The Civil War Episode - A Most Unusual Journey

Lawrence — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:58:16 -0500

This episode was one of the most unusual in our journey around this grand country. Most of the time I got to sleep on a real bed. Not for this episode. I can absolutely, positively and completely confirm I slept in that tent for two complete nights. No faking it for this truth seeker - if I tell you I'm doing something, then most of the time I'm actually doing it. Take that "Man versus Wild" chap. Is he even English? I'm just saying.
Anyway - that weekend was fascinating. I went to southern Pennsylvania with my woolen underwear - they kept telling us last year it was snowing. So we arrive - and it feels like the middle of summer. In American language - it was about 90 degrees the entire weekend.

During our first meeting with the confederate colonel - the very nice chap named Mark - we were told several times how dangerous this reenacting business is. "When I say get down, you get down" was a phrase repeated often. Apparently those fake artillery explosions can be a little nasty. As a result, by the time the first battle rolled around, the crew and I were a little terrified. We all had visions of coming home with bits missing … which was not what we signed up for. So you may notice in the first battle, everyone is keeping their heads very low - me, and the cameraman in particular.
"When I say get down, you get down" actually became a catchphrase for us for the rest of our travels. I'm not sure if that's interesting or not - but it kept us amused.

There was also some friendly rivalry between the camps. I can reveal the damn Yankees actually burned down our portable toilet! Yes, I'll confess, we had a portable toilet - for the sake of the local squirrels I believe. Some of that old-timey food can get a tad uncomfortable in one's insides if you know what I mean. Anyway - we woke up to find it a smoldering, very smelly pile of blue plastic goo. Sorry squirrels. And no - we did not exact our revenge. Maybe next year.

The Civil War is a major moment in U.S. history - and I was a little worried before we arrived - about how we were going to do it without … well you know. But once I got into uniform, slept on the ground and fired my fake weapon - the politics melted away. These weekends are more about the bonding of families who want to remember the past. It was in no way a soapbox for radical or politically incorrect viewpoints. Besides, once you stand near one of those cannons when they explode - you can't hear a damn thing anyone says anyway.

It was fun, it was a little dirty, and it was very, very, very sweaty. For me. The crew want to say they had a lovely time at a nearby Bed and Breakfast in Perryopolis. They told me about it, and the great food, constantly. We'd all like to thank everyone. You gave us your trust - and we were determined not to let you down.

Don't miss the Civil War Reanactors tonight at 11:30pm EST. Check out the full episode guide

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The Civil War Episode - A Most Unusual Journey