Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Department of the Geographer all about?
The Department of the Geographer to the Army is the recreated mapmaking unit of General Washington’s Continental Army Staff. While a number of the unit’s members have expertise in military engineering and may be called upon at various events to use that expertise, the Geographers should not be confused with military engineers. Engineers were trained in the construction and reduction of fortifications, while Geographers (cartographers, surveyors, or topographical engineers) specialized in reconnaissance, mapmaking, and surveying distances. In the Continental Army, military engineers were generally recruited from Europe, whereas the geographers were generally able to find skilled surveyors in the colonies.
It is the goal of this unit to give an accurate, authentic representation of a Continental Army staff department, including proper clothing, equipment & instruments, and skills & knowledge of the geographers’ profession as well as the theatre of operations and campaigns within (both on a tactical and strategic level).
In what type of activities does the unit participate?
Living Histories: Typically held at National Parks or other historic sites, these events are designed primarily to educate the public through first and third-person interpretation. Often, these include narrated demonstrations, static displays, and camp tours depicting the day-to-day life of the common soldier. Battle Re-enactments: Attended by large crowds of spectators, these events attempt to recreate the events of specific battle. In theory, the troops move to a choreographedscript to depict historical events as accurately as the program and numbers of participants allow.
Educational: “Professional development” for living history interpreters. These events are focused on educating us as interpreters, rather than the general public. They often take the form of workshops, “schools”, firelock shoots, and authenticity contests.
Immersion: These are non-public events held in areas that are as free of modern intrusion as possible and complete use of “first person” may be expected. Picket posts, marches, encampments, and winter quarters are just a few examples of the types of scenarios these events encompass.
Who can join? Are there any age requirements?
The Department of the Geographer welcomes all suitable recruits in good physical condition who can subscribe to our standards of authenticity. Surveyors and Draughtsmen must by at least 18 years of age. Guards, Chain Bearers, and Waiters must be at least 16 years of age. At least 77% of the men known to have served with the Geographer‘s Department or its predecessor had confirmed prior military service. As such, it is appropriate that members of the recreated unit also have prior reenacting experience. A living history organization as specialized as the Department of the Geographer cannot, and should not, take time and energy away from its core mission to totally train its members from the ground up in the ways of period camping, cooking, military life, the manual of arms, military deportment, general history of the Revolution, or other topics common to all reenactors.
Thus, it is the general policy of the unit that individuals not having prior 18th century reenacting experience shall not be permitted membership in the Department of the Geographer, except under special circumstances as determined by the unit leadership. Such “special circumstances” may include the past/current development of an exemplary progressively minded living history impression in another time period, or above-average knowledge of 18th century scientific endeavors, including astronomy, navigation, and surveying.
How does one get outfitted? How much does it cost?
Uniforms and equipment were made by hand in the 18th century and fitted by regimental tailors to be “tight without constraint”. For this reason, it is difficult to buy clothing “off the rack”, and the Department of the Geographer maintains a list of unit approved tailors to make clothing for our members. For those with some skill with a needle, or at least the willingness to try, patterns and material lists are also available to make your own clothing and equipment. It is important to stress that no one is expected to get all their “kits” together overnight, in fact, recruits are encouraged to pace themselves and acquire their uniforms as time and resources provide. With the amount of “loaner” equipment available in the unit, there is no reason for recruits to feel rushed to get their kits together. A good kit takes a year or more to piece together, and it is something we all consistently tweak over the years. Costs vary, depending on how much you are able to do on your own and how much you pay someone else to do for you. Depending on the chosen impression, recruits should expect to eventually spend about $800-$1800 within the first two years of joining getting everything they need (this figure can be much higher for a fully kitted surveyor). This is not inexpensive, but recognize that virtually all the expenses come only in the initial “start up” (if good, authenticity-guided decisions are made in the beginning).
On the low end of the cost scale, an individual portraying a waiter only needs his soldier‘s clothing. Next up the line would be a chainbearer, who might need to acquire a chain, which could be $300-$400. A guard will likely spend $1,000-$1,800 on a new musket. A draughtsman
will need higher-quality clothing than an enlisted man, but can likely obtain his plotting instruments, etc. for less than $800. A surveyor will also need quality clothing, but may ultimately invest several thousands of dollars in antique and reproduction surveying gear, although if he has a properly equipped chainmen and draughtsman, his only immediate “big ticket” item may be the compass itself.
Are there minimum participation requirements?
The Department of the Geographer to the Army is the recreated mapmaking unit of General Washington’s Continental Army Staff. While several of the unit’s members have expertise in military engineering and may be called upon at various events to use that expertise, the Geographers should not be confused with military engineers. Engineers were trained in the construction and reduction of fortifications, while Geographers (cartographers, surveyors, or topographical engineers) specialized in reconnaissance, mapmaking, and surveying distances. In the Continental Army, military engineers were generally recruited from Europe, whereas the geographers were generally able to find skilled surveyors in the colonies.
It is the goal of this unit to give an accurate, authentic representation of a Continental Army staff department, including proper clothing, equipment & instruments, and skills & knowledge of the geographers’ profession as well as the theatre of operations and campaigns within (both on a tactical and strategic level).
I have some previous living history experience and own assorted items already; can I use these with the Department of the Geographer?
Because of our high standards of authenticity, such determinations must be made on a case-by-case basis. Much of what we use is specific to our impression. Some items may be used temporarily until the unit approved equivalent can be had.
