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, which was composed of 106 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 learned drills and honed their weaponry skills at their hometown's sprawling Markle farm, which came to be known as Camp Markle.

Tomorrow through Sunday, Matt Donahue of Dormont will answer the call of history, outdoor fun and quality time with his children.

He and his three sons will travel to the Markle farm to participate in the re-enactment of the site's events of Sept. 3, 1861.

"Where else can a grown man go play Army?" asked Mr. Donahue, 42, a truck driver who, for some years, also has been a Civil War re-enactor in Company E.

On Saturday, visitors can ride a shuttle bus to the campsite from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost of the round trip is 50 cents.

Boarding will be 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, cooking methods and utensils of the era, and more.

Adding to the historical significance of the site is the bend of Sewickley Creek, which serves as the campsite. That is where, in 1794, troops camped after being sent by President George Washington to quell the Whiskey Rebellion.

At 1 p.m. Sunday, the re-enactors will begin a 312-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.

Ralph Lincoln, of Berlin, Somerset County, is a descendant of the former president. He also physically resembles him.

The latter-day Mr. Lincoln will talk with townspeople following his address to the troops.

While the re-enactors' journey will end in town, the original soldiers boarded a train for Camp Curtain in Pittsburgh, followed by boarding another train to Washington, D.C. Once there, 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 see whether they enjoy the hobby.

No advanced registration is required.

This is the first year the 105th regiment re-enacted 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 the organizer, Mr. Roebuck, a West Newton resident, a personal care provider and a 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."

He said another goal of the group is to draw new members.

Mr. Roebuck also said that considering the escalating price of gasoline, 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 he saw on a bulletin board asking for volunteers.

The occasion was serendipitous: His family was vacationing in Gettysburg at the time.

The Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 was the 105th's most well-known engagement. At that time, the 105th fielded 274 men, and 19 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 -- sons David, 16, Daniel, 14, and Jonathan, 4 -- have enjoyed the activity from the outset.

This weekend, the older boys will don military uniforms and carry 1851 British Enfield rifles. Jonathan, who is 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 more than a century ago.

Also performing will be Frank, Howard and Neil Markle, descendants of Gen. 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.

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

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