Germans love reenacting the American Civil War

On a warm spring morning about 50 miles north of Berlin, Union troops and their Confederate rivals prepare for battle. They are camped out for the weekend at a Wild West theme park in Templin.

About 60 people, mostly Germans, are dressed head to toe in 1860s-period clothing. Women wear hoop skirts. The men are in handmade uniforms with lots of colorful piping and brass buttons. A few young soldiers swing their bayonets.
"I'm a simple soldier, a private," said Tobias Melchurs.

Melchurs, 21, is a business student. But this weekend, he is fighting on the side of the North in two battles -- the bombardment of Fort Sumter and the first battle of Bull Run.

Melchurs belongs to one of the several German groups that engage in American Civil War reenactments about once a month.

Like many of the participants here, Melchurs feels a personal connection to the war.

"There were about 200,000 who had German roots that fought in the Civil War," Melchurs said. "I think it is important for our history."...