Bernie Moskowitz honored the 150th anniversary of the start to the Civil War by talking about Union Army Corporal Jesse Barrick.

"I was honored to be the bugler at his reinternment at the Tahoma National Cemetery," Moskowitz said as he cleaned some gear.

Barrick had been buried in an unmarked grave in Pasco, Wash.  When it was discovered that he received the Medal of Honor, his remains were transferred to Washington's only national cemetery.

"Participating in that ceremony - honoring the actions of a Soldier who won the Medal of Honor - led me to want to reenact the times and honor those who served."

The Civil War in which Barrick and millions of others participated began a century-and-a-half ago at 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861 when Confederate batteries opened fire on the Union held Fort Sumter.

Maj. Robert Anderson, the fort's commander, and his 87 Soldiers surrendered 34 hours later after enduring a 3,000 shot barrage.

In that first encounter, not a single Union or Confederate Soldier was killed.  By the war's end in 1865, however, approximately 620,000 Soldiers had been killed in action.

To commemorate the war's start, the Washington Civil War Association hosted a two-day reenactment in Fort Steilacoom Park last weekend.

Several hundred Confederate and Union Soldier reenactors erected tents and shops, built fire pits and stacked weapons in a successful attempt to recreate America in 1861.

"Those of us who are members of the association work to provide living history," Adam Carter, an Army veteran, said.

A member of the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment, which distinguished itself at the Battle of Gettysburg, Carter also pointed out that remembering the beginning of the war was a way to honor his ancestors.

"The significance of the war was tremendous in so many ways," Nick Adams, author of the book, The Uncivil War and Lakewood resident, said.

"There was a bigger awareness of the size of the country to the creation of the American Red Cross to the standardization of the sizes of clothes," he continued.

Then a cannon boomed in the distance, and Union and Confederate troops began to form up for battle.

The much smaller Confederate forces held a fence line on a low ridgeline, supported by three cannons.  To their front, several hundred Union Soldiers formed, divided and attempted a flanking movement.

Hundreds of spectators watched as the battle raged for more than 40 minutes. In the end, the Union Soldiers held the field.

"This is very realistic and moving," said Julie Simons as the two armies marched back into camp. "It is always wonderful to observe living history, and this is a worthwhile event."

For more information about the Washington Civil War Association, visit www.wcwa.net. Adams (www.poppanick.com) will host a book signing at the McChord Field Exchange on May 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and May 15 from 1 to 5 p.m.