On the road home I stopped at several more historic sites. The first was the War of 1812 battlefield of the River Raisin near Monroe MI. This National Park has a recently built visitor center. It’s small but the exhibits are excellent & the staff very knowledgeable about both the battle & local history in general.
River Raisin
The river itself is normally quite shallow with a bottom of sand & large flat stone slabs. It empties into Lake Erie a bit less than 4 miles from the village of Frenchtown where the battle was fought. The river is easily forded except after severe rain storms & during ice breakup in the spring.
The battle itself occurred in two parts: an initial American victory & occupation of Frenchtown on January 18th followed by a surprise counterattack , defeat & total rout on January 22nd. The American troops consist of 667 militia from Kentucky, about 100 local militia & 300 reinforcements consisting of more militia & the 17th US Infantry. The Canadian troops consist about 600 British Regulars & Canadian militia as well as an similar number of Native Allies.
The American troops suffer 387 killed & about 500 taken prisoner. Only 33 are known to have escaped death or capture. Many of the men taken prisoner were killed the day after the battle by the Canadian Native allies as revenge for the American militia Gen. William Henry Harrison’s depredations of Native people, crops & homes.
American Militia Uniform – Museum Display
American Infantry Uniform – Museum Display
Almost all the Americans troops are in linen summer uniforms that they received when they started the campaign back in August. The infantry soldiers have wool coats but their pants are linen. None are known to have had overcoats or mittens.
Canadian Militia & Regulars – Museum Display
Canadian Native Allie – Museum Display
The Canadian troops were locals & attired for the season.
American Canon
Both sides had some artillery but the American troops pieces were small as was usual for a campaign through rough terrain.
Canadian Field Canon
The British Regulars among the Canadian troops had more canon and they were substantially larger than the American pieces.
The park wasn’t all about the battle though. There were Native & Habitant gardens as well as a medicinal herb garden in front of the Visitor’s Center.
Native Three Sisters Garden
Habitant Vegetable Garden
There are also plans for a reconstruction of a Frenchtown home and the town palisade.
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