The smell of wood smoke wafted over the property of James Wilson Young Middle School as members of the 6th New York Independent Battery set up a Civil War Encampment. The reenactment was a culmination of study of the Civil War by seventh-grade social studies students and provided an opportunity for history to come alive, librarian Sue Brinkman said.

During the presentation, the students learned that being a soldier at this time period was extremely difficult. They learned how the soldiers set up camp, procured food, dealt with sanitation issues and the clothing they wore. They also saw replicas of the canons used. Brinkman, who is a member of the 6th New York Independent Battery, said, “I want this experience to stick with the students. I want to ask them questions that make them think and show them artifacts to bring history alive for them.”