25. Intimidating the Already Timid
Brock sent a message demanding the surrender of Fort Detroit. He informed General Hull that he did not want to massacre the defenders, but that he would have little control over his Indian allies once fighting began. Hull decided it was futile to resist. Unwilling to sacrifice his men against hopeless odds, and fearing for the women in children inside the Fort, including his own daughter and grandchild, he raised a white flag and asked Brock for three days to negotiate the terms of surrender.
Brock gave him only three hours before he would attack. Hull caved in, and surrendered his entire command of nearly 2500 men, three dozen cannons, 300 rifles, 2500 muskets, and the only American warship in the Upper Lakes. The British cost was 2 men wounded.
