In 1861, after President Abraham Lincoln put out a call for Northern communities to form infantries to help fight the Confederate Army, the townspeople of tiny West Newton, Westmoreland County, responded.

They formed the Sewickley Rifles, composed of 106 gung-ho, patriotic men ages 18 through their 30s.

"This was the beginning of the war, so everyone was pumped up and volunteered," said Dan Roebuck Jr., 37, who re-enacts the role of a sergeant with the 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company E.

The sons of West Newton who answered the call to become soldiers learned drills and honed their weaponry skills at their hometown's sprawling Markle farm, which came to be known as as Camp Markle.

This Friday through Sunday, Matt Donahue, of Dormont, will answer the call of history, outdoor fun, and quality time with his children as he and his three sons travel to the Markle farm to participate in the reenactment of the site's events of Sept. 3, 1861.

"Where else can a grown man go play Army?" Mr. Donahue asked.

Mr. Donahue, 42, a truck driver, for some years has also been a Civil War re-enactor in Company E.

Saturday, visitors can ride a shuttle bus to the campsite from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost round trip is 50 cents. Boarding is at the Trailside Cafe parking lot, next to the bike trail, on Main Street in West Newton.

Besides exploring a campsite made to look as if it were in the 19th century, visitors will see field marching and drilling techniques; live fire competition among soldiers with authentic replicas of 1860 rifles; era cooking methods and utensils; and more.

Adding to the historical significance of the site is the bend of the Sewickley Creek which serves as the campsite. It is the same spot where, in 1794, troops camped who were sent by President George Washington to quell the Whiskey Rebellion.

At 1 p.m. Sunday the re-enactors will begin a 3¹/₂ mile march to the site of the former West Newton train station that will closely resemble the 1861 route.

Downtown West Newton will celebrate the event from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a band, crafts, and food for purchase.

Ralph Lincoln, of Berlin, Somerset County, a descendant of the former president who physically resembles him, will be available to talk with townspeople following his address to the troops.

While the re-enactors' journey ends in town, that site was where the original soldiers boarded a train for Camp Curtain in Pittsburgh, followed by another train to Washington, D.C. Once in the nation's capital, the troop was assigned to the 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company E.

The three-day event is sponsored by the nonprofit, 40-member 105th regiment.

As a recruitment tool to attract new members, the regiment's "Re-enactor for a Day" program will be in effect the entire weekend.

Participants over age 12 are outfitted with a uniform, equipment, and tent to give it a try to see whether they enjoy the hobby.

No advanced registration is required.

This is the first year the 105th regiment reenacted the onetime march to the train station.

"This area is very steeped in history, and I feel people are getting away from their roots," said organizer Mr. Roebuck, of West Newton, a personal care provider and lifelong history buff.

"I wanted to get the kids away from the video games and TV and help expand their minds by getting them involved in local history.

How can you look forward to your future if you forget your past?," Mr Roebuck asked.

He said another goal of the group is to promote reenacting, and attract new members.

Mr. Roebuck also said that considering the escalating price of gas, he wants to focus on local stagings so members will not have far to travel.

"It's an exciting hobby," said Mr. Donahue. "It is also a way of honoring those who have fallen for our freedoms."

He became a re-enactor five years ago when he called a phone number that he saw on a bulletin board asking for volunteers. The occasion was serendipitous: The family was vacationing in historic Gettysburg at the time.

Ironically, the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 was the 105th's most well-known engagement: fielding 274 men, 19 men were killed or mortally wounded, while 115 were listed as wounded or missing.

Today, Mr. Donahue is the re-enactment group's recruiting officer.

His favorite recruits -- his sons David, 16, Daniel, 14, and Jonathan, 4 -- required no urging as they enjoyed the activity from the outset.

This weekend, the older boys will don era military privates uniforms and carry 1851 British Enfield rifles, while Jonathan, classified as a "civilian," will wear wool pants, knickers, and wide brim hat.

His best re-enacting moments will come easily: behaving like a 4-year-old from a century ago.

Other performers will be Frank, Howard, and Neil Markle, descendants of General C.P. Markle, founder of the Sewickley Rifles.

First-time re-enactors all, and participating at the behest of the 105th, they will be privates.

"Even though they have the family name, they still have to earn their own stripes," Mr. Roebuck said.

For more, call 412-605-2223. Annual membership fee is $25 per individual, and $35 per family.