Siege of Detroit
Part of the War of 1812
The Surrender of Detroit by John Wycliffe Lowes Forster.
Date 15 August – 16 August 1812 Location Detroit, Michigan Result Decisive British victory
Combatants
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Native Americans	United States
Commanders
Isaac Brock Tecumseh	William Hull #
Strength
600 natives, 330 regulars, 300 militia,	2,500
Casualties
2 wounded	7 killed, 2,493 captured

For the 1763 action in Pontiac's Rebellion, see the Siege of Fort Detroit

The Siege of Detroit, also known as the Surrender of Detroit or the Battle 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. Combatants United States Great Britain Canada Bermuda Eastern Woodland Indians Commanders James Madison Henry Dearborn Jacob Brown Winfield Scott Andrew Jackson George Prevost Isaac Brock† Tecumseh† Strength •United States Regular Army: 35,800 •Rangers: 3,049 •Militia: 458,463* •US Navy & US Marines: (at start of war): •Frigates:6 •Other... Image File history File links Painting by John Wycliffe Lowes Forster? File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... John Wycliffe Lowes Forster (1850 – 1938) was a Canadian artist specializing in portraits, particularly those relating to Canadian history. ... is the 227th day of the year (228th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the overture by Tchaikovsky, see 1812 Overture; For the wars, see War of 1812 (USA - United Kingdom) or Patriotic War of 1812 (France - Russia) For the Siberia Airlines plane crashed over the Black Sea on October 4, 2001, see Siberia Airlines Flight 1812 1812 was a leap year starting... Nickname: Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (Latin for, We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes) Location in Wayne County, Michigan Coordinates: , Country United States State Michigan County Wayne County Founded 1701 Incorporation 1806 Government  - Type Strong Mayor-Council  - Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (D) Area  - City  143. ... Motto Dieu et mon droit(French) God and my right1 Anthem God Save the King (Queen) Territory of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Capital London Language(s) English² Government Constitutional monarchy Monarch  - 1801–1820 George III  - 1820–1830 George IV  - 1830–1837 William IV  - 1837–1901... Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States, including parts of Alaska. ... This article refers to the British general. ... This article or section includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Portrait of William Hull William Hull (June 24, 1753–November 29, 1825) was an American soldier and politician. ... Balian of Ibelin surrendering the city of Jerusalem to Saladin, from Les Passages faits Outremer par les Français contre les Turcs et autres Sarrasins et Maures outremarins, ca. ... Combatants Tecumsehs confederacy United States Commanders Tenskwatawa William Henry Harrison Strength 550-700 1,000 regulars and militia Casualties 50+ killed 70+ wounded 62 killed 126 wounded The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought in 1811 between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory... Combatants Britain Native Americans United States Commanders Captain Charles Roberts Lieutenant Porter Hanks Strength about 600 61 Casualties 0 61 surrendered The Battle of Mackinac Island (1812) was a British victory in the War of 1812. ... The Battle of Brownstown was an early skirmish in the War of 1812. ... The Battle of Maguaga was a small battle fought between British troops, Canadian militia and Tecumsehs natives against a larger force of American troops in Maguaga, Michigan. ... Combatants Potawatomi United Kingdom United States Commanders Chief Blackbird Nathan Heald Strength 500+ 69 military + civilians Casualties 15 39 military + 27 civilians The Fort Dearborn massacre occurred on August 15, 1812 near Fort Dearborn in the United States during the War of 1812. ... The Battle of Fort Harrison was a decisive victory for the United States against an Indian force which greatly outnumbered their own. ... The Siege of Fort Wayne took place during the War of 1812, between American and Indian forces in the wake of the successful British campaigns of 1812. ... The Battle of the Mississinewa also known as the Battle of Mississineway was an expedition ordered by William Henry Harrison against Miami villages in response to the attacks on Fort Wayne. ... Combatants Britain, American Indians United States Commanders Henry Procter, Tecumseh James Winchester Strength 450 natives, 200 regulars, 300 militia, 1,000 regulars and militia Casualties 24 dead, 158 wounded 397 dead, 561 wounded or captured Detroit frontier Tippecanoe – 1st Mackinac Island – Brownstown - Maguaga – Fort Dearborn – Detroit – Fort Harrison – Fort Wayne... The Siege of Fort Meigs took place during the War of 1812 in northwestern Ohio. ... The Battle of Fort Stephenson was an American victory during the War of 1812. ... Combatants United Kingdom United States Commanders Robert Heriot Barclay Oliver Hazard Perry Jesse Elliot Strength 2 ships 2 brigs 1 schooner 1 sloop 3 brigs 5 schooners 1 sloop Casualties 41 dead 93 wounded prisoners 306 surrendered Entire squadron captured 27 dead 96 wounded One brig heavily damaged The Battle... Combatants British Empire Indian Confederation United States Commanders Henry Procter Tecumseh † William Henry Harrison Strength 800 regulars 500 natives1 2,380 militia 1,000 cavalry 120 regulars 260 natives1 Casualties 155 British dead or wounded 477 captured 33 natives dead 15 dead 30 wounded The Battle of the Thames, also... The Battle of Longwoods was a battle of the War of 1812 on March 4, 1814, fought near present-day Wardsville, Ontario. ... Combatants British Empire Native Americans United States Commanders William McKay Joseph Perkins Strength about 650 about 100 Casualties 0 dead, few wounded 5 wounded The Battle of Prairie du Chien was a British victory in the far western theater of the War of 1812. ... Combatants British Empire United States Commanders Robert McDouall George Croghan Andrew Holmes† Strength about 300 700 Casualties 1 dead, 1 wounded 13 dead, 51 wounded The Battle of Fort Mackinac was a British victory in the War of 1812. ... Combatants Great Britain United States Commanders Miller Worsley Arthur Sinclair George Croghan Casualties 3 killed 9 wounded 1 schooner destroyed 6 killed 6 wounded 2 gunboats captured The Engagement on Lake Huron was actually a series of minor engagements, which left the British in control of the Lake, and thus... The Battle of Malcolms Mills was a brief skirmish during the War of 1812, in which a force of American cavalry overran and scattered a force of Canadian militia. ... Combatants Pontiacs confederacy Great Britain Commanders Pontiac Wasson Henry Gladwin Donald Campbell † Strength Casualties For the action in the War of 1812, see the Siege of Detroit The Siege of Fort Detroit was an ultimately unsuccessful attempt by North American Indians to capture Fort Detroit during Pontiacs Rebellion. ... Combatants United States Great Britain Canada Bermuda Eastern Woodland Indians Commanders James Madison Henry Dearborn Jacob Brown Winfield Scott Andrew Jackson George Prevost Isaac Brock† Tecumseh† Strength •United States Regular Army: 35,800 •Rangers: 3,049 •Militia: 458,463* •US Navy & US Marines: (at start of war): •Frigates:6 •Other...

Background

American plans and moves

In the early months of 1812, as tension with Britain increased, United States Secretary of War William Eustis planned to form an army which would secure the northwest against Indians incited to trouble by the British and invade Upper Canada from Detroit. This army was commanded by the Governor of Michigan Territory, Brigadier General William Hull, an aging veteran of the American Revolutionary War. For the overture by Tchaikovsky, see 1812 Overture; For the wars, see War of 1812 (USA - United Kingdom) or Patriotic War of 1812 (France - Russia) For the Siberia Airlines plane crashed over the Black Sea on October 4, 2001, see Siberia Airlines Flight 1812 1812 was a leap year starting... William Eustis (June 10, 1753–February 6, 1825) was an early American statesman. ... Flag Map of Upper Canada (orange) Capital Newark 1792 - 1797 York(later renamed Toronto in 1834) 1797 - 1841 Language(s) English Religion Anglican Government Constitutional monarchy Sovereign  - 1791-1820 George III  - 1837-1841 Victoria Lieutenant-Governor See list of Lieutenant-Governors Legislature Parliament of Upper Canada  - Upper house Legislative Council... Nickname: Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (Latin for, We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes) Location in Wayne County, Michigan Coordinates: , Country United States State Michigan County Wayne County Founded 1701 Incorporation 1806 Government  - Type Strong Mayor-Council  - Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (D) Area  - City  143. ... Portrait of William Hull William Hull (June 24, 1753–November 29, 1825) was an American soldier and politician. ... Combatants United States France Spanish Empire Dutch Republic Oneida Tuscarora Polish volunteers Quebec volunteers Prussian volunteers Kingdom of Great Britain Iroquois Confederacy Hessian mercenaries Loyalists Commanders George Washington Nathanael Greene Gilbert de La Fayette Comte de Rochambeau Bernardo de Gálvez Tadeusz KoÅ›ciuszko Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben King George...

Hull's army consisted of the 4th U.S. Infantry under Lieutenant Colonel James Miller, three regiments of Ohio militia under Colonels Lewis Cass, Duncan McArthur and James Findlay, and some small detachments of volunteers from Michigan. The 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry has served in the defense of the United States for over two hundred years. ... James Miller (25 April 1776 - 7 July 1851) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from New Hampshire, the first Governor of Arkansas Territory, and a Brigadier General in the United States Army during the War of 1812. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area  Ranked 34th  - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²)  - Width 220 miles (355 km)  - Length 220 miles (355 km)  - % water 8. ... Lebanese Kataeb militia A Militia is an organization of citizens to provide defense, emergency or paramilitary service, or those engaged in such activity. ... Lewis Cass (October 9, 1782 – June 17, 1866) was an American military officer and politician. ... Duncan McArthur (January 14, 1772 - April 29, 1839) was a Federalist and National Republican politician from Ohio. ... James Findlay (brother of John Findlay and William Findlay) was born in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, on October 12, 1770. ... Official language(s) None (English, de-facto) Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Area  Ranked 11th  - Total 97,990 sq mi (253,793 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 491 miles (790 km)  - % water 41. ...

Hull marched north from Urbana on June 10. Learning that war was imminent, he hastened his march and put some of his sick and his despatches aboard the packet vessel Cayahoga to be brought across Lake Erie. The Cayahoga was captured by a Canadian-manned armed brig. Urbana is a city located in Champaign County, Ohio. ... June 10 is the 161st day of the year (162nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Lake Erie (pronounced ) is the eleventh largest lake on Earth[2] and, of the five Great Lakes of North America, it is the fourth largest by surface area, the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume. ...

Hull reached Detroit, which had a population of 800, on July 5. Hull planned to attack the British post at Fort Amherstburg. Although short of supplies, his army crossed into Canada on July 12. After some indecisive skirmishes, Hull decided he could not attack the fort without artillery, and he retreated. Several of Hull's officers disagreed with this retreat and secretly discussed removing him from command. is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Fort Amherstburg was build at the mouth of the Detroit River to replace Fort Detroit, which Britain had to conceed to the new United States of America in 1796. ... is the 193rd day of the year (194th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

British moves

On July 17, the British on Lake Huron had captured the important trading post of Mackinac Island. Large numbers of Indians began moving south to join the warriors already at Amherstburg, Ontario. Learning of the capture of Mackinac on August 3, Hull abandoned all the Canadian territory he held. is the 198th day of the year (199th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Ipperwash Beach, Lake Huron. ... Combatants Britain Native Americans United States Commanders Captain Charles Roberts Lieutenant Porter Hanks Strength about 600 61 Casualties 0 61 surrendered The Battle of Mackinac Island (1812) was a British victory in the War of 1812. ... Country Canada Province Ontario County Essex Government  - Mayor Wayne Hurst  - Governing body Amherstburg Town Council  - Member of Parliament Jeff Watson (CONS)  - Member of Provincial Parliament Bruce Crozier (LIB) Area  - Town 185. ... is the 215th day of the year (216th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Meanwhile, the British armed ships controlled Lake Erie. They were used to slip raiders across the lake to cut Hull's supply lines, which ran alongside the lake for 60 miles (96 km). On August 4, at the Battle of Brownstown, a party under Tecumseh ambushed and routed an American detachment under Major van Horne, capturing more of Hull's despatches. is the 216th day of the year (217th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Battle of Brownstown was an early skirmish in the War of 1812. ... This article or section includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ...

To clear his lines of communication and escort a supply convoy which was waiting at Frenchtown, Hull sent a larger party under James Miller. On August 9, at the Battle of Maguaga, Miller managed to get a British force under Major Adam Muir of the 41st Regiment to retreat some distance: but when the British re-formed their line, he declined to resume the attack. Miller, whose losses in the engagement were far heavier than those of the enemy, seems to have completely lost confidence: he stayed camped near the battlefield until Hull ordered him to return to Detroit. Location of Frenchtown Charter Township within Monroe County. ... is the 221st day of the year (222nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Battle of Maguaga was a small battle fought between British troops, Canadian militia and Tecumsehs natives against a larger force of American troops in Maguaga, Michigan. ...

Meanwhile, Major General Isaac Brock, the British commander in Upper Canada, was in York, the provincial capital, dealing with the Assembly and mobilising the province's militia. Learning from Sir George Prevost, the Governor General of Canada, that there was no threat to the province from the lethargic American commander in chief, General Henry Dearborn, Brock despatched 100 of his small force of regulars and 300 volunteers from the militia westward to reinforce Amherstburg. On August 5, he prorogued the Assembly and set out himself after them. He and his force sailed from Port Dover and reached Amherstburg on August 13, at the same time as 200 additional Indian warriors under Tecumseh. This article refers to the British general. ... Template:Hide = Motto: Template:Unhide = Diversity Our Strength Image:Toronto, Ontario Location. ... George Prevost Sir George Prévost (Hackensack May 19, 1767 – January 5, 1816 London) was a British soldier and colonial administrator. ... Henry Dearborn (February 23, 1751 – June 6, 1829) was an American physician, statesman and veteran of both the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. ... is the 217th day of the year (218th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Port Dover is a community in Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada, located on the north shore of Long Point Bay, south of Simcoe, Ontario on Highway 6. ... is the 225th day of the year (226th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Here, Brock immediately learned from Hull's captured despatches that the morale of Hull and his army was low, that they feared the numbers of Indians which might be facing them, and that their supplies were short. Against the advice of most of his subordinates, he determined on an immediate attack. He sent a demand for surrender to Hull, playing on Hull's fear of the Indians by stating:

"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…"

To deceive the Americans into believing there were more British than there actually were, Brock's force carried out several bluffs. Troops were told to light individual fires instead of one fire per unit, thereby creating the illusion of a much larger army. His troops marched to take up positions in plain sight of the Americans then quickly ducked behind entrenchments, and marched back out of sight to repeat the manoevre . The same was done for meals, where the line would dump their beans into a hidden pot, then return out of view to rejoin the end of the queue. Brock also gave his militia the cast-off uniforms of regulars to make Hull believe most of the British force were regulars. Tecumseh's warriors also moved rapidly from one position to another and made loud war cries.

Battle

On August 15, gunners of the Provincial Marine set up a battery on the Canadian shore of the Detroit River and began bombarding Fort Detroit, joined by two armed ships in the river. Meanwhile, Brock's force, divided into two bodies of militia and one of regulars with five field guns landed south of Detroit. is the 227th day of the year (228th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... When the United States and Great Britain went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which was then divided for administrative purposes into Upper Canada (broadly the present day province of Ontario), Lower Canada (roughly present day Quebec) and the Atlantic Provinces... Landsat satellite photo, showing Lake Saint Clair, as well as St. ...

Brock originally intended to occupy a fortified position astride Hull's supply line and wait for starvation to force the Americans to surrender or come out to fight, but he then learned that Hull had earlier sent a detachment of 500 under Colonels Cass and McArthur to clear his supply routes, and this detachment was only a few miles from the British rear. To avoid being caught between two fires, Brock advanced immediately against Fort Detroit.

As the British bombardment began to cause casualties, Hull despaired of holding out against a force of seemingly thousands of British regulars and, hearing the Indian war cries, began to fear a slaughter. 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 three hours. Hull surrendered his entire force along with 30 cannon, 300 rifles and 2,500 muskets. Cass's and McArthur's detachments in the area were included in the surrender. The bombardment had killed 2 American officers and 5 other ranks. The answering fire from the guns of Fort Detroit had wounded 2 redcoats.

Aftermath

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. It raised the morale of the population and militia of Upper Canada. The British gained an important post on American territory and won control over Michigan Territory and the Detroit region for most of the following year. The Americans did not regain the front until their victory at the Battle of Lake Erie and the successful invasion of Canada launched by Hull's successor, General William Henry Harrison. From 1805-1818, the western border was a line through Lake Michigan. ... Combatants United Kingdom United States Commanders Robert Heriot Barclay Oliver Hazard Perry Jesse Elliot Strength 2 ships 2 brigs 1 schooner 1 sloop 3 brigs 5 schooners 1 sloop Casualties 41 dead 93 wounded prisoners 306 surrendered Entire squadron captured 27 dead 96 wounded One brig heavily damaged The Battle... William Henry Harrison (February 9, 1773 – April 4, 1841) was an American military leader, politician, and the ninth President of the United States. ...

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 claimed the general's life. Tecumseh was killed at the Battle of the Thames. General Hull was court martialled and sentenced to death for his actions at Detroit, but he was pardoned by President James Madison in recognition of his honorable service in the American Revolution. Henry Procter (c. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Isaac Brock † Roger Sheaffe Stephen Van Rensselaer Strength 1,300 regulars, militia, and natives 6,000 regulars and militia Casualties 14 dead 77 wounded 100 dead 300 wounded 925 captured The Battle of Queenston Heights was a British victory of the War of 1812 which... Combatants British Empire Indian Confederation United States Commanders Henry Procter Tecumseh † William Henry Harrison Strength 800 regulars 500 natives1 2,380 militia 1,000 cavalry 120 regulars 260 natives1 Casualties 155 British dead or wounded 477 captured 33 natives dead 15 dead 30 wounded The Battle of the Thames, also... A court-martial (plural courts-martial) is a military court that determines punishments for members of the military subject to military law. ... James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836), an American politician and fourth President of the United States of America (1809–1817), was one of the most influential Founders of the United States. ... John Trumbulls Declaration of Independence, showing the five-man committee in charge of drafting the Declaration in 1776 as it presents its work to the Second Continental Congress The American Revolution refers to the period during the last half of the 18th century in which the Thirteen Colonies that...

The British 41st Regiment, which subsequently became the Welch Regiment, was awarded the battle honour "Detroit", one of the few to be awarded to British regiments for the War of 1812. The captured colours of the 4th U.S. Infantry are currently in the Welch Regiment Museum at Cardiff Castle. The Welch Regiment (or The Welch) was a British army regiment. ...

Other accounts

Another account claims that Tecumseh was behind the idea of displaying trumped-up troop levels. The Indian tradition claims Tecumseh and company met his British counterparts, surrounded the fort and threatened the upper town. One Canadian captain noticed, Tecumseh extended his men, and marched them three times through an opening [in the woods at the rear of the fort] in full view of the garrison, which induced them to believe there were at least two or three thousand Indians.^[1] Because this captain was not an eyewitness, his version has been disputed.

Brock had written while at York in July, The population, believe me is essentially bad - A full belief possesses them all that this Province must inevitably succumb ...Most of the people have lost all confidence - I however speak loud and look big.^[2]. It is probable that the stratagem of inflating their own numbers would occur naturally to both Tecumseh and Brock.

There were rumors that General Hull had been drinking heavily prior to the surrender. He is reported to have said the Indians were “numerous beyond example,” and “more greedy of violence… than the Vikings or Huns."^[3]

Notes

References

• J. Mackay Hitsman, The Incredible War of 1812, Robin Brass Studio, 1999, ISBN 1-896941-13-3
• John R. Elting, Amateurs to Arms, Da Capo Press, New York, 1995, ISBN 0-306-80653-3