In June, 1812, the United States declared war against Great Britain. The chief cause of the war was the impressment of American seamen by the British. General Hull, with twenty-five hundred men, took post at Detroit, in Michigan. Soon afterward, the British general, Brock, with thirteen hundred men, appeared before Detroit, erected batteries, and summoned Hull to surrender. He refused, and the British opened their fire upon the works. On the 26th, they crossed the river and moved forward to the attack. The American troops were prepared to receive them, and eager for the conflict. But as the British approached, Hull ordered his men to retire into the fort, and hoisted a white flag. In a short time, terms of surrender were agreed upon, and the whole American army, with all its ammunition and stores were given up to the British. This surrender excited the indignation of the people. Hull was accused of cowardice, tried by a court martial, and sentenced to be shot. The President, however, in consideration of his age and services, remitted the punishment, but ordered his name to be stricken from the rolls of the army. [Illustration: BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN.] BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN. Early in October, 1812, about three thousand five hundred men, under command of General Van Rensselaer, were assembled on the Niagara frontier. General Van Rensselaer resolved to make an attack on the British position at Queenstown, eight miles below Niagara Falls. At daybreak on the 13th of October, the troops began to embark to cross the river. The British opened a fire upon them, which was returned by the American batteries. Colonel Van Rensselaer, with about one hundred men, reached the shore, and stormed the fort of the British, though not without severe loss. The Americans drove the enemy from the field, and the victory was supposed to be gained, when another reinforcement arrived, and the conflict was renewed. At this critical moment, General Van Rensselaer crossed the river to bring a reinforcement for his gallant little band, and found that the militia would not obey his orders. Colonel Christie maintained the fight on the opposite shore, against overwhelming numbers, until seeing no hope of relief, he surrendered the remnant of his force. The Americans lost one thousand men in all, in this battle. The loss of the enemy was somewhat less, but their noble commander, the gallant Brock, was slain. [Illustration: DEFENCE OF FORT HARRISON.] DEFENCE OF FORT HARRISON.