General Hull

William Hull was the governor of Michigan Territory at the beginning of the war. He was made the commander of the North West Army for the Americans, although he had little military experience. He was 59 years old in 1812 and had had a stroke a year earlier. Like many of the other American leaders, he first thought his task of invading Upper Canada would be simple. These feelings soon changed.

Hull marched his troops to Detroit and then invaded Canada on July 12, 1812. He pulled back to the American side of the river after hearing the news of the capture of Fort Mackinac by the British.

He surrendered Fort Detroit to Sir Isaac Brock on August 16, 1812 without consulting his officers. He was taken prisoner and later sent back to the United States.
He was court-martialed in 1814 for his actions in the war. He wrote out his defense and had it published as a book.

General William Hull

See more: Why Hull did not attack Amherstburg. 

See more: Why Hull withdrew to Detroit.