While these troops were assembled at Georgetown and were listening to an address from Henry Clay, Hull, at Detroit, was surrendering the soldiers of his country and his post in the most cowardly manner to their British foes.

Who should command these troops was a question of much moment to the Kentucky soldiers. Governor Scott would shortly turn over his office to Shelby, who was for the second time to be Governor of the Commonwealth. It had been suggested that General William Henry Harrison be made Major-General by the Governor of Kentucky, but the difficulty was, Harrison was not a citizen of Kentucky, and the laws did not sanction the appointment of a non-resident as a militia officer of the State, and besides a Major-General had already been appointed for the detached militia, which was all that was allowed under the law.

At this juncture a juncture a caucus caucus was called, composed of Governor Shelby, Henry Clay, Thomas Todd, Judge of the Federal Court, and other distinguished Kentuckians, and they unanimously resolved to advise Governor Scott to appoint General Harrison as Major-General of the Kentucky Militia, and authorize him to take command of the troops now about to march for Detroit. Governor Scott made the appointment, and in a very short time Kentucky sent seven thousand of her citizens into the field.

Among the troops that went forward from Kentucky were the regiments of Lieutenant-Colonel William Lewis, composed largely of Central Kentucky Volunteers, from Fayette, Jessamine, Clark, and Scott; and that of Lieutenant-Colonel John Allen, known as the First Rifle Regiment of Kentucky. They had been the first of Kentucky's troops to enter the service, having been enlisted August 15, 1812, to serve until October 14, 1812. These regiments were composed in large part of the crack militia companies of Central Kentucky. They were with General Winchester at the Rapids of the Maumee; their time had been extended from two to six months. They had borne with the greatest heroism, in the most splendid manner, the privations and difficulties which attended the winter campaign of 1812-13. As their time would expire in February, it was necessary, if a forward movement was to be made by these troops, that it should be made promptly.

General Winchester and his command were at this time at the Rapids of the Maumee, now called Maumee City. On the morning of the 17th of January, 1813, General Winchester had directed Colonel Lewis to march with five hundred and fifty men to the River Raisin, about forty miles distant. A few hours afterward, he was followed by Colonel John Allen with one hundred

and ten men, who came up with Lewis on the evening of the 17th, at Presque Isle. Lewis remained all night at this point, and set out very early in the morning to reach Frenchtown, about six miles farther up the lake, thus bringing him within eighteen miles of Malden, where the British troops had established their headquarters and were supposed to be in large force. When he arrived within six miles of Frenchtown he met a considerable force of Indians.

Colonel Allen was in command of the right, and Major Benjamin Graves in command of the left three companies constituting each command-while the center, likewise composed of three companies, was commanded by Major George Madison, and the advance guard was commanded by Captain Bland Ballard.

When they reached Frenchtown the enemy was observed in motion and in line of battle. They were attacked in a most vigorous manner by the Kentuckians, and for two miles, under severe fighting, were driven back. The commanding general said of the troops engaged in this contest: "They amply supported the double character of the American and Kentuckian." But two men were killed and fifty-five wounded, while the Indians left fifteen dead on the ground, and carried off in addition a large number of wounded. The British