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Archaeologists and historians to survey War of 1812 Battlefield

MONROE - A former industrial site near East Elm Avenue and North Dixie Highway has produced hard evidence about fighting that occurred in 1813 at the Battle of the River Raisin.

Musket balls, metal buttons from military uniforms, and other artifacts have been unearthed in archaeological digs on the War of 1812 battlefield, which has been identified for development into a national park.

Not much research has been done south of the Raisin River in Monroe, where U.S. troops fled after intense fighting with British soldiers and their Native American allies.

That could change as archaeologists and historians are set to begin a survey of the unexplored area where retreating militia and Indians fought after the battle on the north side of the river.

A four-day archaeological investigation under the direction of Heidelberg University Professor G. Michael Pratt will begin Oct. 16 in selected areas south of the river in the city.

Mr. Pratt, associate vice president of anthropology and director for the Center for Historic and Military Archaeology at Heidelberg University, has been involved in studies of the River Raisin battle since the late 1990s.
Read entire article at Toledo Blade