Video: 'History Documentary The War of 1812' (Siege of Detroit at 26:41)

(Sunday, August 16, 1812; during the Siege of Detroit, part of the War of 1812) — British forces foiled plans for a U.S. invasion of Canada today by capturing the city of Detroit.

A British force under Major General Isaac Brock with Native American allies under Shawnee leader Tecumseh used bluff and deception to intimidate U.S. Brigadier General William Hull into surrendering the fort and town of Detroit, Michigan, along with his dispirited army which actually outnumbered the victorious British and Indians.

Video: 'Battle of Fort Detroit 1812 (a film produced by ZIP TV, 2012)'

Hull feared that the British possessed superior numbers; also Fort Detroit lacked adequate gunpowder and cannonballs to withstand a long siege.

He agreed to surrender today, saving his 2,500 soldiers and 700 civilians from “the horrors of an Indian massacre,” as he wrote.