This horrific, bloody battle site was one of the biggest fought during the War of 1812. Frenchtown was once a settlement on the north bank of the River Raisin. After the war, however, Monroe was built on the ruins of this settlement. On a wintry day, January 22nd, 1813 do be exact, 500 British forces with approximately 500 Native Americans attacked 850 American troops in the settlement just at day break. 300 American troops were massacred and many more wounded in the brutal attack.
With no troops on guard to protect the Americans the Native Americans came back and ransacked the village. They killed and scalped many and set homes a blaze. Bodies were tossed into the burning homes and many more hose were claimed as Indian property and were taken to be ransomed. More than 60 wounded American troops were killed in the massacre. This lead to the rallying call for American troops later in the war “Remember the River Raisin”.
The last remaining survivors of the River Raisin Battle
Battlefields at any site are extremely well known for paranormal and supernatural activity. The River Raisin Battlefield is known to be one of the most haunted places in Michigan. There have been several claims of people seeing apparitions of American soldiers or militia all dressed in 1813 military attire. Many paranormal investigation teams have traveled to this national park to see if they can evoke the dead themselves. Their findings include many recorded EVP’s (electronic voice phenomena) which in laymans terms are voices caught on a digital recorder that you did not hear out loud at the time.
This River Raisin Battlefield display in Monroe's Historical Museum shows a sacred Native American pipe, it belonged to Kiowa Chief Santana. Legend has it that spirits linger about from time to time in the museum. This display in particular draws a lot of attention; often in photographs little orbs appear all around it signifying that spirit is present.
One of many plaques at the battlefield.
The River Raisin Visitor Center
I traveled to this site and took various pictures hopeful that perhaps one would prove to have orbs or a the ghostly outline of a soldier but I came up with nothing. Perhaps they spirits were too aware of my presence and didn't want to show themselves.
One elderly local Monroe woman made claims to the Monroe Evening News that her home is now on what was once a part of the battlefield. She says that one day she was on the ground peering under the couch searching for her dogs lost treat and as she began to look up there was a man standing just in front of her dressed in 1800's attire, she says just as she glanced up further to see his face it vanished. She also has made claims that objects have flown across her living room and unexplained noises have been made at all times of the day.