Monroe in Monroe County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Indian Attack

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, February 6, 2010

1. Indian Attack Marker

Inscription. The Second Battle of the River Raisin Jan. 22, 1813, found nearly 400 American soldiers caught in retreat down this old road to Ohio. Those few who made it to this point, over a mile south of their camp, were ambushed by hidden Indians. The 40 American bodies found here bore witness to the ferocity of the attack.

The retreat was a disaster for the American army at Frenchtown. Out of the 400 men who fled, only 33 escaped, about 147 were captured and as many as 220 were killed by the pursuing Indians.

Erected by Monroe County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Military • War of 1812. A significant historical date for this entry is January 22, 1918.

Location. 41° 54.149′ N, 83° 23.585′ W. Marker is in Monroe, Michigan, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of Kentucky Avenue and East Eighth Street, on the right when traveling south on Kentucky Avenue. This historical marker is located at Plum Creek Park, where Kentucky Avenue crosses Plum Creek, on the west side of the road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 908 Kentucky Avenue, Monroe MI 48161, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Boston Custer - Autie Reed (approx. 0.4 miles away); George Francis Heath, M.D.

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Custer-Reed Plot (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Old Hull Road (approx. half a mile away); Capture of Gen. Winchester (approx. half a mile away); Trinity Lutheran Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); J. Sterling Morton (approx. ¾ mile away); Michigan's Tribute to Kentucky (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monroe.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Death of Col. John Allen (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 8, 2025

2. Indian Attack Marker

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, February 6, 2010

3. Indian Attack Marker

View of historical marker next to Plum Creek Park sign, with the park in the background.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, February 6, 2010

4. Indian Attack Marker

View looking east of the historical marker to the left, and of Plum Creek to the right, and the Kentucky Avenue Bridge in the background. This was the site where the Indian ambush of the fleeing Americans took place.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, February 6, 2010

5. Indian Attack Marker

View looking north, up Kentucky Avenue, along the route that the retreating Americans would have taken from the River Raisin battlefield towards the Indian ambush at Plum Creek, which can be seen in the foreground.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,551 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 8, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 2. submitted on July 18, 2025, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 8, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.