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.]