Veterans Confront a Taste of Battle

He arrived a few days later at Walter Reed, where for the first few months of his recovery he couldn't watch TV or movies about war, and certain sounds made him jumpy and emotional. Gradually, he got over that, and this weekend -- his interest in history piqued -- he did not expect trouble at the reenactment. "I can separate myself from it," he said.

The four arrived at a campground about 11 a.m. Friday, unloaded their gear at the cabin where they planned to stay and headed for the battlefield, where the reenactment continued yesterday and is scheduled to conclude today.

It was the 142nd anniversary of the battle, where thousands perished over July 1, 2 and 3, 1863.

At first glance, the modern-day soldiers looked like anyone in the crowd of onlookers who came to watch the battles and browse under the tents where merchants sold reproductions of 1860s-era clothing and firearms.

Oreskovic's artificial left arm was barely noticeable, protruding from his long-sleeved shirt, though he did fumble a bit getting money from his wallet using only his right hand. Steinmetz and Peckenpaugh each bought cap guns, which they fired at each other playfully. And when Peckenpaugh purchased a reproduction 1858 Army revolver, the clerk asked, "How old are you?" He showed his Army ID card.

But there was a seriousness about the trio as they strolled anonymously among people wearing "Support Our Troops" T-shirts or clad as soldiers from a bygone era. When Steinmetz emerged from one merchant's tent with a feathery blue dream catcher, she muttered to Peckenpaugh, "I need something to take the damn nightmares away."

As the day wore on, the weather grew more sultry. Oreskovic and Peckenpaugh dressed up temporarily in period garb provided by Peckenpaugh's reenactor friends. All three drank bottled water and ate ice cream cones to stay cool.

But by mid-afternoon, the heat and the artillery fire had become too much for Steinmetz. Her hands trembled as she clutched her small digital camera. McGrew held her tightly around the waist during the demonstration.

"It was a little hard," Steinmetz said afterward. "Just flashback memories. You just start thinking. . . . The jump is always going to be there. But just visions, you know."

That evening, as distant bugles sounded and drumfire again echoed among the fields here, she packed her things, caught a ride back to the hospital and left Gettysburg, with an old-fashioned band playing in the town square.