River Raisin Battlefield

This is the site of the Battle of Frenchtown, where British and Native American forces joined to fight against U.S. troops and Frenchtown residents.

From January 18th to January 23rd, 1813, the north bank of the River Raisin became a battleground where the forces of the United States and Great Britain fought each other for the control of all of Michigan and the Lower Great Lakes. At stake was the destiny not only of the 2 countries, but also the future of Frenchtown, (known today as Monroe Michigan) of Canada, and of Tecumseh's alliance of Native-American tribes.

The British and Indian victory at the River Raisin destroyed an entire American army and upset their campaign to recapture Detroit, which had fallen to the enemy early in the war. It raised Native-American hopes that their alliance with the British would result in the preservation of their lands, while it brought grief to hundreds of families in Kentucky who had lost their sons during the bloody battle and its aftermath.