CHAPTER II.

Battle of Brownstown-Battle of Maguaga--Col. Cass volunteers to accompany a detachinent through the wilderness to the River Raisin-The Surrender of Detroit-The detachment ordered to return-Indignation of Cols. Cass and McArthur-Their Return to Detroit-Letter of Gov. Meigs-Kesolutions of General Assembly of Ohio-Official Letter of Col. Cass to the War Depart

ment.

WHILE Gen. Hull was in Canada, he received information, that a company of Ohio militia, under the command of Capt. Brush, had reached the River Raisin, having in charge a number of beef cattle, which they were driving to the garrison at Detroit, and fearing an attack from the Indians and British at Malden, were waiting for a reinforcement from head quarters. It was reported that a body of savages had been sent across the Detroit river from Malden, the British post at the mouth of the river, to intercept and cut off the escort on its march to Detroit. Major Van Horne, of Col. Findlay's regiment, was therefore ordered to take a detachment of one hundred and fifty riflemen, and some militia, who had remained at Detroit, and proceed with them, by a back route, to the Raisin, to meet and aid the escort of Capt. Brush.

Van Horne crossed the river from Canada on the night of the 4th of August, 1812, with his riflemen. At Detroit he collected fifty militia men, and commenced his march. He proceeded a few miles beyond the river Ecorce, where he halted, and while the detachment was at rest, he went among the inhabitants to get information about the back route, which his instructions directed him to take, in order to avoid the hazard of an ambuscade on the route through the village of Brownstown. There was no back route known to any of the people living in the vicinity; to his inquiries they declared that they never heard of any. Nor could he procure guides to conduct him through the woods. The inhabitants represented the country to be one vast and continuous swamp, and that it would be impossible for the soldiers to get through to the Raisin

by that way. In consequence of not being able to find any back route or procure guides, Major Van Horne was compelled to take the road through Brownstown. When the detachment arrived near Brownstown creek, and was marching through a small space of open ground, it was fired upon by a body of Indians from the woods. No enemy was seen, but most terrific yells were heard in the direction of the attack. Major Van Horne ordered his men to retire to the edge of the woods and form a line. The troops retreated, firing as they went. Having returned about a quarter of a mile, a line was formed, and a fire commenced upon the Indians. The soldiers did not retreat in good order, and became greatly dispersed. In the skirmish, eighteen were killed, twelve wounded; and about seventy were missing, who fortunately reached Detroit in safety. Major Van Horne returned with his detachment to Detroit.

For

On the 8th of August, the same day the army re-crossed from Canada to Detroit, another attempt was made to open a communication between Detroit and the Ohio militia at the Raisin. this purpose Col. James Miller, who commanded the fourth regiment of United States infantry in Gen Hull's army, was detached on the evening of the 8th of August, with six hundred men, regulars and volunteers, with orders to join the escort at the Raisin, and march it to Detroit. While on the march, on the afternoon of the ninth, Captain Snelling, who commanded the advance guard, came upon a large body of British and Indians, near Maguaga, drawn up in regular order of battle, protected by a thicket of under-brush, and a breastwork of logs which they had erected. Capt. Snelling was some distance in advance of the detachment, and bravely fought against the severe and murderous attack of the enemy, until Col. Miller came up with the rest of the force. The soldiers were immediately formed into line for attack. Col. Miller had one field piece, and a howitzer. He marched his troops to within a short distance of the enemy, fired, and then charged upon them with the bayonet. The contest was honerable to the American force-particularly to the Michigan and Ohio volunteers, who formed most of the detachment. The British and Indians retreated towards Browntown, and succeeded in crossing the river to Malden. Col. Miller pursued them until night-fall, when darkness

and the laborious service his soldiers had performed, compelled him to discontinue the pursuit. In this engagement the force of the enemy consisted of seven hundred and forty-British regulars, Canadian militia and savages, besides a number of Indians belonging to the settlement of Brownstown. The injury sustained by the detachment, was seventeen men killed and sixty-four wounded. The loss on the enemy's side was one hundred and thirty-four killed and wounded.

After the battle, the detachment remained a few days at Maguaga, waiting provisions from Detroit, which had been sent for-the soldiers having before the engagement, thrown away their knapsacks which contained their rations. While thus waiting, Col. Miller received an order from Gen. Hull, to return with his men to Detroit, which he did, without having accomplished the object of his expedition.

The troops with the cattle, still remained at their post on the River Raisin, awaiting support from Detroit. The difficulties which prevented them from reaching Detroit, without aid, may be better understood, when it is remembered that the usual route, and indeed almost the only passable one, between them and the garrison, run principally along the northern shore of the Detroit river. The road was exposed to the enemy's fire from the opposite shore, and from their gun boats and vessels in the river It was impossible to proceed on that route without being annoyed by them. The forces at the Raisin did not exceed two hundred and fifty men-a few of them regulars-the main body being militia and volunteers. They were liable to attack where they were-and it was a matter of no small moment that they should be relieved. It was therefore determined to send another detachment to them, by a circuitous route through the interior of the country, and a number of miles distant from the river. Gen. Hull ordered a detachment of three hundred and fifty men for that purpose. Col. McArthur was placed in command. Col. Cass accompanied them as a volunteer. The presence of this brave soldier always inspired the men with more than usual courage. He was beloved and respected by them, as well for his courteous and affable demeanor, as for his constant practice of sharing with them the privations and fatigues of arduous and difficult service. Wherever there was aught to be done,

serviceable to his country, there he was found, with men rallying around him, eager to follow him in any deed of daring, animated by his example to peril all to the last extremity, for the success and glory of their country's flag.

It was late in the day of the fourteenth of August, when Colonels McArthur and Cass left Detroit with the detachment, on their laborious and difficult expedition. So short was the time between the announcement of the project, and the moment of its execution, that the detachment were forced to march without a supply of provisions. Soon after their departure, an event occurred which rendered the completion of the enterprise unnecessary, and determined Gen. Hull to recall them to Detroit. The particulars of this event -THE SURRENDER OF DETROIT-present the most extraordinary and unprecedented instance of passive submission on record. event itself, happening at the outset of the war, without even a plausible appearance of necessity, excited the deepest indignation in every mind throughout the United States, capable of appreciating its disastrous influence.

The

When Colonels Cass and McArthur marched with their detachment from Detroit, it was supposed, generally, at that post, that Gen. Brock the acting Governor, and Major General, commanding the British army in Upper Canada, was stationed at Fort George on the Niagara frontier. If other knowledge of his position was in possession of any person in the American army of the northwest, it was carefully kept a profound secret. The supposition as to his position was erroneous. Gen. Brock, during the existence of an armistice agreed upon, between Gen. Dearborn, the senior General of the American army, and Sir George Provost, Governor General and commander of the British forces in both the Canadas, and which only had reference to the movements of both armies on the eastern frontier, had moved with his forces by a rapid march from York to Malden. He arrived at Malden on the fourteenth of August, 1812, and on the next day marched up the river and took post at Sandwich, nearly opposite Fort Detroit. Here he erected batteries and other works indicating an intention of making an attack on the fort. No attempt was made to drive him from his position.

At about noon of the next day, the 15th, a boat was seen to

leave the Canadian shore, having on board two British officers, bearing a flag of truce. Upon reaching the American side, the officers landed at the public wharf in the town of Detroit, where they were received by Captains Snelling and Fuller, who had been directed by Col. Miller to ascertain the object of their visit. They announced themselves to be Colonel McDonald, of the Canadian militia, and Captain Glegg, of the British regulars, aids to Gen Brock, and bearers of a despatch from him to Gen. Hull. They were blindfolded and conducted to the house of Col. H. J. Hunt, about two hundred yards from the fort, where they were detained until their despatches could be delivered to Gen. Hull, and an answer received from him. After an interval of some hours, Capt. Hull, son and aid to the General, came to the house where the officers were, bearing the reply of Gen. Hull. It was delivered to them; they were conducted to their boat, and recrossed the river. It soon transpired that the object of their visit was to present to Gen. Hull a formal demand from Gen. Brock of the surrender of Detroit. This news spreading among the citizens, caused considerable panic and confusion. Anxiety for the safety of their families dwelt in every mind. No one dreamed of a surrender-the feeling of the moment was resistance, and moving the women and children, with their moveable goods and furniture, out of the reach of the enemy's guns. They expected an attack and were prepared to resist it.

The arrival of the British officers, and the report that Gen. Brock had demanded the surrender of the post, gave the first intimation to the citizens and soldiers of the proximity of the British General. The demand of surrender was in the following terms: "HEAD QUARTERS, SANDWICH, Aug. 15, 1812. SIR-The force at my disposal authorises 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 we 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. Lieut. Col. McDonald and Major Glegg are fully authorized to conclude any arrangement that may prevent the unnecessary effusion of blood. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, (Signed) ISAAC BROCK, Major-Gen'l, &c. His Excellency, Brigadier Gen. Hull, &c."