Evacuation Day In Detroit

Plan Of Detroit And Fort Lernoult Circa 1796

The Centennial Celebration of the Evacuation of Detroit by the British...:

"It was Monday, July 11, 1796, and the scene was the British military post of Detroit. The sun rose brightly over the little town, and Fort Lernoult, and the broad expanse of the beautiful river. At the first notes of the bugle that sounded forth the reveille the Union Jack--the meteor flag of England--was given to the breeze, the main gate or entrance to the fort was opened, and red-coated sentinels were seen on guard. The few privates left in the fort fell into ranks and answered to their names, and then dispersed to get their breakfasts and help pack up."

"There was to be no guard mounting that day."

"All around could be seen wagons loaded with household goods, and military supplies, for the "flitting" had commenced several days before, and the work of building Fort Malden, at Amherstburg, had been going on for several weeks."

"On the ramparts several officers conversed in groups, apparently on a subject of engrossing interest, and the massive form of Col. Richard England appeared on the scene. Telescopes were brought out and the river below was scanned with interest."

Everybody in Detroit knew that, by the terms of the Jay treaty, the fort and its dependencies were surrendered by England to the United States, and that possession was to be given on July 1. But from several causes the United States troops had not come to claim their own."