Mackinac Island’s highest point tells the story of a Virginia major’s fatal gamble during the War of 1812

Major Holmes’ Mackinac Island Ambush

High above Mackinac Island sits Fort Holmes, a small stone fortress that honors one of the War of 1812’s most tragic figures.

The fort overlooks the same dense woods where Major Andrew Holmes met his death in a devastating ambush on August 4, 1814.

Holmes had come to retake the strategic island from British forces, but Native American warriors turned his advance into a deadly trap that killed him instantly along with 12 other Americans.

Here’s the story of how one man’s quest for honor ended in an ambush that changed the course of the northern campaign.

A Deadly Duel Changed Holmes’ Life Forever

Andrew Hunter Holmes was born in Fairfax County, Virginia in 1782 to Governor Joseph Holmes and Rebecca Hunter.

His life took a sharp turn in November 1809 near Shepherdstown when he killed his friend Peyton Bull Smith in a duel. The fight started after Smith called Holmes a “damned fool” during a night of drinking.

Holmes shot and killed Smith with one shot. Sad about killing his friend, Holmes left Winchester and joined the Army.

This duel was one of three that pushed Virginia to pass its Anti-Dueling Act in 1810.

From Chasing Pirates to Military Honors

Holmes started his military career in the U. S. Dragoons, making a name for himself chasing smuggler and pirate Jean Lafitte through Louisiana. He led forty dragoons who spent months in hot, wet jungles trying to catch the crafty pirate.

Despite heat and sickness, Holmes stuck to his job. His hard work earned him promotions during the War of 1812.

He became Captain of the 24th Infantry and later got his major’s rank on June 8, 1813. By April 18, 1814, Holmes served as Major of the 32nd Infantry Regiment.

Tree Branches Became Battle Fortifications

In March 1814, Holmes led 180 mounted raiders into Upper Canada. His men came from four different U.S. Infantry Regiments, wore buckskins to stay warm, and carried rifles and tomahawks.

Holmes showed smart thinking by building defense spots using cut-down trees and branches at Twenty Mile Creek near Delaware, Ontario.

His planning worked well on March 4, 1814, when his forces beat British troops and Canadian militia in battle. This win lifted American spirits and Holmes’s standing as a good leader.

Surprise Attack Gave British Control of Mackinac

The British took Fort Mackinac on July 17, 1812, in a surprise attack. The Americans at the fort didn’t even know there was a war when the British showed up.

After taking the fort, the British built Fort George on the island’s highest spot to stop Americans from using the same trick against them.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert McDouall ran the fort with regular troops, local fighters, and Native American allies.

The fort’s spot gave the British control over the Straits of Mackinac, the water path linking Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

American Fleet Set Sail to Reclaim the Island

Americans fought back on July 3, 1814, when Commodore Arthur Sinclair led five ships from Detroit carrying 700 soldiers under Lieutenant Colonel George Croghan.

Major Holmes led regular infantry companies, while Colonel William Cotgreave led Ohio volunteers.

The American ships reached Mackinac Island on July 25 after stopping to attack other British spots along the Great Lakes.

These stops gave McDouall time to make his defenses stronger, putting the Americans at a big disadvantage.

Naval Bombardment Failed to Hit Its Target

The Americans tried bombing Fort Mackinac for two days starting July 26, but it didn’t work. Most shells landed in vegetable gardens around the fort instead of hitting anything important.

Colonel Croghan soon saw that Fort George stood too high for his ship guns to reach. A thick fog moved in, forcing American ships away from the island for a week.

The failed bombing left the Americans with only one choice: attack by land against ready British defenses, a much riskier plan than they wanted.

Troops Landed Where Their Enemies Once Stood

On August 4, 1814, Croghan landed his forces on the north side of the island, picking the same spot where the British had landed in 1812. By 3:00 PM, American troops were on shore and moving through thick forest.

The American ships fired into the woods around the landing spot, hoping to drive out any hiding Native Americans. This move ruined any chance of surprise.

As they moved forward, the Americans found British forces dug in on a ridge across a farm field, waiting for them.

Battle Lines Formed Across an Open Field

The two sides fired artillery at each other with little effect as the battle started.

British troops under McDouall slowly backed up toward Fort Mackinac after hearing American warships might attack the fort and village directly.

Many Native American warriors posted in the woods along the field went with the British, but some stayed hidden.

As the battle stalled, Croghan tried to break through by sending Major Holmes with a large force toward the left end of the British line, a choice that would cost Holmes his life.

Warriors Waited Silently in the Woods

Around 4:00 PM that day, Major Holmes led his troops into the thick woods next to the British positions. The few Native American warriors who stayed hidden saw their chance and launched a deadly ambush.

Major Holmes died right away in the attack. Twelve other Americans died with him, and 51 more got hurt.

The whole Battle of Mackinac Island lasted just over an hour but cost the Americans 75 total casualties. The British and Native forces lost no men in the fight.

Peace Treaty Returned What Battle Could Not

After the battle, Croghan’s beaten forces went back to their ships, leaving Mackinac Island under British control.

The Americans tried setting up a naval blockade to starve the British into giving up, but this plan failed when the British captured two American boats, the “Tigress” and the “Scorpion.”

These captures opened British supply lines to the island again. American hopes of retaking this key Great Lakes spot during the war died with Holmes.

Only the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812, gave Mackinac Island back to American control.

His Memory Lives on the Highest Point

When American forces peacefully reoccupied Mackinac Island in July 1815 after the war ended, they renamed Fort George as “Fort Holmes” to honor the major who died trying to recapture it.

His legacy extends beyond the island, with Holmes County, Ohio, between Cleveland and Columbus bearing his name. The town of Holmesville in southern Mississippi also commemorates the fallen officer.

Today, Fort Holmes still stands 325 feet above the water, offering visitors stunning panoramic views from the highest point on Mackinac Island, a lasting tribute to a soldier who gave his life in a failed but brave assault.

Visiting Fort Holmes, Mackinack Iskand

Fort Holmes sits on the highest point of Mackinac Island, named after Major Andrew Holmes who died in the 1814 Battle of Mackinac Island. You can explore the rebuilt wooden fort with its earthen walls and cannons.

The small museum inside has artifacts from the failed American invasion, including Holmes’ personal items and battle maps. There’s a memorial plaque telling how his death changed American military plans.

The fort gives you great views of the straits where British forces ambushed American troops.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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