DAVIS CROSSROADS, Ga. — Battle re-enactments, like the ones planned today at the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga, are more than cannons and gunpowder, experts said.

“It is very important that we continue to recognize all the efforts that our men and women have given,” said Janson Cox, a Civil War re-enactor and executive director of the South Carolina Cotton Museum.

“Freedom is not free,” he said.

Mr. Cox, a 1963 graduate of The Citadel, was here Friday with a group of cadets from the historic South Carolina military academy to participate in the battles staged during the anniversary event.

Action continues through Sunday, and the anniversary is expected to draw up to 50,000 people — re-enactors, spectators and students — by the time the last shot is fired.

Re-enactors from across the United States and as far away as Australia are participating, officials said. About 70 people portraying sutlers — civilian vendors who set up near army camps to sell to soldiers — will be on site this weekend, selling Civil War-era items, such as homemade food and old-time toys.

The highly organized commemoration began Wednesday with a School Days schedule of events that attracted thousands of students from the region to experience living history exhibits.

Other highlights planned for the anniversary include re-enactments of the Battle of Reed’s Bridge and the Battle of Snodgrass Hill, a ladies’ tea and speeches from living historians portraying President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

The event officially opened on Friday with a speech by Vice President Dick Cheney.

The vice president’s great-grandfather, Samuel Fletcher Cheney, was a Union lieutenant with the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, including action at the Battle of Chickamauga on Sept. 19-20, 1863.

“Like so many of you here I am a follower of military history, and as a descendant of a man who served at this very place, this obviously has special meaning to me,” Mr. Cheney said. “I join you as a fellow citizen who feels proud of the bravery shown here in these hills and valleys 145 years ago.”

He relayed greetings from President Bush, which drew cheers from the crowd.

The vice president’s visit to the field in McLemore Cove required dozens of officers from different agencies — including the Walker County Sheriff’s Department, LaFayette and Chickamauga police departments and the Georgia State Patrol — assisting the Secret Service with security, said Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.

living the past

Local and state officials, historians, re-enactors and event organizers said the reasons for reliving the past are twofold.

It is about education and commemoration, they said.

Many who have taken up the hobby of Civil War re-enacting said it is about honoring their heritage and ancestors.

During the intricate re-enactments, many said they try to emulate exactly what their ancestors experienced, camping outside for days, eating food cooked over a fire.

Chickamauga City Manager John Culpepper, a re-enactor and historian, said half-jokingly that during this weekend’s re-enactment he was going into the woods and not coming out for three days.

Mr. Culpepper has an ancestor who served in a Confederate artillery unit from South Carolina and fought at Chickamauga.

Others said these events are about education.

“When you have a war that is in your homeland, it is memorable and you do remember it for generations to come,” said state Rep. Martin Scott, R-Rossville. “It is always good to remember the good and the bad, because you don’t want to repeat the mistakes of the past.”

About 5,000 students visited McLemore Cove on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Educators, students and other officials said seeing history come alive helps students retain information.

Chelsea Miller, 17, a junior at Gordon Lee High School, said the history lessons left an impression.

“I think it is a better way to learn instead of just sitting and reading a book,” she said.