Page:Harris Dickson--The unpopular history of the United States.djvu/93

 corner. Passionate orators, who meant to stay at home, demanded instant invasion. Our statesmen on the hill, profoundly blind as to what was needed against the disciplined foe, decided offhand that a small body of volunteers and militia would suffice. Kittens get their eyes open at the end of nine days. Statesmen are not kittens.

General Isaac Hull must have known better. He was a tried hero of the Revolution, an experienced veteran, and close personal friend of George Washington. Yet in July, General Hull, with a picked force of 300 regulars and 1,500 militia started “On to Canada!” He crossed over from Detroit to the Canadian side. The populace behind him clamored “On to Canada!” so General Hull went on. But he returned instantly, without inflicting the slightest damage or accomplishing a solitary result. Having regained his own side of the river, he took shelter in the American fort at Detroit. The British force could not comprehend his subtle strategy. It roused their curiosity. They wanted to find