William Hull

US soldier, born in Derby, Connecticut, USA. He studied at Yale, then joined the Revolutionary forces in 1775 and saw action at White Plains, Trenton, Saratoga, and Monmouth. After the war he practised law in Newton, MA, and accepted Jefferson's offer of the governorship of the Michigan Territory (1805). In 1812 he led a small army into Ontario, but retreated on the appearance of a combined British and Indian force, and withdrew into the fortifications of Detroit, where he surrendered his entire force without a battle (16 Aug 1812). Tried for cowardice, found guilty, and sentenced to be shot, he received a presidential reprieve and retired into obscurity.

At the outbreak of fighting in the American Revolution, Hull joined a local militia and was quickly promoted to captain, then to major, and to lieutenant colonel.

After the American Revolution, he moved to his wife's family estate in Newton, Massachusetts and served as a judge and state senator in Massachusetts. At the beginning of the War of 1812, Hull accepted a commission of brigadier general in command of the northwestern army, while also keeping his position as governor.

Hull was, at least in part, the victim of poor preparation for war by the U.S. government and miscommunication. While governor, Hull's repeated requests to build a naval fleet on Lake Erie to properly defend Detroit, Fort Mackinac, and Fort Dearborn were ignored by the commander of the northeast, General Henry Dearborn.

Facing what he believed to be superior forces thanks to his enemy's cunning strategems such as instructing the Native American warriors to make as much noise as possible around the fort, Hull surrendered Fort Detroit to Sir Isaac Brock on August 16, 1812. A subordinate, Colonel Lewis Cass placed all blame for the surrender on Hull and subsequently succeeded Hull as Territorial Governor. Hull was court-martialed, and at a trial presided over by General Henry Dearborn, he was sentenced to be shot, though upon recommendation of mercy by the court, Hull received a reprieve from President James Madison.

Hull lived the remainder of his life in Newton, Massachusetts and wrote two books attempting to clear his name.

He was also uncle to Isaac Hull and adopted Isaac after his father (William's brother Joseph) died while Isaac was young.