Early in the War of 1812

According to Congressman Henry Clay, "the militia of Kentucky alone is competent to place Montreal and Upper Canada at your feet."   If you read more about Henry Clay, the man, you learn he is quite temperamental and prone to going on tirades about things he believed regardless if they were true...

Congress declared war on June 18, 1812 and once again challenged the powerful British.  Not all agreed with the decision.  New England was openly opposed to "Mr. Madison's War."  They sent no militia, vowing to let the West and the South do the fighting.


William Hull, the Governor of Michigan territory, was the choice for the Canadian campaign.  Hull's utter lack of enthusiasm was second only to his retreat.  Britain, on the other hand, lead by Issac Brock, joined Tecumseh warriors and went on the offensive.

On August 15, 1812, the British surrounded Detroit and demanded surrender.  Hull tamely complied without fight and 2000 Americans laid down their arms. Hull became a prisoner of war and America suffered a humiliating defeat.

In the West, General William Henry Harrison's army was busy fending off Indian and British attacks on Fort Wayne, Fort Harrison and other forts.  No time to be offensive. 

Next time - Harrison's march to Canada
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Today in Pioneer History: "On February 25, 1848, Edward Harriman, the controversial savior of the transcontinental Union Pacific Railroad, is born in Hempstead, New York.  The son of an Episcopal minister, Harriman disliked school and dropped out to become a broker’s boy when he was 14. To the amazement of the stockbrokers on Wall Street, the young Harriman demonstrated an uncanny ability to pick winning stocks, and he had his own seat on the stock exchange by the age of 21.