War of 1812 Memorial Site & Battle of Brownstown Marker

The Battle of Brownstown was a short engagement that resulted in the deaths of 18 men, two of whom were surgeons who were remembered for fighting valiantly in defense of their wounded patients before being executed by Tecumseh's forces. Leading up to the battle, Major Van Horn's force of 200 Ohio militiamen had the mission of protecting the supply line to General Hull in Detroit. Horn's men learned that Tecumseh's force, alongside a British contingent, was in the area. While fording across the Brownstown Creek, Tecumseh attacked with only 24 warriors. Van Horn and his militiamen believed they were outnumbered and broke in a panicked retreat while being chased down by a larger contingent of Tecumseh's warriors. Seventy Americans were listed as missing in action with 12 wounded and 18 were killed. One native chief was killed. This defeat was one factor that led to General Hull surrendering Detroit to the British.

Tecumseh, according to a tablet on the monument, was granted the rank of Brigadier General by the British for his actions by Major-General Henry Procter to thank Tecumseh. The tribal leader denied the recognition.

The Battle of Monguagon (or Maguaga) occurred nearby four days later on August 9th, 1812. This monument remembers the soldiers who died during this battle on one of its tablets. Similarly to Van Horn's mission, Lieutenant Colonel James Miller and his 600 militiamen and regulars had the task of bringing supplies to Detroit. They engaged a British and Native force of 400 and routed their enemy, but Hull would surrender Detroit a week later.

Bennington, Dale K.. Battle of Brownstown Historical Marker, HMdb.org. February 15th 2010. Accessed July 5th 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=27572.

Keating, John W. Physician and Surgeon: A Professional Medical Journal. Volume 29. 1907.

Carstens, Patrick Richard. Searching For the Forgotten War - 1812. Xlibris Corporation, 2011.

, Michigan Historical Commission, Michigan State Historical Society . Michigan Historical Collections. Volume 6. Michigan Historical Commission, 1907.

Tecumseh, Accessed July 5th 2020. https://Blackhawkmuseum.org/tecumseh/#:~:text=The%20next%20British%20commander%20in,and%20gave%20the%20sash%20away..

Battle of Monguagon, Accessed July 5th 2020. http://harris23.msu.domains/event/1812-battle-of-monguagon/.