Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Fort Detroit (J. Coakley, 41st Foot) edge bruising and contact marks, better than good fine £2000-2500

John Coakley, a ‘recruit from England’, enlisted into the 41st Foot on 6 May 1807. He saw extensive service in Canada and the north-west frontier of America during the War of 1812-15, including the attack on Fort Detroit on 16 August 1812. Subsequent to this action, Coakley was wounded at the battle of the River Raisin on 22 January 1813. This action took place near present-day Monroe, in Michigan State, when a British contingent of some 500 regulars and Canadian militia, with a number of Indians, defeated an American force of approximately 1400 men.

In his narrative A Common Soldier’s Account, Private Shadrach Byfield, 41st Foot, reported ‘a heavy loss of killed and wounded on each side.’ He also records an incident that was to later make “Remember the River Raisin!” a battle cry among American forces: ‘I understand that while we were engaged with the enemy, the Indians pressed them on their right, and a part of the American force were sent to oppose them. The Indians overpowered them and killed a considerable number. Some of the Indians produced eight or nine scalps each. This, no doubt, was one of the principal causes of the enemy surrendering.’

John Coakley was apparently living in Canada when he claimed his medal. Sold with detailed research.