Question...

[Will Dearborn]

Does the portrayal of a historical character/unit/division depend on MY geographical location?  Meaning:  I'm a big Gaelic Irish-American.  My great grandfather came across the water.  As a third (fourth) generation imigrant from Erin I'd like to claim service in the Irish Brigade.  I'm willing to portray a date later than 1863-5, wear a semi-uniform as a former soldier still irish-proud to have fought with Cochran and Magher and McDowell.  I'd also be willing to BE one of those three, were I not certain those shoes are more than adequately filled already.

So, let's just leave it with my earlier question:  Does the fact I live in Missouri prohibit me mustering in Irish Brigade kit and uniform?

[Major Matt Lewis]

I portray a Civil War Cavalry Officer from Maine, a Civil War Berdan's Sharpshooter from New Hampshire, a Civil War Marine Officer, a Spanish American War Rough Rider, a Spanish American War Marine, A Marine Officer in the Peking Relief Force (circa 1900) and an Indian Wars Cavalry Officer.  Why? Variety is the spice of life.....Be which ever one.  Be all three.  Have fun with it.  To answer your question directly, the persona that you adopt has absolutely nothing to do with wear you live unless you want it to. 

I have found that you are only limited in your portrayals as your wallet and imagination.

[Will Dearborn]

Great news.  Thankya!

Now I just need to know if the GAF is going to enlist me and I'm off like a herd of turtles.

[Major Matt Lewis]

Go to www.grandarmyofthefrontier.org and enlist. 

[Pitspitr]

Great news.  Thankya!

Now I just need to know if the GAF is going to enlist me and I'm off like a herd of turtles.

To the best of my knowledge we've never turned anyone away. Fill out the form on the GAF web site and consider yourself enlisted. Don't get too shook up if you don't hear anything back for a while. I know the General has been pretty tied up recently, but he'll get back to you as soon as he can.

Oh, and Congratulations!

[Will Dearborn]

Thank you, gentlemen.  Much obliged.  (I HAD filled out hte enlistment... but thought I may had hit a button wrong, or NOT hit a button or something.  I'll be patient.)

[Pitspitr]

In the past the General has updated the roster a couple of months at a time. He last updated it April 2. If you enlisted before that check the roster thread.

[sharps54]

Will,
Don't be discouraged with the membership updates, I enlisted a little while back but didn't make the cut for the update either. US Scout did send me an email confirmation though. You'll find everyone very helpful when you ask questions, I met my first GAF member in person Sunday (Pony Racer) and he was very patient and friendly. GAF starts at 1858 so there is no problem with the Irish Brigade, heck I am thinking about putting together a Boer outfit down the road! The key is to do something YOU like and enjoy, otherwise it is work and not fun.

[River City John]

From "FRONTIER REGULARS The United States Army and the Indian 1866-1891" by Robert M. Utley copyright 1973 pp. 23

"Foreigners formed a conspicuous part of the Regular Army. A table compiled by the Adjutant General covering the years 1865- 1874 showed half of all recruits to have been born in a foreign country. Ireland led, with more than twenty precent of the total. . . . "Of the foreigners," observed a Fourth Cavalry officer, "I preferred the Irish - they were more intelligent and resourceful as a rule.". . ."

['Monterrey' Jack Brass]

Mr Dearborn - Methinks a private's tunic would be very becoming. The exhaulted american 'High Private' and his comrades did great things, lived and died well no matter the unit or country of origin. Too often under-represented but always appreciated, a private's impression goes a long way.

No matter what impression you decide on enjoy getting the proper uniform & equipment, having fun researching, and most importantly enjoying yourself.

Hope to see you in the field/at the range in the future.

YMH&OS,

Monterrey J. B.

[Shamrock]

Faugh a Ballagh

Welcome aboard.
The orginal Paddy Gannon was in Company A -- 28th Massachusetts. Good to have more Gallic-Americans in the GAF.

Regards,
Pat "Shamrock" Gannon
GAF448

[Silver Creek Slim]

Welcome aboard, Will Dearborn.
BTW, my great grandmother's maiden name was McDonald. Her parents were born in Nova Scotia. Her mother's maiden name was McEvoy. So, I have a wee bit of Gaelic blood in me, too. 

Slim

[sharps54]

My paternal grandmother's family also came from Nova Scotia! They came over with the pilgrams and went up from Mass. after the area was cleared of French during the 7 Years War. My paternal grandfather's side came from Ireland to VA and slowly worked their way to Indiana. By the way the Irish weren't only enlisted, one of the officers to die with Custer was Myles Keogh, who started as an Irish solider of fortune and ended up in the US Army. In fact my father liked him so much I was named after him!

[Trailrider]

Does the portrayal of a historical character/unit/division depend on MY geographical location?  Meaning:  I'm a big Gaelic Irish-American.  My great grandfather came across the water.  As a third (fourth) generation imigrant from Erin I'd like to claim service in the Irish Brigade.  I'm willing to portray a date later than 1863-5, wear a semi-uniform as a former soldier still irish-proud to have fought with Cochran and Magher and McDowell.  I'd also be willing to BE one of those three, were I not certain those shoes are more than adequately filled already.

So, let's just leave it with my earlier question:  Does the fact I live in Missouri prohibit me mustering in Irish Brigade kit and uniform?

Couldn't get along with any of 'em, sharps54, darlin'!    All kidding aside, sign up, and welcome to the Barracks! The post-CW Army was chock full of "resident Paddies" and many other immigrants and 2nd generations of about every flavor. As to living in Missouri, a lot of folks headed West after the War.  We're pretty well unfettered by actual geographic residency, except for what "Dept." you are sort of "assigned" to.

You could be in the Indian Wars Army, a scout for it, still back in the 1861-65 period, or whichever way yer stick floats!  Because of your location, you may have access to a number of shoots and musters, etc., that some of us who are "posted" further East or West may not find as convenient.

Once again, welcome!