Combat· War of 1812
Mackinac Island assault
The American attempt to retake the fur-trade post of Mackinac Island ended in a sharp, bloody failure.
Lieutenant Colonel George Croghan landed his troops, with Commander Arthur Sinclair's squadron in support, and pushed inland toward the British works. A detachment of Marines went ashore as the rear and reserve of the assault force. The advance ran into a Native ambush in the woods that killed Major Andrew Holmes and threw the attack into confusion, and with the British infantry returning to the field, Croghan ordered a retreat to the boats. The bloodied expedition re-embarked, leaving Mackinac in British hands for the rest of the war and the northern fur trade with it. The Marines, posted in reserve rather than the ambushed advance, came through the repulse with little loss, but the day belonged to the defenders.
Podcast episodes on War of 1812
Record no. 235