On the evening of July 30, 1763, Captain James Dalyell urges Major Henry Gladwin to endorse a surprise attack on the natives they hope will end the siege of Detroit. Gladwin reluctantly agrees and sends out Dalyell with 247 men.

At 2:30 in the morning, Dalyell quietly assembles his men and makes his way to a narrow timber bridge near Pontiac's camp. Pontiac, who learns about the surprise attack from his French allies, gathers more than 400 warriors, including 50 Huron led by Chief Tarhe. Pontiac orders 160 warriors to hide out on the other side of the bridge. As the first platoon sets foot on the bridge, Pontiac's warriors greet them with an onslaught of gunfire. Several men are killed; the rest of the troops try to advance.

When Dalyell realizes that encirclement is inevitable, he calls for a retreat; unfortunately, the call comes too late. The only hope left for the army is to charge their way out. Dalyell leads a charge that claims his life and injures many others. By the time the expedition is over, the British side incurs heavy losses; 20 men, including Dalyell and one sergeant are killed, more than 30 men are wounded. The number of native casualties could not be ascertained; the British speculate that seven warriors lost their lives in this battle.