I do not have a problem with you linking to one of my photographs, but I would recommend you be careful with posting other people’s work, it can come back to bite you.

From your statment “Rob, the photo was posted on a public site and therefore is fair use. “, what would you not consider a “public site”? All websites that you view are viewable to anyone that wishes to see them, it does not mean the content can be taken for “fair use.”

Here’s a link to the definition of “Fair Use” http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

It clearly states “Copyright protects the particular way an author has expressed himself. It does not extend to any ideas, systems, or factual information conveyed in the work.

The safest course is always to get permission from the copyright owner before using copyrighted material.”

“Acknowledging the source of the copyrighted material does not substitute for obtaining permission. ”

Mike

Mike Lynaugh Photography

Aslo the Remembrance Day Event has always stated that the Union Folks are GAR folks, the photo you used was from the GAR Wreath laying Event held every year. As a GAR person I have two different Uniforms that I use one for just Remembrance Day and then I have my 4th Maine Uniform which is very different from the GAR Uniform.

Also I to have been involved with Revolution War Reacting have been part of Son's of the American Revolution since I was 12 (I'm 43 now), I was part of the 1st Maine Rangers part of a the Mass. Ranger Unit what I wore then was very different then what the public though they wore.

The problem with doing 18th Century Reacting is that allot of local units had very different uniforms with-in the 4th Maine we had six different style from Old Federal Uniforms to New Issued GAR Uniforms the one I use is a Serg. Major from the Old Federal which has a very different style Frock Coat.

The bottom line as I see it is we are their to educate the general public, Uniforms from early US History varied allot. It wasn't till after the Civil War that you started to see more standerized Uniforms in the US Army.

Rob

I organized a Revolutionary War event for the State of Delaware many years ago and they expressed an interest in making sure that all the participants were wearing uniforms applicable for the battle being depicted, which were troops from the Mid-Atlantic in 1777. The local Sons of the American Revolution came to the event wearing their uniforms which while fine for their private events and ceremonial use were far from being appropriate for the event in either historical accuracy or in being applicable to the battle being recreated. The general public had no way of telling the difference who was a reenactor and who was a SAR member and it threw the plan off completely.

With that said I would like to make a comment on my photo and the three gentlemen in it. First everyone of them are high ranking folks in The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and there Uniforms are correct for GAR folks. What you fail to understand is that these folks are GAR reactors. The 1 star General in the middle is the Dept. National Director of SUV everything on his Uniform from his shoe's up is correct. The two Col. are both Regional Directors and there uniforms are correct.

I suggest the next time you decide to make an example of bad reactor uniforms that you might check what they are wearing starting with their Hats and what the lapel insignia is. This is come from a person who has been doing both Revol. and Civil War Reacting for over 30Years.

Sincerely
Rob
Aka Mitchel25J

Aslo the Remembrance Day Event has always stated that the Union Folks are GAR folks, the photo you used was from the GAR Wreath laying Event held every year. As a GAR person I have two different Uniforms that I use one for just Remembrance Day and then I have my 4th Maine Uniform which is very different from the GAR Uniform.

Also I to have been involved with Revolution War Reacting have been part of Son's of the American Revolution since I was 12 (I'm 43 now), I was part of the 1st Maine Rangers part of a the Mass. Ranger Unit what I wore then was very different then what the public though they wore.

The problem with doing 18th Century Reacting is that allot of local units had very different uniforms with-in the 4th Maine we had six different style from Old Federal Uniforms to New Issued GAR Uniforms the one I use is a Serg. Major from the Old Federal which has a very different style Frock Coat.

The bottom line as I see it is we are their to educate the general public, Uniforms from early US History varied allot. It wasn't till after the Civil War that you started to see more standerized Uniforms in the US Army.

Rob

I organized a Revolutionary War event for the State of Delaware many years ago and they expressed an interest in making sure that all the participants were wearing uniforms applicable for the battle being depicted, which were troops from the Mid-Atlantic in 1777. The local Sons of the American Revolution came to the event wearing their uniforms which while fine for their private events and ceremonial use were far from being appropriate for the event in either historical accuracy or in being applicable to the battle being recreated. The general public had no way of telling the difference who was a reenactor and who was a SAR member and it threw the plan off completely.

Take a look at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/spec... for what was done for the Jamestown 400th. There you'll find “Ba-Baaah & the Windigo, a production for children, explores how the first settlers from England might have felt as they approached a new world and how those already here might have felt about their arrival.” Nice idea, just too bad that in native American folklore, windigos were malevolent cannibalistic spirits that feasted on humans. Then you have “Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus performs standard choral literature, as well as traditional Hawaiian music.” What does traditional Hawaiian music have to do with the settlement of Jamestown? Or how about the “Suwabi Duo, from Williamsburg, shares West African dance, drum and stories.” program? Very politically correct of them, except for the fact that Jamestown was founded in 1607 and no Africans were brought to the colony until 1619. Heck, there no women in Jamestown until 1608, so it's an inconvenient truth that they were celebrating the 400th anniversary of something done by white men only.

You're right, a 2011 reenactment of First Manassas can be a great boost to the local economy, can educate the public and be very successful. All I am saying is that I don't see why it should cost as much as the numbers that are being thrown around (keep in mind I have organized reenactments, so I know the costs involved), and there are a lot of pitfalls as the 1961 reenactment (just talking about the historical accuracy and safety) and things like the Jamestown 400th above. Hopefully this event can be streamlined and lessons can be learned from the past, resulting in a educational, interpretive event that brings benefits to the local community and those to who attend.