Canada Attacked

On July 12, 1812, US forces under General Hull invaded Canada. The invasion was met with fierce opposition and American forces are forced to withdraw. By August 16, Hull surrendered Detroit to the British.

One of the primary objectives of the American war was to invade and capture Canada. The strategy involved attacking Canada at three strategic locations simultaneously. However, the American forces were not adequately prepared, necessitating the commencement of the western leg of the attack first. General William Hull, who had led Massachusetts’s troops during the Revolutionary War, led this force. As the governor of Michigan territory and the head of Michigan’s territorial militia, Hull held the belief that entering Canada posed a significant risk as long as the British controlled Lake Erie. Despite his reservations, he proceeded with his plan to march on Detroit and subsequently Canada.

Hull’s initial misjudgment occurred when he dispatched the schooner Cuyahoga ahead on the Maumee River, carrying with it some sick individuals and, more importantly, his correspondence. Upon its capture by the British, they gained knowledge of Hull’s plans.

On July 5th, Hull and his troops arrived at Detroit. A week later, without encountering any resistance, Hull and his troops, excluding approximately two hundred Ohio militia members who declined to cross the border, entered Canada.

Hull proceeded south along the Detroit River, attempting to establish a siege on Fort Malden but ultimately failing to secure its capture. At this juncture, he began to harbor concerns regarding the extended length of his supply lines. Consequently, he dispatched a force of 150 to confront a supply train originating from Ohio, only to be repelled by Indian forces led by Tecumseh. Subsequently, Hull sent a second, larger force of 600, which was also attacked and forced to retreat.

Simultaneously, a more significant setback occurred on Mackinac Island. Lieutenant Porter Hanks commanded Fort Mackinac. His adversary was Captain Charles Robert, the commander of the British fort of St. Joseph. On July 16th, he embarked on an expedition with 46 British regulars, 180 Canadian militia, and 400 Indians, intending to capture Fort Mackinac. Hanks was unaware of the state of war between the United States and Great Britain. Confronted with a significantly larger force than his own, Hanks promptly surrendered to the superior British contingent.

Consequently, the fall of Fort Mackinac necessitated the evacuation of Fort Dearborn. Captain Herald, who led a column comprising 54 regulars, 12 militia, 9 women, and 18 children, commanded Fort Dearborn. A mile from the fort, the column was ambushed and subsequently surrendered. The Indians brutally killed two women, 12 children, and numerous soldiers.
Hull withdrew from Canadian territory and fervently requested reinforcements. Unfortunately, the reinforcements arriving from Ohio were detained on the Raisin River. The British positioned their cannons at Fort Detroit and commenced an intermittent bombardment. After a British ultimatum demanding surrender, Hull acquiesced. Consequently, the Northwest frontier was now vulnerable. Thus concluded the initial American assault on Canada.
Hull made his first mistake by sending the schooner Cuyahoga ahead on the Maumee River with some sick men and more importantly his correspondence. When the British captured it, they became aware of Hull’s plans.

On July 5th, Hull and his soldiers arrived at Detroit. A week later, Hull and his troops (less two hundred Ohio militia members who refused to cross the border) entered Canada unopposed.
Hull headed south along the Detroit River. He attempted to lay siege to Fort Malden but failed to capture it. At this point, he began to fear that his supply lines were too long. He sent a force of 150 to meet a supply train coming from Ohio, but they were beaten back by Indian forces led by Tecumseh. Hull then sent a second larger force of 600, which was attacked and forced back.

Simultaneously, a more significant setback transpired on Mackinac Island. Lieutenant Porter Hanks commanded Fort Mackinac. His adversary was Captain Charles Robert, the commander of the British fort of St. Joseph. On July 16th, he embarked on an expedition with 46 British regulars, 180 Canadian militia, and 400 Indians, intending to capture Fort Mackinac. Hanks was unaware of the state of war between the United States and Great Britain. Confronted with a significantly larger force than his own, Hanks promptly surrendered to the superior British contingent.
Consequently, the fall of Fort Mackinac necessitated the evacuation of Fort Dearborn. Captain Herald, who led a column comprising 54 regulars, 12 militia, 9 women, and 18 children, commanded Fort Dearborn. A mile from the fort, the column was ambushed and subsequently surrendered. The Indians brutally killed two women, 12 children, and numerous soldiers.
Hull withdrew from Canadian territory and fervently requested reinforcements. Unfortunately, the reinforcements arriving from Ohio were detained on the Raisin River. The British positioned their cannons at Fort Detroit and commenced an intermittent bombardment. After a British ultimatum demanding surrender, Hull acquiesced. Consequently, the Northwest frontier was now vulnerable. Thus concluded the initial American assault on Canada.