Battle of Frenchtown

The Battle of Frenchtown, also known as the Battle of the River Raisin or the River Raisin Massacre, was a series of conflicts that took place from January 18–23, 1813 during the War of 1812. It was fought between the United States and a British and Native American alliance near the River Raisin in Frenchtown, Michigan Territory (present-day Monroe, Michigan).

On January 18, 1813 the Americans forced the retreat of the British and their Indian allies from Frenchtown, which they had earlier occupied, in a relatively minor skirmish. The encounter was part of a larger plan to advance north and retake the city of Detroit following the loss of the city in the Siege of Detroit the previous summer. Despite the initial American success, the British and Native Americans rallied and launched a surprise counterattack four days later on January 22. Three hundred and ninety-seven Americans were killed in this second battle, while hundreds were taken prisoner and dozens of them killed in a subsequent massacre by Native Americans the following day. It was the deadliest conflict ever fought on Michigan soil, and the casualties included the highest number of Americans killed in a single battle during the War of 1812.

Parts of the original battlefield have recently been designated as the River Raisin National Battlefield Park, which is still awaiting inclusion as a national battlefield park on the National Park Service.