Susan Walters has studied the American Civil War for several years. Combined with her gregarious personality, beaming smile and meticulous research, she has created an authentically dressed persona of Miss Susan from the Jennings County seat of Vernon, Indiana.
Living American Civil War Historian Susan Walters
While in period dress, or costume, Susan participates in Civil War re-enactments, gives speeches to community groups, or appears in other period venues such as historic mansion museums like the Lanier Mansion in Madison, Indiana, all without breaking character.
Like many re-enactors, Susan participates in national events such as Gettysburg, Chickamauga, and Perryville (KY) in addition to the Sassafras Festival in Vernon, which highlights skirmishes and camp life. She also appeared as an extra in the recent History Channel movie, Eighty Acres of Hell, and was able to wear her own period clothing because of its authenticity.
Creating a Period Persona
Susan’s character is a composite based on many people including one Vernon notable named Emily Bullock, whose father was a Vernon judge and built the Laurel House for her. Emily’s husband owned a local shop and the Civil War impacted her family when her sons joined the army. While Emily and her daughters stayed home in south central Indiana, the war came to them in the form of Morgan’s Raiders, led by John Hunt Morgan.
While many women stayed, Emily feared the destruction of her home and told her girls to put on all of their clothes before they traveled to their hiding place. Adding a bit more local color, years after the war ended, Emily gave local children highly caffeinated coffee, much to their mothers’ consternation.
Susan noted that it is much easier to portray a composite because the composite persona ages with the re-enactor. When portraying a real person, the re-enactor sometimes ages when the public’s perception of the real person did not. The re-enactor tries to respect the real person while also being as believable as possible.
Good Speaking Practices
Naturally exuberant, Susan says that enthusiasm is the most important element of her preparation so that she can do the necessary research and then get into character before each appearance. She believes that if she shows her delight, then her audiences will find her presentation interesting and learn more about the topic that she wants to showcase.
For each speaking engagement, Susan plans her presentation to engage her audience and she factors in the age groups, local history, or other relevant information that might keep the audience’s interest. Like many re-enactors, Susan ably speaks off the cuff, especially when asked unusual questions by the audience.
One of Susan's favorite memories occurred at a nursing home when a lady would repeat Susan's information very loudly to her friend. When Susan realized that the friend was blind, she stopped, walked to her and let the woman "see her" with her hands.
Underwear as Ice Breaker
Re-enactors typically have prepared presentations but are also used to unexpected questions. When publicly speaking, tailoring the discussion to the audience keeps the listeners’ attention and also allows leeway to make jokes based on age. In Susan’s case, she finds it easy to break the ice when she talks about her extremely modest period underwear, which also gives an easily understood example of how much fashion and society have changed in the United States since the 1860s.
Re-enacting as Family Enterprise
In Susan’s case, other family members have participated in re-enactments as well. Her late father, the former mayor of Vernon, appeared at events as a Civil War-era Mayor. Her daughter Megan portrayed an overworked nurse and son Levi served as a private.
Camping in Hoop Skirts and Canvas Tents
While re-enactors are found in all states, many travel to certain events within a few hours drive of their homes. Camping is common, with realistic tents, cooking fires, bedding and other period details keeping the re-enacting experience authentic throughout the entire event.
As Susan says, the time travel aspect makes camping worthwhile. It is not an easy weekend, since it requires cooking over the fire and living in a tent with no electricity or running water, the latter of which requires the use of chamber pots or other pre-plumbing options.
In spite of the discomfort, the old-fashioned respect for each other, manners, and the willingness to help each other creates a wonderful experience. Because of the close quarters without modern conveniences, many re-enactors form long-lasting friendships with each other and look for each other at various engagements.
Skeptics or Modern War-Mongerers
Many who portray the past find that there is an occasional heckler or skeptic, especially at large events. Susan suggests keeping a sense of humour and maintaining an ever-present smile, even if the person intends to launch into a derogatory discussion of the Civil War. This is more likely to happen to those who personify Southerners so planning a witty, conversation-ending response in advance is wise.
Generations of Living History
Because of her family’s multi-generational love for history, Susan Walters has successfully created her role in an educational and entertaining experience which continues to keep American history alive in ways that books and the classroom cannot.
Bonnye Good - Bonnye Busbice Good received an Editor's Choice award for her article on Your Historic Home's Interior Design Secrets and has also written ...
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