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On January 21, 1813, the Battle of Raisin River takes place. The American force, commanded by General Winchester, surrenders to British Colonel Henry A Proctor and loses 100 dead and 500 captured.
General William Henry Harrison's Northwest Army divided to march by three routes to attack British forces stationed in Detroit. One of the divisions, made up of 700 Kentuckians, ignored orders and decided to pursue food and shelter from the frigid weather. The division, under Brigadier General James Winchester, captured an enemy store in Frenchtown on the River Raisin and set up camp. In a poor defensive position, the division was massacred by a surprise attack of 1,200 Britons and 1,400 Indians under British General Henry Proctor. The Kentuckians were attacked by British artillery, and then attempted to flee but were hunted through the woods by the Indians. Over 400 Kentuckians died; 80 wounded were left behind to face the tomahawks of the Indians. Only 15 to 20 wounded Kentuckians managed to escape and survived. |
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