Arent DePeyster
Encyclopedia
Arent Schuyler DePeyster (27 June 1736 – 26 November 1822) was a British military officer best known for his term as commandant of the British controlled Fort Michilimackinac
and Fort Detroit
during the American Revolution
. Following the capture of Lieutenant-Governor General Henry Hamilton, DePeyster is often credited as being the military leader of British and Indian forces in the Western American and Canadian frontiers.
DePeyster was a native of New York City
, the son of Pierre Guillaume DePeyster and Cornelia Schuyler. He was educated in London
and obtained a commission as ensign
in time for the Seven Years' War
. He served under his uncle, Colonel Peter Schuyler, in upper colonial New York, gaining experience at frontier American warfare. He was captured, held as prisoner in France, and served out the war with the 8th Regiment of Foot in Germany after being exchanged. After the war, he was stationed in Scotland, where he married Rebecca Blair.
The 8th Regiment was assigned to Canada, and DePeyster enjoyed a series of promotions. In 1774 he was appointed commandant of Fort Michilimackinac. When war broke out with the United States, DePeyster participated in several campaigns, notably the effort under General John Burgoyne
in his native colony of New York. He was rewarded with a promotion to major
.
Major DePeyster took control of Detroit in 1779, and effectively managed his American Indian allies in the Northwest Territory
against American militia from Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Although Great Britain ceded control of Detroit to the United States at the end of the war, Detroit remained in British control until 1796.
In late 1783, DePeyster was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and transferred to Fort Niagara
. After the war, he returned to England and continued to serve, eventually receiving a commission as colonel
. He retired in 1794 due to illness, but was actively involved with the militia, especially when threatened by Napoleon. It was in the militia that he formed a friendship with poet Robert Burns
, and DePeyster would publish his own works in 1813, titled Miscellanies, by an officer.
Fort Michilimackinac
Fort Michilimackinac was an 18th century French, and later British, fort and trading post in the Great Lakes of North America. Built around 1715, it was located along the southern shore of the strategic Straits of Mackinac connecting Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, at the northern tip of the lower...
and Fort Detroit
Fort Detroit
Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit or Fort Détroit was a fort established by the French officer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac in 1701. The location of the former fort is now in the city of Detroit in the U.S...
during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. Following the capture of Lieutenant-Governor General Henry Hamilton, DePeyster is often credited as being the military leader of British and Indian forces in the Western American and Canadian frontiers.
DePeyster was a native of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the son of Pierre Guillaume DePeyster and Cornelia Schuyler. He was educated in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and obtained a commission as ensign
Ensign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
in time for the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
. He served under his uncle, Colonel Peter Schuyler, in upper colonial New York, gaining experience at frontier American warfare. He was captured, held as prisoner in France, and served out the war with the 8th Regiment of Foot in Germany after being exchanged. After the war, he was stationed in Scotland, where he married Rebecca Blair.
The 8th Regiment was assigned to Canada, and DePeyster enjoyed a series of promotions. In 1774 he was appointed commandant of Fort Michilimackinac. When war broke out with the United States, DePeyster participated in several campaigns, notably the effort under General John Burgoyne
John Burgoyne
General John Burgoyne was a British army officer, politician and dramatist. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, mostly notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762....
in his native colony of New York. He was rewarded with a promotion to major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
.
Major DePeyster took control of Detroit in 1779, and effectively managed his American Indian allies in the Northwest Territory
Northwest Territory
The Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, more commonly known as the Northwest Territory, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 13, 1787, until March 1, 1803, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Ohio...
against American militia from Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Although Great Britain ceded control of Detroit to the United States at the end of the war, Detroit remained in British control until 1796.
In late 1783, DePeyster was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and transferred to Fort Niagara
Fort Niagara
Fort Niagara is a fortification originally built to protect the interests of New France in North America. It is located near Youngstown, New York, on the eastern bank of the Niagara River at its mouth, on Lake Ontario.-Origin:...
. After the war, he returned to England and continued to serve, eventually receiving a commission as colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. He retired in 1794 due to illness, but was actively involved with the militia, especially when threatened by Napoleon. It was in the militia that he formed a friendship with poet Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
, and DePeyster would publish his own works in 1813, titled Miscellanies, by an officer.