The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation. Volume 1Roger, Charles
History
The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation. Volume 1
Roger, Charles
Canada -- History
On the water as on the
land, the chief mischief fell upon the Americans. Lieutenant Rolette,
with the boats of the _Queen Charlotte_ and _Hunter_, intercepted,
attacked, and captured eleven American batteaux and boats, which were
_en route_ for Detroit, under the escort of two hundred and fifty
American soldiers, marching along the shore, the boats and batteaux
having on board fifty-six wounded Americans and two English prisoners.
General Brocke, who had prorogued his Parliament, now appeared at the
seat of war. He had collected together a force of seven hundred of
British regulars and militia and six hundred auxiliary Indians. And he
very coolly determined upon obtaining the surrender of His Excellency,
General Hull, and his whole force. Knowing from his absurd proclamation,
how much in dread he stood of the Indians, General Brocke intimated
that if an attack were made, the Indians would be beyond his control;
that if Detroit were instantly surrendered, he would enter into
conditions such as would satisfy the most scrupulous sense of honor;
and that he had sent Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell and Major Glegg with
full authority to conclude any arrangement that might prevent the
unnecessary effusion of blood. General Hull replied very courteously in
the negative. Captain Dixon, of the Royal Engineers, had thrown up a
battery in Sandwich, on the very ground so recently occupied by the
Americans, to act upon Detroit. In this battery there were two five and
a half inch mortars, and one eighteen and two twelve pounder guns, and
it was manned by sailors under the command of Captain Hull. For upwards
of an hour the cannonade was terrific, the fire of the enemy being very
feebly maintained, from two twenty-four pounders. On the morning of the
eighteenth, the cannonade recommenced, and General Brocke crossed the
river with his little army, unopposed, at the Spring Wells, three miles
below Detroit, the landing being effected under cover of the guns of
the _Queen Charlotte_ and _Hunter_. General Brocke formed his troops
upon the beach, into four deep, and flanked by the Indians, advanced
for about a mile, when he formed this miniature army into line, with
its right resting on the river Detroit, and the left supported by the
Indians. He then made preparations for assault, and was about to
attack, when to the surprise as much, it is said, of the American as of
the British regiments, a flag of truce was displayed upon the walls of
the fort, and a messenger was seen approaching. It was an intimation
that General Hull would capitulate. Lieutenant-Colonel McDonnell and
Major Glegg were accordingly sent over to the American General's tent
where, in a few minutes, the terms of capitulation were signed, sealed,
and delivered in duplicate, one copy for the information of His
Britannic Majesty, and the other for that of Mr. President Madison, the
chief of the authors of the war. To Mr. Madison, the information that
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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