Detroit

Jefferson gave Clark orders to mount a Detroit attack on Christmas Day, 1780. The governor’s decision was the result of three years of regular British–Native attacks on Kentucky settlements emanating from the Crown’s western fort. Recruiting in the Fort Pitt area, Clark’s ability to raise an army was hampered by the region’s divide between Pennsylvania and Virginia allegiances. With few men and supplies, Clark started down the Ohio in midsummer, warning Jefferson and Washington that his chances of success were slim. Pennsylvania militia leader, Archibald Lochry followed Clark with more men and most of the expedition’s supplies, and it was this unit that was attacked by Detroit scouts, including Mohawk chief, Joseph Brant, husband of George Croghan’s second daughter, Catherine. Lochry and thirty-six others were executed and the survivors were marched to Detroit, ending Clark’s last opportunity to take Detroit.