Civil War re-enactor finds notoriety with his reel face

Daily Record ^ | July 17, 2003 | CARYL CLARKE

[stainlessbanner]

Earl Salisbury, a 44-year-old Civil War re-enactor from Goldsboro, picked up one of the first copies of "Gods and Generals" released on DVD Tuesday and found himself on the cover.

"Right, smack, dab in the center," Salisbury said. "I almost fell over dead. I'm the tall, skinny guy with stripes on his arm."

He said he had obtained the schedule for the filming of "Gods and Generals." He and a fellow re-enactor, his 21-year-old son, William, started going to the film shoots calling for Confederate soldiers. From summer to December 2001, they camped or stayed in hotels in Staunton, Va.; Hagerstown, Md.; and Charles Town, W.Va.

Warner Brothers Studio workers would wake them at 4:30 a.m. and drive them to the next shooting's location. They were told to stand here or there, never knowing whether the scene would survive the cuts.

He and William have invested eight years as re-enactors with the 8th Virginia Infantry, a unit of Longstreet's Corps. Earl Salisbury works at Corr-

Flex Display and Packaging in York. His son is a history major at Shippensburg University.

"He wants to be a writer like Michael Shaara," Salisbury said of his son. Shaara, who died in 1988, wrote "The Killer Angels," a novel about the Battle of Gettysburg. Jeff Shaara completed his father's trilogy with "Gods and Generals" and "The Last Full Measure."

The family was excited to see William Salisbury in the trailer promoting "Gods and Generals." When they attended the opening show in February at a Mechanicsburg theater they were more surprised to see Earl Salisbury in seven or eight scenes.

"You never know if you are in or out," Earl Salisbury said.

They received no money, because they are not "card-carrying" actors, he said. However, Ted Turner donated money on behalf of the re-enactors to a trust fund for battlefield preservation, William Salisbury said from his college dorm.

He said an earlier Ted Turner movie, "Gettysburg," sparked his interest as a child.

"When I found out 'Gods and Generals' was coming out, I made the time to get to a few weekend shootings," William Salisbury said. "It was definitely worthwhile. It was a motion picture."

The experience makes him notice the many minor players who appear in films as civilians or dead people.

"It was every Civil War re-enactor's dream to be in a movie rather than a PBS program," William Salisbury said.

The coincidences continued.

William Salisbury picked up a book, "Faith in Gods and Generals," which includes scenes from the movie. Two or three of the pictures showed the two Salisbury family re-enactors.

"The other day, somebody handed me paper and asked for my autograph," Earl Salisbury said. "When I asked why, he said because I was in his son's video game. This is totally wild!"

[stainlessbanner]

Civil War re-enactor Earl Salisbury of Goldsboro holds the DVD cover that features him charging in a scene from ‘Gods and Generals.’ Both he and his son, William, appeared in the book-inspired movie that filmed from summer to December 2001.

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A detail from the ‘Gods and Generals’ DVD cover shows Earl Salisbury charging during a battle scene. ‘Right, smack, dab in the center,’ he says. ‘I’m the tall, skinny guy with stripes on his arm.’

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[Zavien Doombringer]

"It was every Civil War re-enactor's dream to be in a movie rather than a PBS program," William Salisbury said.

I know that feeling William! My unit is in the PBS program, "The Battle of Great Bridge"...(see my profile)

[WhiskeyPapa]

I was an extra in "Andersonville", which I understand will be offered as a freebie on the G&G DVD set. I was in several scenes that I thought would be surely in the final cut, including a group of us right behind the primary actors. That scene was in the movie, but your humble narrator was cropped out. One of the re-enactors in our little group had the complete Union army uniform with a checked shirt and everything and full set of whiskers. Alack and alas, he tended to a corpulence that didn't exactly suggest a half starved POW and was asked to step aside.

Walt

[RaceBannon]

I didnt see it in the movies, just heard a great deal about it.

So, I bought it when it came out.

I was disappointed in it. The atitudes of these men being so Christian, it seemed so phoney to me, not genuine, and way over acted. Not overacted to be boisterous, but overacted to be overly kind, gentlemanly, discreet...so much that it looked so phoney to me.

Also, the 'Christian' attitude of the southern generals, and the only time spent developing the Northern General, was that he quoted Shakespeare, not the Bible; both sides had a deep Christian Faith to rule their lives. Not just one. A little too one sided in that view.

They didnt act like men in combat at all

Not the super movie I was told to expect.

It was sad to see the re-enactments of the battles, the slaughter, the waste of life due to those days battle tactics.

Good movie to rent, clean language, battle scenes not overly gruesome, no sex, accurate historically

But, I expected it to be more of a Civil War movie, not a bio on Stonewall Jackson. Decent Flick, 2 1/2 stars

[RaceBannon]

I just bought G&D, no Andersonville DVD in that one for me...saw no special DVD set on sale yet in WalMart

[stainlessbanner]

The monolouge by Jeff Daniels before Chamberlin went into battle was really hokey and forced. What should have been the highlight of Chamberlin's character was silly.

[Old Phone Man]

I went out and bought Gods and Generals yesterday. If you are a Civil War history buff like me I think it's a must buy.
The cinematography is wonderful.. I've been to Fredricksburg many times and the depictions of the battle are very realistic...Jackson's flank march and attack at Chancellorsville was an epic endeavor not only by Stonewall but also by the director of this movie who used Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries to emphasize the drama involved.

[WhiskeyPapa]

I just bought G&D, no Andersonville DVD in that one for me...saw no special DVD set on sale yet in WalMart

Just as well. "Andersonville" is a dreadfully bad movie.

Some of the re-enactors I spoke to had been in "Gettysburg" and a few had been in "Glory" also.

Funny thing about being a extra on that movie. They asked us to show up in dark blue trousers and black shirt and boots, which I duly did. Some people showed up in blue jeans (which they specifically asked that you not do) and those people got the full costumes. All I got was a broad brimmed hat one day. Another day I got a calvary jacket and kepi. They would announce before almost every shot: "please remove modern looking glasses and any wristwatches."

Walt

[Zavien Doombringer]

"please remove modern looking glasses and any wristwatches."

We call these Farb material...

In our unit some hard up reinactor would approach anyone with either modern or inaccurate items and would say "far be it for me to say those do not look accurate for the period", since then, we call modern and inaccurate items "farbee" items.

The act of calling on Farbee items is Farbitized...

[WhiskeyPapa]

One thing we had to do also was sign a release that gave the film company the use of our image: "in any medium that exists or which may be invented anywhere in the universe forever."

Walt

[Zavien Doombringer]

We had to do the same...regardless, we had fun anyway...Man I love the smell of blackpowder!...flying ramrods do pose a hazzard though :)

[strela]

In our unit some hard up reinactor would approach anyone with either modern or inaccurate items and would say "far be it for me to say those do not look accurate for the period", since then, we call modern and inaccurate items "farbee" items.

This is the most clear, complete explanation I have seen thus far of the origin of the term "farb." I have seen that term several times but could never work out the etymology. Thank you.

(one who knows that the blue speckled enamel cookware seen in Army-Navy stores is also farb city, although used by some re-enactors I know)

[SquirrelKing]

I was an extra in "Andersonville",

Cool. That was filmed about 3 miles from the farm where I grew up. Used to shoot some trap across the field the prison was built. That whole area is being carved up for subdivisions now.

[AnalogReigns]

I was disappointed in it. The atitudes of these men being so Christian. . .

I heard in an interview that the script writer stayed EXTREMELY close to the dialogs in the in the book--which were direct quotes from various sources. It really is true that certain Southern generals (especially Stonewall Jackson) spouted scripture all the time. As for the Northern Generals? Well, I can't exactly picture the likes of Hooker or Grant quoting scripture much, and probably not Chamberlain either...sophisticated college professor that he was.

I think sometimes truth is stranger than fiction...and thereby that harder to make believable in a story or especially a movie.

[nathanbedford]

But, I expected it to be more of a Civil War movie, not a bio on Stonewall Jackson.

How sad for you. Read Lee's Liutenants by Douglas Southall Freeman and you will understand that this part of the War Between the States was primarily a biography of Thomas Jonathan (Stonwall) Jackson. If you read deeply enough you will come to learn that these people were Christians, who actually spoke as they were portrayed, who believed as they spoke and who comported themselves as they believed.

It is a great pity that you cannot ingest a historically accurate re-enactment because it was not Hollywoodized.

[strela]

"please remove modern looking glasses and any wristwatches." We call these Farb material...

One big reason that I'm not an active re-enactor today. I'd love to do it, but I can't see my hand in front of my face without my specs. (Contact lenses, LASIX, and period frames aren't effective for me for various reasons).

[Zavien Doombringer]

(one who knows that the blue speckled enamel cookware seen in Army-Navy stores is also farb city, although used by some re-enactors I know)

Here are some url's for some suttlers, mostly dealing with 18th century and early 19th century accuterments

http://www.gggodwin.com/catalog.htm

http://www.jastown.com/newhome.htm

For anyone interested.

[Zavien Doombringer]

You are correct!

All citizens were considered "Christian" and were to uphold a moral standard. Even in battle! No matter how hypocritical it may have seemed. If you were not a Christian, you were scrutinized publically.

[strela]

I'll peruse both of those today, drooling as I do, and dream of perfect vision without eyeglasses that would look more at home on the bottom of a Coke bottle. Thanks again.

[Zavien Doombringer]

One big reason that I'm not an active re-enactor today. I'd love to do it, but I can't see my hand in front of my face without my specs.

You can get period eyewear...don't let that stop you!

[Zavien Doombringer]

Try this link

http://www.eyeglasseswarehouse.com/index.html

[strela]

I can get the specs with no problem. Its just that the authentic patterns have such a small field of view that its like looking through a hole in a fence. (And, I'm filled with admiration for those "real" soldiers with poor vision who managed to fight wearing those things).

There are several re-enactor groups in the DFW area where I reside. One day, I'll figure out a way ...

[Zavien Doombringer]

There are some with larger fields of vision, only you know what's best for you. I hope you reconcider, and get back involved. I hate to see this stop you.

[Treebeard]

My wife's first cousin, Jeremy London, was in that movie, played an aide to Gen. Jackson (I think). He took a picture my wife's grandma has of 1st Lt. Jasper DeKalb Massey, London's great great grandpa, to his "star trailer" on the movie set with him.

As an aside, I was able to locate an original Confederate pay voucher for Lt. Massey, his first "pay stub" as a rebel soldier. I bought it, had it museum mounted and gave it to the wife's grandma for her birthday.

I still haven't managed to see the movie. Try convincing a 10 and 8 year old to sit through a 4 hour movie that DOESN'T involve Sponge Bob, Jimmy Neutron or Johnny Bravo. Guess I'll pick it up today and watch it over the weekend.

[stainlessbanner]

Civil War re-enactor finds notoriety with his reel face

Not my mistake, reely.

[stand watie]

G&G has been a "flop", precisely because it shows the south to be RIGHT.

i predict it will make $$$$$$$$$$$$ in video and overseas, where few or nobody cares what the NY Slimes, the Washington COMpost and other LIBERAL, south-hating rags say about it.

it will surpass RIDE WITH THE DEVIL,by a VAST margin.

free dixie,sw

[strela]

Please believe me when I tell you that I've already researched this in some detail. One of the local re-enactor groups even has a "lucky bag" where you can get period items free or at greatly reduced prices, and you can get all the basic authentic kit you need to start for under $500. I still correspond with them and have attended 3 re-enactments with them in period civilian attire - I simply remove my modern specs during the set-piece battles or when there are cameras about. Also, "unfortunately", they are Yankee re-enactors ;)

But, with my vision as bad it is, I'd be a danger to myself and everybody else on the field trying to operate a musket (my trusty 1853 Enfield, which doesn't fit in my gun safe) or do other battle-specific tasks unless I can find a period-friendly solution. I'm allergic to the plastic used in contact lenses and can't have LASIK or RK done for medical reasons. Period frames just don't provide me with enough peripheral vision to be comfortable doing this yet.

My search for a solution continues. Some day, some day ...

[Zavien Doombringer]

I will pray for you that a solution will come...Until then, you are in front of me when you "make-ready", do you hear me!

[strela]

If you're anywhere near me on the field, for your own safety, just make darned sure I remember to remove the ramrod ;) (That's an impressive sight, seeing those things fly across a field)

[Zavien Doombringer]

I had fired a few rounds and decided to clean the barrel, I used a brass brush to loosen the fouling. I reloaded, fired and went to reload, I had just rammed the paper down when all of a sudden I was blinded by a flash and smoke, my rod had dissapeared...I was told I had about 75 yards on that shot, not to mention a great deal of hieght...The most spectacular thing about it was, the paper had stuck to the rod and was in flames...I suspect a hot piece of brass touched off the powder...I retrieved my now bent ram rod and went to my camp to proper clean the musket (pictured in my profile)

[nathanbedford]

Before you respond to my untoward reply let me apologize. I am a grand son of a stonewall veteran and I hold this heritage dear.

But your reaction to this movie was perfectly legitimate and my criticism was contrary to my own standards.

[VOA]

bump

[RaceBannon]

I dont think it showed them to be 'right' either way, North or South, but it is the first to show the men of the South as men, I will give it that.

It certainly showed a human side to people that are normally castigated by historians and prejudices.

It did make the Southern cause look much better than I was ever taught from a Connecticut school system, that is for sure.

But, it did leave out all mention of the politicians debates and comments in their defense of slavery, however, that would also be immaterial to the context of the movie, which was to show the generals of the South as men, human, warts and blessings and all, and also something we have forgotten in our modern age: devotion to our STATE and the people in it instead of devotion to a nation. The devotion to the state of Virginia, the Southern heritage itself, that love for a culture of life that the North never had really, was shown in the most positive and believable light ever shown on a Hollywood screen.

I must say it was certainly fair to all players on the outside, no man was made out to be overly evil by nature, and the comments made by Jackson about killing all who invade, that is a comment much more polite any one of us would make in the situation (such as any of our threads right after 9/11) so it certainly was not out of place, whether historic or dramatic.

The more I talk about it, the more I tend to have liked the movie...isn't that funny?? :)

[stand watie]

understood.

FREE dixie,sw

[LTCJ]

What is the total length of the movie on the DVD? Is it the director's cut that was rumored to be six-ish hours? What about additional content?

[stand watie]

about 6.5 hours is what i local blockbuster guy said yesterday.

free dixie,sw

[Porterville]

Great movie, the critics are a bunch of (expletive) they are wrong, wrong, wrong....this is a very good movie worth renting.

[LTCJ]

Thanks, sw. I'll toddle off this weekend and purchase a copy.

[UncleDudley]

All I got was a broad brimmed hat one day.

That's because your reputation on FR preceded you. They were looking for historical accuracy, don't ya know?

[UncleDudley]

FYI, just called Best Buy, Greenville, S.C. They sold out in 24 hours. The guy said everyone in town has sold of of "Gods and Generals".

Sounds like it is doing well. A movie that long is probably better suited for home viewing and that may be one reason it's doing well.

[Old Phone Man]

There are some great special interest segments , with the director and a historian talking about the accuracy they st rived for in the making of the movie.
Much of the dialog between Jackson and his wife while he was on his death bed are accurate according to the historian..Jackson'es wife was as religious as he was and wanted to prepare him for the hereafter.
Again the battle scenes, and troop movements were astonishing.

[WhiskeyPapa]

All I got was a broad brimmed hat one day.

That's because your reputation on FR preceded you. They were looking for historical accuracy, don't ya know?

Are you suggesting that the wardrobe department mistook me for Gandalf the Gray?

In any case, "Andersonville" was made in 1994, well before there was a FreeRepublic website, or at least 5 years before I ever heard of it .

Walt