The War of 1812 and the Black Hawk War

The War of 1812

When the War of 1812 broke out, the population in the territory was less than 5,000 people. Acting Territorial Governor Atwater enrolled about 200 men in the militia. They participated in General Hull's Canadian campaign and were involved in the effort to capture Sandwich. The campaign was doomed to failure however, and the invading force was captured. The Michigan militia was paroled, thus ending its participation in this war.

The Black Hawk War

In 1832, Michigan men again answered the call to arms. This time it was for an Indian war--the Blackhawk War. Michigan played only a small part in this campaign but did call out and order to service a regiment of militia that included the First Regiment of Michigan Militia, the Detroit City Guards, and a company of mounted volunteers (dragoons).

The troops never saw combat, however. Exposure and the hardship of the march to the Mississippi River, coupled with an outbreak of the Asiatic cholera, took a heavy toll. Sickness and some deaths were reported.

The Black Hawk War was the last campaign in which the Detroit City Guards participated.