PORT GAMBLE — In Port Gamble, history seems to whisper out from the buildings. Even today in the 21st century, one gets the feeling of bygone days. One could almost believe that events from the past still play over and over again in the quiet town.

One of those events will come out of the shadows and into the light this Saturday and Sunday. The air will be filled with battle cries, the whinnying of horses and the sound of guns blazing as the Washington Civil War Association reenacts the fictitious Battle of Port Gamble.

“The backdrop of the town is perfect,” said WCWA event coordinator and reenactor Howard Struve. “I don’t know of any place else with the capabilities that Port Gamble has.”

Struve went on to explain that the town provides the perfect historical backdrop for a reenacting a Civil War battle. It was founded in 1853, just prior to the war’s start eight years later.

“Because the town itself is set in the time period of the Civil War, it’s amazing for us as reenactors,” said WCWA treasurer and reenactor Cindy Easterson.

The community will be transported back into the mid-1800s for the weekend, as residents from all over are invited to come see what it was like to live in during the Civil War. Not only will there be battle reenactments, but there will also be a period fashion show, and a magic lantern exhibition, cavalry demonstrations and historical music.

The main event is unquestionably the reenactments, which will involve hundreds of gun-wielding combatants sporting Union blue and Confederate gray. The attire is as authentic as possible — something that isn’t without its problems. Those participating have to be careful to avoid overheating in their heavy wool uniforms in warm weather.

“We’re really careful,” Easterson said. “Heatstroke does happen, but safety is No. 1, and we try to keep everyone hydrated. The ladies take on the role of safety, and set up relief stations for after the battles with lemonade, cookies and pickles to so the men can gain back some of the liquid and salt they lost during the battle.”

Because there are only about 300 reenactors participating in the event, soldiers are discrete about replenishing the ranks. Men who are shot fall, and then, after waiting an appropriate amount of time, get up and start fighting again, Easterson said.

“Reenacting in the Pacific Northwest is a little different than reenacting on the East Coast,” Easterson said. “They have a larger number of people who do it, and they reenact actual battles. We demonstrate the style of fighting and the ways of life instead of specific battles.”

Easterson and Struve will be on opposite sides during the battles, so to speak. Easterson will fly the Confederate flag, while Struve joins up with of the Union forces. Reenactors select their sides for different reasons, they explained, noting that some opt for North or South because they had ancestors who fought on a certain side. Struve decided to go Union because it better matched his personal morals while Easterson picked Confederate because it allowed women to make camp with the soldiers and she wanted to stay close to her son.

“I always leaned toward the Union side,” Struve said. “I think it depends, for many people, deep down which side you think you would have been on during the war.”