Civil War Re-Enacted on Rudin's Farm

9/9/2012 (Updated 9/10/2012 6:59:56 PM)

OWEGO -- It's been almost 150 years since the civil war has  ended.  But today the event was reenacted at a farm in Owego and gave people an opportunity to learn more about our country's history.
 
"I think history goes beyond school books.  in order to really understand it you have to come out here and be hands on," said actress Dee Rung.

Nearly 50 actors re-enacted the war to educate and  inspire the public to learn more about history.

"It makes it more alive to them," said actor Robert Stoudt. they very seldom see this happening unless they go to a re-enactment."

In today's staged battle, the Confederates fought the Yankees.  In order to fully prepare, the actors studied the history books and held many drills.

Members of the group have been performing all over Upstate New York  for years.  since they try to make their characters as realistic as possible, kids sometimes think they are actually from the Civil War.

"When i used to do schools they used to say i look pretty good for a guy that old," said Stoudt.  "I said yeah, I'm not too bad in shape for 100 and something years old!"

Two of the actors married on the farm earlier this month. they bond over their passion for the job.

"This was a blast," said Rung.  "It was kind of like our honeymoon."

The group plans on performing three more historic battles before winter arrives. 

Samantha McDonald, Fox 40 News.