Benjamin Franklin Graves

Benjamin Franklin Graves (1771–1813)^[1] was a politician and military leader in early 19th century Kentucky. A Major in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Kentucky Volunteer regiment,^[1][2] Graves was among the American troops who fought at the Battle of Frenchtown during the War of 1812.

Personal life

Graves was born in Virginia's Spotsylvania County and moved to Kentucky with his siblings and widowed mother in 1791. He was a two-term (1801 and 1804) state representative for Fayette County in Kentucky^[1] He married Polly Dudley, daughter of Ambrose Dudley and Ann Parker,^[3] and together they had six children.^[1][4]

Military career and presumed death

Graves was Nathaniel G. S. Hart's commanding officer.^[2] During the fighting at Frenchtown on January 22nd, Graves was shot in the knee, bandaged his wound himself and told his men to continue fighting.^[5] After the death of Colonel John Allen,^[6] field command of the Kentuckians came to rest upon Graves and Major George Madison.^{[7] [note 1]}

He was among the survivors who surrendered to British forces upon General Winchester's orders.^[5] His younger brother, Lieutenant Thomas Coleman Graves (a 1st Lieutenant of the 17th Infantry), was also killed during the battle.^[8][2] After the surrender British officer Captain William Elliott, a Loyalist, asked to borrow Graves' horse, saddle and bridle. Elliott then promised that he would send back additional help for the wounded Americans but the help never arrived.^[9]On January 23rd, Graves and other injured Americans were captured by Potawatomie Indians during the River Raisin Massacre.^[1] Graves was imprisoned by the Pottawottamies along with Timothy Mallory, Samuel Ganoe, and John Davenport. Mallory and Ganoe were later able to escape.^[8] He was started out on the march toward Detroit but then disappears from written records.^[9][10] Graves was reportedly seen near Detroit on the Rouge River^[11][12] but was not definitively heard from again and is presumed to have died during the march.^[13][14] Winchester's February 11th 1813 letter about the Battle, written to the US Secretary of War, was widely published in American newspapers at that time, mentioned Major Graves and his fellow officers saying "they defended themselves to the last with great gallantry".^[15] After Graves' disappearance while a prisoner, for years "his widow kept a light burning at the window of their home" in case he would return.^[16]

Memorials

Graves County, Kentucky was created and named in his honor in 1823,^[1] His name is enscribed, along with the names of his fellow officers who fell at the Raisin, on Kentucky's Military Monument to All Wars in the Frankfort Cemetery.^[17]

Notes

References