The American Fleet On April 27TH

Source

During the winter of 1812-13 strenuous efforts were made by the American Government in forwarding stores and reinforcements to their Ontario frontier. They massed these men in three divisions for the coming invasion of Canada. General Dearborn was placed in command of the Army of the Centre, and at the opening of the spring of 1813 had collected his forces, 3,000 at Buffalo, 3,300 on the Niagara frontier, and 4,000 at Sackett's Harbour. To the east 5,000 men had been concentrated at Lake Champlain, and to the west 2,000 men were in fortified camp under General Harrison, on the banks of the Miami, immediately to the south of Detroit.

Commodore Chauncey was in control of the naval operations with his headquarters at Sacketts' Har-
bour at the east end of Lake Ontario. [Source]

Secretary Of War Armstrong

Source

President James Madison named John Armstrong to his cabinet as Secretary of War on June 14, 1813. Armstrong had served as minister to France but the appointment was really an attempt by Madison to build political alliances. Armstrong was a force in New York politics, and with so much military action taking place along the border with Canada, Madison needed the state firmly in his camp. Unfortunately, Armstrong proved to be a disastrous choice due to his political and personal shortcomings.

Armstrong’s chief qualities were described by at least one acquaintance as “obstinancy and self-conceit.”

Armstrong was the author of a book published in 1814 entitled “Hints to Young Generals.” Although he had no real military experience, this popular book established Armstrong as an expert at a time when the United States were desperate for military officers.

Captain John Whistler In The Van Buren Papers

Calendar of the papers of Martin Van Buren ...,  By Library of Congress. Manuscript Division, Elizabeth Howard West:

Urbana To Detroit

From Urbana to the rapids of the Miami of the Lakes, the country belongs to the Indians, and is entirely destitute of roads.

Wood Splinter From Hull's Corduroy Or Log Road Built In 1812
To Transport General Hull's army to Detroit

From the rapids to Detroit, along Lake Erie and Detroit river, are various settlements, principally of French Canadians.

An 1812 Headquarters At Urbana, Ohio

Forts or block-houses have been erected and garrisoned in most of these ceded tracts since the declaration of war, but at the time that the country was traversed by general Hull s detachment, no civilized being was to be seen between Urbana and the rapids, a distance of at least 120 miles. [Source]