Home


HISTORY

Battle of Oakwoods August 8, 1812

After the battle of Brownstown Hull sent a force of 280 regulars and more than 330 Ohio Volunteer troops under Lieutenant-Colonel James Miller to escort the supply train back to Detroit.

Captain Adam Muir with 205 British, Canadian and Indian warriors opposed this sortie. As the Americans advanced into a heavy fire, things started to go wrong for the British. Friendly fire ensued between the British and their Native American Allies.

Muir ordered the bugler of the light company of the 41st Regiment to sound the charge. The 41st Regiment thought that the bugle was sounding the "recall" and the men fell back. A rout ensued. The Americans advanced over Muir's vacated position in pursuit. Muir rallied his men and the two sides stood facing each other.

At this point, Colonel Miller's nerve seems to have gone. Miller stayed bivouacked, ignoring repeated orders from Hull to resume his advance to Ohio. Finally, Hull realized that Miller was not going to obey him, and ordered him to return to Detroit.