Saturday, hundreds of reenactors stepped back in to time to fight the Battle of River Raisin and commemorate the 200th anniversary of the bloodiest battle of the War of 1812.
A record number of historical reenactors from all over the US and Canada gathered together to reenact the battle, right where it happened in Monroe, Michigan.
Ralph Naveux, President of the Friends of the River Raisin Battlefield, says the actors spend a lot of time and money recreating history.
"It's really special, especially for us history buffs. So this is our weekend to shine here on the River Raisin."
Reenactor Rusty Cottrel put a lot of time into getting ready for the battle. "I build my own firearms, I sew my own clothing."
Cottrel has played several roles over the 40 years he's been involved with reenactments, but his favorite has ties to his family history.
"I'm a Pickaway Shawnee. In face, I'm a direct descendent of Blue Jacket," Cottrel says. "Blue Jacket passed away long before the War of 1812, but some of his descendents were involved in it."
The reenactors stayed on the battlefield all day Saturday.
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