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

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