Battle of Mackinac Island (1814)

Battle of Mackinac Island
Part of the War of 1812
Topographic map of Mackinac Island. Crossed swords pinpoint the location of the battle in 1814
Date 26 July – 4 August 1814 Location Mackinac Island, Michigan 45°51′11″N 84°37′03″W / 45.853056°N 84.6175°W / 45.853056; -84.6175 Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom Native Americans	United States
Commanders and leaders
Robert McDouall Robert Dickson	George Croghan Andrew Holmes † Arthur Sinclair
Strength
150 Native Americans, 140 regulars, 25 militia (untrained)[1]	700
Casualties and losses
1 dead, 1 wounded	13 dead, 55 wounded

Battlefield of 1814 Informational Site
Location	British Landing Road Mackinac Island, Michigan
Coordinates	45°52′25″N 84°38′03″W / 45.873517°N 84.634209°W / 45.873517; -84.634209
Michigan State Historic Site
Designated	March 19, 1958

The Battle of Mackinac Island (pronounced Mackinaw) was a British victory in the War of 1812. Before the war, Fort Mackinac had been an important American trading post in the straits between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. It was important for its influence and control over the Native American tribes in the area, which was sometimes referred to in historical documents as "Michilimackinac".

A scratch British, Canadian and Native American force had captured the island in the early days of the war. An American expedition was mounted in 1814 to recover the island. The American force advertised its presence by attempting to attack British outposts elsewhere on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, so when they eventually landed on Mackinac Island, the garrison was prepared to meet them. As the Americans advanced on the fort from the north, they were ambushed by Native Americans, and forced to re-embark with heavy casualties.