The Battle of the River Raisin

The Americans wanted to re-capture their territory. Now that General Hull was a prisoner, the command of the army was given to General William Harrison. He decided that an attack during the winter would be unexpected and would work against the British.

Harrison sent an advance group of men, under the command of General James Winchester, into Michigan Territory to set up a base camp at the Miami River rapids. While there, people from the local settlement on the River Raisin, which was called Frenchtown, came to the Americans to tell them that they were about to be attacked by a combined British and Native force. Winchester decided to help the settlers. He sent a group under the command of Colonel Lewis to help. Lewis's men routed a small British group on Jan. 18, 1813.

Winchester arrived with the rest of his army to help guard the village. However, he did not post sentries, and this proved fatal.

Colonel Procter, hearing that the Americans were at Frenchtown, gathered a large group of troops and Natives, led by Chief Roundhead of the Wyandot. They attacked the Americans on Jan. 22, 1813. The Americans were taken totally by surprise. The British and their Native allies killed or captured almost the complete division. Procter gave his word to General Winchester that the prisoners would be taken care of.

The Battle of the River Raisin

Procter started back towards Detroit with most of the American prisoners. He left between 30 and 60 wounded prisoners at Frenchtown under Native guard. Later that night, some Natives killed the prisoners.

One of General Winchester's pistols

See more: John Norton's account of the Battle at the River Raisin.

See more: Procter's account of the Battle of the River Raisin.