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Editor's Note: Information was deleted from this article on Jan. 3, 2013, following a request by the Civil War re-enactment group involved.

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History comes to life this weekend in Renziehausen Park as a group of Civil War re-enactors camp near the Lions Bandshell.

Members of a Civil War re-enactment group are setting up their tents tonight and will welcome the public on Saturday. This is the 150th anniversary of the second year of the American Civil War, or War Between the States, which began in 1861 and continued until 1865.

The re-enactors were invited to McKeesport by the city's recreation board, said Councilman Dan Carr. "I think it's going to be great," he said. "There's no set time for anything. We're inviting families and people of all ages to come down throughout the day."

In addition to demonstrations of military gear and arms from the 19th century, the re-enactors also will have some extra equipment available for visitors to participate in interactive demonstrations and experience a few moments in the life of a Civil War-era Union Army soldier.

"This is the first year we've done anything like this, and we're excited about it," Carr said. "If this goes well, maybe next year we'll try to have a simulated confrontation or skirmish."

Because of its importance to manufacturing and transportation, Pennsylvania was the site of several important battles --- most notably, the three-day Battle of Gettysburg that many historians consider the turning point in the war. At one point, the city of York in central Pennsylvania was occupied by Confederate Army troops and held for ransom.

Although no battles touched the Mon-Yough area, many local men volunteered or were drafted into the army, and a monument to McKeesport's Civil War veterans stands in McKeesport-Versailles Cemetery.

In addition, the region contributed important supplies, including coal and iron, to the war effort, and both the Monongahela River and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad --- which passed through McKeesport --- were important links between Pittsburgh and the Union Army.

The original 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company E was formed in Westmoreland County in August 1861 and was mustered into the Union Army in September of that year. Members of the 105th Pennsylvania fought at some of the war's most significant battles, including Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg.

Out of 2,000 men in the 105th Pennsylvania, more than 300 died and about 200 went missing before the unit was disbanded in July 1865.

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If you're going: The Lions Bandshell is located at the intersection of Eden Park Boulevard and Tulip Drive. There is no set schedule of events Saturday and no admission charge.

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