Elements of the U.S. 17th Infantry were camped in an open field just north of here when the British and Indians launched a surprise counterattack at dawn on January 22, 1813. The Americans held their ground for 20 minutes before Canadian militiamen with the British and Indians flanked them and forced a retreat. Reinforcements arrived from the Kentucky militia camp to the west, but the American forces soon found themselves fleeing across the frozen river toward the old road to Ohio. Nearly 400 Americans were eventually swept into this retreat. Later, the British moved their cannon to this site, hoping to surround the Kentucky militia camp, which was still fighting courageously.