Paschal Hickman
Encyclopedia
Paschal Hickman was a United States
officer in the War of 1812
who was killed in the Massacre of the River Raisin. Hickman County, Kentucky
is named for him.
Hickman was born in King and Queen County, Virginia
, a son of Rev. William Hickman and his wife, Elizabeth Shackelford. William Hickman moved his family to Kentucky
in 1784, becoming the first Baptist
minister in the state. He received 100 acre (0.404686 km²) in 1787 for his military service in the American Revolutionary War
.
Paschal Hickman served as a private under Gen. Anthony Wayne
at the Battle of Fallen Timbers
in 1794. He was an ensign in the 22d Regiment of the Kentucky Militia
in 1802, and a lieutenant in 1803. Hickman married Elizabeth Hall in 1797 and made his home in Frankfort
. He and his wife had 3 daughters. Hickman stood 6 in 2 in (1.88 m) tall and weighed 200 pounds; he was the jailer of Franklin County for some years.
In August 1812, shortly after the beginning of the War of 1812, Hickman raised a company for Col. John Allen
's 1st Kentucky Rifle Regiment. The regiment served in the campaign under Gen. James Winchester
against British Gen. Henry Procter and the Shawnee
leader Tecumseh
. Hickman was seriously wounded in the American victory at the Battle of Frenchtown
on January 18, 1813, apparently by fire from the British 3-pounder cannon, and both of his legs had to be amputated. On January 22, the main British force arrived and Winchester was defeated and captured. Fearing the American army under Gen. William Henry Harrison
would now move against him, Procter retreated the next day. Procter took the uninjured prisoners with him, leaving the seriously wounded behind. No sooner had Procter departed than his Indian allies massacred the American wounded. Paschal Hickman was reportedly dragged from a house and tomahawked to death. At least 68 other Kentuckians also died in the massacre.
Remember the Raisin became a rallying cry for the Kentucky militia for the remainder of the war.
In 1822, Hickman County, Kentucky was formed and named in honor of Paschal Hickman. Eight other Kentucky counties are also named for officers who died in the battle or the following massacre.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
officer in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
who was killed in the Massacre of the River Raisin. Hickman County, Kentucky
Hickman County, Kentucky
Hickman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1822. The elevation in the county ranges from to above sea level. As of 2000, the population was 5,262. Its county seat is Clinton. It is the least densely populated county in the state and is a prohibition or...
is named for him.
Hickman was born in King and Queen County, Virginia
King and Queen County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,630 people, 2,673 households, and 1,897 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 3,010 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
, a son of Rev. William Hickman and his wife, Elizabeth Shackelford. William Hickman moved his family to Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
in 1784, becoming the first Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
minister in the state. He received 100 acre (0.404686 km²) in 1787 for his military service in the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
Paschal Hickman served as a private under Gen. Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne was a United States Army general and statesman. Wayne adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of Mad Anthony.-Early...
at the Battle of Fallen Timbers
Battle of Fallen Timbers
The Battle of Fallen Timbers was the final battle of the Northwest Indian War, a struggle between American Indian tribes affiliated with the Western Confederacy and the United States for control of the Northwest Territory...
in 1794. He was an ensign in the 22d Regiment of the Kentucky Militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
in 1802, and a lieutenant in 1803. Hickman married Elizabeth Hall in 1797 and made his home in Frankfort
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
. He and his wife had 3 daughters. Hickman stood 6 in 2 in (1.88 m) tall and weighed 200 pounds; he was the jailer of Franklin County for some years.
In August 1812, shortly after the beginning of the War of 1812, Hickman raised a company for Col. John Allen
John Allen (soldier)
John Allen was a United States politician and army officer who was killed in the War of 1812.Allen was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and moved with his father to Kentucky in 1779. He went to school in Bardstown, Kentucky and studied law in Staunton, Virginia. He then returned to Kentucky...
's 1st Kentucky Rifle Regiment. The regiment served in the campaign under Gen. James Winchester
James Winchester
James Winchester was an officer in the American Revolutionary War and a brigadier general during the War of 1812. He commanded the American forces at the Battle of Frenchtown, which led to the Massacre of the River Raisin....
against British Gen. Henry Procter and the Shawnee
Shawnee
The Shawnee, Shaawanwaki, Shaawanooki and Shaawanowi lenaweeki, are an Algonquian-speaking people native to North America. Historically they inhabited the areas of Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania...
leader Tecumseh
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the Shawnee and a large tribal confederacy which opposed the United States during Tecumseh's War and the War of 1812...
. Hickman was seriously wounded in the American victory at the Battle of Frenchtown
Battle of Frenchtown
The Battle of Frenchtown, also known as the Battle of the River Raisin or the River Raisin Massacre, was a series of conflicts that took place from January 18–23, 1813 during the War of 1812...
on January 18, 1813, apparently by fire from the British 3-pounder cannon, and both of his legs had to be amputated. On January 22, the main British force arrived and Winchester was defeated and captured. Fearing the American army under Gen. William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
would now move against him, Procter retreated the next day. Procter took the uninjured prisoners with him, leaving the seriously wounded behind. No sooner had Procter departed than his Indian allies massacred the American wounded. Paschal Hickman was reportedly dragged from a house and tomahawked to death. At least 68 other Kentuckians also died in the massacre.
Remember the Raisin became a rallying cry for the Kentucky militia for the remainder of the war.
In 1822, Hickman County, Kentucky was formed and named in honor of Paschal Hickman. Eight other Kentucky counties are also named for officers who died in the battle or the following massacre.