerous hobby. We use real guns and real gunpowder as well as real edged weapons. While safety is our upmost concern, bad things do happen. I once got a bayonet in the ribs (and several stitches) in an attempt atrealistic hand-to-hand combatthat got all too real. On another occaision a runaway horse literally leaped over me as I played "dead". We had an artillerist who lost three fingers of his right hand when the load went off prematurely.

As far as individual lifestyles, we've got an active duty Army Colonel (West Point '76), a couple of doctors, some nurses, an MIT research scientist, several people who own their own businesses, two company presidents, several teachers as well as regular "joes". And, yeah, some computer geeks. But one thing we all share is our love of the history of the American Revolution. We eat and sleep in camp under 18th century conditions (which means no bathing, so by the end of the weekend you can definitely smell us a mile away). And many of us have taken part in muzzle loader shooting competions.

You must be talking about Civil War re-enactors. Now those guys are weird!