Chapter 6

EARLY CRUISES AND ENGAGEMENTS. HULL'S OPERATIONS AND SURRENDER

Composition of Commodore Rodgers' squadron at outbreak of war 314

Indecisions of the Navy Department 315

Question between small squadrons and single cruisers for commerce-destroying 315

Opinions of prominent officers 316

British convoy system for protecting trade 319

The Navy Department formulates a plan of operations 320

Discussion of its merits 321

Rodgers sails without receiving Department's plan 322

Encounter with the "Belvidera" 323

The cruise unproductive, offensively 324

But not therefore unsuccessful, defensively 325

Its effect upon the movements of British vessels 326

The sailing of the "Constitution" 328

Chased by a British squadron 329

Cruise of the "Constitution" under Hull 329

Engagement with the "Guerrière" 330

Hull and Rodgers meet in Boston 335

Misfortune on land 336

Wretched condition of the American army 336

Appointment of Henry Dearborn and William Hull as generals. Hull to command in the Northwest 337

Isaac Brock, the British general commanding in Upper Canada 337

His well-considered scheme of operation 338

Incompetency of the American War Department 339

Hull takes command at Dayton 340

Advances to Detroit 341

Crosses to Canada 341

Brock causes seizure of Michilimackinac 341

Hull's delays in Canada, before Malden 343

The danger of his position 343

The British attack his communications 345

Hull recrosses to Detroit 345

Brock's difficulties 346

Moves against Hull, and reaches Malden 346

Crosses to Detroit, and advances 346

Hull surrenders 347

Criticism of his conduct 348

Extenuating circumstances 349

Ultimate responsibility lies upon the Governments which had been in power for ten years 350