War of 1812 Bicentennial

Commencement of Hostilities: The Montreal Herald, August 8, 1812

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Commencement of Hostilities.


The following are copies of Letters received from Upper Canada, containing the account of the Capture of Fort Michilimackinac; and the unsuccessful attempts of the American Governor Hull at the River Canard.

Makinac, 18th July, 1812.  

Dear Sir—I am happy to have it in my power to announce to you, that Fort Mackana capitulated to us on the 17th inst. at 11 o'clock, A. M.—Captain Roberts at our head, with part of the 10th R. V. Battalion—Mr. Crawford had the command of the Canadians, which consisted of about 200 men; Mr. Dickson 113 Scoux Forlavoins and Winebegoes, myself about 280 men Attawas and Chippwas, part of Attawas of L'arbre Croche, had not arrived. It was a fortunate circumstance that the Fort capitulated without firing a single gun, for had they done so, I firmly believe not a soul of them would have been saved. My son, Charles Longlade, Augustine Nolin, and Michelle Cadotte, junr. have rendered me great service in keeping the Indians in order, and executing from time to time such commands as were delivered to me by the Commanding Officer. I never saw so determined a set of people as the Chippwas and Attawas were.

Since the capitulation, they have not drank a single drop of liquor, nor even killed a fowl belonging to any person, (a thing never known before for they gene­rally destroy every thing they meet with.

Extract of a letter from York, July 29, 1812.—"At Sandwich Governor Hull landed on the 12th inst. without opposition, with about 800 or 1000 men. He has made three unsuccessful attempts at the River Canard, where his parties have been repulsed. I trust before long, Mr. Hull will have reason to repent his crossing the Detroit."


We have been favored by a Gentleman in Montreal with the following:

Mackina, 17 July, 1812.

Capitulations,

Agreed upon between Capt. Charles Roberts, commanding his Britannic Majesty's forces on the one part, and Lieut. Hanks, commanding the troops of the U. States on the other.

Articles.

1. The Fort of Mackina shall immediately be surrendered to the British forces—granted.

2. The garrison shall march out with the honors of war, lay down their arms, and become prisoners of war, and shall be sent to the U. States of America by his Britannic Majesty. Not to serve this war until regularly exchanged, and for the due performance of this article, the officers pledge their word of honor—granted.

3. All the merchant vessels in the harbour, with their cargos shall be in the possession of their respective owners—granted.

4. Private property shall be held sacred—granted.

5. All citizens of the U. States of America, who shall not take the oath of allegiance to His Britannic Majesty, shall depart with their prop­erty from this island in one month from the date hereof—granted.

Signed Charles Roberts,

commanding his Britannic Majesty's forces.

Signed P. Hanks,

commanding the forces of the U. States of America.

His Britannic Majesty's forces consisted of

40 Regulars of the Royal veteran battalion,
200 Canadians with their Bourgeois [illegible]
400 Indian—scoux, Fallavoines, Puaps, Chippways of St. Joseph's, St. Mary's, &can.
Artillery, two 6 pounders, which embarked at St. Joseph's on board the Caledonia N. W. Co's ship, 20 batteaux, and 70 canoes.
batteaux and 70 canoes.

The American Garrison consisted of 61 regulars and a Vessel in the Harbour having on board 47 men in a [illegible]

After the capitulation two American vessels arrived laden with 700 packs of furs, which became prizes to His Majesty's forces.