By midmorning, militiamen had reached the center of town, overpowered the guard, released the Whig prisoners, and captured the Indian gifts and weapons that were stored there, including two small artillery pieces. Since no one among them was familiar with “fort guns,” they were to prove practically useless. During the night the rebels surrounded the building with their own trenches. The trading post was cut off from all water and other supplies, and Clarke’s troops poured steady musket and rifle fire into the trench and the building. The Indians were forced out of the breastworks, and the survivors crawled up into the building to join the already overcrowded British. On the first day, casualties were great on both sides, and a single rifle bullet passed through both of Brown’s thighs. Firing died down during the night, as both sides assessed their positions and planned strategy. The Rangers pried loose all the boards they could spare and wedged them, blankets, and mattresses in the windows, leaving small cracks through which their guns could be fired. The best Ranger sharpshooters were ordered to conserve their ammunition, but to kill any Whig who could be seen from their second-story vantage point.

The following morning, the attackers backed away to attend their wounds, leaving just enough troops to maintain the siege, and this arrangement of sporadic gunfire continued throughout the day, with an attempt by both commanders to minimize their casualties. A skillful British doctor dressed Brown’s wounds, but he kept his boots on until his swollen legs became too painful to bear. Although in intense pain and propped in a corner, Brown refused to let his men consider surrender and he prepared for a long siege. He ordered that all men save their urine in earthen vessels. Once it cooled, he supervised its rationing, and even took the first measured drink himself, pronouncing it satisfactory. Some of the men insisted that they drink only the excrement from their own bodies, but Brown held firm and all of them were soon taking a cupful from the common pots.