A Signal Defeat: Siege of Detroit

On August 16, 1812, General Hull surrendered Detroit and Michigan territory to British forces under the command of Major General Sir Isaac Brock, who captured Fort Detroit with the help of Indigenous warriors led by Tecumseh. An excerpt from the article:

"The Siege of Detroit took place August 15-16, 1812, during the War of 1812 (1812-1815) and was one of the opening actions of the conflict. Beginning in July 1812, Brigadier General William Hull conducted an abortive invasion of Canada before withdrawing back to his base at Fort Detroit. Lacking in confidence despite superior numbers, Hull was soon besieged by a smaller British and Native American force led by Major General Isaac Brock and Tecumseh. Through a mix of intimidation and deception, Brock and Tecumseh were able to compel Hull's surrender of over 2,000 men while only having two men wounded. A humiliating defeat for the Americans, Fort Detroit would remain in British hands for over a year...

...Deception Wins the Day

Shortly thereafter, Brock sent Hull a letter demanding his surrender and stating:

The force at my disposal authorizes me to require of you the immediate surrender of Fort Detroit. It is far from my intention to join in a war of extermination, but you must be aware, that the numerous body of Indians who have attached themselves to my troops, will be beyond control the moment the contest commences…

Continuing the series of deceptions, Brock ordered extra uniforms belonging to 41st Regiment to be given to the militia to make his force appear to have more regulars. Other ruses were conducted to deceive the Americans as to the actual size of the British army. Soldiers were instructed to light individual campfires and several marches were conducted to make British force appear larger.

These efforts worked to undermine Hull's already weakening confidence. On August 15, Brock commenced a bombardment of Fort Detroit from batteries on the east bank of the river. The next day, Brock and Tecumseh crossed the river with the intention of blocking the American supply lines and laying siege to the fort. Brock was forced to change these plans immediately as Hull had dispatched MacArthur and Cass with 400 men to re-open communications to the south.

Rather than be caught between this force and the fort, Brock moved to assault Fort Detroit from the west. As his men moved, Tecumseh repeatedly marched his warriors through a gap in the forest as they emitted loud war cries. This movement led the Americans to believe that the number of warriors present was much higher than in actuality. As the British approached, a ball from one of the batteries hit the officer's mess in Fort Detroit inflicting casualties. Already badly unnerved by the situation and fearing a massacre at the hands of Tecumseh's men, Hull broke, and against the wishes of his officers, ordered a white flag hoisted and began surrender negotiations."