General william hull biography channel

As almost all of the territory except for two enclaves around Detroit and Fort Michilimackinac were in the hands of the Indians, Hull undertook the goal of gradually purchasing more Indian land for occupation by American settlers. These efforts to expand American settlement began to generate opposition, particularly from the Shawnee leaders Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa, the Shawnee Prophet, who preached resistance to the American lifestyle and to further land giveaways.

By Februarythe US was openly talking about and making plans in Congress for war with Great Britain, including an invasion of Canada. The British responded by recruiting Native American tribes to form part of their defence in the Michigan, Canada area in case the Americans attacked Canada. Hull, then nearly 60 years old, expressed his disinterest in a new military commission, and a Colonel Kingsbury was selected to lead the force instead.

Kingsbury fell ill before taking command, and the offer was repeated to Hull, who this time accepted. His orders were to go to Ohio, whose governor had been charged by Madison with raising a 1,man militia that would be augmented by the 4th Infantry Regiment from Vincennes, Indiana, to form the core of the army. From there he was to march the army to Detroit, where he was to also continue serving as Territorial Governor.

Hull arrived in Cincinnati on May 10,and on May 25 took command of the militia at Dayton. His descendants continued that task well after he passed. War of Biography.

General william hull biography channel: During the War of

William Hull. Title Brigadier General, Governor. Date of Birth - Death June 24, — November 29, Topic s :. LeadersWar of Leaders. Related Biographies. They marched to Staunton and then to Urbana, Ohiowhere they were joined by the man 4th Infantry Regiment. The men of the militia were ill-equipped and little trained, averse to strong military discipline.

Hull relied on the regulars to maintain discipline among the militia during the march. On June 15,Hull's force of over 2, men departed Urbana for Detroit.

General william hull biography channel: Born in the Connecticut Colony

Rain and difficult terrain slowed their progress, and they did not reach the rapids of the Maumee River until June He sent one of them by special messenger which arrived on June 24—but it did not mention the declaration of war. The second one did announce the declaration of war, but Eustis sent it via the postal service and it did not arrive until July 2.

In the meantime, while camped at the Maumee Rapids, taking advantage of the waterway, he sent the schooner Cuyahoga Packet ahead of the army to Detroit with a number of invalids, supplies, and official documents; but the British commander at Fort Amherstburg had received the declaration of war two days earlier, and he captured the ship as it sailed past.

Thus, he gained all of Hull's military papers and plans for an attack on Fort Amherstburg. Hull was partly the victim of his government's poor preparation for war and poor communication. He had repeatedly urged his superiors while he was governor to build a naval fleet on Lake Erie in order to defend Detroit, Fort Mackinacand Fort Dearbornbut his requests were ignored by General Henry Dearbornthe commander of the northeast.

Hull had also faced a lack of support from his officers and fear among the troops of a possible massacre by Indian forces. A group of troops led by Lieutenant Colonel James Miller remained in Canada, attempting to supply the American position in the Sandwich area, with little success. Hull surrendered Fort Detroit to General Isaac Brock on August 16,because Brock had tricked him into thinking that he was vastly outnumbered by his foes.

The force included Indian warriors and 1, soldiers, as well as two warships, according to Brock's report.

General william hull biography channel: "Canada: A People's History" A Question

The force at my disposal authorizes me to require of you the immediate surrender of Fort Detroit. It is far from my intention to join in a war of extermination, but you must be aware, that the numerous body of Indians who have attached themselves to my troops, will be beyond control the moment the contest commences. Hull believed that the surrender was a valid step because he was lacking adequate gunpowder and cannonballs to withstand a long siege.

InHull was court martialed at a trial presided over by General Henry Dearbornwith future president Martin Van Buren as the special judge advocate in charge of the prosecution. Hull was convicted of cowardice and neglect of duty and was sentenced to be shot.

General william hull biography channel: By WILLIAM HULL, Brigadier General

However, President James Madison commuted the sentence to merely dismissing him from the Army in recognition of his heroic service during the Revolutionary War. Hull lived the remainder of his life in Newton, Massachusetts with his wife Sarah Fuller. He wrote Detroit: Defence of Brig. Some later historians have agreed that he was unfairly made a scapegoat for the embarrassing loss of Detroit.

The publication of his Memoirs in changed public opinion somewhat in his favor, and he was honored with a dinner in Boston on May 30, Hull was also uncle to Isaac Hullson of his brother Joseph. He retired to Newton, Massachusetts and died in Close Window. Biography of General William Hull by Ralph Naveaux William Hull was born on June 24,graduated from Yale College, and gained extensive military experience in the Revolutionary War, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.