When word spread of the surrender of Detroit due to the fear of the what Madison called the "the blood-thirsty savages let loose by the enemy on an extensive frontier", the western states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky flooded the militias. In Kentucky alone, Kentuckians formed volunteer companies far in excess of what was asked by the federal government. In total 25,010 Kentuckians fought in the war, or 5 out 6 men of military age. They formed 36 regiments, four battalions, and 12 independent companies. The British may have found a great ally in the Native Americans, but in doing so they unleashed and excited the great anger and fear among the zealous and patriotic Americans. The imagery of "hostile tribes of savage" was a rallying cry to the men of frontier America, and this did not go unnoticed by President Madison as he tried to channel the anger and energy against the British.
In his annual address to Congress in 1812, James Madison explained how the "misfortune at Detroit was not, however, without a consoling effect". While the actions of General Hull were disheartening, the reaction of the people was uplifting. It proved that the American spirit would rise up under the pressure of war. The surrender of Detroit inspired throughout the country new passion and determination to fight and protect their brethren against the "blood-thirsty savages". Madison reported to Congress that the patriotic zeal that ensued was do great, that it had to be suppressed not encouraged. This spirit of the American frontier had yielded an ample force of volunteers that has been placed under the well-respected Brigadier-General Harrison. These men along with a few regulars were being deployed to an important frontier post and against several hostile tribes of savages. Madison admitted, that the tribes did not deserve the cruelties of war that was to be placed before them, but nonetheless it had to be done. For they were seduced by the enemy into serving as hostile agents of Great Britain.
"The misfortune at Detroit was not, however, without a consoling effect. It was followed by signal proofs that the national spirit rises according to the pressure on it. The loss of an important post and of the brave men surrendered with it inspired everywhere new ardor and determination. In the States and districts least remote it was no sooner known than every citizen was ready to fly with his arms at once to protect his brethren against the blood-thirsty savages let loose by the enemy on an extensive frontier, and to convert a partial calamity into a source of invigorated efforts. This patriotic zeal, which it was necessary rather to limit than excite, has embodied an ample force from the States of Kentucky and Ohio and from parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia. It is placed, with the addition of a few regulars, under the command of Brigadier-General Harrison, who possesses the entire confidence of his fellow soldiers, among whom are citizens, some of them volunteers in the ranks, not less distinguished by their political stations than by their personal merits. The greater portion of this force is proceeding in relieving an important frontier post, and in several incidental operations against hostile tribes of savages, rendered indispensable by the subserviency into which they had been seduced by the enemy - a seduction the more cruel as it could not fail to impose a necessity of precautionary severities against those who yielded to it."In 1812, the Kentucky Militia fought at the battle of River Raisin, one of the most memorable battles of the war. In 1813 James Winchester, the second-in-command of the Army of the Northwest, led a column of approximately 1,000 inexperienced regulars and volunteers, mostly from Kentucky into battle. The Americans initially forced the retreat of The British and their Indian allies from Frenchtown, but in a surprise counterattack four days later, the Americans lost 397 soldiers with 547 taken prisoner. The rallying cry "Remember the River Raisin" led many more Kentuckians to enlist for the war of 1812.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29454
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_in_the_War_of_1812
http://kynghistory.ky.gov/Our-History/History-of-the-Guard/Pages/The-War-of-1812.aspx
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Frenchtown
http://kynghistory.ky.gov/Our-History/History-of-the-Guard/PublishingImages/river_raisin_flag_recreation_s.jpg
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