Biography of
General William Hull
 by Ralph Naveaux

William Hull was born on June 24, 1753, graduated from Yale College, and gained extensive military experience in the Revolutionary War, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1805, President Jefferson appointed him governor of the Michigan Territory.

At the start of the War of 1812, Hull called for a large land and naval force to defend Detroit.  He was made a brigadier general and given command the North West Army, consisting of 3 Ohio militia regiments and the 4th U.S. Infantry.  Hull built a road through the Black Swamp to bring his 2,000-man army to Detroit.  From there, he launched an invasion of Canada, but failed to capture the British base at Fort Malden in Amherstburg.  Hull eventually pulled his forces back to Detroit, where he found himself cut off by British, Canadian, and allied Indian nations under General Isaac Brock and Tecumseh.  Unsuccessful efforts to open a supply line to French Town on the River Raisin resulted in battles at Brownstown and Monguagon.  On August 16, 1812, he surrendered Detroit and the remaining American troops in Michigan Territory.