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

Early History of Peoria Illinois-- Part 3: 'The Damned Rascals May Think Themselves Well Off That They Were Not Scalped'

After the raid, Captain Thomas E. Craig of Shawneetown and a company of troops boarded boats that were anchored just offshore of the French village.  Sometime during the evening, shots were fired at their vessels.  The troops stormed ashore to loot and burn the village.  Craig then arrested the inhabitants; forced 41 men, women and children to board the two vessels; and brought them to Savage's  Ferry, near present day Alton.

After the prisoners had been held for four days,  Governor Edwards ordered their release.  Captain Craig later reported to Edwards, "I burnt down about half the town.  The damned rascals may think themselves well off that they were not scalped."

This episode marked the end of the French settlement at Peoria.

--Brock-Perry

The Fort Mims Massacre

From Jan. 7, 2020, News Maven Fort Mims' Massacre, Battle of New Orleans , & General Andrew Jackson" by Bill Federer.

Five hundred men, women and children were massacred at Fort Mims, Alabama, just north of Mobile, on August 30, 1813, by Red Stick Creek Indians.

There is a historical marker there that reads:

"FORT MIMS--  Here in the Creek Indian War 1813-1814 took place the most brutal massacre in American history.  Indians took the fort with heavy loss, then killed all but 36  of some 550 in the fort.  Creeks had been armed  by British in Pensacola in this phase of the War of 1812."

The Indians had been incited to riot, attack and pillage by a foreign power.

Rumors circulated that the British would pay cash for American scalps.

--Brock-Perry

The Events at Lewiston Were "Shocking Beyond Description"-- Part 1

I have been writing about the events that took place at Lewiston, New York, on Dec. 19, 1813, when British, Canadian and their allied Indians attacked this American town on the border of Canada.  The heroic actions of the local Tuscarora Indians saved the situation from becoming much worse than it might have.

These quotes are from the "Tuscarora Heroes Book" by Lee Simonson.

"I never witnessed such a scene before and hope I shall not again."  Charles Askin, Canadian citizen, 1813.

"They were stripped, scalped and had their hearts torn out."   Baltimore Weekly Register, Jan. 29, 1814.

"The British entered the house at Lewistown in which the sick soldiers and wounded, and not withstanding the entreaties, shrieks and cries of the helpless soldiers, not a life was spared, and it was reported that the houses  were all burned before they were all dead."    Niles Weekly Register, December 24, 1814. (1813?)

--Brock-Perry

Nathaniel G.S. Hart-- Part 2: Killed at River Raisin Massacre

Mathaniel Hart attended Princeton and studied law under Henry Clay.  His wife was the sister of Henry Clay's wife.

The Lexington Light Infantry" was called "The Silk Stocking Boys" and were part of the 5th regiment Kentucky Volunteer Militia.  The unit left for the Northwest in August 1812 and became a part of the Army of the Northwest under General James Winchester.

In January 1813, they were sent to Frenchtown , Michigan Territory, as part of the American attempt to recapture Detroit from the British.  At the First Battle of Frenchtown on January 18, 1813, the Americans drove the small British force away.  On January 22, the British counter-attacked and the result was an American defeat with 397 killed.

Nathaniel Hart was wounded and one of the 547 Americans who surrendered.  he was shot and scalped by Indians the following day.

West Point Graduates Killed in Action in the War of 1812: Class of 1812

JOSEPH M. WILCOX--  1st Lt. 3rd U.S. Infantry in the Creek Campaign on the Alabama River.  Tomahawked and scalped January 15, 1814.

WILLIAM WALLACE SMITH--  1st Lt Light Artillery.  Wounded in the Battle of Crysler's Field "while serving a cannon."  Died of his wounds December 3, 1813, at Fort Prescott, Upper Canada.

--Brock-Perry

A Frontier in Flames: War on the U.S.-Canadian Border-- Part 7: The Battle of Tippecanoe

In November 1811, William Henry Harrison led a force of about 1,000 regular troops and militia  against Prophet's Town.  Tecumseh was not there as he was in the American South trying to rally the Creek and Choctow tribes to his cause.

The Americans camped near the town on the night of November 6 when the Prophet launched a surprise attack.  There was bitter fighting, but the Americans held their ground and eventually repelled the attack.

Harrison counter-attacked the next day and  captured Prophet's Town.  Supplies of food and weapons were destroyed and the town torched.  Reports had the Americans scalping the dead warriors in revenge for the scalping of Americans the night before.

--Brock-Perry