Tecumseh's warriors had crossed the river and were between the fort and McArthur's column.

Brock boldly decided to assault, a desperate venture, but he must have known that Hull's will had crumbled.

No more than seven hundred strong, the little British force crossed the river just before daybreak on the 16th of August and was permitted to select its positions without the slightest molestation.

A few small field pieces, posted on the Canadian side of the river, hurled shot into the fort, killing four of Hull's men, and two British armed schooners lay within range.
Brock advanced, expecting to suffer large losses from the heavy guns which were posted to cover the main approach to the fort, but his men passed through the zone of danger and found cover in which they made ready to storm the defenses of Detroit.

As Brock himself walked forward to take note of the situation before giving the final commands, a white flag fluttered from the battery in front of him.