The surrender of Detroit was a military disaster for the United States early in the War of 1812 as it derailed the plan to invade and seize Canada.
The American commander, General William Hull, an aging hero of the Revolutionary War, had been frightened into handing over Fort Detroit after hardly any fighting had taken place.
He claimed he feared a massacre of women and children by Indians, including Tecumseh, who had been recruited to the British side. But Hull's surrender of 2,500 men and their weapons, including three dozen cannon, was highly controversial.
After being released from captivity by the British in Canada, Hull was put on trial by the U.S. government and sentenced to be shot. His life was spared only because of his earlier heroism in the colonial army.
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