Tuesday, October 5, 1813, 4:00 p.m.

— Tecumseh Parkway —

Many of the men of the 41st Regiment had been stationed in Canada for 13 years. By October 5, 1813, they had not been paid for 6 to 9 months; they lacked tents and blankets; their uniforms were in rags; they were plagued by a variety of diseases; and they had not had proper food for days. British Ensign James Cochran observed, "The attack was silently awaited, each determined to do his duty, but few with any doubt as to the result."

The British, numbering about 450, faced 3000 American troops that included five regiments of Kentucky Volunteer Militia, Johnson's Regiment of Mounted Infantry, 120 regulars, and 200 Native Warriors.

At 4:00 p.m., the American bugles sounded and the assault began with the American battle cry, "Remember the River Raisin!" reminding the British of the massacre of American prisoners by warriors under Procter's command earlier in the year. Colonel Johnson led the attack with his mounted infantry. Half of his force charged the south end of the British front line (nearest the road and river) while the other half attacked the First Nations warriors in the marsh. The plan was to break through both British lines with their horses, dismount, and attack from the rear, while the American foot soldiers would follow and attack from the front. The strategy worked. The mounted infantry broke the British front line. The British troops fired one volley and then scattered to the cover of trees or surrendered. In the process, the British cannon was captured before it could be fired. The second line, after firing two rounds, was similarly broken by the U.S. horsemen. The forward action was over in minutes with 12 British killed, 22 wounded, and three Americans dead.

During the attack, Major General Procter tried to rally the troops to re-form but had to flee on horseback along with a few other officers and provincial dragoons. A group of Johnson's Mounted Infantry pursued Procter and his party but were foiled when Jacques Baby, a Canadian Militia officer from Sandwich, was thrown from his horse near a narrow bridge, hence obstructing the pursuers. Procter and a small group of officers and men narrowly escaped capture and reached Burlington Heights.

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Why Choose This Site?
Prelude to Battle

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