There's nothing like experiencing history to understand it.So instead of reading  about the U.S.Civil War in textbooks,some schoolchildren in Virginia are creating videos related to the conflict,in which the northern Union and southern Confederate states fought over several issues,including slavery,from l861--1865.     In one scene, children act as two Union generals, meeting at the Kaploan Klver in central Virginia.The l2-and l3-year-olds are producing a mini--video on the key role temporary pontoon bridges played during the war.After building and crossing a  pontoon bridge,Union soldiers defeated a Confederate army in the Battle of the  Wilderness.     In another scene,students act as soldiers who are marching to the river with guns.Today,the area is part of a national military park.Park Educational Coordinator Peter Maugle shows the children how to hold the fake guns."Hopefully they will understand why these places are important through projects and programs like this,and they will make an effort to keep these places preserved for future generations,''he said.     Another background is a plantation where much of the Battle of the Wilderness was fought. At this location,another group of children is focusing on the diary of a woman who lived in the region during the war.Student director John Ashley says the experience has made him think more about the human aspect of the war.Filmmaker Ghil Hong donated his time to help the students, who have understood it quickly."They are trying to convey the emotions during the Civil War.They really focus on wanting the story to be accurate,''Hong added.     With help from advisors,the children also research,write,and edit the videos.Alexis Albert got a chance to try out directing and learned a lot about Civil War history in the process. "It helps me more as a student understand it more than reading a book and looking at words,"he said.     The project is sponsored by the Journey Through Hallowed Ground,which raises  awareness of historical sites from Pennsylvania to Virginia,  including many Civil War battlegrounds. Peter Maugle did much to get the students to know    .
how to march like real soldiers how to make fake guns why the national military park is important what the area will be like in the future