Defence of Brigadier General W. Hull: Delivered Before the General Court Martial, of which Major General Dearborn was President, at Albany, March, 1814, with an Address to the Citizens of the United StatesIn 1812, Hull reluctantly accepted a commission as brigadier-general and the command of the army to defend the Michigan Territory and attack Upper Canada from Detroit. Hull made a suggestion to the Madison administration that a superior American force at Detroit might force the British to abandon their ships, thus allowing the Americans to take possession of these ships and saving the government the cost of building a fleet. In July of 1812, he arrived in Detroit and a short time later crossed into Amherstberg with his superior force, but he delayed the invasion assuming that the Canadian militia would desert. From that point, it all went wrong: His communications were cut off by the British and the Indians, the British captured Fort Mackinac, British forces reached Amherstberg, Hull returned to Detroit where he eventually surrendered his army. The court martial tried him for treason, cowardice and neglect of duty; he was found guilty on the last two charges and sentenced to be shot. Pres. Madison, who went along with Hull's suggestion, fully supported the decision but remanded the execution due to Hull's service in the Revolution. |
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accusation afore appear artillery batteries believe brigadier general William British fort called British officers British province Brock Brownstown called Malden cannonade capitulation captain charge co-operation colonel Cass colonel Findlay colonel Mac Arthur colonel Miller command as aforesaid conduct considered Court Martial day of August declaration defence detachment Detroit aforesaid Detroit river duty eighteen hundred enemy enemy's expect fifteenth flag Gentlemen hundred and twelve Indians Judge Advocate knew lake Erie letter Major Jessup major Snelling major Van Horn mand ment Miami Michigan aforesaid Michigan militia Michigan territory Michilimackinac military militia neglecting and omitting neral north-western army numbers opinion order of battle personal fear prosecution province of Upper provisions received retreat river Raisin Sandwich savages says Secretary Secretary at War shew specifications superiour surrender territory of Michigan testifies testimony thought thousand eight hundred tion traitorously troops twelve aforesaid United united kingdom Upper Canada vessel William Hull witness
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Page xiii - Governor of the province; and was sustained by veteran troops, from unexperienced soldiers, who must daily improve in the duties of the field. Our expectation of gaining the command of the lakes, by the invasion of Canada from Detroit, having been disappointed, measures were instantly taken to provide, on them, a naval force superior to that of the enemy.
Page xix - States, shall, during the continuance of the war between the United States of America and their territories, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the dependencies thereof...
Page xii - Previous to its declaration it was deemed proper, as a measure of precaution and forecast, that a considerable force should be placed in the Michigan Territory with a general view to its security, and, in the event of war, to such operations in the uppermost Canada as would intercept the hostile influence of Great Britain over the savages, obtain the command of the lake on which that part of Canada borders, and maintain cooperating relations with such forces as might be most conveniently employed...
Page 99 - A great majority of the young gentlemen who have been called by the Judge Advocate, have appeared decorated with their two epaulets. These have been bestowed, and sometimes with the augmentation of a star, upon gentlemen who began their military career with my unfortunate campaign. By what services many of these gentlemen have merited such rapid promotion, I have not learned. But if it all arises out of their achievements while under my command, I must say, that it appears to me that my expedition...
Page 29 - A part of your army now recruiting may be as well supported and disciplined at Detroit as at any other place. A force adequate to the defence of that vulnerable point, would prevent a war with the savages, and probably induce the enemy to abandon the province of Upper Canada without opposition. The naval force on the Lakes would in that event fall into our possession — and we should obtain the command of the waters without the expence of building such a force.
Page iv - Dearborn was president, at Albany, March, 1814. With an address to the citizens of the United States. Written by himself.
Page 201 - ... which the bravest of men, even the great duke of Marlborough, could not escape ; we ought to receive it as a dangerous suspicion, which strikes at the root of character, and may blast that honour in a moment which the soldier has acquired in a long course of painful service, at the continual hazard of his life ; we ought to distrust it as a malignant charge, altogether inconsistent with the former conduct of the person accused...
Page 97 - Miller, to express my obligations to them for the prompt and judicious manner they have performed their respective duties. If aught has taken place during the campaign, which is honorable to the army, these officers are entitled to a large share of it. If the last act should be disapproved, no part of the censure belongs to them.
Page 170 - I was on Long Island when the enemy landed, and remained until the night the whole army retreated. I was in several small skirmishes, both on Long Island and York Island, before the army retired to the White Plains. I then belonged to Colonel Charles Webb's regiment, of Connecticut. "This regiment was in the severest part of the action on Chatterdon's Hill, a little advanced of the White Plains, a few days after the main body of the army abandoned New York . This battle is memorable in the history...
Page xxxi - Hull, we e then and there rendered an easy and certain conquest to the approaching enemy ; the officers and soldiers of a gallant army (compelled by the obligations of military law to obey the orders of their commander) were exposed to unmerited mortification and reproach ; and the service of the said United States, in the prosecution of the *aid war, suffered great detriment and discredit.