Battles of the River Raisin

At the Battles of the River Raisin in January 1813, participants left sharply different firsthand accounts of two engagements. After the American victory of January 18, Capt. John McCalla of the 5th Kentucky wrote of seeing the enemy defeated, fellow soldiers lying dead and wounded under intense fire, and troops advancing continually, generally at a run, with only a brief halt while one wing waited for the other. He also wrote that conditions afterward were far better than before, with abundant provisions and numerous friendly inhabitants, several of whom took up arms and fought alongside the Americans. John Richardson, a Gentleman Volunteer of the 41st Regiment of Foot, recounted the second battle from the British side, writing that on January 22, before daybreak, British forces came within sight of the enemy and advanced so close before being detected that their line was half formed within musket shot of the defenses. He recalled being unable to fire his gun as he stood exposed to heavy enemy fire during the British victory.

Monroe, Michigan · United States