River Raisin National Battlefield Park, Monroe, Michigan
A visit to Monroe, Michigan, by an outsider would never lead one to guess that a significant battle of the War of 1812 was fought between the Americans and British here on the banks of the Raisin River. At the time, the River Raisin settlement of Frenchtown was the second largest in Michigan (behind Detroit) and was a thriving frontier town. The city’s strategic location led to its sacking by the British.
The modern city of Monroe has grown up around the battlefield, and, except for a few locations in town, it is unrecognizable from the fateful days of the original battle, which took place from January 18 to 23, 1813. Other than the display in the visitors center and a few well-placed signs around town, the sights of a battle are long gone.
Some people argue that it is best to forget and rebuild after a war; after all, war can be glorified and heroes worshipped, leading to long-term resentments that build over generations. In fact, the Battle of River Raisin was the worst defeat for the Americans in the War of 1812. According to the National Park Service, “of the 934 who heard the morning’s reveille, all but the thirty-three who managed to escape to the Maumee Rapids were either dead, wounded, or prisoners of war.” The Battle of River Raisin was just one in a bloody series of battles between the British and the Americans, but we have put our differences aside and gone on to become major allies.
However, not all have forgotten the sacrifices of the troops at River Raisin. The Commonwealth of Kentucky has erected a monument in Monroe, as many of the soldiers who fought and perished in this battle were from the state. The memorial is one of the few places in the United States where a Kentucky flag flies outside the state.
Battles in faraway lands are not a new concept, and this tribute, along with the National Park Visitor Center, serves as a poignant reminder that we should honor our past, even as we move forward with our lives.