How the Horrors of the River Raisin Became a Rallying Cry-- Part 2: The Surrender of Detroit and the Michigan Territory

American mobilization continued as Brigadier General William Hull, commander of U.S. forces in theOld Northwest -- accompanied by 1,200 Ohio militia and 200 regular soldiers -- arrived in Detroit on July 5, 1812, and began preparations for the attack.

Invasion of British-held present-day Ontario began on July 12.  While Hull assailed the British at Fort Amherstburg, a small British force surrounded and took control of the unaware U.S. garrison at Fort Mackinac.

Hull, unable to hold the captured Fort Amherstburg and protect an overextended supply line that stretched back to Ohio, returned to Detroit in the first week of August.

Hull surrendered Detroit and the entire Michigan Territory on August 16 after a siege by the British and Native warriors.  Hull did this, knowing that more Native warriors were on their way from the upper Great Lakes, and that he was cut off from American support assembling at the River Raisin close to the Ohio border.

--Brock-Perry