Hull's Trace

Call to Liberty Fall Encampment October 21-23, 2005

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           With the War of 1812 quickly approaching, William Hull, a respected soldier if the American Revolution, was appointed as Brigadier General of the Armey of the Northwest Territory.  Militia from Ohio and Kentucky rendezvoused with Hull and his regular at the site of present-day Urbana before marching north where they camped near present-day West Liberty, according to historical accounts.  What followed cost Hull his reputation and earned him the title of drunkard, coward, and traitor. 

                Only a few hundred inhabitants were sparsely scattered in the boundaries of what is now Logan County in the months preceding Hull’s march, but patriotism was high.  According to historical accounts, most able-bodied men hastened to enroll for duty.

                Hull Trace is said to have passed through Kingscreek before veering west and crossing Mac-a-cheek stream. Just south if West Liberty the army encamped.  Beginning again the soldiers followed the trail east to present day Zanesfield and then back to the Mac-a-cheek area south of Bellefontaine.  General Hull and his men crossed Blue Jacket waters one mile west of Bellefontaine toward Huntsville and what were then the Cherokee communities.  From there they traveled to Solomon’s Town located in the northern portion of Logan County and continued their march toward Detroit.

                Historians disagree about the extent of Hull’s cowardice and poor judgment.  Hull had angered many Native American tribes as a result of past efforts to secure land concessions from the Northwest Nations.  Some historians believe this gave Hull reason to fear bloody attacks from tribes.  Hull pleaded for extra men and money from Secretary of War Henry Dearborn, but was refused.  Other problems also contributed to Hull’s lack if confidence, including the loss of his sensitive military documents to the British and the news of Fort Mackinac’s capture.  The troops also failed to find a safe route for supplies due to native attacks led by Tecumseh.

                George Sanderson, a captain with the regular army with Cass’s regiment also stationed at Fort Detroit, writes, “My opinion of Gen. Hull’s conduct formed at the time (and events have not changed it) was that Gen. Hull was an imbecile—not a traitor or coward, but an imbecile.  Caused by excessive use of ardent spirits.  He was a constant drinker.”  Sanderson goes on to say that he and other members of the army implored Col. Findlay to take command of the American forces and resist the enemy, but he declined.

                Hull surrendered to Col. Issac Brock at Detroit without returning fire despite pleading from his officers to defend the fort.  Hull and his 600 regular recruits were sent to Quebec, while1600 Ohio and Michigan militia were paroled home.  Hull was later tried for treason and cowardice.  Three months later, he was found guilty of cowardice and sentenced to be shot.  President Madison, taking into consideration Hull’s age and his participation in the Revolutionary War, pardoned Hull.

 ~Written by Bridget Early