Tim Vogelman and Victor Scalora of the Second Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery reenactment unit of Woodbury shared information and stories of the American Civil War with eighth grade students on May 1.More information about the Second Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery reenactment unit is available on its website, the2dconn.com., and Facebook page, facebook.com/the2ndconnecticut

Mr Vogelman and Mr Scalora, who both live in Newtown, set up a demonstration area behind the school for the event. Typical Civil War shelters and other items were on display.

Eighth grade clusters took turns visiting the presenters throughout the morning and early afternoon. Light rain fell for the morning's first presentation, but students and presenters were protected under tall evergreen trees.

When asked what he hoped the students would learn from the experience, Mr Vogelman said, "I hope they have a sense of our history, sacrifice, and a sense of the Civil War."

Mr Scalora explained the Second Connecticut Volunteer Heavy Artillery reenactment unit has roughly 50 to 60 members. With presentations like the ones at NMS, he added, the representatives try to keep history alive through hands-on activities.

"There was a great sense of patriotism that may not be understood today," said Mr Vogelman.

Each presentation lasted about 40 minutes. Items were passed around for students to hold, like a box of hardtack, still produced by the G.H. Bent Company. The duo also spoke about the different types of shelters soldiers used, the accessories they wore, types of clothing, and different food options.

After the first group of students formed a half-circle around the presenters, Mr Scalora began describing what Connecticut was like during the Civil War. "It's 1863..." he began. William Buckingham was governor in Connecticut, which had a population of about 460,000. Mostly, he continued, it was a farming and agricultural society. Most people were Protestant.

Mr Vogelman then led students in a recruitment exercise. NMS eighth grade science teacher Jeff Schupp was called on to act as a recruiter.

"I know you are all eager to come fight those pesky rebs," said Mr Vogelman.

Students were taught to stand at attention, salute, and the different types of roles for both men and women in the Civil War.

"You're going out because you are Newtown families. You are going to be brave," Mr Vogelman explained.

Students also learned about what camp life was like for soldiers during the presentations.

NMS eighth grade social studies teacher Philip Cruz organized the day. He said he brought the reenactors to NMS to show the eighth graders what life was like during the Civil War and "what the life of a soldier was during non-battles."

In a few weeks, Mr Cruz said he will have his students sit around a "campfire" in his classroom, eat hardtack, and share stories. The campfire lesson, he said, will give students one final idea of what it was like during the Civil War, before the students are challenged to pick a research topic to individually study.