NATCHEZ &8212; Men dressed in grey and blue will wage war this weekend as Historic Jefferson College hosts the 10th annual re-enactment of an 1863 Natchez Civil War battle.

The battle took place south of Natchez when a group of Confederate soldiers tried to re-take Natchez from Union control, re-enactment coordinator Clark Burkett said.

When they found they were outnumbered, they attempted to disrupt river traffic, Burkett said.

Union and Confederate troops clashed, and the battle was a draw. The Union commanders said they achieved their goal by stopping the disruption of traffic. The Confederate commanders declared it a victory because they took the field.

The battle was important, because it proved the Confederates could not re-take Natchez because it was too heavily guarded.

Re-enactors come from many states, including Alabama, Mississippi and Texas, to participate, Burkett said. Five cannons will be fired in battle, too.

&8220;It&8217;s a lot of noise, so people should bring their own earplugs,&8221; Burkett said.

And to celebrate the re-enactment&8217;s tenth anniversary, a Civil War era band will play, and the college will host a dance in the evenings.

&8220;It allows people locally to come out and see Historic Jefferson College,&8221; Burkett said. &8220;It&8217;s a good chance to see a historic site, and it&8217;s free.&8221;

About 40 volunteer re-enactors on each side will do battle, and many of their wives, dressed in period costume, will explain the role women played at the time.

The re-enactments will start at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, followed by the Civil War era concert. Saturday night, the public is welcome to attend a dance, and a gospel concert will be held Sunday morning.

Profits from food sales will go to benefit Relay for Life.