The Fall and Recapture of Detroit in the War of 1812

Details the first major U.S. setback in the War of 1812 and analyzes the background and aftermath of Hull’s surrender. The focus of the opening campaign of the War of 1812 was Detroit, a location the War Department considered one of the significant launching points for the invasion of Canada. Detroit’s surrender only two months after the declaration of war shocked the nation and led to the court-martial of Brigadier General William Hull. Hull was sentenced to death—the only commanding general ev