PLATTSBURGH -- Matthew Hewson can't hide his enthusiasm for history.

In fact, it's his goal in life to share that interest and spark the same kind of fervor for the topic in other people.

A senior at Plattsburgh High School, Matthew plans on one day becoming a history teacher, but he has already begun providing lessons through his dedication to historical re-enactments.

Those skills will be highlighted May 17 and 18 when Matthew and his father, Wayne Hewson, join well over 100 Civil War re-enactors for an encampment on the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base.

BATTLE PLANS

"We're planning on having three battles (between Union and Confederate forces): two on Saturday and one on Sunday," said Matthew, who is coordinating the military action for the battles.

"We're going to be taking a little something from every major engagement" of the war between the states.

Troops will perform a "fence crossing," similar to action during the battle at Gettysburg, and a "sunken-road" movement, which soldiers encountered at Antietam and Fredricksburg.

A fence crossing throws in added dangers for troops attempting to scale the fence while under fire from opposing forces.

The sunken-road maneuver features troops marching along a road, with high banks on either side providing cover for opponents.

DRAWING RE-ENACTORS

The upcoming battles, which will take place on the open fields adjacent to the Battle of Plattsburgh Association Museum on the former base, will feature re-enactors from across the Northeast and will include several artillery pieces as well.

"We'll be representing the 11th New York Calvary, a unit mostly from the Albany area, that held the wall at Gettysburg," said Wayne, acknowledging the major role the unit played during the bloodiest of Civil War battles.

Wayne, a private with the 11th, will act as second position on the cannon, where he will be responsible for keeping the weapon's barrel clean following each round fired.

Matthew will be a sergeant with the 60th New York Volunteer Infantry, a group of woodsmen and farmers from the North Country, including the Hewsons' native West Chazy.