"Remember the Raisin" by Ken Riley
Monroe, MI—Battles from long ago have a strategic place in our histories. While they are forgotten episodes of violence and conflict, these stories remind us of the the many souls lost to war. Gettysburg, for instance, is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the lost there. Feelings of dread and sadness permeate the fields. Michigan has its own undead battle story known as the River Raisin Battlefield haunting in Monroe, MI. As it relates to this story, ghosts and spirits seem to linger where a great violence occurred.
River Raisin Battle History
The River Raisin battlefield is known as the site of the bloodiest battle in the War of 1812. During the war, the US battled for control of the Great Lakes Region against the British and their Native American allies. The US side was composed of 667 inexperienced Kentucky militiamen under General James Winchester. They attacked a garrison at Frenchtown (aka River Raisin) coming from Maumee Rapids. In doing so, they drove out the British and their allies.
The British retaliated just four days later under Col. Henry Procter. He came with over 1,000 British troops and 600 Native American warriors. They caught the US troops off guard. Many of the regulars surrendered, the Kentuckians fought valiantly against the aggressors.
While the forces were defeated, the British promised to care for the wounded. However, Native American forcers attacked the wounded over past grievances and as retaliation for unpaid gains. Somewhere between 60-100 men were killed.
According to sources: “Native American Warriors returned to Frenchtown the following day. The remaining prisoners who could walk were evacuated, and those that could not were killed since the Native Americans did not want to tend to the wounded.”
It is still remembered as one of the largest US defeats during the War of 1812. However, it became a rallying cry for US troops for the remainder of the war.
River Raising Haunting
Due to the decidedly high amount of casualties and brutalities of the combat, visitors have alleged ghostly sightings in and around the River Raisin. Often, with ghost stories, the violence of the living follows them into death.
Some of these reports include apparitions and auditory phenomena. Often times, witnesses have seen men in military attire in the area of the battle. Others have heard pained voices and cries of agony. Shadows in doorways and windows of buildings have led some to feel like they are being watched by the dead.
Likewise, investigators have claimed that they felt “gloomy” or “depressed.” A common sighting includes a young girl in a white dress. She is said to walk around wooded areas and on the location of the battleground. Another witness, park volunteer Sherri Schreiner of LaSalle, said she heard quite a commotion from a spirit one night.
As stated in The Monroe News, she said one night she was working when she heard a “violent crashing.” The noise moved from the upstairs, down, and through the backdoor. “It sounded like whatever it was was slamming against the walls as it made its way out the back door,” she said.
In the end, the River Raisin Battlefield haunting is a consistent reminder that the figures and voices of the dead don’t always rest easy.
