Battle of Detroit

The Battle of Detroit, also known as the Battle of Fort Detroit or the Surrender of Fort Detroit, was a humiliating loss for the Americans early in the War of 1812. The battle cost the Americans an entire army and brought to a halt the planned invasion of Canada, which was an essential part of the American war strategy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

General Isaac Brock commanded all British forces in Upper Canada. Opposing him at Detroit was American General William Hull, an aging veteran of the American Revolutionary War. When Fort Mackinac fell to the British early in 1812, Brock's confidence was strengthened to launch a campaign against Detroit, even though his forces were far smaller than Hull's and consisted mostly of militia. Brock was able to gather some 100 regulars and 300 militia, and personally left his headquarters at York to lead the attack against Hull. General Hull, with 2,500 troops, had plans to launch a campaign against the British forces at Fort Amherstburg. Upon hearing of the loss of Fort Mackinac and Brock's bold movement towards him, Hull retreated into Fort Detroit. Some of Hull's officers disagreed with this retreat, and secretly discussed removing him from command.

Related Topics:
Isaac Brock - Upper Canada - Detroit - William Hull - American Revolutionary War - Fort Mackinac - 1812 - Militia - York - Fort Amherstburg - Fort Detroit

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In early August Brock arrived outside Detroit with an additional 150 Indian warriors under the command of the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh. On August 15 Brock began bombarding the Americans inside the fort. In an attempt to deceive the Americans into believing there were more British than there actually were, Brock had his troops march in plain sight of the defenses then quickly march off and duck behind entrenchments. He also gave his militia uniforms of regular army soldiers to make Hull believe most of the British force are regulars. Tecumseh's warriors did likewise, and made loud warcries.

Related Topics:
Shawnee - Tecumseh - August 15

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Brock sent a message to Hull that included an unmistakable threat of massacre:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:"The force at my disposal authorizes me to require of you the immediate surrender of Fort Detroit. It is far from my intention to join in a war of extermination, but you must be aware, that the numerous body of Indians who have attached themselves to my troops, will be beyond control the moment the contest commences..."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Brock's plan worked better than he believed it would. Hull despaired of holding out against a force of seemingly thousands of British regulars, and, hearing the Indian warcries, began to fear a massacre. Women and children, including his own daughter and grandchild, still resided within the Fort. Against the advice of his subordinates, Hull hoisted a white flag of surrender. He sent messengers to Brock asking three days to agree on terms of surrender. Brock replied he would allow him 3 hours. Hull surrendered his entire force along with 39 cannon and 2,500 muskets. Two large detachments in the area were even surrendered.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The surrender of Hull's army was a great victory for the British, since it completely thwarted the U.S. strategy of invading the Canadian provinces. The British gained an important post on American territory and won control over Michigan and the Detroit region for most of the war. The Americans would not regain the upper hand on this front until the U.S. victory at the Battle of Lake Erie and the successful invasion of Canada launched by Hull's successor, General William Henry Harrison.

Related Topics:
Michigan - Battle of Lake Erie - William Henry Harrison

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Brock emerged as a hero and Tecumseh's influence was strengthened. Brock left Colonel Henry Procter in command at Detroit and went to repulse an American invasion at the Battle of Queenston Heights, which would claim the general's life. Tecumseh was killed at the Battle of the Thames. General Hull was court martialed and sentenced to death for his actions at Detroit; because of his service in the American Revolution, he was pardoned by President James Madison.

Related Topics:
Henry Procter - Battle of Queenston Heights - Battle of the Thames - James Madison

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~