The Battle of Detroit also known as the Battle of Fort Detroit was a humiliating loss for the Americans early in the War of 1812. The battle cost the Americans and entire army and control of Michigan for much of the war.

General Isaac Brock was one of the most capable leaders of the British army and he commanded all British forces in Upper Canada. Opposing him at Detroit was one of the most inept American leaders, General William Hull. When Fort Mackinac fell to the British early in 1812, Brock's confidence was strengthened to launch a campaign against Detroit, even though his forces were far smaller than Hull's and mostly militia. Brock was able to gather some 100 regulars and 300 militia and personally left his headquarters at York to lead the attack against Hull. General Hull, with 2,500 troops, had plans to launch a campaign against the British forces at Fort Amherstburg. Upon hearing of the loss of Fort Mackinac and Brock's bold movement towards him, he retreated into Fort Detroit.

In early August Brock arrived outside Detroit with an additional 150 Indian warriors under the command of the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh. On August 15 Brock began bombarding the Americans inside the fort. In an attempt to deceive the Americans into believing there were more British than there actually were, Brock had his troops march in plain sight of the defenses then quickly march off and duck behind entrenchments. He also gave his militia uniforms of regular army soldiers to make Hull believe most of the British force are regulars. Tecumseh's warriors did likewise, and made loud warcries. Brock's plan worked better than he believed it would. Hearing the Indian warcries Hull began to fear a massacre, seeing his situation as hopeless against a force of seemingly thousands of British regulars. Hull quickly hoisted a white flag of surrender against the advice of his subordinates. He sent messengers to Brock asking three days to agree on terms of surrender. Brock replied he would allow him 3 hours. Hull thus surrendered his entire force along with 39 cannon and 2,500 muskets.

The Battle of Detroit was an great victory for the British. They gained an important post on American territory and won control over Michigan for most of the war. Brock emerged as a hero and Tecumseh's influence was strengthened. The new American commander in the Northwest, William Henry Harrison attempted to retake Detroit early in 1813 but had to call off the campaign when American forces were defeated at the Battle of Frenchtown. Brock left Colonel Henry Proctor in command at Detroit and went to repulse an American invasion at the Battle of Queenston Heights, which would claim the able general's life.