The War of 1812: A History From Beginning to End

by Hourly History

After such losses, the Royal Navy became more cautious choosing its encounters, but these victories were all cheerful news for the Americans who were simultaneously stinging from defeats on land in Canada. The first major land movement in the war came from Michigan Territorial Governor General William Hull who led American forces into Canada from Detroit. The governor was a veteran of the Revolution and a lawyer not skilled in military tactics. Hull met Brock’s forces and Tecumseh’s warriors and was pushed back across the border into Fort Detroit which he surrendered on August 16, reportedly without firing a shot. Convicted of cowardice and neglect of duty, Hull was sentenced by military court to death. Madison upheld the judgment but set aside the sentence. Hull’s surrender at the outset of the war had a damaging effect on national morale.