As someone who has lived in Windsor most of my life, I had always heard about the Capture of Detroit but not the details like being out-numbered three to one. Brock and Tecumseh used subterfuge and guile to misrepresent their low numbers and disposition. Fort Mackinaw in the north was captured a week before followed by Tecumseh completely surrounding Detroit with victories supported by the British at the first four engagements of the war in order: River Canard, Turkey Creek, Brownstown and Maguaga. Hull the ordered the invasion and now here he was surrounded. History is a little hard on Hull sadly for his surrender but do ya blame him? Across the street from a waste water plant makes a little more sense now. That must have been what Hull’s quarters smelled like on Aug. 16 1812…

Plaque text:

“Confident of victory, General Hull had invaded Canada in July 1812, but failed to take advantage of his early success and the demoralization of the defenders. Fear of the Indians then rallying to the British cause and an inability to maintain supply lines dictated Hull’s withdrawal to Detroit. In a daring move on 16 August General Brock embarked his troops at McKee’s Point, crossed the river and forced the surrender of the Americans. This important victory raised the spirits of the Canadians and ensured the continuing support of their Indian allies.”

The above house is the residence of Jacques Baby still in Sandwich, Ontario and was one of the stops on our field trip to Sandwich.
Jacques Baby was the eldest son of a prestigious Detroit family from it’s days as a French settlement.

As with most of the residents of Sandwich at the time of our story, Jacques came from across the river when Detroit was given to the USA at the end of their war of independence.

Baby joined the fight against invasion immediately after the declaration of war and was assigned command of the 1st Kent Militia.

Below are pictures taken at the new Tecumseh Parkway that marks the site of Tecumseh’s fall.

The legend of Tecumseh and his eventual death is filled with mystery, and empassioned opinion.  As a writer, Dave has taken on a huge task in navigating the many myths, facts, and lore surrounding our local hero’s life and death.  Our dedicated writer has a terrific eye for detail, and this is a story which has always been near and dear to his heart.

In an effort to maintain Dave’s detail even in the artwork, I’ve made a point to do my own research.  I’ve looked up historical reenactors, Dave’s taken me on field trips to relevant local sites, I’ve even been scouring reference images of appropriate period wardrobe.  My search has brought me to a very interesting book; ‘Tecumseh’s Bones’ by Guy St.Denis.

This book is an investigative look into a very controversial point in Tecumseh’s fascinating story.  Throughout the years, one question about the War of 1812 has persisted; Where was Tecumseh’s body laid to rest, and perhaps where is it now?  Countless historians, explorers, and scholars have claimed to have known or discovered the true whereabouts of the Shawnee Chief’s bones.  As many of the findings have been inconclusive or obtained under questionable means, the truth has never been solidified.  I have yet to finish reading this book, and I doubt that St.Denis is 100% convinced by any claim.

When starting this project with Dave I had no idea the real complexity of it all. The story of Tecumseh’s life is fascinating and perplexing, the quest to unveil the true has proven to be equally captivating.

Taking on artistic responsibilities for Tecumseh: A Heroic Tale of War and Shattered Dreams was both an exciting and daunting challenge.  This is my first time working on a historical story, and I want everything to be as accurate as possible.  Thankfully, our location works in our favour as the soldiers 1812 marched the very grounds upon which this article is written.  So Dave and I have set out on a mission to create a historically accurate and visually engaging saga.

As we iron out each page and each panel, we find ourselves pouring over old documents and paintings; scavenging for any trinkets of relevance.  For instance; I wanted to adorn one page of the story with pieces of currency from the 1800′s.  Did you know that in Canada we relied greatly on currency and coins brought in by merchants and explorers from other lands.  As an example, the Spanish dollar was one such popular coin circulated through the region during this period.

We are also surrounded by relevant landmarks from the Forgotten War.  Dave has consistently and quite passionately pointed these out to me.   We’ve even gone on ‘field trips’ throughout the immediate area, getting a valuable sense of the landscape.    Our stops have included Fort Malden, The Francois Baby House, and even the bridge at Canard River; a site where two British soldiers stood their ground against a force of two hundred Americans.

I’m sure I could have earned some extra credits in high school for working on such a project.  Dave’s been a great guide on our journey back through time.  Now I’ve got to go draw some Spanish dollars.  I hope when you hold your copy of this fantastic project you can appreciate some of the subtle tributes paid to our nation’s history.