[cRUIKSHANK] GENERAL HULL’S INVASION OF CANADA IN 1812 263 
American camp. In the afternoon Colonel McArthur arrived in boats 
from Detroit with a supply of provisions, escorted by one hundred men 
of his regiment. Colonel Godefroi followed by land with two companies 
of Michigan militia to remove the wounded to Detroit. When the 
provisions had been landed the wounded were embarked in these boats, 
which slowly began to ascend the river. This movement was observed 
by the party upon Grosse Isle, and in response to their signals, the 
Hunter weighed anchor and came around the upper end of the island, 
where she lay across the channel to intercept them and began firing 
upon the Michigan militia who were then marching through the village 
of Maguaga. McArthur landed the wounded, which were removed in 
waggons, and abandoned his boats, eleven in number, which were taken 
by the Hunter. While on the march to rejoin Miller, McArthur’s force 
was harassed by a party of western Indians concealed in the woods, 
and the escort with the wounded was fired upon by a gunboat lying 
off the mouth of the Riviére aux Ecorces. Boats were observed cross- 
ing the river from Amherstburg to Brownstown, and messengers were 
sent off to Detroit to request a further reinforcement. At sunset 
_ peremptory orders arrived from Hull directing Miller to abandon the 
expedition and return at once. Large fires were built up to give the 
impression that he intended to remain encamped for the night, and at 
midnight the retreat was begun under very unfavourable circumstances 
as the night was dark and the roads heavy with mud. Many of his 
men lost their shoes and were quite exhausted by daybreak when they 
reached the Riviére aux Ecorces, but greatly relieved because they had 
not been attacked on the march. After halting here for some hours, 
the column arrived at Detroit about noon on August 12th, thoroughly 
fatigued and dispirited, although some of the men boastfully carried 
fresh scalps upon the points of their bayonets. Greatly to their sur- 
prise they discovered a British force in possession of Sandwich and 
busily engaged in throwing up batteries. 
By this time Hull had learned that a reinforcement from Fort 
Erie had arrived at Amherstburg, which was reported to consist of four 
hundred men and that a party of dragoons had appeared at Allen’s 
Mills; in the township of Delaware, where they had captured two of 
Watson’s scouts. Major Denny was ordered to destroy the redoubt at 
Sandwich and recross the river that night. When it became dark the 
guns were removed and the stockade was set on fire. The flames soon 
spread to Gowie’s house, which was also consumed. A British patrol 
entered the village a few hours later. Hull even proposed to abandon 

*Lucas, Journal, pp. 401-4; Walker’s Journal, pp. 62-3. 
