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."

Sketch Of An Old-Fashioned Wedding Party

The description of an old-fashioned wedding can be found in the History of Washington County... .  Below is an excerpt from "...a sketch of an old-fashioned wedding party...".

"In the morning of the wedding day the groom and his attendants assembled at the house of his father for the purpose of reaching the mansion of his bride by noon, which was the usual time for celebrating the nuptials, which for certain must take place before dinner."

"The gentlemen dressed in..moccasins, leather breeches...(and) linsey hunting shirts... .

"The march, in double file, was often interrupted by the narrowness and obstructions of our horse-paths, as they were called, for we had no roads, and these difficulties were often increased, sometimes by the good and sometimes by the ill-will of neighbors, by felling trees and tying grape-vines across the way. Sometimes an ambuscade was formed by the wayside, and an unexpected discharge of several guns took place, so as to cover the wedding party with smoke."

"The feasting and dancing often lasted for several days."