CompuServeCD is fortunate to have Brian Pohanka narrate this segment. Pohanka is a noted Civil War historian and a reenactor for the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry, a Zouave regiment. He is new to the Civil War sections of the Living History Forum. The Zouaves, incidentally, were French soldiers who fought for the Union during the Civil War. They were notable for their colorful uniforms, which included red pantaloons and blue vests.
Currently, Pohanka is a series consultant to CIVIL WAR JOURNAL on the Arts and Entertainment channel. He has consulted to feature films and documentaries such as GLORY and GETTYSBURG, and is a writer for Time/Life Books.
Pohanka began reenacting in 1978 soon after graduating from college. "I of course started like everybody else, trying to figure out what I needed to do, and trying to do it right. Started out as a private in the ranks and now all these years later I'm a captain... So I've been doing this for a while, in fact the first reenactment I ever participated in before I even became an active member of an organization was in 1976, when at the height of the Bicentennial they reenacted the battle of Gettysburg..."
Brian jumped at the chance to talk about reenacting and to share his perspectives with CompuServe members. "It's through the sharing of ideas that we all learn. No matter how many years someone has been involved in reenacting or in the study of the Civil War, it's only through that sharing of ideas with other kindered spirits that we keep that knowledge growing."
