Stories of the War of 1812, and the Mexican War

ADVANCE OF GENERAL KEARNEY INTO CALIFORNIA.
WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS.
PHILADELPHIA: W. A. LEARY & Co. No. 138 NORTH SECOND ST. 1854.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by J. & J. L. GIHON, In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The following pages contain a collection of Stories of the War of 1812, with Great Britain; and of the Recent War, with the Republic of Mexico.
Rightly considered, the first of these national wars was a supplement to the glorious War of Independence. Up to the time when our government boldly threw down the gauntlet of defiance to the most powerful nation of Europe, in defence of Free Trade and Sailor’s Rights, the British nation regarded us as revolted subjects, successful for the moment, but destined always to be governed by British influence and ultimately to be reconquered.
The events of the second war with Great Britain finished what the first had begun, and set the seal on our Independence. From the period of its conclusion, our flag was respected by Britain and all other nations. Our naval prowess was recognized as a fixed fact.
The recent war with Mexico has taught the world another lesson. It has shown that with a standing army of very few men, and a good militia system, the republic is capable of raising large and efficient armies, and conquering a military republic, of immense population, wealth, and resources, possessing a powerful standing army; accustomed, in consequence of the distracted state of the country, to frequent action and constant discipline.
The wars which teach these lessons are worthy the attention of the youth of our country; and we have endeavored to render these stories of the wars sufficiently attractive to win that degree of attention and interest which will insure a future study of American history.
DETROIT.
In June, 1812, the United States declared war against Great Britain. The chief cause of the war was the impressment of American seamen by the British. General Hull, with twenty-five hundred men, took post at Detroit, in Michigan. Soon afterward, the British general, Brock, with thirteen hundred men, appeared before Detroit, erected batteries, and summoned Hull to surrender. He refused, and the British opened their fire upon the works. On the 26th, they crossed the river and moved forward to the attack. The American troops were prepared to receive them, and eager for the conflict. But as the British approached, Hull ordered his men to retire into the fort, and hoisted a white flag. In a short time, terms of surrender were agreed upon, and the whole American army, with all its ammunition and stores were given up to the British. This surrender excited the indignation of the people. Hull was accused of cowardice, tried by a court martial, and sentenced to be shot. The President, however, in consideration of his age and services, remitted the punishment, but ordered his name to be stricken from the rolls of the army.