The Bugles Sound

Many of the men of the 41st Regiment had been stationed in Canada for 13 years, and by October 5, 1813, they had gone unpaid for 6 to 9 months, lacked tents and blankets, wore uniforms in rags, suffered from a variety of diseases, and had not had proper food for days. British Ensign James Cochran observed, "The attack was silently awaited, each determined to do his duty, but few with any doubt as to the result." About 450 British troops faced 3000 American troops, including five regiments of Kentucky Volunteer Militia, Johnson's Regiment of Mounted Infantry, 120 regulars, and 200 Native Warriors. At 4:00 p.m., American bugles sounded and the assault began with the cry, "Remember the River Raisin!" Colonel Johnson led the attack with his mounted infantry, sending half against the south end of the British front line nearest the road and river and the other half against the First Nations warriors in the marsh, intending to break through both lines on horseback, dismount, and attack from the rear while American foot soldiers attacked from the front. The strategy worked: the mounted infantry broke the British front line, the British fired one volley and then scattered into the trees or surrendered, the British cannon was captured before it could be fired, and after firing two rounds the second line was similarly broken by the U.S. horsemen. The forward action ended within minutes, with 12 British killed, 22 wounded, and three Americans dead. During the attack, Major General Procter tried to rally the troops to reform but had to flee on horseback with a few other officers and provincial dragoons. A group of Johnson's Mounted Infantry pursued Procter and his party, but Jacques Baby, a Canadian Militia officer from Sandwich, was thrown from his horse near a narrow bridge and obstructed the pursuers, allowing Procter and a small group of officers and men to escape capture and reach Burlington Heights.

Ontario · Canada