Battle of the River Raisin - January 22, 1813

"Remember the River Raisin" is the battle cry we remember today on the 206th anniversary of the 2nd Battle of Frenchtown or River Raisin.  This battle from the second year of the War of 1812 is located in Monroe, Michigan, near the banks of Lake Erie between Detroit and Toledo, Ohio.  The River Raisin National Battlefield Park has the distinction of being the only land battle found in the Northwest Territory to receive this recognition, with that honor only established as recently as 2010. The nearest battlefields of equal import are all administered by state park systems or in Canada, including Fort Mackinac in Michigan, Tippecanoe in Indiana and Moraviantown in Ontario.

National Park - Monroe, Michigan

River Raisin Battle Line

The 2nd Battle of Frenchtown was the final action in a series of skirmishes taking place from January 18-23, 1813. Detroit had surrendered to the British and William Henry Harrison launched a winter campaign to retake that strategic location. Moving from Ohio toward Detroit, an advance American force had pushed into Frenchtown on the 18th in what is considered the First Battle the River Raisin.  On the 22nd the British, Canadian, and Native American combined forces counter-attacked the poorly prepared and inexperienced United States defenders. This surprise morning attack took the Americans under fire from three sides and they were soon routed.  Despite a heroic and disciplined stand by the Kentucky Rife units on the American side, all forces were persuaded to surrender. The prisoners were marched off to Canada, but the wounded were largely left behind. On January 23, the Native Americans raided Frenchtown, killing the wounded and setting fire to many of the buildings in what would be know as the River Raisin Massacre.

2013 Bicentennial Event

This incident shocked a young nation and the headlines screamed "Remember the River Raisin!" This rallying cry outraged public opinion and fueled enlistment drives for the American militia, setting a precedent for future U.S. public responses to similar military events such as "Remember the Maine!" from the Spanish-American War or "Avenge Pearl Harbor!" from World War II. As one of American's "forgotten wars" the War of 1812 and the Battle of Frenchtown are likewise largely overlooked in the historical boardgaming community.  The 200th anniversary did see the publication of two games that encompass the events at the River Raisin, albeit at a strategic scale. Clash of Arms Games "Amateurs To Arms!" is a card driven game that examines the entire war at a grand strategic level. GMT's "Mr. Madison's War," also a card driven design, focuses on the operations conducted along the Great Lakes.

Michigan Territory - Amateurs To Arms!

Frenchtown - Mr. Madison's War

Lundy's Lane Battlefield

Location: Niagara Falls, Canada

Features: Drummond Hill Cemetery with monuments and markers.

History:  The Niagara River was the front line of the War of 1812.  The major campaigns centered on the strategic control of the forts guarding the waterways and lakes of this river boarder between New York and Ontario.  The summer of 1814 was the critical year for the United States' efforts to invade the Niagara peninsula and wrest control of the region from the British.  The US Army crossed over the Niagara River in early July 1814 and fought a series of engagements with the British defenders. The campaign climaxed on July 25, 1814, 200 years from the date of this post, when the US Army attacked the British at Niagara Falls along a road through the city called Lundy's Lane.  It was a hard fought battle featuring severe attacks and counter-attacks that lasted well into the night. Though they performed admirably, the high casualties among the Americans forced them to abandon the campaign.  They would not mount another major effort in the region again for the balance of the war, giving the Canadian defenders a strategic victory.

After the war Niagara Falls boomed as a tourist town much as it is today.  19th Century travelers journeyed not just to see the renowned waterfalls, but to tour the famous battlefield.  The tourist experience at Lundy's Lane 150 years ago was surprisingly similar to our modern visit to a park such as Gettysburg.  There were observation towers, "ranger" guides and a host of tourist amenities.   And just as the tension exists today between preserving historic lands and encroaching economic development, Lundy's Lane suffered from the same urban expansion crisis with the battlefield largely losing to new growth.  After the American Civil War, interest in the Ludy's Lane battle waned as the American park system offered larger venues for events that happened much closer to home.

What does remain of the battlefield is primarily centered on the Drummond Hill Cemetery. This hill was the focal point of the battle and its dominating geographical presence today can still be seen even though surrounded by urban development.  The cemetery is the final resting place for many people associated with the battle and the era.  The most famous of these is probably Laura Secord, a name instantly recognized by Canadians as their heroine of the War of 1812, but still obscure to most Americans.  The 200th anniversary of the war has seen some new interest in the battle with the Canadian government and local organizations promoting events to commemorate the Lundy's Lane battle.

Traveler's Notes:  Lundy's Lane holds a special place for me as it shares my birthday, July 25.  Given its proximity to my homestate of Michigan and my personal connection to the War of 1812, combined with several trips to the Falls as a kid, it remains one of those battlefields that turned me into a history nut!

Resources: http://niagarafallsmuseums.ca/visit/lundyslane.aspx; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lundy's_Lane; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Secord; https://www.niagarafalls.ca/pdf/heritage/lundys-lane-walking tour.pdf

Lundy's Lane -  200 years later

Laura Secord

Lundy's Lane Anniversary Update:  I had hoped to make it the 200th Anniversary events this year but could not manage to get away to Canada at this time.  However, Matthias Koster at the Niagara Falls Marriott was kind enough to send along a photo of the new 200th Anniversary Commemorate Archway that was unveiled today by the city of Niagara Falls.

Photos provided by: Marriott Niagara Falls Hotel Fallsview & Spa

USS Constitution

Location: Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts

Features: USS Constitution is open for self-tours of the deck and guided tours of the lower decks.  USS Constitution museum contains excellent exhibits, demonstrations, model ship building, films, library and gift shop.

History: The USS Constitution or "Old Ironsides" is the oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat, launched in 1797.  She is most famous for her actions against the British during the War of 1812.  Since that time the ship has been used in a variety of roles including life as a training ship during the American Civil War, as a ship of state and as a museum ship.  After numerous repairs over the past 200 years, the Constitution is now restored to her appearance during the 1812 period in celebration of the war's bicentennial.

Traveler's Notes: Standing on the deck of a 200 year old frigate is as close to the experience of entering a time machine as one can get.  The ship is more than just a piece of history, it is a piece of the past that has to be kept alive by the knowledge of her craftsman and skill of her crew.  This spirit of tradition permeates the Constitution and allows you to experience a different age as it was lived. Without the continued dedication of these preservationists this will all be lost to us.

Resources: http://www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/index.html, http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/

Charlestown Navy Yard

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Features: Historic United States Navy shipyard, dry dock, Visitor Center, USS Constitution, USS Cassin Young, USS Constitution Museum

History:  The Charlestown Navy Yard served the US Navy from 1800-1974.  Warships from all of the United States' conflicts were built, maintained and supplied from these docks.  Full tours are available for the USS Constitution, the Navy's oldest heavy frigate, and the USS Cassin Young, World War II era destroyer.  The entire complex offers an array of interpretive displays relating the history of the location and the warships.

Traveler's Notes:  For anyone taken with the romance of the Age of the Fighting Sail, this is one place not to miss.  I greatly underestimated the amount of time a comprehensive visit would take at this amazing National Park.  If you have an interest in the US Navy, particularly the naval aspects of the War of 1812, plan a reasonable amount of time to take it all in.

Resources: http://www.nps.gov/bost/historyculture/cny.htm; http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/ussconstitution.asp;http://www.nps.gov/bost/historyculture/usscassinyoung.htm

Tecumseh Monument

Location: Thamesville, Ontario, Canada

Features: Stone monuments on highway wayside

History:  During the War of 1812, Tecumseh lead an alliance of Native American tribes who joined with the British in the goal of preventing future American encroachments on their territory.  These hopes were dashed when the British were defeated at the Battle of the Thames in October of 1813 and Tecumseh was killed.  The site of his death is marked by this monument.

Traveler's Notes:  Photographed August 2012

Resources:  Tecumseh, Battle_of_the_Thames

The Powder House

Location: Hallowell, Maine

Features: 1820's era Powder House, cannon from HMS Boxer

History: This cannon was captured by the USS Enterprise from the HMS Boxer during the War of 1812.  This naval engagement took place off the coast of nearby Portland, Maine.  According to the placard it was converted to a field piece and now serves as a memorial to the Hallowell Light Infantry.

Traveler's Notes: This cannon was discovered by chance while wandering the beautiful historic streets of downtown Hallowell, Maine with my family in October 2013.  Hallowell is a small community adjacent to the state capitol of Augusta.  The city of Hallowell offers a series of placards, "The Museum In The Streets", relating local historical information.

Resources: Capture_of_HMS_Boxer; Hallowell,_Maine