Brian Cox, of Topeka, left, and Brad Anspach, of Lawrence, prepare to head home Saturday during the Civil War Encampments at South Park. Cox and Anspach were clad in 19th century attire for the re-enactment and answered questions about the war.

History buffs from near and mostly far met at South Park on Saturday to flaunt their knowledge of the Civil War.

The get-together was part of the city’s annual Civil War on the Western Frontier celebration, built around the Aug. 21, 1863, raid on Lawrence by William Quantrill’s pro-slavery gunmen.

Civil War enthusiasts, mostly from the 9th Texas re-enacting group, were invited to participate.

Herb Shemwell, a Civil War re-enactor from Overland Park, handed a musket to Kristy Fussell, of Westin, Mo.

“I’m trying to picture myself walking through the wilderness,” Fussell said, after handing the gun off to her young son.

Herb Shemwell and Brad Anspach explained to the family the lengthy process of loading a gun during the Civil War era.

Fussell’s children, 8-year-old Alex, 5-year-old Grant and 3-year-old Caleb, all similarly dressed in cowboy hats, complete with fake guns in holsters and cowboy boots, looked on with hesitation during the demonstration.

“We home school, so this is part of our education,” Kristy Fussell said. “Hands-on learning.”

“History is fascinating,” said Jim Fussell, her husband.

Tate Bartlett, 13, Fowler, convinced his parents to bring him to Lawrence so he could be involved. Dressed in Civil War military attire, he talked with many of the adults, who share his hobby of studying and acting out the war.

“Ever since he was little, he would always dress up,” said Ruth Bartlett, Tate’s mother. “He’s creative”

With the help of Tony Clemons, a re-enactor and Fort Riley soldier, Tate showed Clemons’ 6-year-old son how to fire a gun.

While the re-enactors were primarily demonstrating how people lived during the Civil War era, they also would fire empty rounds from guns and cannons to demonstrate a battle.

In between conflicts, they told stories and cooked vermin chili over a fire.

“It’s respecting the men and women who serve our country,” Tate Bartlett said. “To show that we know, that we’re keeping their history alive.”