CAPTURE OF FORT DETROIT. August, 1812.

The negotiations between the British Government and the United States of America, which had several times been broken off and renewed, ultimately terminated on the 18th of June, 1812, by the latter declaring war. Their first design was the conquest of Canada, and early in July the American commander, Brigadier-General 145Hull, invaded that country, by crossing the Detroit River on the 12th. of that month, with two thousand three hundred men, consisting of regular cavalry and infantry, and militia, with several field pieces; having driven in the militia towards Amherstsburg, he advanced to Sandwich, and afterwards approached the former place with a part of his army to the River Cunard, about five miles from the fort, where he was foiled in three attempts to cross that river, which cost him a considerable loss. The garrison of Amherstsburg at that time consisted of a subaltern’s detachment of the royal artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Troughton, a detachment of three hundred men of the 41st. regiment, under Captain Muir, and about the same number of militia, the whole commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Saint George, the district inspecting field officer of militia. Some skirmishes occurred between the troops under the latter officer, and the enemy upon the River Canard, which uniformly terminated in his being repulsed with loss. Major-General Isaac Brock detached a force down the River Thames, capable of acting in conjunction with the garrison of Amherstsburg offensively, but Captain Chambers who had been appointed to direct this detachment, experienced difficulties that frustrated the design; whereupon Colonel Proctor was ordered to assume the command, and his force was soon after increased with sixty men of the 41st. regiment. Meanwhile the most strenuous exertions were made; and voluntary offers of service were received from that portion of the embodied militia the most easily connected. The Attorney-General, John M‘Donell, Esq., acted as provincial aide-de-camp to Major-General Brock, and other gentlemen of the first character and influence evinced similar devotion.

A sufficiency of boats being collected at Long Point for the conveyance of three hundred men, the embarkation took place on the 8th. of August, and in five days the troops arrived at Amherstsburg. The judicious arrangement which had been adopted immediately upon the arrival of Colonel Proctor, of the 41st., compelled the Americans to retreat and take shelter under the guns of the fort; that officer commenced operations by sending strong detachments across the river, with a view of cutting off the enemy’s communications with his reserve. This produced two smart skirmishes on the 5th. and 9th. of August, in both of which the 146Americans suffered considerable loss; the British had only three killed and thirteen wounded, amongst the latter were Captain Muir and Lieutenant Sutherland, of the 41st. regiment. Batteries had likewise been commenced opposite Fort Detroit, for one eighteen-pounder, two twelve, and two five and a half-inch mortars all of which were opened on the evening of the 15th. of August, Brigadier-General Hull having been previously summoned to surrender, and though opposed by a well-directed fire from seven twenty-four pounders, such was their construction, under the able directions of Captain Dixon, of the royal engineers, that no injury was sustained therefrom.

Major-General Brock having collected the force at his disposal during the 15th. of August in the neighbourhood of Sandwich, the embarkation commenced a little after daylight on the following morning, and by the able arrangements of Lieutenant Dewar, of the quartermaster-general’s department, the whole landed at Springwell, about three miles west of Detroit. The Indians, who in the meantime had effected a landing two miles below, moved forward and occupied the woods, about a mile and a half on the British left. The force which was instantly directed to march against the enemy, consisted of thirty royal artillery, two hundred and fifty of the 41st. regiment, fifty Royal Newfoundland regiment, four hundred militia, and about six hundred Indians, to which were attached three six-pounders, and two three-pounders. The troops afterwards advanced to within one mile of the fort, when an assault was determined upon. Brigadier-General Hull, however, prevented this movement, by proposing a cessation of hostilities, for the purpose of preparing terms of capitulation. The American troops that surrendered consisted of two thousand five hundred men, and were divided into two troops of cavalry; one company of artillery regulars; the 4th. United States regiment; detachments of the 1st. and 3rd. United States regiment, volunteers; three regiments of the Ohio militia; and one regiment of the Michigan territory. Thirty-three pieces of brass and iron ordnance had already been secured. This capitulation was concluded at Detroit on the 16th. of August, 1812, and the 41st. foot bears the name of the fort on the regimental colour, likewise the 69th. its linked battalion. The medal granted for this service was similar to that authorized for the Peninsula; and on the war medal being issued a clasp was added commemorative of the foregoing events.

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