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