PORT GAMBLE — A steady drumbeat and the sound of horses filled the battlefield as each side advanced, firing muskets and heavy artillery before temporarily retreating and advancing again. Bodies garbed in Union blue and Confederate gray littered the ground as officers shouted orders over the heavy gunfire.

As the calvary lined up to support the infantrymen, Washington Civil War Association reenactors again showed the modern world what battles, medical care and even fashion looked like during the Civil War era with the Battle for Port Gamble this past weekend.

“Yes, we’re having a fabulous time,” said Puyallup resident Cathy Davidson. “We’re homeschool moms, and we brought our children out so they could see the living history. They love it, and it definitely drives what we’ve been teaching them home. The reenactment itself is really well done.”

Her friend, Puyallup resident Elaine Estenson, went along as well and agreed the event allows children to experience and observe how life was in the 1860s. Also, the draw of seeing horses and blood during the hospital displays were big incentives with the kids, she said.

“Horses. I really like the horses,” Estenson added.

Port Gamble essentially transforms into a port town in South Carolina during the war, and this year the Union Army again tried to take it from the Confederates. The historical mill town is a perfect backdrop, having been established in 1853 with many of the buildings constructed during the same era as the war.

This was the third year of the reenactment, bringing in 20 calvary and about 2,500 visitors plus about 500 foot soldiers. As well as the battles, there were fashion shows, medical displays, a magic lantern show and a street battle Friday night where the armies clashed for the first time.

“We’re having a good time,” said Poulsbo resident Jim Probert. “This is our third year, and we enjoy it every time. The battle gets bigger and bigger every year.”

Event coordinator and WCWA member Howard Struve agreed. Since the Port Gamble reenactment started in 2004 it has been drawing more members within the WCWA to join in, and has been a magnet for outside Civil War buffs to participate. This year was the biggest yet for the group, and it showed in the excitement and energy of the demonstrations.

Davidson said it invigorated her children and inspired both of them to learn more about the time period.

“This is as good as any military reenactment they have on the East Coast,” she said, speaking of the tradition on the other side of the country for reliving famous battles. “This is just as good.”

Mercer Island residents Alexa Wood, 13 and Sophia Venditti, 13, were both influenced by the fashion show and are now planning to spend their summer making dresses from the time period.

“It’s really cool how they had to wear so many layers,” Venditti said.

“It’s really kind of cool to se the clothes and the horses,” Wood said. “It’s like we went back in time.”