At the beginning of the War of 1812, Hull was made brigadier general in command of the northwestern army. After repeated requests to build a naval fleet on Lake Erie to properly defend Detroit, Fort Mackinac, and Fort Dearborn, he was ignored by the commander of the northeast, General Henry Dearborn. Soon later, after facing superior forces, Hull was forced to surrender Fort Detroit and the blame placed on Hull, who was subsequently court-martialed. He was sentenced to be shot by General Dearborn, but Hull received a reprieve from President James Madison. This was one of two books written after his release in an attempt to clear his name. Sabin 33642.