ABSTRACT
M AJOR GENERAL WILLIAM Harrison was appointed to command the North Western Army of the United States on 17 September 1812. His directive placed him in command of all regulars, rangers, volunteers and militia of the states of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The directive also ordered him first to form a new northwestern army, since the existing one had been lost by Hull at Detroit, then to retake Detroit and the Michigan territory, and only then to embark on an invasion. Harrison was determined to begin operations as soon as possible in 1813, or better still, before the close of 1812. But he needed time to assemble and train his 7,000 available troops; and he also needed time for the establishment of naval superiority on Lake Eire.
