Battle of Point Pelee
The Battle of Point Pelee was a military engagement in 1763 during Pontiac's Rebellion.[1]
Battle of Point Pelee | |||||||
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Part of Pontiac's War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
British Regulars | Wyandot Warriors | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Lieutenant Abraham Cuyler | Unknown | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
98 troops, 20 boats | Over 200 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
61 men, 18 boats lost (1 later recaptured) | Light |
Background
Pontiac's first nation warriors surrounded Fort Detroit, besieging the British forces inside.[2] On May 28, a supply convoy commanded by Lieutenant Abraham Cuyler stopped at Point Pelee on its way to Detroit. Unaware of the ongoing siege, Cuyler and his men made camp without taking extra security precautions.
Battle
The following morning, about 200 Natives attacked, killing or capturing 61 of the 96 men of Cuyler's expedition.[3]
Aftermath
Those who escaped made their way to Fort Sandusky, but found it destroyed, and so they returned to Fort Niagara. The first nations took their captives to Detroit, where they were tortured and mutilated. The bodies were then tossed into the river to float by Fort Detroit, which undermined morale in the fort.
References
- "Pontiac's War ~ The Battle of Point Pelee". musquetry.blogspot.ca. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- "Timeline of Pontiac's Rebellion 1763-1766". www.emersonkent.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
- "Timeline of Pontiac's Rebellion 1763-1766". www.emersonkent.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.