Two Sites with Connections to the War of 1812

River Raisin National Battlefield Park is one of those small NPS sites that I'm surprised I never visited, even in passing, since it's in my home state. The National Park Service describes the site as "preserv[ing], commemorat[ing], and interpret[ing] the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath. Battles that resulted in the greatest victory for Tecumseh’s Confederation and the British and the greatest defeat for the U.S." The war is generally thought of as an ultimate draw between the US and Britain, and the NPS has a write-up on the history of this particular battle and its importance to the War of 1812.

The Visitor Center focuses more on the surrounding area and the Native communities that live/lived in Michigan. Inside, there is an impressive Longhouse and Wigwan that you can walk into and see what one would have been like. Having grown up in Michigan, we learned about these as children in school, having even made a paper mache wigwam in one class or another.

The Battlefield area is pretty small and has a nice little loop path around the outskirts of the general path of the field. It has some signs that attempt to explain what you're looking at, and the general history of the area.

One interesting battlecry that came out of this defeat and was used by the U.S. forces throughout the remainder of the war was "Remember the Raisin." The 200 American casualties and the subsequent murder of several wounded American prisoners by the Native allies of the British enraged the American public and ensured continued troop support throughout the war.

We then headed to Fallen Timbers Battlefield, a park affiliated with the NPS and managed by the Toledo Metropark. At the actual Fallen Timbers Battlefield site is a pleasant 1.5 mile loop walk around the battlefield. The Battle of Fallen Timbers between the US and Britain led to the Treaty of Greenville, which ultimately pushed Native American tribes from the region, sparked American settlement, and caused the British to withdraw from their forts. These three things fueled anger and tensions that eventually became major causes of the War of 1812.

Nearby the Fallen Timbers Monument area includes monuments to all sides of the conflict.

Fort Miamis NHS was a British Fort that is several miles away and played a part in both the Fallen Timbers Battle, as well as the War of 1812. Not much is left of the fort, but the earthworks used to build the fort are very visible and you can wander around them and check out the area.