When my niece was seven-years-old, like many kids with older siblings, she was an unwilling participant in a fray or two. Her older sister was taller, stronger and bossier. My niece knew she could not win before the battles began, but nonetheless, she embraced her inner warrior. She would give a long, blood-curdling scream, run towards her sister and leap upon her. She would attach herself like a spider monkey and was not above biting or pulling hair to even the playing field. I greatly admire her bravado, and it reminds me of the Kentuckians entering into the River Raisin battle in the War of 1812. The Kentuckians were unimpressed by British efforts and their cannon maneuvers as they fought in the first battle at Frenchtown in Michigan Territory. As described by Ralph Naveaux in his book Invaded on all Sides, the Kentucky militia “continued their forward rush, raising a Kentucky yell. Some of them crowed like roosters, others barked like dogs, and yet others called out ‘Fire away with your mouse cannon again!’” As they fought fiercely employing their boldness and brawn, they were often described as being half horse and half alligator, and they were not above gouging and biting.
Our own Montgomery County hero William E. Bratton was one of those Kentucky soldiers fighting at Frenchtown that day. He was a private in Company B of the 1st Rifle Regiment of the Kentucky militia. He was a strong and hardy soldier, and most importantly experienced. His mettle had already been tested during the Lewis & Clark Expedition eight years before. Though William’s service was impressive, he was not the only soldier in his family. His brother Archibald Bratton, my six times great grandfather, also served as a private in the War of 1812 in Alexander Stuart’s company in the 3rd Regiment of the Kentucky militia. Likewise, their brother Adam Bratton served in George Baltzell’s company in the 10th Regiment of the Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia. This regiment participated in the Battle of the Thames. Finally, their brother George was in Captain Thomas Sterrett’s company in the 14th Regiment of the Kentucky militia that stood with General Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans. Additionally, although their eldest brother Robert did not serve in the War of 1812, he served previously as a private in the Kentucky militia in 1794 defending the frontier from Native American forces. Their father George Bratton and grandfather Robert Bratton also served their country in Virginia.
As a proud Bratton descendant, I will honor both Archibald and William Bratton by placing a wreath on their gravestones at the Old Pioneer Cemetery in Waynetown on December 19, 2020 as part of the Wreaths Across America program. The national movement is a coordinated effort with a three-part mission — to remember American veterans, to honor those who have served, and to educate others about the value of freedom. More information about Wreaths Across America is available at wreathsacrossamerica.org. (Feel free to join me at The Old Pioneer Cemetery in Waynetown at 10 a.m. Dec. 19, but brace yourself as William Bratton’s gravestone and monument recently tangled with a car. Yes, a car, but I will proceed undaunted).
If you are interested in discovering if any of your ancestors fought in a war or if you know they did but want more information, visit the Reference and Local History Department of the Crawfordsville District Public Library and make an appointment with our Local History Specialist, Dellie Craig. You may also call us at 765-362-2242, ext. 117 or email us at ref@cdpl.lib.in.us to make reservations or for assistance with your Reference and Local History needs. Using a library computer, you can search for your ancestor in the Fold 3 military database. The database is free to use by all library patrons. If you are lucky, you will find that you are a little bit horse and a little bit alligator … like my niece and me.
Amie Cox is a local history specialist.
