In 1812, James Madison opened his annual address with the distressing news of the surrender of Detroit to British troops. It was an embarrassing defeat for America and for the Madison administration. Madison explained the situation to Congress. Madison began by explaining that "previous to its declaration it was deemed proper, as a measure of precaution and forecast, that a considerable force should be placed in the Michigan Territory". These troops were sent to the Northwest Territory to "intercept the hostile influence of Great Britain over the savages", and to take command of the Canadian border. Madison and his secretary of War William Eustis feared that British agents would incite the Native Americans to take up arms against the United States. In particular they were concerned with the outpost of Detroit which had a population of 800. Madison put an aging veteran of the American Revolutionary war, Brigadier General Hull in charge of the troops which consisted of three regiments of Ohio militia. General Hull found that the militia men were poorly equipped and ill-discipline.
"Previous to its declaration it was deemed proper, as a measure of precaution and forecast, that a considerable force should be placed in the Michigan Territory with a general view to its security, and, in the event of war, to such operations in the uppermost Canada as would intercept the hostile influence of Great Britain over the savages, obtain the command of the lake on which that part of Canada borders, and maintain cooperating relations with such forces as might be most conveniently employed against other parts."On June 26th, Hull received a letter from Secretary Eustis warning him that war was imminent and that he should make his way to Detroit as quickly as possible. Hull reached Detroit on July 5th and was reinforced by Michigan militia. Even though, Hull was short on supplies he was urged to attack Amherstburg by Eustis. As Hull and his men made their way towards Amherstburg, they engaged in some indecisive skirmishes with British outposts along the Canard River. According to Madison, "[Hull] passed into the neighboring territory of the enemy with a prospect of easy and victorious progress", but when Hull reached the British fort, he fell back because he did not have proper artillery. Meanwhile, British commander Major General Isaac Brock learned that the morale of Hull's army was low and that they were short on supplies. Brock was determined to force an immediate attack, but was severely outnumbered by the Americans. So the Major put together a plan to deceive the Americans into believing there were more British troops than they actually were. First Brock gave his militia uniforms of British regulars and had them march in repetitive waves. The militia would march in plain site to take up a position of attack, then duck behind entrenchments and sneak back to repeat the maneuver. Similar schemes were followed during meal times, all to give the Americans the illusion of a much larger army of British regulars.
"Brigadier-General Hull was charged with this provisional service, having under his command a body of troops composed of regulars and of volunteers from the State of Ohio. Having reached his destination after his knowledge of the war, and possessing discretionary authority to act offensively, he passed into the neighboring territory of the enemy with a prospect of easy and victorious progress."Then on August 15, the British began bombarding Fort Detroit from the Canadian shore of the Detroit river. The following morning, Tecumseh's warriors crossed the river about 5 miles south and paraded several times through the forest where the Americans could see them while making loud war cries. This was followed by Brock's force in three small brigades. As the British prepared their attack, there was a shell explosion in the officer's mess inside Fort Detroit causing casualties. Brigadier General Hull was in despair fearing that the entire fort including his own daughter and grandchild would be slaughtered, so he raised the white flag of surrender. The defeat came as a great surprise to both the British and America. There were many questions about Hull's actions and there were even rumors of General Hull drinking heavily just prior to the surrender. Madison vowed to Congress it would be investigate by a military tribunal.
"The expedition, nevertheless, terminated unfortunately, not only in a retreat to the town and fort of Detroit, but in the surrender of both and of the gallant corps commanded by that officer. The causes of this painful reverse will be investigated by a military tribunal."In 1814, Brigadier General William Hull was court-martialed for cowardice and neglect of duty in surrendering the fort. The sentence was death, but President Madison remitted the sentence because of his service in the Revolution.
A little further into Madison's 1812 address, he shared the disappointment resulting from this surrender regarding the control of the upper Great lakes. With the loss of Detroit, control of the lakes now required a naval force superior to the enemy. Madison promised that America would work towards gaining superiority on the Lakes. Madison explained that control of the Lakes was the only way to have control over the "savages".
"Our expectation of gaining the command of the Lakes by the invasion of Canada from Detroit having been disappointed, measures were instantly taken to provide on them a naval force superior to that of the enemy. From the talents and activity of the officer charged with this object everything that can be done may be expected. Should the present season not admit of complete success, the progress made will insure for the next a naval ascendancy where it is essential to our permanent peace with and control over the savages."http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29454
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Detroit
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/detroit-surrenders-without-a-fight
http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?14478-battle-of-detroit-the-surrender-of-1812
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Reddition_de_D%C3%A9troit.jpg/300px-Reddition_de_D%C3%A9troit.jpg
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