The Siege of Detroit in 1763

This book deals with an important event at a strategic location during an era most significant to the development of the Midwest. At this time, following the surrender of Canada in 1760, the English were taking the territory over from the French, which meant that traders and trappers would gradually be giving way to settlers and colonizers. That change was destined to have a heavy impact upon the Indians, as some of them no doubt dimly foresaw. Chief Pontiac’s ability as a leader, extraordinary as it was, was not great enough to turn the irresistible forces of encroaching civilization. His attempt to do so gives us some of the most exciting and gruesome stories of the opening up of our country. That he should pick Detroit as his own scene of operations in his conspiracy to expel the British is not surprising. Detroit held, and continues to enjoy, a favored location on the water route to the West and central to what is now Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.

The Journal of Pontiac’s Conspiracy itself is a vivid account of an exciting episode in the Indian Wars. Since it ends abruptly and without explanation before the end of the action, the publishers have taken the liberty to include a brief account of what happened thereafter for the benefit of readers not intimately acquainted with this period of history. The narrative of John Rutherfurd’s captivity, itself a good story, adds interesting details to the picture of the siege, and since it has not been readily available, it has been included in this volume.