The Robert Lucas journal of the war of 1812 during the campaign under General William Hull

By the time war broke out in 1812 Robert Lucas had risen to Brigadier General of the Ohio Militia, and had been tendered appointment in April 1812 as a Captain in the regular army of the United States. A few days afterward there was a call for volunteers, and, instead of waiting for his officer appointment to be formalized, he enlisted as a Private in a volunteer company commanded by his brother. The journal records the campaign from April 25 to August 16, 1812, when Detroit was surrendered. Lucas served as a scout, guide and ranger, and these duties enabled him to be familiar with many facets of the campaign. Incidentally, twenty years later Lucas was elected Governor of the State of Ohio