Events Occurring in January: Battle of New Orleans, Britain Declares War, River Raisin Massacre

From the January American Battlefield Trust 2023 calendar.

JANUARY 8, 1815

**  Battle of New Orleans, Louisiana

JANUARY 9, 1813

**  Great Britain declares war on the United States.  (The U.S, declared war in June 1812.)

JANUARY 13, 1813

**  John Armstrong replaces William Eustis as Secretary of War.

JANUARY 18, 1813

**  American forces seize Frenchtown, Michigan Terrirory.

JANUARY 22, 1813

**  The Battle of River Raisin; roughjly 40 to 60 American soldiers are killed in what became kniown as "The River Raisin Massacre."

--Brock-Perry

River Raisin Massacre-- Part 12: 'Remember the Raisin' and Aftermath

This deliberateness of behavior from the Indians did not diminish, and perhaps intensified, the horror many survivors later described.  Indeed, the most vivid recollections related to to the systematic nature of the killings and treatment of the remains.

The battle ended in what was described as a "national calamity" by Major General, and later president of the United States, William Henry Harrison.  

It also left an impact on the broader American consciousness.  The Americans who pushed north to liberate Detroit went to destroying the British-Canadian-Indian coalition in the west at the Battle of the Thames, near present-day Chatham, Ontario, on October 5, 1813.

Fueled by the battle cry, "Remember the Raisin!" their massive victory sealed the War of 1812 in the western theater for the United States, claimed the life of the great Shawnee leader Tecumseh, and resulted in the end the American Indian Confederation.

In an even broader sense, the aftermath of these battles resulted in the implementation of the U.S. policy of Indian removal from the Northwest Territory at the conclusion of the War of 1812, leading to the Indian Removal Act of 1830, a policy that continues to resonate today.

--Brock-Perry

Horrors of the River Raisin-- Part 10: A National Calamity Turned Into a Rallying Cry

When the British departed, they left the Americans who were too wounded to walk in the homes of the French inhabitants under a small guard of British troops.  On January 23, in retaliation for past brutalities, Native warriors returned to the River Raisin to plunder, burn homes, killing and scalping many of the remaining Americans and taking others captive.

Official U.S. estimates of the aftermath include a dozen named individuals killed and up to 60 more who were probably killed in this manner.

The event became known as the "River Raisin Massacre" and was not a sudden burst of collective violence.  Rather, it began as a somewhat incredulous confirmation that no U.S. forces had arrived, then progressed to a deliberate taking of valuables and able-bodied captives that was later punctuated by the killing of the most severely wounded survivors.

--Brock-Perry

Horrors of the River Raisin-- Part 9: An Unmitigated Disaster for the Americans

These were brave words, but the Kentuckians' position was dire.  Their ammunition was low, they were completely hemmed in on the south, British artillery was in position to fire volleys of gunfire through their defensive lines and Confederacy warriors were firing into the heart of the settlement while preparing to set it on fire.

In short, Major George Madison of the Kentucky 1st Regiment had two choices:  surrender to the British or, as he put it, "be massacred in cold blood."  Still, Madison was commited to holding out long enough to influence the terms of surrender.

After some back-and-forth with the British over the disposition of prisoners, protection from Confederacy forces and care for the wounded, Madison formally capitulated.

Expecting American reinforcements from General Harrison's troops, the British quickly withdrew due to heavy casualties.  The battle was costly for the British Regulars and Canadian militia, but for the Americans it was an unmitigated disaster:  Of the 934 who had heard the morning's reveille, 901 were either dead, sounded or prisoners of war.

--Brock-Perry

Horrors of the River Raisin-- Part 8: Things Going Better for the Kentuckians

Over the course of two hours, the British regrouped and made two more frontal assaults, but the Kentuckians position was too strong --  British losses were perhaps four times greater than those suffered by the entrenched Kentuckians --  you know, being that puncheon fence they were behind.

As the British pulled back and evaluated their seemingly weakening situation, they received word about what was going on elsewhere on the battlefield.

American General James Winchester, now a prisoner of war and unable to give orders to those still engaged, arrived in the area.  When told that his men would otherwise be burned out of their position and attacked by a much larger force of Indians, he agreed to send a message encouraging the Kentuckians to surrender.

When they received this message, the Kentuckians balked, feeling that they could still carry the day.  As Private Elias Darnell later recalled, "Some plead[ed]  with officers not to surrender, saying they would rather die on the field."

--Brock-Perry

How the Horrors of the River Raisin Became a Rallying Cry-- Part 7: The Rout of the U.S. Infantry

An attempt was made  to send a few companies of Kentucky militiamen to the aid of the 17th Infantry, but the effort proved disastrous.

General Winchester, arriving from his headquarters, ordered the infantrymen to fall back to the north bank of the river where they they could rendezvous with the Kentuckians.  Together they made a brief stand, but were soon overwhelmed by the pursuing Canadian, Wyandot and Shawnee fighters.

After a frantic retreat to the south side of the river and another futile stand, the American position disintegrated entirely.  Within 20 minutes, about 220 U.S. soldiers were killed and another 147 captured.  Only 33 American Regulars managed to escape to the Maumee River.

Bit the actions east and south of Frenchtown barely registered for the British Regulars and Kentuckians still entrenched behind that puncheon fence line.

Instead, they remained locked in what seemed to be the main battle area.

--Brock-Perry

How the Horrors of River Raisin Became a Rallying Call-- Part 6: Things Go Bad on the Eastern Flank of Americans

Well, that line of "soldiers" that the British saw in the early morning hours proved to be that PUNCHEON FENCE thing.  And the Kentuckians, who were behind it delivered a withering fire on them from relative protection.

Meanwhile, the British artillery was overshooting the mark.  The British suffered many casualties in this part of the battlefield.

Matters, however, were different on the eastern part of the battlefield.  The Canadian militia men quickly adjusted the aim  of their artillery and wreaked havoc on the exposed position of the U.S. 17th Infantry.  

As cannon fire tore through the encampment and shattered breastworks, the Regulars also had to contend with militiamen and Wyandot fighters who had taken possession of some nearby buidings from which they could fire at will into the American encampment.

The Americans struggled to hold their ground, but eventually faltered when mounted warriors came around their right flank.

--Brock-Perry

How the Horrors of the River Raisin Became a Rallying Cry-- Part 5: The Second Battle at the River Raisin

Arriving before dawn on January 22, 1813, and unnoticed by the American sentries, a force of 600 British Canadians and 800 Native warriors gathered into battle positions along the Mason Run Creek, about 250-350 yards to the north of the settlement.  

British regulars and artillery were positioned in the center, a dispersed clustering of Native warriors made up mostly of Anishinaabeg (Odawa, Ojibwe and Potawatomi) and Miami, accompanied by some Canadian militia were to the west, and to the east was a large number of Native warriors, mostly Wyandot and Shawnee, in the forward position, supported by Canadian militia and artillery to their rear.

Reveille sounded, and an American sentry spotted the British in the pre-dawn light. He fired a shot into the forward line that killed the lead grenardier, and the report of his musket sent 1,000 just awakened soldiers scrambling for their battle positions.

Almost immediately, the British opened with their artillery and the infantry pushed forward from its center position.  As they drew within range of the settlement, the British infantrymen fired a powerful volley at what, in the still dark distance, had seemed to be a line of soldiers.

Well, It Wasn't a Line of Soldiers.  --Brock-Perry

Okay, So What Is a Puncheon Fence?

In the last post I mentioned that the Americans set up camp inside a puncheon fence.  I know what a fence is, but what is a puncheon fence?

I had to look it up.

According to "Remember the Raisin vocabulary,"  a puncheon fence is one that is made up of split logs with one side smooth and the other still naturally round.

OK. So You Learn Something Every Day.  -Brock-Perry

How the Horrors of the River Raisin Became a Rallying Cry-- Part 4: The Fight

In "the woods the fighting became general and most obstinate," wrote one Kentuckian.  "[T]he enemy resisting every inch of ground as they were compelled to fall back."  

Over the course of two miles the slow-moving battle continued until darkness fell, with the retreating forces taking cover to fire on the pursuing Kentuckians, then dashing to another protected area before the pursuers could regroup or return accurate fire.

The victorious Kentucky Volunteers set up camp within the protection of the puncheon fence and the French habitant homes.  Upon word that the area was liberated, Winchester assembled four additional companies and proceeded to the River Raisin on January 20, 1813, bringing the number of American troops close to 1,000.

Upon arriving, the 17th Infantry set up camp 200-300 yards outside the puncheon fence line in the bitter cold and deep snow.  Meanwhile, the British and Native warriors prepared a counterattack across the frozen Lake Erie at Fort Amhurstburg in Canada.

--Brock-Perry

How the Horrors of the River Raisin Became a Rallying Call-- Part 3: Efforts to Recapture Detroit

The British and their Native allies were able to secure firm control over much of the Old Northwest as they pushed the frontier back to Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Upon liberating Fort Wayne, Major General William Henry Harrison soon turned his sights on coordinating efforts to recapture Detroit.  He established a base at the Maumee Rapids, south of present-day Toledo, Ohio.

In January 1813, these American forces were assembling for a winter campaign to retake Detroit.  American Revolution war veteran Brigadier General James Winchester, an early arrival, received a request from River Raisin settlers to lift British control of their community.

Winchester dispatched more than 550 men from the 1st and 5th Kentucky Volunteer Regiments, under the command of Colonels William Lewis and John Allen to the River Raisin.

Once there, American efforts to outflank allied Canadian militiamen and Confederacy warriors proved unsuccessful, and the fighting dissolved into a series of fierce skirmishes through the dense woods to the north.

--Brock-Perry

Living History at River Raisin National Battlefield Saturday

From the May 20, 2022, Monroe News.

The Friends of the River Raisin Battlefield Living History Encampment and  Demonstrations were held Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm on the grounds of the Visitor Center, 333 N. Dixie Highway.

Admission was free.

This year is the 210th anniversary of Captain  Herbert Lacroix's  Company of Michigan Volunteers.

"At the start of the War of 1812, Michigan was defended by small garrisons of U.S. troops, backed up by the  1st & 2nd  Michigan Militia Regiments and the Legionary Corps of Michigan Volunteers.  These forces were soon joined by General Hull's army of U.S. Regulars and Ohio militia volunteers.

At the River Raisin, Hubert Lacroix was elected captain of an 80-man company.  Mustered into service on May 18, 1812, Lacroix's company became a part of the Legionary Corps and were assigned to guard the settlement, escort the mails and help build Hull's Road to Detroit.

Lacroix's  men participated in Hull's opening campaign of the War of 1912, guiding the  army and participating in the  Battles of  Brownstown and Monguagon.  The surrender of General Hull at Detroit on August 16, 1812, ended Lacroix's Company's official term of service, although members continued to serve in an ad hoc manner through the  Battles of  the River Raisin in January of the following year.

--Brock-Perry

January Events War of 1812: New Orleans, War Declaration, Secretary of War, Frenchtown and Raisin

JANUARY 8, 1815

**  Battle of New Orleans

JANUARY  9, 1813

**  Great Britain declares war on the United States.

JANUARY 13, 1813

**  John Armstrong replaces William Eustis as Secretary of War.

JANUARY 18, 1813

**  American forces seize Frenchtown, Michigan.

JANUARY 22, 1813

**  Battle of River Raisin, Michigan.

--Brock-Perry

Detroit's Fort Wayne-- Part 8: Today

The remainder of Fort Wayne was turned over piecemeal to the City of Detroit. with the last bit turned over in 1976.

From 1949 to 2006, the Fort Wayne Military Museum was operated by  the Detroit Historical Museum.  Since early 2006, the fort has been operated by the Detroit Recreation Department,  assisted by the Historic Fort Wayne Coalition, the Friends of Fort Wayne and the Detroit Historical Society.

The fort hosts historic reenactments (most often Civil War), spring and fall flea markets, concerts, youth soccer league matches as well as Hispanic and Boy Scout events and is open for some civic events.

Also on the grounds is the remaining Indian burial ground and the Tuskegee Airman national Museum (kind of strange that it would not be in Tuskegee, Alabama).

Spurred in part by the construction of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge nearby, Fort Wayne  has been studied for possible inclusion in the national park system.  The National Park Service has previously  assisted in identifying ways to preserve the fort and draw visitors.  Among the possibilities is inclusion in the existing River Raisin National Battlefield Park in nearby Monroe, Michigan.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Events in January

From the American Battlefield Trust January 2021 calendar.  (Also American Revolution)  This organization purchases land for preservation where battles were fought on American soil.

JAN. 3:  Battle of Princeton, N.J.  1777

JAN. 8:  Battle of New Orleans, La.  1815

JAN. 9:  Great Britain declares war on the U.S.  1812

JAN. 17:  Battle of Cowpens, S.C.  1781

JAN: 22:  Battle of River Raisin, Monroe, Mi.  1813

--Brock-Perry

Reading the Names of the Fallen at the River Raisin National Battlefield Today to Honor the Veterans

From the November 8, 2020, Ionia (Michigan) Sentinel Standard "Reading of names of the fallen to highlight Veterans Day  ceremony at battlefield" by Dean Cousino.

The reading of about 450 names of men from Monroe County will highlight a special Veterans Day Ceremony at  the River Raisin National Battlefield (Monroe County, Michigan) that is decorated with more than 500 American flags until November 15.  This is part of a "Field of Honor" program.

The battlefield park preserves and commemorates the  January 1813 battles between Americans and the British, Canadians and their Indian allies.  The battles and the "Remember  the Raisin!" battle cry,  and helped inspire a major American victory at the River Thames and were a major turning point in the War of 1812.

The 450 men and women whose names will be read, were from the Civil War.

The "Field of Honor" has more than 500 U.S. 3-by-5- foot flags on ten foot poles and will be lighted at night.

--Brock-Perry

Dr. John Todd-- Part 2: At The River Raisin

Brother of Robert Smith Todd (Mary Todd Lincoln's father, so he world be her uncle.)

From the River Raisin.org site.

Under Selected American Leaders page.

Dr. John Todd, born near Lexington, Kentucky, in 1787.  Was  surgeon of the 5th Kentucky Volunteer Regiment in 1812.  Stayed behind to take care of the wounded after the Battle of the River Raisin.

At the British hospital at Stony Creek  on January 23, 1813, he urged the British to return to French Town to rescue  the wounded who were being killed by the Indians, but to no avail.

After the war, Todd practiced medicine in Lexington, then moved to Illinois.  His niece, Mary Todd would become the wife of Abraham Lincoln.

--Brock-Perry

Dr. John Todd-- Part 1: Brother of Robert Smith Todd

From Find-A-Grave.

Brother of John Smith Todd, uncle of Mary Todd Lincoln.

Graduate of Transylvania University and University of Pennsylvania. 

Took part in the War of 1812.    Acted as Surgeon General of Kentucky troops.

Was at the Battle of River Raisin where he was taken prisoner and later confined to  the "Pens of Malden."  Paroled in winter of 1813.

Returned to Kentucky where he continued his medical practice.

1817 moved to Edwardsville, Illinois, and 1827 to Springfield, Illinois.  Buried Oak Wood Cemetery in Springfield.

--Brock-Perry

River Raisin Event Held in Bad Weather-- Part 2

This year, the musket demonstrations were visible from the front porch of the visitor center, where most took advantage of watching it.  The River Raisin could be seen in the background.

The ceremony took place shortly afterward in the front yard and featured a series of flag postings and wreaths, accompanied by salutes.  Representatives of the Essex and Kent Regiment of Canada, the Wyandot of Anderdon (Indians), local military veterans, park  volunteers and Cub Scout Pack  547 of Monroe were among the participants.

During one flag ceremony, a War of 1812-era US. flag  was used.  It had fifteen stars and 15 stripes.

Like in 813, this commemoration took place in winter conditions.  Ralph Naveaux of Monroe, whose years of volunteering at the battlefield go back to when it was a Monroe County park, said the conditions on January 18, 1813,  included 18-inches of snow on the ground, topped by a thin layer of ice.

Six inches of snow fell on the Monroe area Friday night into Saturday, followed by sleet and rain.

The battlefield park center at 1403 E. Elm Avenue is a long-time home for  historical and educational programs.  A long-range plan for development on both sides of the river has been dubbed the River Raisin Heritage Corridor plan.

--Brock-Perry

River Raisin Event Held in Bad Weather Last Weekend-- Part 1

From the January 19, 2020, LenConnect.com  "Commemorative battlefield event held during snowy weather" by Paula Wethington., Monroe (Mich.) News.

It was Monroe County's biggest snowstorm of winter season so far.

"We had a lot of brave souls with the weather," said Jami Keegan.  And, only the presentation of Mary  Stockwell was cancelled.  The tactical musket demonstration went on although only half of the 70 re-enactors were there.

The Battles of the River Raisin took place January 18 and January 22, 1813, in an area in and around the present-day City of Monroe, Michigan.  Americans, British, Canadians and Indians were involved and the defeat of the Americans is considered a pivotal moment in the War of 1812.

Many of those who died on the American side were from Kentucky.  The local community in the area, then known as French Town, was left desolated.

--Brock-Perry