The Fall and Recapture of Detroit in the War of 1812: In Defense of William Hull

Chronology of Hull’s Detroit Campaign

Chronology of Hull’s Detroit Campaign April 8 U.S. Senate approves appointment of William Hull as brigadier general of the North Western Army. May 23 Hull arrives at Dayton, Ohio. May 25 Governor Meigs of Ohio transfers command of three Ohio volunteer regiments to Hull. June 1 Troops depart from Dayton; arrive at Urbana, Ohio, on June 7. June 10 Lieutenant Colonel Miller and Fourth Regiment join rest of North Western Army. June 11 McArthur’s regiment begins cutting road ahead and on June 16 builds crude blockhouses on south bank of Scioto River, calling them Fort McArthur. June 15 Troops leave Urbana; arrive at Fort McArthur on June 19. Chronology 5 June 21 Findlay’s regiment begins cutting road 30 miles ahead to Blanchard’s Ford; constructs blockhouse and picket fence arrangement it names Fort Findlay. June 25 Rest of troops arrive at Fort Findlay. British general Brock learns of declaration of war and sends alert to all posts. June 26 Hull receives dispatch from War Department with no mention of war declaration . Cass’s regiment leaves to cut road through to Rapids on Maumee River. June 28 British Fort Malden alerted of war declaration. June 30 Hull’s troops cross Maumee River into Michigan Territory. July 1 Hull hires vessel Cuyahoga to carry sick soldiers and heavy baggage by water to Detroit. Troops set off toward Frenchtown (Monroe). July 2 Dispatch reaches Hull with news that war has been declared. Efforts to catch Cuyahoga before it sails fails, and vessel is captured by British. July 3 Troops reach Swan Creek, nine miles north of Frenchtown. July 4 Camp made at Huron River, 21 miles from Detroit. July 5 Troops arrive at Spring Wells, three miles from Detroit. July 7 Hull conducts council with southern Michigan Indians. July 8 Army enters Detroit; camps behind the fort. Chronology 6 July 9 Hull orders army to prepare to cross Detroit River to Canada next day. July 10 Rowdy militia ruins plans for surprise crossing, which then is cancelled. July 11 McArthur’s regiment marches south to dupe British into believing crossing will be made below Detroit. July 12 Army begins actual crossing near Belle Isle at dawn. By end of day Sandwich is secured and proclamation promising safety to Canadians handed out. July 14 McArthur and 115 men set off on foraging expedition to Thames River, 35 miles away. July 16 Cass takes 280 men on scouting trip to Canard River, 12 miles south of Sandwich on road to Fort Malden. Captures bridge and so informs Hull, asking permission to hold it. July 17 Cass returns to Sandwich when Hull leaves the decision whether to hold bridge up to him and his officers. Findlay returns on scout in evening to discover the British Queen Charlotte now guarding the bridge with its guns. McArthur returns from successful foraging expedition to Thames River. Fort Mackinac in Upper Peninsula surrenders. July 18 McArthur takes 150-man patrol to Canard River and is fired upon by gunboat. July 19 Cass joins McArthur at Canard with his regiment and exchanges shots with British. Both detachments camp in area for the night. July 20 Cass and McArthur renew exchange of fire with British, finally drawing back to Sandwich. Chronology 7 July 21 Hull and Lieutenant Colonel Miller cross river to Detroit to check progress of building carriages for heavy guns planned for attack on Malden. McArthur left in command at Sandwich. July 24 McArthur orders Major Denny to take 117 men and set up ambush against Indians crossing Canard River bridge. July 25 Ambush fails. Denny’s troops attacked instead and flee back to Sandwich. British colonel Procter arrives to take command of Fort Malden. July 29 Two Chippewa Indians traveling south inform Hull that Fort Mackinac has surrendered. August 2 After a council that lasts four days, Colonel Procter convinces the Indians on the American side of the river to defect to the British and cross over to Canada. Lieutenant Hanks arrives at Detroit under parole, confirming his surrender of Fort Mackinac. August 3 Captain Brush with 69-man guard arrives at Rapids with supply train for Hull. Requests an escort from Detroit to travel the rest of the way because of the heavy presence of Indians on the trail. After holding council of war, Hull’s officers vote to wait before attacking Malden until carriages for heavy guns are...