Three hundred Ottawa Indians, led by Pontiac, enter Fort Detroit intent upon launching a surprise attack on the British garrison commanded by Major Henry Gladwin. Alerted to the plan, the British were ready, and Pontiac withdrew and placed Detroit under siege. Since taking control of France's North American empire, the British had alienated the Indians by ending the longstanding practice of gift-giving. Moreover, the Indians felt threatened by the influx of white settlers into the Ohio River Valley and Indian uprisings occurred throughout the region. The Potawatomi captured Fort St. Joseph at present-day Niles on May 25, the Chippewa took Fort Michilimackinac on June 2. By mid-1763, Detroit was the only British post west of Niagara, New York, that had not fallen to Indian attack. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the British at Detroit held on. Finally, they received supplies, and Pontiac ended his siege in late October. To maintain peace with the Indians, the British closed the west to white settlement. Later, they taxed the American colonists to pay for the British military garrisons in the west. Both acts were among the grievances cited by rebellious colonists in 1776.

• Learn more about Pontiac:
  • visit the Michigan Historical Museum in person
  • see the online version of the Museum's First People Gallery

Updated 06/23/2011