James Findlay American The Fall of Fort Detroit

Colonel James Findlay was the elected head of the 2nd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers and a senior commander under General Hull in Detroit. Like Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur, Findlay saw Hull as a weak leader, especially one for such an important campaign. Together these officers sought to remove him from command . At Detroit, Findlay was ready to engage the enemy at the head of his Ohio volunteers when Hull surrendered the fort without even consulting his senior officers. Findlay was furious with Hull who claimed he was seeking the best possible terms for his army. Findlay is reported to have shouted at his commander, “Terms! Damnation! We can beat them on the plain. I did not come here to capitulate; I came here to fight!” Findlay was arrested along with Hull, and shipped off to Quebec to be later exchanged for British prisoners of war. He would later testify against Hull at the disgraced general's court martial.