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

and Indians were commanded by Major Reynolds, of the British Army. His force consisted of one hundred English and four hundred Indians. Colonel Lewis was directed to hold Frenchtown.

The success of this movement, communicated to the army at the Rapids, created a high degree of excitement and all were eager to advance and participate in the hostilities. On the 19th of January General Winchester himself advanced with two hundred and fifty men—all that could be spared from the Rapids-and assumed command of the force.

General Harrison reached the ford at the Rapids on the morning of the 20th, and there discovered that General Winchester had the evening before preceded him to the River Raisin, having left General Payne in camp with three hundred men.

General Harrison did all that he could do, under the circumstances, to reinforce General Winchester. So soon as he learned, on the morning of the 22d, of the attack, he ordered all the reinforcements to follow those which had already gone forward under General Payne.

The first intelligence they had of the dreadful calamity was from fugitives who had escaped from the battle, and who informed the scouting force that General Winchester had been totally defeated, and the British and Indians

were pursuing them toward the Rapids. A short time. afterward information was received which showed the defeat was total and irretrievable, and all resistance on the part of the Americans had ceased.

General Winchester, an old Revolutionary soldier, who had moved to Tennessee, living in luxury and ease, had no experience as an Indian fighter, and rested that night with his two hundred and fifty troops in fatal security, while guards were placed as usual. In consequence of the extreme cold weather, no picket was placed on the road along which the enemy was likely to advance. The night was passed without any alarm, but at daybreak on the morning of the 22d, while reveille was beating, three guns were heard in quick succession. Without delay the troops were formed in line of battle, and while doing so the British opened a heavy fire on the camp with artillery loaded with bullets and grapeshot, at a distance of nine hundred and fifty feet.

The Kentucky troops had been placed within the line of a picket fence. The regulars, under Colonel Welles, who had come as their escort, had been formed in the open field, without the protection of any breastworks. A partial advance of the Indian allies on the right and left had been received by the Kentuckians with absolute steadiness. Around Lewis's camp they were repulsed, but the rein

forcement which had arrived with General Winchester, composed of the regulars, after a short contest was compelled to fall back, and by some misconception of orders in directing them to form along the picket fence this detachment was thrown into confusion. Discovering the misfortune which had attended the regulars, Colonels Lewis and Allen left their protected point behind the picket fence and went forward to assist in rallying the men who had been thrown into disorder.

In their disconcerted condition they attempted to move along a narrow lane through which the road passed from the field. The Indians formed on either side of this lane and shot the retreating Americans down in every direction. Some who had passed through the lane and reached the wood on the right hand were surrounded and massacred, and nearly one hundred men were tomahawked within a distance of three hundred feet.

Captain Simpson, a member of Congress, in command of one of the companies, was shot and tomahawked at the edge of the wood near the mouth of the lane, and Colonel Allen, although severely wounded in his thigh, attempted to rally his men, begging them to halt and sell their lives as dearly as possible. Colonel Allen, attacked by two Indians, killed one with his sword, while a third one coming up, put him to death with a shot from his rifle.