Hull's Trace & the War of 1812-- Part 2: Who Was McCloskey?

Evidently, the route of this road/trace was originally laid out by someone named McCloskey who won a lottery in 1808 (to mark the route?)  and there is a map of it in the Burton Historical Collection at the Detroit Public Library.

The article says that he must have traveled   the existing (Indian?) trail, taking compass readings as he traveled.  Somewhere around the Huron River, he may have deviated from the trail because Hubert Lacroix wrote in 1812 that he wasn't able to find the slashes on the trees  for the original route.

Hull's Trace ran close to Lake Erie and the Detroit River, making it vulnerable to British attacks by water.  As a matter of fact, the first land-based skirmish of the war, the Battle of Brownstown, was fought on a road just  north of this section.

The later battles of Maguaga and Frenchtown were also  fought along the trace. 

Hull's Trace has been considered Michigan's first road at the beginning of the settler era.

--Brock-Perry

James Miller-- Part 2: The Hero of Lundy's Lane"

James Miller joined the 4th U.S. Infantry in 1808.  In 1811, he fought the Indians at Vincennes, Indiana where he was promoted to colonel.

In May 1812, he was posted to Detroit and commanded the American forces at the Battle of Maguaga.  He was taken prisoner at the surrender of Detroit and later exchanged.

In 1814, he was the commander of the 21st I.S. Infantry and led his men in the capture of British artillery at the Battle of Lundy's Lane where his "I will try sir" comment became famous.  He came away from the battle with the name "Hero of Lundy's Lane."  For his service there, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and brevetted to brigadier-general.

--Brock-Perry

James Miller-- Part 1: First Governor of Arkansas Territory and War of 1812 Brigadier General

From Wikipedia.

When I was writing about William Whistler at the Battle of Maguaga, his commander was James Miller.


April 25, 1776 to July 7, 1851.

First governor of Arkansas Territory.  It was his influence which got the Territorial Capital moved from Arkansas Post to Little Rock.  During the War of 1812, he commanded units and was brevetted to brigadier general.

Born Peterborough, New Hampshire and was a lawyer in Greenfield, New Hampshire from 1803-1808.

He joined the New Hampshire militia and commanded an artillery unit.  His work so impressed General Benjamin Pierce that he recommended him for appointment as a major in the regular U.S. Army.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Maguaga-- Part 2: Getting the Supplies

The American forces had vital supplies at the Miami Rapids and General Hull sent a detachment to get it, but they were turned back at the Battle of Brownstown.  He then sent a larger detachment under Colonel James Miller to escort the supplies back to Detroit.

This detachment consisted of 280 regulars and 330 Ohio Volunteers.  They encountered 205 British regulars, Canadian militia and Indians at the Battle of Maguaga.

In the engagement, the British lost 6 killed, 21 wounded and 2 captured.  U.S. losses were 18 killed and 64 wounded.

--Brock-Perry

The Battle of Maguaga-- Part 1: William Whistler Distinguished Self Here

From Wikipedia.

I have been writing about William Whistler who is considered a hero at this battle.

Also known as the Battle of Manguaygon and the Battle of Oakwoods was fought August 9, 1812 near Detroit.

It pitted British regulars, Canadian militia and Tecumseh's Indian warriors against a larger American force near the Wyandot Indian village of Maguaga (present-day Trenton, Michigan).

Brigadier General William Hull had moved his American Army to Detroit to use it as a base for his planned invasion of British Upper Canada.  However, he soon became too worried and failed to attack the British at Fort Amherstburg after he learned about the fall of Fort Mackinac.  He also was very worried (and scared) of the Indians and what they might do to his army.

He retreated back to American territory.

--Brock-Perry

William Whistler-- Part 2: Captured at Detroit Surrender

From the Chronicles of Oklahoma.

William Whistler distinguished himself at the Battle of Maguaga, August 9, 1812, which was a big American victory in the War of 1812.  It was 14 miles away from Detroit.  He was taken prisoner at Hull's surrender of Detroit August 16, 1812.

Exchanged, he became a captain in December 1812 and was at Fort Mackinac in 1816.  Then he was stationed at Green Bay, Wisconsin 1817 and 1819 and married in 1820.

He was stationed at Oklahoma's Fort Gibson on four different occasions.

--Brock-Perry