The Battle for Detroit and the War of 1812

The War of 1812, stretching across three theaters of war and lasting almost three years, was fought primarily between the forces of the British Empire and the United States of America. The reasons for the war were numerous, including an American desire to spread into the Northwest Territory, but were rooted in British’s continued support of the American Indian tribes that were resisting American expansion. The Indian general, Tecumseh, played a pivotal role in the war, especially in the Detroit frontier.

Tecumseh’s confederacy was rallied to join the British forces that were invading from Canada, joining under the British Major-General Sir Isaac Brock. Detroit’s surrender was forced in August 1812 due to siege. The number that actually held the siege were few, but Tecumseh ran his forces around in a parade in the nearby woods to make the numbers appear drastically larger than they really were. Brigadier General William Hull, fort commander at the time, was fearing a massacre should he not surrender immediately.

This victory was basically undone a little over a year later, after the victory at Lake Erie. British supply lines were cut off by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s forces, setting the field for Fort Detroit’s recapture. The British, not wanting to just leave without any collateral damage whatsoever, burned all of the buildings before retreating back into Upper Canada.