tary's report respecting the militia, and steadily adhered to.
them through the war.
Proceedings in Canada. The inhabitants of the Canadas^
many of whom were emigrants from the United States, and
were still connected by ties of affection, business, and blood,
with their citizens, observed with anxiety the progress of the
dispute between their parent country and the American gov-
ernment; and when they saw it terminate in a war, the
avowed object of which was the conquest of their country,
they were filled with the most alarming apprehensions. The
executive authorities of the provinces, Britons by birth, and
* Report 9f Secretary of War to Committee of Senate.
1812. HISTORY OF THE LATE WAR. 71
deriving their powers from the crown, adopted vigorous
measures to meet the crisis, and the great body of the inhab-
itants seconded their efforts.
Immediately on the declaration of war, the governor gene-
ral of the Canadas pubhshed the following regulations rela-
tive to American citizens resident in the British colonies. All
who shall refuse to take the oath of allegiance, and to bear
arms, must leave the country, unless they obtain the governor's
permission to remain for a limited time to settle their affairs.
All American citizens having visible property and of good
character, who will take the oath of allegiance, with the excep-
tion of bearing arms against the United States, shall be
allowed to refnain, subject to leave the province whenever the
government shall deem it neccoe^ry.
All American subjects being immediate grantees of the
crown shall be allowed to remain, but must take the general
oath of allegiance, and consequently be subject to bear arms.
Any American subject of good character may, if approved
by a committee of the executive council, be allowed to
remain, on taking the oath of allegiance before the police
magistrate, and consenting to bear arms. Soon afterwards
another order was published, directing all American citizens
who had not or should not be admitted to take the oath of alle-
giance and to bear arms, to depart the province before the
15th of the following October, and all who should be found
within the province after that time, without having taken such
oath, were to be treated as jprisoners of war ; and no per-
sons whatever were allowed to go from the province to the
United States, without special license from the governor.
On receiving intelligence of the declaration of war, Gene-
ral Brock, governor of Upper Canada, assembled the legis-
lature of that province on the 22d of July, and addressed
them, stating their province was invaded by an enemy, whose
* Governor Prevost's orders.
72 mSTORY OF THE LATE WAR. Chap. 3.
avowed object was its entire conquest. That the voice of
loyahty, as well as interest, called aloud upon every person
to defend his country. That the militia had obeyed that
voice, and evinced by the promptitude and loyality of their
conduct, that they were worthy of the king whom they serve,
and the constitution they enjoy; and recommending a revi-
sion of the militia laws, and the passing of acts for the punish-
ment of spies and traitors.
The legislature zealously seconded the views of the gov-
ernor, and at the close of the session published an address
to their constituents, observing that the declaration of war
when first announced, appeared to be an act of such astonish-
ing^folly and desperation as to be altogether inedible. It not
only excited the greatest surprise among the inhabitants of
this province, but also among a great majority of our enemies.
That a government professing to be the friend of man, and
the great supporter of his liberty and independence, should
light up the torch of war against the only nation that stands
between itself and destruction, exhibited a degree of infatua-
tion and madness altogether incomprehensible. This, war on
the part of the United States, includes an alhance with the
French usurper, whose dreadful policy has destroyed all that
is great and good, venerable and holy, on the continent of
Europe. With joy we behold the spirit of loyality burst
forth in all its ancient splendour. The militia, in all parts
of the province, have volunteered their services with ac-
clamation, and displayed a degree of energy worthy of
the British name. Our enemies have indeed boasted that
they can subdue the country by proclamation ; but it is our
part to prove to them, that they are mistaken. When men are
called upon to defend every thing they hold precious, their
wives and children, their friends and possessions, they
will not be easily frightened by menaces, or conquered by
force. The population are decidedly hostile, and the few
who may be otherwise inclined, will find it their safety and
interest to be faithful. If there be any person so base and
181.2. HiBTORY OF THE LATE WAR. 73
degenerate as to join the enemy, after having taken the oath
of allegiance, he forfeits not only his property, but his Hfe.
The British government never will make peace with the
American states without a full and ample indemnification, for
all the depredations committed in this country. Nor will we
permit a single traitor ever to return. Let those who have
come from the neighbouring states consider this well, and
assure themselves that as we are eager to reward loyality, so
we shall not be slow to punish treachery.*
British Manifesto, On the 10th of January, 1813, the
prince regent published a declaration, justifying the conduct
of Great Britain towards the United States. The manifesto
attempts to ptove the French to be the first aggressors on
neutral rights, and that the British orders in council are justi-
fiable on the principles of retaliation : that the French
decrees have never been repealed : that the course the Amer-
ican government has pursued towards the belligerents, has
been that of hostility towards Great Britain, and partiality
towards France : that America has in every instance seconded
the views, and favoured the projects of the French govern-
ment against England. The right of impressment, the man-
ifesto maintains, results necessarily from the doctrine of natu-
ral allegiance : that no sufficient substitute has been offered on
the part of America, which should secure to the British the
services of her native subjects : that this practice cannot be
dispensed with, without exposing to danger the foundation of
their maritime strength.
"The real origin of the present contest," the manifesto con-
dudes, ^' is to be found in the spirit which has long unhappily
actuated the councils of the United States ; their marked
partiality in palliating and assisting the aggressive tyranny of
France, their systematic endeavours to inllame their people
against the defensive means of Great Britain, their ungene-
rous conduct towards Spain, the intimate ally of Great Britain,
* Address of the legislature of Upper Canada to their constituents^
10
'14.; HiSTOllY OP THE LATE WAR. Cha?. 3.
and their unworthy desertion of the cause of otlier neutral
nations. It is through the prevalence of such councils that
America has been associated in policy with France, and com-
mitted in war against Great Britain. And under what con-
duct, on the part of France, has the government of the United
States lent itself to the enemy ? The contemptuous violation
of the commercial treaty of 1800; the treacherous seizure
of American vessels and cargoes in all harbours subject to
the control of the French arms; the tyrannical principles of
the Berlin and Milan decrees, and the confiscations under
them ; the subsequent condemnation under the Rambouillet
decree antedated or concealed to render it more effectual ; the
French commercial regulations which render the traffic of the
United States with France almost illusory ; the burning of
their merchant ships at sea long after the repeal of the French
decrees. All these acts of violence. on the part of France,
produce frOm the government of the United States only such
complaints as end in accjuiescence and submission, or are
accompanied by suggestions for enabling France to give the
Semblance of a legal form to her usurpations, by converting
ihem into municipal regulations. This disposition of the gov-
ernment of the United States, this complete subserviency to
the ruler of France, this hostile temper towards Great Britain,
are evident in almost every i)age of the official correspon-
dence of tlic American with the French government. Against
this course of conduct, the real cause of the present war, the
prince regent solemnly protests. While contending against
France, in defence not only of the liberties of Great Britain,
but of the world, his royal highness was entided to look out
for a far different result. From their common origin, from their
common interests, and from their professed principles of free-
dom and independence, the United States were the last power
rn which Great Britain could have expected to find a willing
rnstrument and abettor of French tyranny. Disappointed in
this, his just expectation, the prince regent will still pursue the
policy which the British government has so long and invaria-
1«12, HISTORY OP THE LATE WAR. 75
bly maintained, in repelling injustice, and supporting the gen-
eral rights of nations. And under the favour of Providence,
relying on the justice of his cause, and the tried loyality and
firmness of the British nation, his royal highness confidently
looks forward to a successful issue of the contest in which he
has thus been impelled most reluctantly to engage."*
With these views of their respective claims, the parties
staked their rights on the issue of the contest.
* Prince reg-ent's manifesto^ January 1813.
CHAPTER IV.
Plan of Military Operations for the Campaign of 1812 — General Hull
appointed to the Command of the Northern Army. — Rendezvous atUr-
banna. — Their March to the Rapids of the Miami. — A Sloop, with Gen.
Hull's Bag-g-age and Papers and the Hospital Stores, taken at Maiden.
— Arrival of the Army at Detroit. — Invasion of Canada. — Gen. Hull's
Proclamation. — Head-Quarters at Sandwich. — Col. M' Arthur's Expe-
dition to the Thames, — Col. Cass proceeds to the River Auxlanards. —
Main Body return to Detroit. — Capt. Brush arrives at the River Ra-
sin with Supplies. — Major Vanhorn detached to escort him. — Surpriz-
ed by an Ambuscade and defeated. — Col. Miller detached to the same
Tplace. — Battle of Maguago. — Col. Miller returns. — Cols. M'Arther
and Cass detached to the same place; ordered to return. — General
Brock's Address to the Canadians. — Arrives with Reinforcements at
Maiden. — Bombards the Fort from the opposite Bank. — Crosses the
River and advances to assault the Fort. — Gen. Hull capitulates. —
American Forces and Property taken. — British Forces. — Court Mar-
tial ordered. — Chaises and Specifications against Gen. Hull. — His
Defence. — Sentence of the Court.
Plan of the Campaign of 1812, The plan of military ope^
rations at the commencement of the war, on the part of the
United States, was to garrison and defend the sea-board prin-
cipally by occasional calls of the neighbouring miUtia, aided
by a few regular troops, the whole to be under the command
of generals of the regular army, stationed at the most impor-
tant points. With the remaining regular forces, together with
such volunteers as could be procured, and the militia, to at-
tack the Bristish posts in Upper Canada, and subdue them.
This province borders on the United States from the neigh-
bourhood of Montreal westerly to an indefinite extent, and is
separated from them by the waters of the St. Lawrence and
the lakes, to the western extremity of the Lake of the Woods ;
along the shores of the lakes, and banks of the rivers, com-
78 HISTORY OF THE LATE VVAJi. Chap. 4.
municating with them, is a fine tract of country, containing one
hundred thousand inhabitants, principally emigrants from the
United States, who have removed there since the war of the
revolution. Northerly and westerly of these settlements is
an immense wilderness thinly inhabited by Indians. The
settlement of white inhabitants extends westward as far as
the Detroit river, which conveys the waters of lake Huron to
lake Erie. At the mouth of this river is the villiage of Am-
herstburgh, furnishing one of the best harbours on the lake •,
and the military post of Maiden, from whence the Indians of
the north and* west are supplied with goods, arms, and ammu-
nition, and encouraged in acts of hostility against the frontier
inhabitants of the United States. To break up this establish-
ment, and subdue the province, was the first object of the
military operations on the Canada border. It was confidently
expected that the inhabitants needed only a demonstration of
a respectable military force, and an assurance of protection,
to induce them to revolt from the British, and join the Ameri-
can standard. This province being conquered, it was de-
signed to push eastward to Montreal.
HtilPs Expedition. With these views, William Hull, gov-
ernor of the Michigan territory had been appointed a briga-
dier general, and on the 25th of May took command of the
north-western troops destined for the operations on Canada..
in the beginning of Jun€ he rendezvoused at Urbanna, in the
state of Ohio. Preparatory to his march to Detroit, his force
consisted of five hundred regulars, and twelve hundred Ohio
volunteers, under the command of Cols. M'Arthur and Cass.
The distance from Urbanna to Detroit is one hundred and
ninety miles, the greater part of the way through a trackless
wilderness, uninhabited except by a few hostile Indians.
Their rout lay in a north-westerly direction across the high-
lands which divide the waters of lake Erie from the Ohio, and
along the Miami of the lake. The morasses and swamps
that lay in their rout, and the general ruggedness of the way,
presented many difficulties. But the ardour of fresh troops
\m. HISTORY OF THE LATE WAR. ^^
eager for conquest, overcame them, and without any serious
losses they arrived on the last of June at the rapids of the
Miami, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles from
Urbanna. The supplies for the army were to be transported
the greater part of this distance on pack-horses subject to the
attacks of the neighbouring savages. From Miami to Detroit
is navigable water ; here the army rested several days, and
General Hull procured a sloop and a boat, and put his bag-
gage, containing his commissiou and instructions from the war
department, with the baggage of most of the officers and the
hospital stores on board the sloop, and the sick on board the
boat for Detroit. The ship channel being on the Canada
side, the sloop necessarily passed under the guns of Maiden,
and being unarmed, was taken without resistance. This cap-
ture was a serious loss to the Americans, as the hospital stores
could not be sc^asonably supplied, and of important benefit to
the British, as it informed them of the strength, views, and
objects of their enemy. The boat kept under the western
shore and arrived in safety. The army now disencumbered
of their sick and baggage, proceeded along the margin of
the lake and river to Detroit, a distance of seventy miles.
Detroit. This is an ancient French settlement, on the west
bank of Detroit river, eighteen miles from its entrance
into lake Erie, and nine from the out-let of lake St. Clair.
It contains about one thousand inhabitants and is the capital
of the Michigan territory, the whole of which contains about
six thousand French and American settlers, along the banks
of the Detroit, Huron, and Raisin rivers, and along the shores
of lakes Erie and Huron. Detroit is one of the most ancient
military posts in the western country. It was early establish-
ed by the French as a check upon the surrounding Indians^
and had been repaired and strengthened by the Americans.
The military posts of Mackinaw and fort Dearborne were
also within the limits of Gen. Hull's command.
Mackinaw, The post of Mackinaw is situated upon the
island of Michilimackinac in the straits between lake Hu-
80 HISTORY OF THE LATE WAR. Qhat. 4,
ron and Michigan, and commands that passage. On this island
is the largest settlement in the Michigan territory, except De-
troit. On the 17th of July the garrison was invested by a
party of Canadians and Indians, cqnsisting of one thousand
men from St. Josephs, a British post at the entrance of lake
Superior. The inhabitants had taken refuge in the fort at
the appearance of the enemy. The garrison at this time
consisted only of a company of sixty men, under the com-
mand of Capt. Hanks ; they had received no reinforcements,
nor any information of the declaration of war, and were
wholly unprepared to resist such a force. They suiTcndered
on a -stipulation that the lives of the garrison and inhabitants
should be spared.* The capture of this post, and the supe-
riority of the British on the western lakes gave them the com-
plete control of the Indians, and enabled them to bring down
upon Detroit and the southern parts of the Michigan territory
as many Indian forces as they chose.
Fort Dearborne, Fort Dearborne is at the mouth of the
Chicago river, on the south-western border of lake Michi-
gan, on a territory of six miles square, purchased of the Pot-
tawottamies for the purpose of establishing a trading factory
and a military post. On this territory was a considerable
settlement of white inhabitants. This post at the declaration
of war was garrisoned by a company of sixty men. Consid-
ering its remote situation. General Hull deemed it untenable,
and had given orders to the commandant. Captain Heald, to
evacuate it and repair to Detroit. To accomplish this, the
garrison would have to traverse two hundred miles of wilder-
ness, inhabited only by hostile savages. The Indians having
obtained notice that the fort was about to be abandoned, came
in in great numbers, and demanded the goods and provisions
in store. Captain Heald after making a distribution among
them, on the 15th of August left the fort with fifty-four regu-
lars, twelve militia and twenty-five women and children, and
* Captain Hanks's report
1812. HISTORY OF THE LATE WAR. 81
proceeded along the beach about two miles, when he was
sur.^ounded and attacked by four h'jndred Indians, He
immediately marched up the bank, and charged those in
front, who gave way, and joined the flanks. The Indians got
possession of all the horses, baggage, and provisions, belong-
ing to the company. Captain Heald, after having lost in the
action thirty-eight men, and fourteen women and children,
surrendered upon the assurance that the lives of the remain-
der should be spared. The Indians took their prisoners
back to their encampment near the fort, distributed the sur-
vivors among the tribes, and set fire to the fort. Captain
Heald and his wife were severely wounded; after their
recovery they were permitted to proceed to Michillimacki-
nac.
HuWs Livasion, General Hull, on his arrival at Detroit
was joined by the Michigan mihtia ; and depending on the
co-operation of General Dearborn on the Niagara frontier,
on the 1 2th of July made his descent on Canada. He crossed
the river about three miles below tlie town, and established
his head quarters at Sandwich, a village on the opposite bank.
Here he issued a proclamation offering fraternity, peace, and
liberty, to the Canadians who would remain at home, and
threatening utter extermination to such as should be found in
arms associated with the Indians : and declaring (hat he com-
manded a force sufficient to look down all ojipo.^ition, but
which was only the van of a much greater. '^
Induced by this proclamation and the appearance of a
respectable army on their territory, several hundred Canadian
militia deserted the British standard, and joined the Ameri-
cans, or returned to their homes under General Hull's protec-
tion.
Colonel M' Arthur, with a detachment of the Ohio militia,
proceeded along the banks of the Thames, a river which falls
into lake St. Clair from the east, and on the borders of which
* General Hull's proclamation.
U
^2 HISTORY OF THE LATE WAR. Chap, 4.
is a considerable settlement of white inhabitants. Here he
found and captured a large ((uantity of flour, blankets, and
ammunition, destined for the garrison at Maiden, and returned
to head-quarters. The British, aware of. the objects of Hull,
had collected considerable reinforcements of Canadian
mihtia and Indians, and strengthened their garrison. This
post was only twelve miles below Hull's encampment. Had
the army, on their entrance into Canada, been led immedi-
ately against it, there is little doubt but it would have been
easily taken ; but every day's delay gave the enemy strength.
Colonel Cass, with a detachment of three hundred men, was
^despatchedfrom Sandwich to reconnoitre the post ; on arriving
at the river Aux Canerds, four miles from Maiden, they found
the bridge in possession of the British; and, after some skir-
mishing, returned. The planks of the bridge were then taken
up by the British, and a breast-work formed of them on the
left bank. Excepting these expeditions of trifling conse-
quence. General Hull remained inactive in his camp at Sand-
wich until the 8th of August, when he gave orders for the
main body to recross the river, and retire to Detroit, A
detachment of three hundred men, under the command of
Major Denny of the Ohio volunteers, remained in possession
of Sandwich until the 12th, when they abandoned it and
rejoined the main body. Nothing could exceed the chagrin
and disappointment of the troops on quitting Canada. They
had been taught to believe it to be an easy conquest. Suc-
cess had attended their operations so far as they had been
called to act, and now the object was given up without an
eflfoFl. The unhappy Canadians, who had been induced by
the general's proclamation to accept his protection, were
abandoned to the vengeance of the British arms.
By the exertions of the governor of Ohio, a reinforcement
of one hundred and fifty volunteers from that state, with
large supphes of provisions, under the command of Captain
Brush, had been ordered to Detroit. This corps arrived at
the river Raisin, ihirty-six miles below, the last of July. Here
1812. HISTORY OF THE LATE WAR. fiS
Captain Brush received orders from General Hull, to fortify
himself, and remain until he should receive an escort from
his camp. On the 4th of August, Major Vanhorn, with tw«
hundred Ohio militia, was ordered on this service. At
Brownstown, opposite Maiden, a large body of Indians had
formed an ambuscade, and the detachment receiving an
unexpected and heavy fire, broke and retreated in disorder.
Seventeen, among whom were seven officers, were killed, and
thirty wounded.
On the 8th, six hundred men, under Colonel Miller, were
detached for the same object. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon
of the ninth, the van of the detachment commanded by Cap-
tain SnelUng, had advanced to Maguago, fourteen miles from
Detroit, and were here attacked by an extensive line of
British and Indians, defended by a breast-work of logs.
Captain Snelling gallantly maintained his position until Colo-
nel Miller formed his line, when he gave a general discharge
of musketry, and charged them with the bayonet. The whole
line of British and Indians gave way and commenced a
retreat. They were pursued in a most vigorous mannef
for two miles : and the pursuit discontinued only on account
of the fatigue of the troops and the apprehensions of an
ambuscade in the night. The Indians on the left, under the
command of Tecumseh, fought with great obstinacy, and
retired only at the point of the bayonet. The American loss
was eighteen killed, and fifty-eight wounded. Among the
wounded were Captain Baker of the 1st regiment, and Lieu-
tenants Larrabee and Peters of the 4th. The detachment on
the 10th returned to Detroit, without effecting the object.
Governor Broclc^s Proclamation. In the mean time, Gov-
ernor Brock, hearing of the invasion of his province, and the
proclamation of General Hull, prorogued the parliament of
Upper Canada, then convened at York, and issued a counter
addressto the inhabitants, informing them that the unprovoked
declaration of war had been immediately followed by the actual
invasion of the province, in a remote frontier of the weslein
84 HISTORY OF THE LATE WAR. Chap. 4.
district, by a detachment of the armed force of the United
States. That the commanding officer of that detachment