The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I, Part 58

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Detroit, S. Farmer & co
Number of Pages: 1096

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I > Part 58

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The frequent communications of General Wilkin- son with alleged spies gave rise to suspicions ; he was accused of treachery, tried and acquitted in 1808. In September, 1811, he was tried for alleged complicity with Aaron Burr in his conspiracy, and the old charges against him were again brought forward. He made a defense full of vituperation against Generals Wayne, Scott, and others, but was again acquitted, though the evidences of his guilt seemed strong. Among those summoned as wit- nesses were Thomas Powers and the late Colonel Electus Backus.

In 1814 he had to undergo a third trial, this time for alleged misconduct in the War of 1812; and for the third time he was acquitted. Among his wit- nesses was Brigadier-General Moses Porter, who testified that he had served under him since April, 1793. This was the Captain Porter who received possession of Detroit in 1796, became a colonel in 1813, and subsequently a brigadier by brevet. Cap- tain John Biddle, of the Forty-sixth United States Infantry, and General Alexander Macomb also testified favorably for Wilkinson. "Wilkinson's Memoirs," in three volumes, contain the chief points of his defense in his several trials, which wonder- fully resemble those of General Hull, in the vigor with which cotemporary military officers are as- sailed.

CHAPTER XL.

INDIAN WARS FROM 1790 TO 1812.

ALTHOUGH Detroit had been surrendered to the Americans, the British apparently entertained the hope that the fortunes of war would again give them control of the West, and British officers were continually asserting and exercising authority on American soil. The following extract from a letter addressed by. Peter Audrain, of Detroit, to Governor St. Clair on October 20, 1800, gives an idea of some of their illegal actions. Audrain says :

Between 11 and 12 o'clock on the evening of the 9th inst. some British soldiers headed by a certain Sargeant Cole, went to the house where a certain Francis Poquette lived with a woman and two children. They knocked at the door but were refused admit- tance, as the said Poquette had some suspicion of the plot. The door was forced open, the sergeant entered and knocked down said Poquette with a large stick he had ; a battle then ensued, the sergeant was wounded in the head and face, and Poquette, stabbed in many places, was carried away naked to a canoe waiting at a landing near the place. Although badly wounded he jumped out of the canoe into the river, when they stabbed him again to make him be quiet. Dr. Wm. M. Scott, surgeon of this place, was called next morning and went over the river to the ferry house, where both the sergeant and the deserter were lying very, ill. The Doctor dressed the sergeant first and went afterwards to the deserter who, almost naked, was lying on the floor in a dark corner of the kitchen. He found the unfortunate man in so dangerous a state that he informed the sergeant he could not be removed to Malden without imminent danger of losing his life. Whereupon, a man in soldier's dress, standing by Sergeant Cole, said that he had orders to take the prisoner to Malden dead or alive. Sergeant Cole agreed, and he was carried away in the afternoon and died at

* Malden about five or six o'clock the next morning. ' *

* Senator (Uriah) Tracey (of Conn.), who left this place for Presque Isle on Friday, dined on Saturday at Malden with Cap- tain McClean, commander of that garrison. He probably got more information than he had here. I have been informed that he pledged his word that he would make report to the President on his arrival at the Federal City.

The English also continued their efforts to attach the savages to themselves, and kept them in a con- stant state of unrest by their promises and presents, which were so far in excess of those made or given by the United States that many Indians remained unfriendly to the Americans.

In 1806 and 1807 there was much disquiet at Detroit on this account, and a new stockade was built as a protective measure.

As a further means of defense, on August 6, 1807, James May, adjutant-general, ordered a patrol guard of militia "to be kept at the Indian council-room"-

the guard to consist of three officers and twelve privates. Five days later he issued the follow- ing :

GENERAL ORDERS.

After this night the Guards will be kept in the following man- ner : Visgers' and L'Ecuyers' companies will alternately furnish a Guard of a Sergeant and six privates, to be stationed at the old Blockhouse. The rifle company, the artillery and cavalry will furnish a sergeant and eight privates every night to be kept at the north Blockhouse.

Hickman's light infantry - Campeau's and Anderson's compa- nies of the first Regiment will alternately furnish a Subaltern Sergeant and twelve privates, as a Guard to be kept in the East Blockhouse.

The Adjutant-General will detail a Captain of the day, who will visit all the Guards by night, and give them their instruc- tions. In case of an alarm or attack on the place, the following disposition will be made of the Troops: Scott's company of Riflemen at the north blockhouse, Anderson's company at the east blockhouse, and L'Ecuyer's company at the old Blockhouse. Hickman's company will defend the Pickets between the two Blockhouses ; Visger's, the Pickets between the fort and the north Blockhouse ; and Campeau's company, the Pickets between the east Blockhouse and the river; all the other companies will form at Curry's Corner and wait for orders.

Colonel Woodward will command from the West Blockhouse to the fort and so on from the Fort to the river, and on the river as far east as Abbott's store, but in such manner as not to interfere with Captain Dyson's command.

Colonel Brush will command from Abbott's store on the river to the east gate ; and north to the Blockhouse, including said block- house.

In case the Enemy should break through the Pickets and get into the town, Hickman's company will immediately take pos- session of the Stone Council House, Campeau's of the Bank, and Visger's of the Old Blockhouse and May's stone house. Captain Dodemead's and Smith's companies will parade at the stone council house, where they will receive their orders.

Doctor McCoskry will attend at May's stone House and Doctor Brown at the Council House, where the wounded will be sent.

On September 3.there was a grand parade of the militia, and on November 9 they were ordered to be ready to march at a moment's notice. On Novem- ber 14 there was again a general review and inspec- tion of the First Regiment of militia and the Legion- ary Corps.

On July 27, 1810, Governor Hull wrote to the Secretary of War that " large bodies of Indians from the westward and southward continue to visit the British post at Amherstburg, and are supplied with provisions, arms, ammunition, etc., etc. Much more attention is paid to them than usual."

[272]

273

INDIAN WARS FROM 1790 TO 1812.

On September 17, 1811, Governor Harrison wrote to the Secretary of War :

All the Indians of the Wabash have been, or are now, on a visit to the British agent at Malden ; my informant has never known more than one fourth as many goods given to the Indians as they are now distributing. He examined the share of one man (not a chief) and found that he had received an elegant rifle, ninety-five pounds of powder, fifty pounds of lead, three blankets, three pieces of strouds, ten shirts, and several other articles. He says every Indian is furnished with a gun (either a rifle or fusil), and an abundance of ammunition. A trader of this country was lately in the King's store at Malden, and was told that the quan- tity of goods for the Indian department, which had been sent out this year, exceeded that of common years by 20,000 pounds ster- ling. It is impossible to ascribe this profusion to any other motive than that of instigating the Indians to take up the tomahawk ; it cannot be to secure their trade, for all their peltries collected on the Wabash on one year, if sold in the London markets, would not pay the freight of the goods which have been given to the Indians.

So confident was General Harrison that the In- dians meant mischief that, with the militia and some regular soldiers commanded by Colonel Boyd, he proceeded against them, and thoroughly defeated them at the battle of Tippecanoe on November 7, 18II.

Notwithstanding this defeat, the citizens of Detroit 18

felt justly alarmed, as but ninety-four soldiers were then stationed in the town, and a meeting was held on Sunday, December 8, 1811, to take measures to protect the settlement. Solomon Sibley was chosen chairman and A. B. Woodward secretary. It was resolved to organize a night-watch for thirty days, and a committee of five, consisting of Solomon Sib- ley, A. B. Woodward, James Witherell, George McDougall, and Daniel Baker were appointed to collect funds and war material. Messrs. Witherell and Baker declined to act, and H. H. Hickman and Richard Smythe were appointed in their stead. At a subsequent meeting, on December 10, a memorial to Congress was adopted, in which it was urged that "the whole territory is a double frontier," "the British are on one side. the savages on the other," "every individual house is a frontier," "no farm is covered by another farm in the rear of it," and in view of these facts, Congress was asked to provide more garrisons in the West, and to send reinforce- ments of infantry and cavalry to Detroit. The memorial was presented to Congress on December 27. No action was taken on the subject, but the War of 1812 soon after settled this with other questions.

CHAPTER XLI.

THE WAR OF 1812.

THE searching of American vessels for British- born seamen, which was styled the "right of search," and the impressment of several thousand American sailors, were the primary causes of the War of 1812.

The immediate reason was the attack by the British ship Leopard upon the Chesapeake, an American vessel, lying in Lynnhaven Bay, off the coast of Virginia, the officers of the Leopard claim- ing that the Chesapeake was harboring three desert- ers from the British navy. The British Government promptly disowned the act, but was slow in making reparation ; and, as the impressment was continued and the search for British seamen vigorously prose- cuted, the breach was ever widening. Finally, the President ordered British ships away from the Amer- ican coast. No heed was paid to his proclamation, and, on June 18, 1812, war was declared against Great Britain.

Previous to the declaration of war, and in antici- pation of such an event, Congress authorized the President to call for militia from the several States. It was evident that the war would be along the border line of Canada, and in anticipation of the declaration of war, the citizens of Detroit held a meeting, and, as Governor Hull was absent, requested the secretary of the Territory to call out the militia. The Secretary was cautious about exercising author- ity, not being certain that Governor Hull was not in the territory, and he therefore refused. Mean- time, it became increasingly evident, from the detention of citizens of Detroit by the Canadian authorities, and from the erection of batteries at Amherstburg, that hostilities were imminent, and as General Hull did not arrive, measures of resistance were determined upon. Messrs. Elijah Brush and Solomon Sibley, and Colonels George, McDougall and John R. Williams caused the militia to be ordered out, and in twenty-four hours some six hundred men from the city and adjoining farms gathered as volunteers.

On the evening of May 14, 1812, they paraded under command of Major James Witherell. On June 12 they were ordered to parade " each Satur- day, at four o'clock, in the rear of D. Forsyth's encampment," and the commanding officer of each company was ordered to cause two hours each day,

Saturdays excepted, to be devoted to disciplining the men. On June 27, James Witherell, major com- mandant, issued a general order giving notice that " the signal of an alarm on the north bank of the river would be three rounds fired from a field piece near the south gate of the Town of Detroit, and that the militia were then to assemble."

Meanwhile, an army of some twelve hundred men drafted from Ohio by the President, and three hundred volunteers under Colonel Miller, together with other troops, were collected at Dayton. On May 25 Governor Meigs turned over the command to General Hull, who was ordered to proceed to Detroit, and about the middle of June the force, which consisted of three regiments under command of Colonels McArthur, Cass, and Findley, left Day- ton with over two thousand rank and file. On the 24th of June, while at Fort Findley, General Hull received a letter, dated June 18, the very day that war was declared, announcing that war would soon be declared. . Possibly it was written early in the day, before the declaration had actually been issued. On July 1, when near the old British Fort Miami, on the Maumee River, a small schooner, the Cuya- hoga, belonging to Captain Chapin, was employed to carry a quantity of baggage to Detroit, and about thirty officers and privates were sent with it for pro- tection.

It being the last of the month, complete muster- rolls had been made out, and either by accident or design these and other private papers of General Hull, contained in a small trunk, were placed on the vessel. An open boat with the sick was sent at the same time. On July 2, when opposite Malden, the Cuyahoga was captured by the British, who thus became possessed of a full knowledge of the force under command of General Hull. The same day, while on the road to Detroit, General Hull received a second letter from the Secretary of War, also dated June 18, containing the announcement of the declaration of war. One of the two letters was sent by a courier ; the other was sent by mail to Cleveland, to be forwarded from there by express.

Charles Shaler, a young lawyer of Cleveland. agreed to take the letter for thirty-five dollars. He left Cleveland June 28, and overtook the army at

[274]

275

THE WAR OF 1812.

the Raisin, about 2 A. M., on July 2. After receiv- ing the letter, General Hull rested a day at French- town, and on July 4 built a bridge across the Huron River near Brownstown, about a mile and a half west of the village now called Gibralter. Troops sent from Detroit to aid in preparing the road met the army near that place. At this time Major Whistler's company of First Infantry and Captain Dyson's company of artillery were in charge of the fort at Detroit. On the 5th the army passed through the villages of Brownstown and Mon- guagon, crossed the Ecorce and Rouge, and arrived the same day at Springwells. They had travelled a distance of over two hundred miles through an almost unbroken wilderness, building bridges as they went, wading innumerable swamps, and enduring many hardships.

On the morning of the 6th Colonel Cass was sent to Malden with a flag of truce to demand the baggage and prisoners captured in the schooner. On his arrival there he was blindfold- ed, his demands refused, and he was escorted back. The next day five pieces of artillery were brought down from the fort and placed on the bank in front of the army, in a situation to annoy the enemy at Sandwich.

On July 12 General Hull, sending the boats and canoes down the river, made a feint of crossing at Spring- wells, but after dark he crossed over with his whole force from Ham- tramck, and marched to Sandwich. On his arrival he issued two hundred copies of a proclamation to the Ca- nadians. A fac-simile, reduced in size, is here given.

On July 13 he sent a small re- connoitering force, under Captain Ulry, towards Malden. They returned in the evening on July 14, and reported that there were a large number of Indians in the way. General Hull then sent a detachment of Captain Sloan's cavalry, and they returned with information that a body of Indians had gone up the river. Mc- Arthur, with one hundred of his regiment and a rifle corps from Colonel Findley's, was sent in pur- suit, and subsequently Captain Smith, of the Detroit Dragoons, followed, with orders to go to the Thames and procure provisions. He overtook McArthur, and went with him about sixty miles above the mouth of the river, returning in the evening of the 17th with a large quantity of stores. On the same day, before McArthur's party had returned, Colonel Cass, with two hundred and eighty men, pushed on to the river Aux Canards, and took possession

of the bridge, but as General Hull would not allow them to fortify or push on to Malden, the results were unimportant.

During this period General Hull spent much of his time at Detroit, and on the 24th, during his absence, Colonel McArthur sent a detachment to drive the Indians from the region of Turkey Creek ; but they were themselves attacked by the Indians, and forced to retreat, with a loss of six killed. This was the first blood shed in the campaign.

Meantime the British forces were active, and before the news of the war had reached Mackinaw, that post was summoned to surrender, and on July 17th was surrendered, the patrol officers and troops reaching Detroit August 4. General Hull was now

By WILLIAM HULL, Brigadier General and Commander of the North Western Army of the United States.

A PROCLAMATION.

INHABITANTS OF CAVADAY After thirty years of Peace & property, the UNITED STATES have been driven to Arme, The injuries & aggrefions, the Infoits & Indignires ofGiet Britain hive rece m re left hamm no alterravive but manly reffance, or unconditional fut muffin :. The Amar under my Comman:", has invaded your country. & the Standard of the UN ON now waver over the Territory of CANADA. To the peaceable unoffending intabitant, it brings neither danger nur difficulty. I come to find cucmies, not to make them. I come. to protes, not to injure you. Separated by an immense Ocean. & an extensive Wilderness from Great Britain, you have no participation in her Counfels, no interest in her condua. You have felt her 1 years, you have diep her injustice, but I do not afk you to avenge the one of the redggfs the other. The United STATES are fuffici - nily powerful to afford you e ery frentetv, conleftent with their rights, & your expectations. I Ander you tre invaluable biel- Lings of Civil Political& Religions I Herty & their rees Pary refuse Individed and preural prosperity: Iha: Liberty which pare decision to our cound Tels and energy to our cenche, in our ftrung e for INDEPENPENer, and which conducted o. Gfely and triumphantly, thro' the fformy penod of b. Revolution. That Liteity which has failed us to an elevated tank among the Nations of the world, and which has aforded us a greater mea: Tere of Peace and Security, of wealth and improvement, than ever fell to the lot of any people,

In the'name of my Cousiny and by the authority of any Guerrawest, I promise you prot Ation to your persons, properly and right. Remain at your homes, Purlue your peaceful and cuffomaty avocations. Raife not your hands againit your brethren. Many of your fathers fought for the Freedom & INDEPENDENCE we POW enjoy. Being chileera therefore of the fame family with us, and heirs to the lane heritage, the arrival of an Army of friends, mift be baited by you with a cordial welcome. You will be emancipated from Tyrany and oppre flion, and reftered to the digni. Fed flation of freemen Had I any doubt of eventual luces I might aft your allliance, but I do not. I come prepared for every contingency. I have a force which will look down al opposition de that force is but the vanguard fa much greater Il contrary to your own interest, and The juf expeEdtion of my Country. you thould take part in the approaching conteit, you will be considered & treated as enemies, & - the horrors & Families of war will flilk before you.

If the barbarous & favagt poiir y of Great Britain h- purfued, and the fhvages are Ict loofe to murder our Citizens, & butcher our women and. Snillsen, this war, will be.a nar ct extermination.

The full Orche of the Tomahawk, the first 'attempt with the fealpi g knife, will be the lignat for one indifcriminale feene of detreon ... It pabitt man forma filing lyser five of an ission, will be taken power Toffaut destruction will be his loc. If the dictates of reason, duty, julice Bud humanity cannot prevent the employment of a force which refpeds no rights, & knows no wrong, it will be prevented by a fevere and re- Bemstef's ly fem of revolution.

I deuli a.t your courage and fumnef : I will not doubt your attachment to Liberty If you tender yo ir fervices voluntarily, they will be ace xepied readily.

. The UNITED STATES offer you Peser, Liberty and Security. Your choice lies between these & Was A very, and del alias. Choolej then, but choose wifery ; and may be who knows the justice of our cable, and who holes in hishand the fate of Nations, guide you sos is Cule the moleund Eaubis with your rights and interest, your, Peace and profperinge

BY THE GENERAL

AMthuc

Capl: 13th, U. S. Regt: of Infantry and Aid de compr

REDUCED FAC-SIMILE OF HULL'S PROCLAMATION TO THE CANADIANS. [Size of original, 10 x 10 inches.]

manifestly disheartened, and this feeling was so apparent that many of the officers and soldiers lost confidence in his leadership.

Early in August an express arrived with informa- tion that Captain Henry Brush, who had been sent by Governor Meigs, of Ohio, with a company of volunteers, and provisions for the army, was at the river Raisin, waiting for an escort. This was at first refused, but finally General Hull consented to send Major T. B. Van Horn with two hundred men. The major crossed the Detroit River August 4, and marched that evening as far as the river Ecorce. The following morning the force pushed on, and, as they entered the open ground of Browns- town, were attacked by Tecumseh with several hun- dred Indians and British soldiers. The suddenness of the attack threw the troops into confusion, and

276

THE WAR OF 1812.

the entire force retreated towards Detroit, and sent news of the disaster to General Hull. This defeat, and the plainly expressed dissatisfaction of the offi- cers at no advance being made in Canada, caused General Hull to call a council of war, and it was decided to advance on Malden. Preparatory orders to this end were issued, but ere the preparations were complete, an order was issued by General Hull to cross over to Detroit. Accordingly, on the night of August 7th and the morning of the 8th, the main body of the army returned.

Immediately on their return, Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, with six hundred troops, was ordered to open communication with Captain Brush at the Raisin. They left on the afternoon of August 8, and on the next day, at about 4 P. M., when two miles below the village of Monguagon, the first guard, commanded by Captain Snelling of the Fourth United States Regiment, was fired on by an extensive line of British and Indians. Miller's force, however, made so good a defence that the British and Indians retreated. Colonel Miller sent an express to Gen- eral Hull with information of his success, and re- quested a supply of provisions.

Colonel McArthur was ordered to take one hun- dred men from his regiment, and six hundred ra- tions for Colonel Miller's forces, to proceed down the river in boats, and bring the wounded to Detroit. He embarked his force on the morning of August Io in nine boats, and arrived safely at Colonel Mil- ler's encampment, two miles above Brownstown. As soon as he could deliver his provisions and place the wounded men in the boats, he commenced his return, but the British brig Hunter anchored in the path of his boats, at the head of Grosse Isle, and prevented them from returning. A messenger was sent to General Hull to inform him of this new trouble and to ask for wagons to carry up the wounded. These were sent, but as they could not get within a quarter of a mile of the boats, the wounded were placed in small canoes and thus con- veyed to shore.

As soon as he was supplied with provisions and relieved of the wounded, Colonel Miller had intend- ed to march to the Raisin, but he was prevented by sickness; and an express soon arrived from General Hull with positive orders to return. These orders were obeyed, and on August 12 his force reached Detroit.

On the 13th the British were seen marching up from Sandwich to a point opposite Fort Detroit, and within point-blank shot of our batteries; but General Hull would not suffer his gunners to fire, and even allowed the British to erect batteries with- out being molested. All this time Captain Brush, with the provisions for the army, was at the Raisin,

and on the evening of the 14th General Hull sent an escort of three hundred and fifty troops, under Colonels McArthur and Cass, to his relief. The force took a circuitous route, and when about twenty-five miles from Detroit became entangled in a swamp, and as they were without provisions, the accident was a serious one. On August 15, during their absence, two British officers arrived from Sandwich with a flag of truce, and a letter from General Brock demanding the surrender of Fort Detroit. General Hull at once returned a letter, in which were the following words: "I am ready to meet any force which may be at your disposal."

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of Detroit and Michigan; or, The metropolis illustrated; a chronological cyclopedia of the past and present, Vol I, Part 58

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902 Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Detroit, S. Farmer & co Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Detroit, S. Farmer & co
Number of Pages: 1096