The Battle of Michilimackinac Island was a bloodless battle in which the British gained a clearcut victory of a force of just over 600 men to occupy the small American island.
On the night of July 16th the British landed at a sheltered place on the shore of the island and the next morning were in position on the hill above the fort with cannon and muskets aimed down into it.
Lieutenant Porter Hanks, the American commander who had never been warned by his own government that they were declaring war, had 61 regular soldiers in the sturdy fort. Lieutenant Hanks had a choice, he could fight to the last man and become a hero or surrender. If it were a matter of facing just the 45 British regulars he might have done that. But he was also facing the Indian warriors whose savagery is said to be without limits, and therefore he may be fighting to not only the last man but the last women and child as well.
The American commander had no choice but to surrender and agree to the British terms, one of which was that his troops be paroled to their homes and not take part in the war until they can be exchanged for British soldiers who have been captured.
Lieutenant Hanks is amazed "War! what War?"
The date is July 17th a full month has passed since the United States declared war on Great Britain, but this is the first Lieutenant Hanks has heard of it.
