First Battle of the River Raisin

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, February 6, 2010

1. First Battle of the River Raisin Marker

View of the location of the historical marker, showing the marker post with the marker missing. In the background, across the river on the left, is a view of the River Raisin Battlefield Visitor Center.

Inscription. Over this ground, Jan. 18, 1813, 667 Kentuckians and nearly 100 local Frenchmen charged across the frozen river toward the British and Indian positions. The 63 British and Canadian soldiers and 200 Potawatomi Indians made a brief stand there, then retreated with their cannon into a wooded area a mile to the north where the fighting raged for several hours...

Across this ground during the second battle, Jan. 22, the Indians closely pursued the retreating U.S. 17th Infantry and its reinforcements. They tried to reform on the south bank, but became disorganized among farm lot buildings and fence rows. Constantly out flanked by mounted Indians, they fled south along a narrow lane, being fired on from both sides.

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 month for this entry is January 1820.

Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 41° 54.554′ N, 83° 22.719′ W. Marker was in Monroe, Michigan, in Monroe County. It could be reached from East Front Street 0.3

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miles east of Winchester Street. This historical marker is located just off of East Front Street in Hellenberg Park, very near the south side of the River Raisin. To see this historical marker, turn into the park and go to the far end of the parking lot (the end nearest the river) and there one will see a historical marker at the approach to the footbridge that goes to Sterling Island. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Monroe MI 48161, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It was also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it was in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

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

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The 1st Battle of the River Raisin (approx. 0.2 miles away); The 2nd Battle of the River Raisin (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The 2nd Battle of the River Raisin (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Newton" Strike

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, February 6, 2010

2. First Battle of the River Raisin Marker

View of the historical marker located on the river side of the walking path's approach to the footbridge leading to Sterling Island.

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of the River Raisin Memorial Bench (approx. 0.2 miles away); Private Claim 96 of Jean (John) Baptist Couture (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battles of the River Raisin (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of the River Raisin Memorial Bench (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monroe.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,917 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 18, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.