 General Brown was involved in the Toledo War, having been appointed to protect the disputed area between Ohio and Michigan by then Michigan Governor Stevens T. Mason.In the spring of 1835 the tensions between Ohio and Michigan escalated when it was reported to that a survey party had encroached on Michigan territory and was camped south of Adrian at Phillips Corners.On April 26, 1835 Deputy Sheriff, Colonel William McNair of Tecumseh led a party to intercept the survey group from Ohio.