This is a continuation of last months column about what is appropriate to bring to an event. The topic was prompted by a quote from Jubal Early, and it is so apt that we will quote it again: "The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage."

We promised to talk about a campaign impression this month. A campaign imression is undoubtedly the most correct for most events which include a battle scenario but it is not a popular impression. Few reenactors actually have a good campaign impression, but it is much less expensive and much easier to transport so if you think it is for you, then read on.

What gear should we bring if we want an authentic campaign impression? Of course the answer is somewhat dependent on year, theatre, etc. but we will try to give a "generic" confederate answer. First, if you are going to err, err on the side of too little. There are numerous reports of soldiers throwing away gear because it was too heavy. This included items which even the soldiers knew they would have cause to regret. For example, Robin Berkley (an artilleryman from Virginia) talks about throwing away his overcoat one spring because it was too heavy to carry, although he knew he would most likely not have another for the winter.

In addition to the clothes you are wearing you might have a change of socks. For sleeping you might have one or two wool blankets and a gum blanket. You should put your personal effects inside the wool blankets before rolling them and then roll the gum blanket around the other blankets after they are rolled. This way you can take the gum blanket off to wear for a rain coat without disturbing the other blankets. These blankets will either be worn in a "horse collar" over your shoulder, or in some kind of sling.

You should have a haversack with some food, probably a canteen (although some report those being thrown away) and a cup or coffee boiler (mucket). In the haversack could be a sack of coffee beans, some sugar, some dried corn, perhaps some salt pork, and of course, hardtack. Other food could be scrounged along the way.

Personal effects might include a razor, a sewing kit, some money or coins, letters from home, a pocket knife, a pipe, or whatever small items strike your fancy.

So now you have your campaign impression ready and want one last test? Dress up in all the gear and march ten to fifteen miles in a cold rain! At the end of the hike, throw away everything that you still have left and don't think you need. Now you are well on your way to developing a good campaign impression!