Historic Fort George-- Part 9: After the War of 1812

Fort Niagara remained under British control for the rest of the war and their focus shifted to more strategically located Fort Niagara across the river instead of Fort George.

In July 1814, American forces under Winfoeld Scott attempted to capture Fort Niagara, but called off the attack when he realized  that the naval support he had been promised would not come.

In 1817, American President James Monroe visited the Canadian side of the river on a goodwill trip and was entertained at Fort George by British officers.  However, Fort George's  inability to guard the entrance to the Niagara River caused a new installation named Fort Mississauga to be built near the mouth of the river in the 1820s.

During this same period, the constuction of Butler's Barracks was undertaken southwest of Fort George and out of range of American batteries.

The equipment within the fort was auctioned off in 1821 and the palisades relocated to other sites in the next year.  By 1825, the body of Isaac Brock was exhumed from the northeast bastion and placed at Brock's Monument in Queenston.

--Brock-Perry

Historic Fort George-- Part 5: The Battles of Fort George and Isaac Brock Buried There

After the declaration of war in June 1812, work began on the  northeast bastion.  During the war, the fort was manned by British Army regulars, the Canadian militia and members of Captain Raunchey's Company of Coloured Men as well as First Nation allies.

Given the fort's location on the U.S. Canada border, it became the scene of much action during the war.

In October 1812, th fort was the subject of bombardment by heated shots from American forces at Fort Niagara as a diversion for the American attack on nearby Queenston Heights.  This bombardment, as well as  another one in November of that year, caused the destruction of several structures in the fort.

After Isaac Brock's death at  Queenston Heights, he was buried in a military funeral  at Fort George's northeast bastion.

--Brock-Perry

(The Brock in the signoff Brock-Perry is there for Isaac Brock.)

Historic Fort George-- Part 4: Increasing the Size and Reducing It

Tensions with First Nations and the United States in the late 1790s prompted British forces to refortify the colony, including the fort.  Six earthen and log bastions, connected by a wooden 12 foot high palisade and a ditch was built around the fort.

The fort was expanded to include five log blockhouses/barracks, hospital,  kitchens, workshops and officers' quarters by the start of the 19th century.  Timber was obtained from trees felled in the area and transported along the Niagara River.  Most of the fort was built by  members of the Royal Canadian Volunteers, a unit that was later disbanded in 1802.

By 1812, the fort was used as the headquarters for the central division of the British Army and a depot for the Indian Department.

Believing Fort George was too large to defend given the number of troops he had at his disposal, Isaac Brock drafted plans to reduce the fort's size by a third.  Specifically, he proposed to abandon the southern bastions, the octagonal blockhouse and the stone gunpowder  magazine.  A palisade fence would be built to partition the abandone parts off from the remaining fort.

--Brock-Perry

12th Year of This Blog

Today marks the 12th year I've had this blog which started in 2012.

I started it because that year marked the bicentennial of the war which started in 1812.  I realized that I really didn't know a lot about it and I sure have learned a lot since then.

This marks the 3,951st post and the blog has had 496,926 visits.

A real learning experience for me.

The Brock-Perry signoff refers to British General Isaac Brock and American naval officer Oliver Hazard Perry.

I have to wonder if there are any other War of 1812 blogs that have been around this long or have had as many posts?

--Brock-Perry

Thirteen Gun Salute for Guernsey Military Hero Isaac Brock

From the October 13, 2022, BBC News.

A thirteen gun salute was fired from Castle Cornet in Guernsey for General Isaac Brock who died in 1812 while leading a Britishh, Cabadian and  First Nation army to victory over an invading American army.

The Guernsey-born British Army general became known as "The Saviour of Upper Canada."

The commemorations mark the 210th anniversary of his death.

Oliver Brock, a first cousin six times removed of General Brock, said his family had been looking forward to the event.  He said:  "The commemorations today are a part of what we can do to show our respect the man that a lot of people of Canada feel started their nationhood."

The Brock in my signoff refers to Gen. Isaac Brock.

--Brock-Perry

This Month in the War of 1812: Battle of the Thames and Battle of Queenston Heights, Isaac Brock, Tecumseh

From the American Battlefield Trust  "War of 1812 Timeline."

OCTOBER 5, 1813

**  Battle of the Thames.    British defeat and death of Tecumseh.

OCTOBER 7, 1813

**  Andrew Jackson establishes camp at Fayetteville, Tennessee, to recruit American forces to combat  the Creeks in Alabama.

OCTOBER 9, 1811

**  Major General Isaac Brock is appointed administratior of Upper Canada.  (He is the Brock in my Brock-Perry sign off each post, and an amazing general.)

OCTOBER 13, 1812

**  British-Canadians win the  Battle of Queenston Heights, Upper Canada (Ontario).

OCTOBER 13, 1812

**  British General Isaac Brock killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights.

OCTOBER 26, 1813

**  Engagement at Chateauguay.

--Brock-Perry

How the Horrors at the River Raisin Became a Rallying Call-- Part 1

From the Summer 2022 American Battlefield Trust Hallowed Ground "A National Calamity." 

In 1812, as war between the United States and Great Britain was on its way, the Michigan Territory emerged as a critical theater of operations with its location north of the state of Ohio (admitted in 1803) and its border with the British Upper Canada.  It was an obvious avenue of nvasion, both ways.

American militias were called into service building preparatory roads  even before Congress declared war on June 18, 1812.

While the ongoing war in Europe between Britain and Napoleon kept most British troops occupied, few could be spared for operations against the United States, much to our benefit.  The British commander in North America, Major General Isaac Brock had to rely more on Canadian militia and the cooperation of the Native American Confederation under the Shawnee war chief Tecumseh.

--Brock-Perry

Three 'Dirty Tricks' The British Pulled at Detroit-- Part 3: What About the Indians?

3.  BROCK PLAYED ON THE AMERICAN FEAR OF INDIANS

The British-Canadian  force opposing the Americans at Fort Detroit had an additional 600 native warriers under their leader Tecumseh.  Captured dispatches from the fort showed  that the Americans were alarmed by that large number of natives.  

Furthermore, Brock sent a message that he allowed to be intercepted saying that his food reserves were running low because he had 5,000 Indians with him.  The Americans then believed that he had 5,000 Indians in addition to his force.

So, when Brock sent a surrender demand to William Hull, he played up the Indian strength and further frightened the Americans saying:  "It is far from my intention to join in a war of extermination, but you must be aware, that the numerous Indians who have attached themselves to my troops, will be beyond ontrol the moment the contest commences."

From my readings on the Detroit surrender, it would seem that the main person worried about the Indians was William Hull, but he was the one with thea authority to fight or surrender, and we know what he did.

--Brock-Perry

Three 'Dirty Tricks' the British Used on Americans at Detroit in 1812

2.  THEY TRIED TO LOOK LIKE THEY HAD MORE SOLDIERS

To add to the illusion that the Americans were facing more enemy troops than they actually were, Isaac Brock had his men create individual campfires instead of one per unit.  It's a very old trick, used often in major battles throughout history.

Plus, the Canadian militia would march across the American field of view, then duck under their defenses, then run back to the end of the line, reform and march past again.  They did this as they  were going to camp meals as well, picking up rations, then marching out of sight, dumping their food and repeating the same action.

Sneaky, Very Sneaky Guy, You Know.  --Brock-Perry

Three 'Dirty' Tricks the British Used on Hull at Detroit-- Part 2: Hull Court-Martialed

They also got the arms and weapons the Americans had in Fort Detroit.  And because of the stunning victory, Indian ally Tecumseh was able to rally even more Indians to his anti-American side and Brock was then able to thtreaten upstate New York.

William Hull was court-martialed and sentenced to death for the surrender, but the sentence was commuted by President James Madison.

Here are the three "dirty" tactics British General Isaac Brock used to cower Revolutionary War veteran William Hull:

*********************************

1.  THEY USED OLD BRITISH UNIFORMS

The total number of  British forces attacking Fort Detroit was around 1,330 and the bulk of Brock's forces were militia members, not the vaunted British regulars that might make the Americans think twice about attacking (or even defending).

He did have some 300 British regulars, but not enough to get the psychological  effect he wanted, so he used old, cast-off coats of regulars.  He dressed his Essex militiamen in as many red British uniforms as he could find.  This made it appear to the Americans that he had more regulars than he actually did.

--Brock-Perry

Three 'Dirty' Tricks the British Used on Americans at Detroit in 1812

From the June 15, 2022 We Are the Mighty "3 dirty tricks Canada used to gain control of the Great Lakes during the War of 1812."

Chief among American  embarrassing moments from the War of 1812 was General William Hull's surrender of Fort Detroit in Michigan to a numerically smaller British force.

The British, led by  Maj. Gen. Isaac Brock (the Brock in my signoff Brock-Perry for each blog entry) used a massive deception ploy to scare Hull into surrendering without firing a shot.  Hull infamously  complied with Brock's surrender demand despite having more troops and a fortified position.

Having taken Fort Detroit (site of present-day Detroit) and having the superior naval force on the Great Lakes meant the British had  control of Upper Canada (today's Ontario), the Great Lakes and the Michigan Territory for part of the war.

--Brock-Perry

Gen. Hull's Proclamation-- Part 3: A British Proclamation

William Hull also believed that his invasion would frighten the native tribes.  In a letter to the Secretary of War, he wrote,  "It is likewise  probable that when the Indians see the American standard erected on both sides of the river it will have a favorable effect."

Like many Americans who lived on the  frontier, Hull was wary of native warriors.  In his proclamation, he wrote that their method of warfare "respects no rights  & knows no wrong."

To persuade locals from joining with indigenous warriors to resist  the American invasion, Hull informed them that any white man fighting alongside the warriors would receive no quarter.  Instead, "Instant destruction will be his Lot."

Hull intended his proclamation to coerce its inhabitants of Upper Canada into accepting the authority of the United States.   

The British commander (Isaac Brock), in turn, issued his own proclamation promising to defend Upper Canada -- and, in later  engagements, took advantage of Hull's fear of indigenous warriors to force his surrender.

--Brock-Perry

The Unfortunate Surrender of Detroit-- Part 2: Hull Sentenced to Death by Court Martial

The next morning, British General Isaac Brock crossed the Detroit River and arrived at Springwells unopposed.  His army marched  just north to May's Creek and set up a defensive position along the ravine.  Then Brock and the Natives advanced north to Fort Detroit, setting up positions just 1200 yards away.

Despite having a very sizable force inside the fort, William Hull was convinced   that he and his men were outnumbered.  He surrendered to Tecumseh without firing a shot.

About 2,500 U.S. soldiers were taken prisoner of war and moved to British Canada for imprisonment.

Hull was relieved of his command and later court martialed in 1814 for treason, cowardice, neglect of duty and misconduct.  He was sentenced to death, but spared from hanging by President James Madison.  General William Hull remains the only U.S. general to be sentenced to death by an American court martial.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 October Events: Thames, Tecumseh, Jackson, Brock, Queenston Heights, Chateauguay

1813

OCTOBER 5

**  Battle of the Thames.  Tecumseh killed.

1813

OCTOBER 7

**  Andrew Jackson established camp ay Fayetteville, Tennessee (Camp Blount) to recruit Americans to fight the Creek Indians in Alabama.

1811

OCTOBER 9

**  Major General Isaac Brock appointed Administrator of Upper Canada.  He is the Brock in my signoff, Brock-Perry.

1812

OCTOBER 13

**  British and Canadians win the Battle of Queenston Heights, Canada.  Isaac Brock killed.

1813

OCTOBER 26

**  Engagement at Chateauguay.

--Brock-Perry

Detroit's Fort Wayne-- Part 9: The Treaty of Spring Wells

From Wikipedia.

Even though Fort Wayne was not there yet, it did have a role at the beginning and end of the War of 1812.

Early in the war. this is where General Isaac Brock crossed his army over from Canada to attack Fort Detroit.  And, after the Treaty of Ghent, the future site of the fort was where the Treaty of Spring Wells (which is the name of the area the fort is located) was signed there. 

Well, next question is, what was the Treaty of Spring Wells?

It was an agreement between the United States and the Wyandot, Delaware, Seneca, Shawnee, Miami, Chippewa, Ottawa and Potawatomi Indians, ending the conflict between the two groups.  It was signed on September 8, 1815, at the present site of Fort Wayne in Detroit. Michigan.

The signing of the Treaty of Ghent had ended the war between Britain and the United States, but not the Indians and the United States.  These tribes had fought on the British side against the Americans.

--Brock-Perry

About That Fort Detroit, Shelby and Wayne in Detroit-- Part 2: Fort Wayne Was Not the War of 1812 Fort, But Did Play a Role in the War

So, Fort Wayne was not the fort that existed and played such a part in the War of 1812.  It was built after the war.  But, its site did play a role.

The one from the War of 1812 was known as Fort Detroit and later its name was changed to Fort Shelby.

The site of Fort Wayne consisted of a high sand mound with freshwater springs along the marshy waterfront of the Detroit River.

The opening shots of the War of 1812, however, were fired in the vicinity of the future Fort Wayne.  Although war had not yet been declared, Michigan militiamen bombarded the town of Sandwich, Upper Canada (later annexed to Windsor).

Later in the war, British General Isaac Brock crossed the narrowest part of the Detroit River with troops and landed on the future Fort Wayne site before marching on Detroit.  In the ensuing Siege of Detroit, American General William Hull, believing himself completely surrounded and outnumbered, surrendered Fort Detroit  to the British without offering much resistance.

A Sad Military Event in American History.  --Brock-Perry

Tenth Year of This Blog

This marks the beginning of this blog's tenth year.

This post is the 3,447th.

The very first post was April 16, 2012.

This blog grew out of my Cooter's History Thing blog and I started it because 2012 was the bicentennial of the War of 1812.  I knew more about this war than most people, but that's not saying too much as most Americans know very little about the war.

I figured I would learn more about it with this blog, and I sure did, starting with where Upper and Lower Canada (as the British colony was called back then) were not where I thought they would be.  I always thought upper meant north and lower meant south.  But not so in Canada.  The locations refer to the St. Lawrence River which flows from south to north.

I was looking for a signoff name and couldn't think of one so temporarily used the last names of two heroes of the war:  Isaac Brock of Britain and Oliver Hazard Perry of the U.S.

Things You Learn.  --Brock-Perry

The Day Word Came That Gen. Hull Surrendered Fort Detroit-- Part 3: Why Hull Surrendered the Fort?

Then, Tecumseh would have his warriors appear out in the open where the Americans could see them, then they would disappear into the forest, then to appear again in a different spot.  These tactics unnerved some of the American officers and especially William Hull.

Hull was past his prime as a field commander and despite his junior officers urging him to fight, decided to surrender.  This especially after British General Brock (the Brock in my sign-off "Brock-Perry) had told Hull that if it came to a fight between the two forces, that he couldn't guarantee American safety from his bloodthirsty Indian allies.

Some say that Hull had his daughter in the fort as well and that he greatly feared for her safety.

Either way, Hull surrendered Fort Detroit, which opened Lake Erie up to British control.  With it in their control, they also held sway over upstate New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

A year later, the war took a different course in September 1813, when a pivotal battle took place on the lake.  That battle's hero has something to do with the second half of my sign-off.

Covered in Next Post.  --Brock-Perry

The Day Word Came That Gen. Hull Had Surrendered Fort Detroit-- Part 2: Indian Allies

Historian Alan Taylor doubts that the Indians would have attacked Pittsburgh, but other historians disagree.  Andrew E. Masich says that the Indians were led by a chief named Tecumseh who led Delaware, Huron and Wyandot warriors whose land had been taken by insatiable white settlers.

They found a good ally in the British who were quick to enlist their help, arm them and treat them with respect. The British commander in Canada was Isaac Brock who hit it off with Tecumseh, regarding him as a noble Indian and a man of great genius.

Against William Hull at Fort Detroit, Brock and Tecumseh's men were greatly outnumbered by the Americans who had nearly twice their number.  They made the Americans think they were the ones vastly outnumbered.  One ploy was to have soldiers and Indians each light a campfire instead of a mess where just one fire would be lit for many men.  Americans peering over the fort's walls saw many campfires around them and were led to believe that they were the ones outnumbered.

--Brock-Perry

The Day Word Came That Gen. Hull Had Surrendered Detroit-- Part 1: Pittsburgh in Fear

 From the August 22, 2020, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by Marylynne Pitz.

Three months into the War of 1812, word came that William Hull, an American revolution veteran, governor of Michigan Territory and commander of the North West American Army had surrendered the strategic Fort Detroit to British General Isaac Brock (that's the Brock part of my sign-off).

A postal rider from Warren, Ohio, delivered the news to Pittsburgh.  More than 200 years ago, the Pittsburgh Gazette, a predecessor of this paper, published the story on August 23, 1812, "with heartfelt regret."

Located 300 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Fort Detroit  connected to western Pennsylvania by Indian trails.

Pittsburgh was greatly alarmed because of the British Indian allies who would begin raiding into Ohio with Fort Detroit out of the way.  And, from there, Pittsburgh would be a definite target.

One of today's historians, however, believes that wasn't true.  Alan Taylor says Indian raids at the time did not extend very far east or south.

--Brock-Perry