Saturday's snow showers were a reminder of the difficult conditions soldiers faced during the bloodiest battle of the War of 1812 — the Battle of the River Raisin.
Ken Osen of Romeo, formerly of Monroe, was one of several re-enactors from the 1st Regiment of Volunteers who offered the public an idea of how soldiers spent the winter months engaged in war. The re-enactment was part of the first "Christmas at the Battlefield" event held Saturday at River Raisin National Battlefield Park.
"We represent the Kentucky troops. They left Kentucky in the summer, so they weren't properly dressed for the winter conditions by the time they arrived in Monroe," said Mr. Osen, who wore a uniform similar to that of a Kentucky soldier from the War of 1812 era.
The 1st Regiment of Volunteers is a living history group that portrays soldiers and civilians from the War of 1812 period. The group dressed in early 1800s garb Saturday to give the public a glimpse of what life was like for soldiers spending Christmas on the frontier.
A group of soldiers stayed warm by a small fire adjacent to three small white tents — all similar to what life was like for soldiers in the war. Inside the battlefield center, a group of women — also dressed in early 1800s attire — demonstrated the sewing techniques used to make various clothes from the time period.
"Today's program is to show people how soldiers lived in the early 1800s, and it also lets the public know that we are open seven days a week now," said Shawna Mazur, a park guide at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park who helped organize the event.
Since becoming a National Park more than a year ago, the local battlefield visitor center has seen an uptick in traffic.
"We have seen an increase in visitors since we became a National Park, especially people from out of state," Ms. Mazur said. "That's why we are developing more programs at the center, like this one today."
Geoff Hoerauf of Sterling Heights, one of the re-enactors, talked to visitors about the living conditions of a soldier.
"They used common wedge tents where four to six men slept without bunks or cots. They would scrape away snow and use branches or leaves to sleep on," he explained.
The uniforms consisted of wool jackets and socks and leather boots.
"Layered clothing is the key," said Mr. Osen, whose uniform included several layers of shirts underneath a jacket.
Female re-enactors from the 1st Regiment answered questions from the public about women's roles during that time period. Dressed in early 1800s garb, they sewed period clothing while talking to visitors.
Ericka Osen of Romeo wore a period day cap, similar to a bonnet; a linen T-shirt; a corset (also known as a stay); a petticoat, and a dress while sewing neckerchiefs worn by men in the early 1800s.
She hopes people visit the local National Park to grasp the heartbreak of the war that happened in Monroe.
"A lot of people forget that many more men were killed in the River Raisin Massacre than the Battle of Little Big Horn," she said. "A great tragedy occurred here. Just like Sept. 11, 2001, became an American tragedy, the massacre was an American tragedy of its time. The rallying cry 'Remember the Raisin' came from that tragedy."
Jeanne Clock of Grape and Randy Potts of Maybee attended Saturday's event to get a better idea of the local history.
"This is our first time here," Ms. Clock said as the couple perused the pictures and displays at the center. "The exhibits are really interesting. I wanted to come here as well as the (Monroe County) museum to show my support. I think they are both very important places in our community."