the Indians that he was ordered by their great father to come to their assistance, and, with their the assistance of his red children, who had never ceased to remain steady in their friendship, and were now all ready to shed their last drop of blood in their great father's service. After some speeches from other chiefs, and replies thereto, the council broke up. General Brock, having quickly discovered the superior sagacity and intrepidity of Tecumseh, and his influence over the Indians, and not deeming it prudent to develop before so mixed an assemblage the views which were at that moment uppermost in his thoughts, and intended to be carried so quickly into execu Shortly after landing at Amherstburg, Gen. might be considered very imposing. The coun Brock was first brought into actual communi-il was opened by General Brock, who informed cation with the Shawanee Chief, the celebrated Tecumseh, and the manner of their in tro luction was so interesting, that we quote aid, to drive the Americans from Fort Detroit.— the passage from "Sir Isaac Brock's Life":His speech was highly applauded, and Tecumseh was unanimously called upon to speak in reply. "The attention of the troops was suddenly rous. He commenced with expressions of joy, that their ed by a straggling fire of musketry, which, in a father beyond the great salt lake (meaning the few minutes, became general, and appeared to pro-king of England) had at length awoke from his ceed from an island in the Detroit river. Colonel long sleep, and permitted his warriors to come to Elliott, the superintendent of the Indians, quickly explained that the firing arose from the Indians attached to the British cause, who thus expressed their joy at the arrival of the reinforcement under their white father. Major General Brock, aware of the scarcity of the munitions of war, sent Col. Elliott to stop this waste of powder, saying: "Do, pray, Elliott, fully explain my wishes and motives, and tell the Indians that I will speak to them to morrow on this subject. His request was promptly attended to, and Colonel Elliott returned in about half an hour with the Shawanee chief, Tecumseh, or Tecumpthé, already mentioned. Capt. Glegg, tion, directed Col. Elliott to inform the Shawance the aide-de-camp, being present, had an opportu-chief that he wished to see him, accompanied by nity of c osely observing the traits of that extra- a few of the oldest chiefs, at Colonel Elliott's quarordinary man, and we are indebted to him for the ters. There the General, through the medium of following graphic particulars:- Tecumseh's ap- interpreters, communicated his views, and expearance was very preposses-ing, his figure lightplained the manner in which he intended to carry and finely proportioned; his age I imagined to be into execution his operations against Fort Detroit. about five an 1 thirty; his height, five feet nine or The chiefs listened with the utmost apparent eager ten inches; his complexion, light copper; coun- ness, and expressed their unanimous assent to tenance, oval, bright haz'e eyes, beaming with the proposed plan, assuring General Brock that cheerfulness, energy, and decision. Three small their co-operation, as pointed out, might be des silver crowns, or coronets, were suspended from pended on. On General Brock asking whether the lower cartilage of his aquiline nose; and a the Shawanee Indians could be in luced to refrain large silver medallion of George the Third, which from drinking spirits, Tecumseh assured him that I believe his ancestor had received from Lord his warriors might be relied on, adding, that beDorchester, when Governor General of Canada, fore leaving their country on the Wabash river, was attached to a mixed coloured wampum string, they had promised him not to taste that perniand hung round his neck. His dress consisted of cious liquor until they had humbled the big a plain, neat uniform, tanned deer skin jacket, knives,' meaning the Americans. In reply to this with long trowsers of the same material, the seams assurance, General Brock briefly said: If this of both being covered with neatly cut fringe; and resolution be persevered in, you must conquer.' he had on his feet leather mocassins, much ornamented with work made from the dyed quills of the porcupine.' Offensive and retaliatory measures at once adopted by Gen. Brock. Previous to General Brock's arrival, Gencral Hull had, on the 7th "The first and usnal salutations of shaking and 8th, recrossed the hands being over, an allusion was made to the late river with the whole of his army, abandoning firing of musketry, and Tecumseh at once approvat once all his visionary schemes for the coned of the reason given by Major-General Brock for its discontinuance. It being late, the parties soon separated, with an understanding that a council would be held the following morning. This accordingly took place, and was attended by about a thousand Indians, whose equipment generally quest of the western district of Canada, if indeed he cherished the hope of effecting any movement of importance after the fall of Michilimacinac. The day after his arrival, General Brock resolved on, and began to prepare in his turn for, offensive operations. Batteries had already been erected under the superintendence of Capt. Dixon of the Engineers, and Capt. Hall of the Provincial Navy, on an elevated part of the bank of the Detroit, here about a mile across, and directly opposite the American fort of that name, and Brock resolved to strike a decisive blow ere his opponent should be strengthened by reinforcements. General Brock despatched a flag to the American Commander, with the following summons, having previously arranged for the concentration of all his available force on the spot: "Head Quarters, Sandwich, August 15th, 1812. "SIR.-The force at my disposal authorizes me to require of you, the immediate surrender of Fort Detroit.-It is far from my inclination 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 my control the moment the contest commences. You will find me disposed to enter into such conditions as will satisfy the most scrupulous sense of honor. Lient. Colonel McDonnell, and Major Glegg, are fully authorised to conclude any arrangement that may tend to prevent the unnecessary effusion of blood. A requisition of this kind, alike so important and unexpected, coming from an enemy, too, so inferior in force, could meet with but one response, and accordingly, as we have seen, the American General rejected the demand, and to God and his sword committed the issue. Fortunately, however, the defiance was addressed to one who did not for a moment suffer it to abate his diligence or lessen his hopes, and the return of his messenger was but the signal of attack, and a galling fire was immediately opened on the town and fort of Detroit. On the court-martial held on General Hull for cowardice, the strength of the respective forces was pretty clearly ascertained. In speaking of General Brock's army, it is stated "The force at his disposal did not exceed seven hundred combatants, and of this number four hundred were Canadian militia,disguised in red coats; with this small corps, preceded by five pieces of light artillery, six and threepounders, he began his operations " Respecting the Americans, the following admissions were made on the same occasion:-"The strength, position, and supplies of the American army have been frequently stated, and even judicially established. The morning reports to the Adjutant General made its effective force one thousand and sixty, exclusive of three hundred Michigan militia, and as many Ohio volunteers, detached under M'Arthur. Head Quarters, Detroit, Aug. 15, 1812. this force, four hundred effectives (native and "SIR,-I have received your letter of this date. artillerists of the line) occupied the fort-a I have no other reply to make, than to inform you that I am prepared to meet any force which work of regular form and of great solidity; may be at your disposal, and any consequences surrounded by a wide and deep ditch, strongly which may result from any exertion of it you may | fraised and palisadoed, and sustained by an think proper to make. "I have the honor to be, "Sir, your most obdt. Servant, "His Excellency, Commanding at Fort Detroit." "To which the subjoined answer was returned: "I avail myself of this opportunity to inform you that the flag of truce, under the direction of Captain Brown, proceeded contrary to the orders, and without the knowledge of Col. Cass, who commanded the troops which attacked your picket, near the river Canard bridge. "I likewise take this occasion to inform you that Gowie's house was set on fire contrary to my orders, and it did not take place until after the evacuation of the Fort. From the best information I have been able to obtain on the subject, it was set on fire by some of the inhabitants on the other side of the river. "I am, very respectfully, "Your Excellency's most obt. Servant, "His Excy. Major Gen. Brock, Comm'g. His Britannic Majesty's Forces, "Sandwich, Upper Canada." Of exterior battery of twenty-four pounders. Three hundred Michigan militia held the town, which in itself formed a respectable defence against the troops. Flanking the approach to the fort, and covered by a high and heavy picket fence, were stationed four hundred Ohio volunteers, while a mile and a half on the right, and advancing rapidly, was M'Arthur's de tachment. Of provisions and ammunition the supply was abundant; in fine, everything was then sufficient for the trial of strength and courage which impended." The following extract from General Brock's official communication to Sir George Prevost will place all the events of the memorable 16th August clearly and succinctly before the reader : "The force at my disposal being collected in the course of the 15th, in the neighborhood of Sandwich, the embarkation took place a little after daylight on the following morning, and under the able arrangements of Lieut. Dewar, of the Quarter-Master General's department, the whole was in a short time landed without the slightest confusion at Springwell —a good position, three miles west of Detroit. The Indian, who had in the meantime effected their landing two miles below, moved forward and occupied the woods, about a mile and a half on our left. I crossed the river, with an intention of waiting in a strong position the effect of our force upon the enemy's camp, and in hopes of compelling him to meet us in the field; but receiving information upon landing, that Col. M'Arthur, an officer of high reputation, had left the garrison three days before with a detachment of five hundred men, and hearing, soon afterwards, that his cavalry had been seen that morning three miles in our rear, 1 decided on an immediate attack. Accordingly, the troops advanced to within one mile of the fort, and having ascertained that the enemy had taken little or no precaution towards the land side, I resolved on an assault, whilst the Indians penetrated his camp. Br gadier-General Hull, however, prevented this movement, by proposing a cessation of hostilities, for the purpose of preparing terms of capitu lation. Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonell and Captain Glegg were accordingly deputed by me on this mission, and returned within an hour with the conditions, which I have the honor herewith to transmit. Certain considerations afterwards induced me to agree to the two supplementary articles. "The force thus surrendered to his Majesty's arms cannot be estimated at less than 2500 men. In this estimate, Col. M'Arthur's detachment is included, as he surrendered, agreeably to the terms of capitulation, in the course of the evening, with the exception of two hundred men, whom he left escorting a valuable convoy at some little distance in his rear; but there can be no doubt the officer commanding will consider himself equally bound by the capitulation. "The enemy's aggregate force was divided into two troops of cavalry; one company of artillery engineers; the 4th United States regiment; de'achments of the 1st and 3d United States regiments, volunteers; three of the Michigan territory. regiments of the Ohio Militia; one regiment "Thirty pieces of brass and iron ordnance have already been secured.” Besides the cannon four hundred rounds of twenty-four pound shot fixed, one hundred thousand cartridges, forty barrels of powder, and two thousand five hundred stand of arms fell into the hands of the conquerors. The articles of capitulation* will excite in the *Camp at Detroit, Aug. 16, 1812, Capitulation for the surrender of Fort Detroit, entered into between Major General Brock, commanding his Britannic Majesty's forces, on the one part, and Brigadier Gen. Hull, commanding the north-western army of the United States, on the other part. ulats as well as militia, will be immediately surrenArticle I. Fort Detroit, with all the troops, regdered to the British forces under the command of Maj. Gen. Brock, and will be considered as prisoners of war, with the exception of such of the joined the army. militia of the Michigan territory, who have not Art. II. All public stores, arms, and all public documents, including everything else of a public nature, will be immediately given up. Art. III. Private persons, and property of every description will be respected. Art. IV. His Excellency, Brigadier. General Hull, having expressed a desire that a detachment from the state of Ohio, on its way to join his army, as well as one sent from Fort Detroit, under the command of Col. McArthur, should be included in the capitulation, it is accordingly agreed to. It is, however, to be understood, that such part of the Ohio militia as have not joined the army, will be permitted to return to their homes, on condi tion that they will not serve during the war, their arms will be delivered, up if belonging to the public. Art. V. The garrison will march out at the hour of 12 this day, and the British will take immediate possession of the fort. J. MACDONELL, Lieut. Col. militia, P. A. D. C., J. B. GLEGG, Major, A. D. C. JAMES MIET R, Lieut. Col. 5th U. S. Infantry, E. BRUSH, Another solution is, that Gen. Hull lacked confidence in his troops-he knew what fighting was, they did not. National vanity has endeavored to find a salve for the disgrace, in aspersions on General Hull. Imbecility, treach We felt it due to truth-to Government-to reader's breast some surprise-some curiosity | bold front, and energetic measures of the will be awakened, to ascertain the reasons why Bri ish commander. to so small a body of regulars and a few DISAFFECTED Militia, disguised in red-coats, (Vide Armstrong,) such abject submission should have been manifested, or why, without one blow being struck, or one sign (except of extreme trepidation) exhibited, so powerful aery, and cowardice,* were the charges brought force,-"in sure anticipation of victory, awaiting anxiously the approach of the enemy; each individual at his post, expecting a proud day for his country and himself,"*---should so tamely consent to stack their arms and hoist a white flag, in token of submission to an enemy so vastly inferior in numbers and only with difficulty re trained from deserting. The only solution of the question is to be found in the following position:-That it required all the exaggerated statements, which could be brought to bear on the subject, to induce the citizens of the United States to enter on the service at all, and that, on finding how grossly they had been deceived with respect to Cana-uty to know the verity and strength of the dian loyalty, and the numbers flocking to their standard, and that the bayonet's point, not the warm grasp of friendship, was the reception awaiting them, they were dismayed at the itulation, concluded at Detroit, the 16th of Aug. 1812: It is agreed that the Officers and soldiers of the Ohio militia and volunteers shall be permitted to proceed to their respective homes, on this condition, that they do not serve during the present war, unless they are exchanged. W. HULL, Brig. Gen. commanding U. S N. W. Army. Maj. Gen. An article in addition to the supplementary article of capitulation, concluded at Detroit, the 16th of August, 1812: General Hull, and to all persons directly or indirectly concerned with the facts or circumstances leading to the shameful capitulation of Detroit, to suspend our opinion until a sufficiency of light was afforded to chase away the doubts and shadows that rested on the strange transaction. But doubt has resolved itself into certainty-we no longer hesitate to join in opinion with the whole people of the west, "of every sect or persuasion, religious or political," that the army at Detroit was treacherously surrendered; and that General Brock instead of General Hull ought to have been the prisoner. This idea is powerfully enforced by many private letters from gentlemen of the first respectability in the State of Ohio, who had opporopinion advanced; but the detai! by Colonel Cass is conclusive-it is, besides, supported by a host of testimony in all the substantial facts it exposes. -Niles Register, Baltimore. Extracts from Col. Cass' Letter, with reference to the same subject, to the Secretary at War: Letter of Colonel Cass, of the Army late under the Command of Brigadier General William Hull, to the Secretary of War. WASHINGTON, September 10th, 1812. "When the forces landed in Canada, they landed with an ardent zeal and stimulated with the hope of conquest. No enemy appeared within view of us, and had an immediate and vigorous attack been made upon Malden, it would doubtless have fallen an easy victory. I knew General Hull afterwards declared he regretted this attack had not been made, and he had every reason to believe success would have crowned his efforts. The rea son given for delaying our operations was to mount our heavy cannon, and afford to the Canadian militia time and opportunity to quit an obnoxious service. In the course of two weeks, the number of their militia who were embodied had decreased by desertion from one thousand to six hundred men: and, in the course of three weeks, the cannon were mounted, the ammunition fixed, and every preparation made for an immediate investment of the fort. At a council, at which were present all the field officers, and which was held two days before our preparations were completed, it was unanimously agreed to make an immediate attempt to accomplish the object of the expedi Iron Ordnance-nine 24 pounders, eight 12 tion. If by waiting two days we could have the pounders, five 9 pounders. Brass Ordnance--ervice of our artillery, it was agreed to wait; it It is further agreed that the officers and soldiers of the Michigan militia and volunteers, under the command of Major Wetherall, shall be placed on the same principles as the Ohio militia and volunteers are placed by the supplementary article of the 16th instant. W. HULL, Brig. Gen. commanding N. W. Ariny U. S. three 6 pounders, two 4 pounders, one 3 pounder one 8 inch howitzer, one 3 inch ditto. * Vide Armstrong, page 27. sot, it was determined to go without it and attempt The place by storm. This opinion appeared to cors espond with the views of the general, and the day was appointed for commencing our march. against him, throughout the length and breadth to the Administration at Washington, were all of the country; and errors fairly attributable imputed to the poor old General. The senti He declared to me that he considered himself "On the 13th, the British took a position oppo. site to Detroit. and began to throw up works. During that and the two following days, they pursued their object without interruption and established a battery for wo eighteen pounders and an eight inch howitzer. About sunset on the 14th, a detachment of 350 men from the regiments commanded by Colonel M'Arthur and myself was ordered to march to the river Raisin, to escort the provisions, which had some time remained there protected by a company under the command of Captain Brush. the enemy, that upon any ordinary principle of calculation we would have defeated them-the wounded and indignant feelings of every man there will testify. "A few days before the surrender, I was informed by Gen. Hull, we had four hundred rounds of twenty-four pound shot fixed, and about one hundred thousand cartridges made. We surren dered with the fort forty barrels of powder and two thousand five hundred stand of arms. "The state of our provisions has not been ge nerally understood. On the day of the surrender we had fifteen days' provisions of every kind on hand. Of meat there was plenty in the country, and arrangements had heen made for purchasing and grinding the flour. It was calculated we could readily procure three months' provisions, independent of one hundred and fifty barrels of flour, and one thousand three hundred head of cattle which had been forwarded from the state of Ohio, which remained at the river Raisin under Captain Brush, within reach of the army. But had we been totally destitute of provisions, our duty and our interest, undoubtedly, was to fight. The enemy invited us to meet him in the field. By defeating him the whole country would have been open to us, and the object of our expedition gloriously and successfully obtained. If we had been defeated, we had nothing to dọ but to retreat to the fort, and make the best defence which circumstances and our situation rendered practicable. But basely to surrender with out firing a gun-tamely to submit without raising a bayonet-disgracefully to pass in review before an enemy as inferior in the quality as in the number of his forces, were circumstances which excit "On Saturday, the 15th, about one o'clock, a flag of truce arrived from Sandwich, bearing a summons from General Brock, for the surrendered feelings more easily felt than described. To of the town and fort of Detroit, stating he could no longer restrain the fury of the savages. To this an immediate and spirited refusal was returned. About four o'clock their batteries began to play upon the town. The fire was returned and continued without interruption and with little effect till dark. Their shells were thrown till eleven o'clock. see the whole of our mer flushed with the hope of victory, eagerly awaiting the approaching contest, to see them afterwards dispirited, hopeless, and desponding, at least five hundred shedding tears because they were not allowed to meet their country's foe, and to fight their country's battles, excited sensations which no American has ever be ore had cause to feel, and which, I trust in "I have been informed by Colonel Findlay, God, will never again be felt, while one man rewho saw the return of the Quarter-Master-General | mains to defend the standard of the Union. the day after the surrender, that their whole force, of every description, white, red, and black, was one thousand and thirty. They had twenty-nine platoons, twelve in a platoon, of men dressed on uniform. Many of these were evidently Canadian militia. The rest of their militia increased their white force to about seven hundred men. The number of the Indians could not be ascertained with any degree of precision-not many were visible. And in the event of an attack upon the town and fort, it was a species of force which could have afforded no material advantage to the enemy. "I was informed by General Huil, the morning after the capitulation, that the British forces consisted of one thousand eight hundred regulars, and that he surrendered to prevent the effusion of human blood. That he magnified their regular force nearly five-fold, there can be no doubt. Whether the philanthropic reason assigned by him is a sufficient justification for surrendering a fortified town, an army and a territory, is for the Government to determine. Confident I am, that had the courage and conduct of the general been equal to the spirit and zeal of the troops, the event would have been as brilliant and successful as it now is disastrous and dishonorable. "Very respectfully, sir, I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant, LEWIS CASS, "Col. 3rd Regt. Ohio Volunteers. ས "In endeavoring to appreciate the motives and to investigate the causes which led to an event 80. unexpected and dishonorable, it is impossible to find any solution in the relative strength of the contending parties, or in the measures of resist-"The Hon. WM. EUSTIS, ance in our power. That we were far superior t› Secretary of War." |