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/
A VETERAN OP 1812
IHE LIFE OF
JAMES FITZGIBBON
BY
MARY AGNES FITZGIBBON.
- > <♦> «■■
TORONTO:
VVIIvL ^M BRIOGS,
WESLEY BUILDINGS.
C. W. Cc > s, Montreal. s. F. Huestis, Halifax.
MDCCCXCIV.
/ V </ g
Kntered, according to the Act of the Parhainei.t of Canada, in the year one
thousand eight hundred and ninety-four, by William Brioos, Toronto, in
the office of the Minister of Agriculture, at Ottawa.
'«
^
one
TO
XTbe /IDlUtia of Cana^a
AND TO
tTbe descendants of tbe /iDen ot 1812*14,
THIS HOOK
IS UESP^:CTFULLY DEDICATED
BV THK AUTHOR.
PREFACE.
TiiK collection of notes for the life story of "A Veteran
of I SI 2" was su<;gested to me some three years a<,'o l)y
the (MKjuiries of Mr. Edwards, late editor of the Dominion
I/lnstrafed, who was tlien anxious to devote a portion of
the columns of that paper to the record of men who had
been more or less prominent in Canadian history.
I began with a handful of private letters, a brief epi-
tome of his services, and the cherished recollections of my
cliildhood — stories, told us in the nursery, of the soldier
and his early life in Canada. After spending some months
in Ireland, visiting what my friends called "the cradle of
the race," I devoted long hours to patient research in the
Archives at Ottawa, and with the kind help of friends
who had valued FitzGibbon's correspondence sufficiently
to preserve his letters, T have not only been enabled to
verify these early traditions, but have accumulated suffi-
cient material to put together a fairly consecutive bio-
graphy of a man who lived through one of the most
interesting periods of our history.
. He was one whose personality was sufficiently pro-
nounced, and whose courage, integrity and singleness of
purpose were strong enough to leave an impression on
his time. " One," to quote from a letter addressed to Lord
Stanley, then Secretary for the Colonies (July 2nd, 1842),
11
PREFACE.
fli
by Sir Au^^ustus d'Este, " wliose happy (Icstiuy it was to
have the opportunity of rendering important services to
his adopted country, which services will cause his name to
be remembered with respect and admiration by the loyal
inhabitants of Upj)er Canada as long as devotion to the
parent state, manly valor and clear-sighted intelligence
are admitted to be entitled to laces in the catalogue of
estimable qualities."
The fac-simile of FitzGibbon's handwriting given on the
page facing the frontispiece is taken from a postscript to
one of his many letters to his young nej)hew Gf^i-ald
FitzGibbon.
Whether the sentiment it expresses is original or from
one or other of his favorite authors, T have no means of
ascertaining. It io, however, so indicative of his life and
character, so evidently one of which he had proved the
value, that it is worth pj-eserving and reproducing as the
text of his faith.
My thanks are due to the Right Honoral)le (rerald Fitz-
Gibbon, Lord Justice of the Coui't of Appeal in Ireland ;
to D. B. Read, Esq., Q.C., author of the "Lives of the
Judges," and other works ; to Ernest Cruikshank, Esq.,
author of "Butler's Rangers," the " Batth; of the Beech-
woods," etc., etc. ; to E. B. Biggar, Es(p, whose graphic
account of the l)attle of Stony Creek led to my applying
to him ; to Charles Lindse}^, Escj., William Lyon Mac-
kenzie's able biographer, and to J. H. Land, Esq., the
secretary of the Wentwoi'th Historical Society, for the
kindly assistance they have given me, either personally or
through their works, in accomplishing the " labor of love "
I have undertaken.
^i
■up
PREFACE.
• • •
111
T am inrh'hted 'so to J. Ross l?.ol)ei-t.soii, Esq., the
enthusiastic F ^ (virand Master of the Freemasons of
Ontario, for much i that portion of the book relating to
Fitz(Ti])l)on's lif( s a Mason ; also to the kindness of
Murray Jarvis, i^.s(j., of Ottawa, for valuable extracts
from unedited letters now in his possession, as well as to
many friends and well-wishers for aid and encouragement
in prosecuting the researches necessary in order to find
what one of them aptly designated, " the hinges of my
narrative."
If, owing to inferior workmanship, these " hinges "
creak, may I hope that an indulgent public will, in their
interest in the man, overlook the faults of his biographer.
For the rest, I may add that I have had the book
pulilished in Canada rather than in England, preferring
it should first see the light in the city whose loyalty and
homes he had guarded with so jealous an arm in life, and
to which his last conscious thoughts turned in the hour
of death.
M. A. F.G.
Toronto, May 24.th, ISO^.
Il
k I
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAP'^KR I.
Birthplace— Its associations— Early recollections — His first
salmon —Religious impressions — Enrolment in the Yeo-
manry — Hated Englishmen — The Devon and Cornwall
Fencibles— The Knight of Glin— A bold step— Unex-
pected promotion— The Tarbert Fencibles — Leaving
home — A mother's anxiety — A promise
PAGK
CHAPTER II.
Majcr-General Whitelock — Aii extravagant speech — An im-
portant step — Bareham Downs — I-'mbarkation for Hol-
land — The Helder— Youthful ideas of battle— A gap in
the narrative — Egmont-op-Zee— Taken prisoner — French
" ni.tfles and rags" — Distressing march — Improving the
time^Exchange of prisoners — Military discipline — Re-
cruiting — A providential find
CHAPTER III.
Horsham Barracks — Sudden orders— Conflicting rumors
— Arrival at Spithead — The *SV. Ueovifc — The Monarch —
Copenhagen — Lord Nelson — The battle — The Vice-Ad-
miral's Hag — Unjust rebuke — An angry officer — Service
in the ranks — Return to England — Colonel Brot^k — An
explanation — A soldier's opinion
36
CHAPTER IV.
Winter-quarters — An alarming deficiency — A romantic appli-
cation — The Duke of York — Au interview with Colonel
VI
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Brownrigg — The theatre — John Keinble anil Mrs. Sid-
dojis- -Colonel Brock's* kindness — Ordered to Canada— A
studious soldier — Brock's "favorite Sergeant-Major" —
Deserters — Midnight chase — Inhuman treatment — Tlie
mutiny — A dramatic arrest — A court-martial — A bar-
rack-room university — Fears of invasion — " Did you
try?" — The (Jlengarry Fencibles — Colonel Brock's letter
— A request
fAOK
40
I '<
HI
CHAPTER V.
Declaration of war — By bateaux up the 8t, Lawrence — At-
tempt to intercept — Defeat of the Americans — A winter
drive— An advance post — A daring capture— Carrying
despatches— Fall of Fort (Jeorge — Retreat^An excited
Irishman — A spy — The battle of Stony Creek — A sepa-
rate command — The "Green Tigers" — A bold stratagem
— A struggle — A brave woman — Desultory warfare — An
unsatisfactory check — Orders from American head(£uar-
ters — Beaver Dam — Chief Kerr's letter — Laura Secord —
' ' Big Knives " — Indian tactics — A bold sunnnons —
Negotiations — An unwelcome arrival — A Immbastic
speech — A soldier's courtesy — ^ Articles of capitulation —
Official despatches — Lieut. -Col. Bisshopp's letter — A
wrong impression — Return of prisoners taken — Letter
from Colonel Buerstler to ( General Dearborn — Effect of
the capture
63
CHAPTER VI.
A meagre reward — Attack on Fort Schlosser — -Black Rock —
An indignant officer— Imprudent delay— A gallant res-
cue — Death of Colonel Bisshopp — Suffering soldiers —
Defective commissariat — Projected attack on Fort Niag-
ara — The pickets at Fort (ieorge driven in— Tidings of
General Proctor's defeat — A retreat — Close of the cam-
paign — Departure of the 49th
104
( ;
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
VU
CHAPTER VII.
PAOK
Campaign of 18l4---The (Jlengany Feucibles at Oswego—
Weakened forts— -Reconnoitring— The battle of Lundy's
Lane — A rec^uest for leave — Personal courage — A roman-
tic marriage — The camp before Fort Eric — A sortie —
Glengarry men to the front— Hard fighting— A change
of camp— Advance of the enemy — Cook's Mills— Retreat
of the enemy— Evacuation of Fort Erie — Close of the
war — Sir John Harvey's letter 119
CHAPTER VIII.
Disbanding of the Glengarry Regiment — A hopeful outlook —
Civil appointments — A ssistant Adjutant-( ieneral — Ma-
sonic honors— A manly letter— A good character — Pre-
sentation of colors — Iiish riots— ^An influential mediator
— Address to the Orangemen — Extracts from the Times
— Lord Castlereagh's opinion— A sad quarrel — Press riot
— A sul)sciiption list — Colonel of '2nd West York Regi-
ment — Incipient rebellion — A stormy meeting — Extract
from Mr. Lindsey's "Life of W. L. Mackenzie" — Street
riots — A summary arrest — Quiet restored — Reminiscences
of an old U. C. College boy— Toronto in 1832— The
cholera — A faithful soldier — Orange processions — More
riots — Mrs. Jamieson's recollections — A race to college —
Definition of a gentleman — Toronto's first Mayor — Meet-
ing in the market-place — An accident — Parental sorrow
and counsels — Disturbances near Cornwall— The house
on Queen Street — Sir John Colborne's letter .... 139
CHAPTER IX.
An eventful year — Reform — A nation of liars — An obstinate
governor — Military cadets — Threatened rebellion — Fitz-
Gibbon vs. Sir Francis — An offer- Precautionary meas-
ures — The Chief -Justice — A generous letter— Secret
information — A tardy order— An irrepressible defender
— Vice-regal slumbers disturbed — The outbreak — A well-
armed governor — Pickets on Yonge Street — Arrival of
Vlll
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
! I
I'AGK
Colonel Macnab — Irritating delays -A rough plan of
attack — A curious scene — Defeat of the rebels — Burning
of Gibson's house — Regrets — Hesignation — Incorrect
statement 184
CHAPTER X.
Public recognition— The address — The (Jovernor's letter —
A disappointing message — A visit to England- -Invita-
tion to Guernsey — Sir Augustus d'Este — His sword —
Return to Toronto — Discussion in the Pouse — Lord
Seaton's letter — Death of Mrs. FitzGibbon— Removal to
Kingston — A struggling artist — Sir Charles Bagot's ad-
vocacy — Sir Charles Metcalfe — A tardy settlement —
Retirement — Failing health 231
CHAPTER XI.
Residence in Belleville — Blessings of a quiet neighborhood^ —
Letter from Lady Simpson— Return to England — Cheap
living — Harriet Martineau — Miss Murray — Elizabeth
Strickland — Federation foretold — Writing for the Homt
Circle. — George Combe's interest— Military Knight of
Windsor — Life in the Castle — Frogmore Park — The
Great Exhibition — Agnes Strickland — Relief from debt
— Bereavements — A remarkable dream 258
i M
CH^xPTER XIL
Energetic old age — Contributions to the press — A sailor's
"Pen yarn" — Opinion on the Indian Mutiny — Night
schools — Letter to Walter Mackenzie — Reminiscences of
the Rebellion — Good advice — Remarks on the Crimean
war — European politics — An anecdote of 1813 — A letter
of introduction — The Knights' case — Sinners r.s. Saints
— The Knights' votes — French invasion scare — An un-
daunted spirit — Longing for Canada— Closing scenes
Appendices
Notes . .
281
309
348
■«i
A VETEEAN OF 181S.
CHAPTEK I.
^^v^vN tlie IGtli ol' November, 1780, in the little
<-^ village on the south hank of the Shannon
iiMiiioi'tahzed by Gerald Griffin's graphic pen
and the sad story ol* the Colleen Bawn,* was born
the lad wlujse after life was destined to be more
eventful tlian genei'ally falls to a soldier's lot.
Tlie square stone liouse, then forming three sides of
a paved court-yard, is now a heap of ruins. Ivy
drapes the roofless walls; tlie barred doorway through
wliieh tlie faithful Danny-man went in and out about
his work attending to his master's horses, is gone ; a
pile of loose stones and weed-choked crevices alone
mark the spot, but tlie little brook still winds its way
in tiny leaps and bounds down the steep hillside —
still ripples over its stony bed, widening as it reaches
the foot of the old grey tower of the ruined castle of
the Knights of Glin, and under the high-arched bridge
1 1
I'
Colleen Bawn, a dramatic adaptation of (ierald Griffin's novel.
"The Collegians."
-I
f
10
A VETERAN OF 1812.
to the broad river below, as merrily at the end of the
nineteeiitli as dnriii<j^ tlu! lattin* years of the eio-hteenth
century.
In some of* the family letters extant, James Fitz-
Gibbon's descent is s])()ken of as bein^ in tlie direct
line from the White Kni^^lit, but 1 have no positive
knowled^i^e of tlie family tree beyond the thi-ee pre-
cedin<if ^eneraticjns. At the time of his bii'th, the
property held by his father was little more than the
small frc'hold and the old stone farm-house at (din.
His father and grandfather, both Geralds, were
good classical scholars, and though James' early
recollections of his childhood are of tlie village school
where Ned F'itzGerald dispensed leai'uing to the lads
of the village and neighboring district, his education
was not by any means entirely dependent upon that
pedagogue. James owed nmch to his maternal grand-
mother, who must have been a superioi* woman,
much looked up to, loved and honored by her sons.
His mother was a Wyndham, a name well known in
Jacobite annals in the '45. In after years, when a
member of the Highland Society, James often de-
clared his claim to election should be derived from
his inatej'nal grandfather's connection with the " true
men" of that day, he having only escaped attainder
and loss of pro])erty through arriving too late to take
part in the battle of Culloden.
James was the second son. Of his elder brother,
John, we hear little. He died unmarried at the age
of nineteen. The third son, Gerald, afterwards was
EARLY IIECOLLECTIONS.
11
tilt' well-known Irisli Master in Cluinceiy, and I'atlier
of the present Loi'd .Justice FitzGil)))()n. Tliomas and
Heniy, the latter t'atlu )• oF the present .lud^-e and
Recorder of Belfast, and three sisters. These made
up the home-circle at CJlin.
(ierald (iriffin drew liis character of Danny-man in
"The 'Collegians" fi'om the hunch-backed stable-boy
at the stone house, and that of Lcnvry Looby from
another of the family retainers, wlio f*ollowe(l their
fortunes when they moved to Prospect L(jdge, near
Limerick.
" The earliest I'ecollection of my cliildhood," writes
James, " was that of a bird being- brought unt by one
of the lal)oi-ing men. The eagerness witli whicli I
gi'asped it, my delight in the bright eye and beautiful
plumage, made a lasting impression, never forgotten
in after life. Again, sometime later — one of those
landmarks of childhood's memories, which stand out
like mile-stones by the roadside — one of the men took
me with him in his cart to a distant farm. The way
lay over a neighboring hill. Turning to look behind
me as we reached the sunnnit, I was filled with sur-
prise and awe at the vast extent of land and water
spread so far below me. It was a mild, beautiful, but
cloudy antuuni day. The broad Shannon, the distant
hills beyond, melting, as it were, into the soft grey
sky, rousc'l a hitherto unknown sensation. I felt as
I if my body and spirit were alike swelling into a vast
i magnitude. The delight of perception, the sense of
ithe beautiful, the dawning knowledge of the greatness
12
A VETERAN OF \H\±
and ^raiidour of natuiv, and tlic <liiiily conscions,
ulthou^'li nnivalizcd, sense of the spirit to feel it, was
a revelation to me.
"Tlie tirst })()()k I ever read, and wliicli forms my
only recollection of my tirst readin^^ was the 'History
of Troy's Destrnction.' I yet well i'emend)er the
difficulty in understanding- tlui tirst few pajjjes. I
read, or rather spelled, it over and over, until I be-
lieved I understood it. It was a small volume of not
more than forty or fifty pa^-es. I had n(j other ho(jk
except my spelling- book, and I read it a^ain and
a^ain. It contained four prints, of Aoamennion,
Achilles, Hector, and Penthesilia, to me objects of
^•reat wonder and admiration. I found incidents in
it at the second perusal which, in my ignorance, I
thought had, by some miracle, been inserted since my
first reading. I kept my little book hidden away
from others, and read it to pieces unaided by any
explanations.
*' In those days the only books sold in the village
shops, beside the 'Primer Spelling Book' and the
' Child's New Plaything,' were such as ' The Seven Wise
Masters of Greece,' 'The Seven Champions of Christen-
dom,' 'The History of the White Knight,' 'Parisnuis
«and Parismenus,' 'The Arabian Nights' Entertaiimient,'
and a few others of the like character. I soon gainetl
the reputation of being the greatest reader in the
school. I found a new world opening before n^e, and
looked with avidity for a new book. The boys from
the neighboring farms and mountains came to me to
HIS FIRST SALMON.
18
USCIOUS,
it, was
vn\H luy
History
ibiT the
i^es. I
til T bc-
e ol' not
\er book
;-nin and
lui'nnion,
bjccts ol*
idcnts in
oi'jince, I
since my
en away
by any
lie village
and tbe
i;ven Wise
Christen-
Parisnius
ainnient,'
on piined
LT in tlie
e n-e, and
Doys from
to me to
i
lu'lp them to select one wlienever tliey liad tlie money
to pui'chase it, and T, witli cliiMisli wisdom, invariably
cliose one hitlieito unknown to me, that 1 mi<;*ht
bori'ow and ivad it, too. Thus in time I read every
ito()i< brou^dit into the school or possessed by my com-
panions, often incui'i'in<;" the schoolmaster's displeasure
by absenting;- myselt* IVom school to lie inider the
hedm' nnd I'ead a tale so absorbinii' as to render me
t'oi'<;ett*ul of all else.
"At eleven years of a<;'e, I was taken from school to
help my father and eldei- bnjther on the farm and in
cariTinj*- on a small branch of the linen manufacture.
1 iTjid the ' History of Telemachus,' by candle lioht
dui'in^' the lon<;" winter evenings, my father pointintj^
out to me the derivations o\' the words, and rousing
an intense interest in the comiection between the
Latin and En^^lish lan^ua«4es and my first attempts
at the construction of sentences. I used to save and
hoai'd the candle ends that I mioht pursue my
unaided studies when the household were asleep."
James was as fond of out-door life as other boys.
He alw. s retained an affection for the yellow wall-
iiower, as it reminded him of the bright blossoms he
had climbed the old stone tower of Glin to gather
when little more than a baby. He describes, with a
keen sense of pleasure in the excitement, his deli<ifht
in his first salmon.
" I was paddling barefoot in the brook which ran
down tlirough the meadows and round the foot of
the castle, when I spied a fine salmon lurking under
14
A VETERAN OF 1812.
a ])i^ stoiR'. To cliiiil) down i'ouikI tlic l)oul(k'i- and
iiiaki' a jj^ral) at liini was tlic woi'k of* a moment. 1
did not catcli him, Init the startled leap Ik; ^ave cast
liim at the very ed^(! of the brook ; I fhni^* mysell*
Ixxlily upon liim and cau^lit him by tlie ^ills. After
a liai-d ti^lit 1 (h'a<i^ged liim up on the hank, <;atied
him with a rusty old knife, and carried him home in
triumph. I have no recollection of his weight, hut
remendjer liis length was more than I could lift from
the ground — although I was a tall boy for eight years
— but trailed his shining body along the grass."
Of his early religious impressions the first mention
among his papers shows, also, the dawning reasoning-
faculties and clear judgment which were afterwards
Ins strongest cliaracteristics.
" One day, while working in the field, my attention
was drawn to the conversation between the hired
laborers on the subject of the Protestants and English-
men and their religion.
" I already knew that Protestants and Englishmen
were disliked, nay, hated, as the Irish had but one
word in their language to express either. I knew no
Protestants (all in the village were Roman Catholics),
and I knew that, could they do so with impunity,
few among these men would hesitate to take the life
of a Protestant.
" ' Why do you hate the Protestants ?' I asked.
" ' Because they are heretics and go to hell.'
"To this reply I made no answer, but thought,
* Surely you ought rather to pity them — blame them
1
HIS FIRST TESTAMENT.
15
kk'i' and
nent. I
;'ave cast
r inysc'lt'
^. After
k, *;-}irtiMl
hoint' in
ioht, but
lift IVom
ij;'ht years
«s.
, mention
reaKonint;'
rter wards
attention
:lie hired
I Englisli-
lio-lishnien
but one
knew no
>itholics),
impunity,
e the life
^ked.
i;
thought,
ime them
— for })eing sucli fools as to live in this world for
seventy-five yeai's as Protestants only to be sent to
jiell for seventv-Hve million.'
" My mind <lwelt long on what I thouglit was Llu^
miaccountable insensibility of these Protestants. In
those dav'H, alxmt the year 1790, the judges going to
the circuit wen; escorted and guarded by a troop of
mounted men bearing halberds and pikes. A trum-
peter rode in advance, and upon approaching a village
s()und<Ml his trumpet.
"This proce ion was to us boys a splendid spectacle,
and looked foi 3very half year with lively anticipa-
tion. When I learned that these judges were Protes-
tants, my surpi'ise was great. That men so wise as
they nnist be could so disregard their future salvation
for any present wealth or power seemed incredible,
and the information that the king, who in my childish
faith, nmst of necessity b(; the wisest man living, was
also a Protest? nt, filled me with amazement. It was
about this period that I read for the first time the
parable of the good Samaritan, and, though ignorant
that the Jews hated the Samaritans, the conviction
was impressed upon me that the Catholics were
wi-ong, and by hating their neigtibors were not fol-
lowing the teaching of our Saviour. This was tlie
+irst doubt raised in my mind of the infallibility of
my teachers "
The boy's d-nxiety for new books hacJ by chance put
him in brief possession of a New Testament. He
purchased it from a travelling pedlar, who probably
i'
16
A VETERAN OF 181^.
was very ^lad to find a customer for such unsalable
stock in til at part of the world.
James crej^t under the hedge with his treasure, and
was soon al)sorl)ed in the wonderful story.
Here he was discovered by the parish priest, who,
spying the boy and curious to know what study he
was so deeply inniiersed in, accosted him. Unfortu-
nately I cannot find any detailed account of the dis-
cussion between them over the right of the parishioner
as well as the priest to the privilege of reading the
Bible for themselves, but I have heard those who had
the story from FitzCjibbon say, that " he got the best
of the priest in the argument, but the priest got the
better of. the boy in size, for the Testament was
forcibly confiscated, but what he had read was in-
delibly fixed in his memory."
Some years afterwards, about 1795 or 179G, the
people of Ireland were called to arms and formed
into yeomanry corps to defend the country against
the threatened invasion of France.
" My father enrolled his own, his eldest son's and
my name, although I was only fifteen. With the
military bias already given to my mind by my early
reading, this excited me very nuich. On entering the
corps each had to take the oath of allegiance, part of
which contained the following words : ' And I do
further swear that I do not believe that any Pope,
Priest or Bishop has power to forgive sins.'
" My father, my brother and I took the oath with-
out hesitation, as did many others, but many refused.
tlATEt) ENGLISHMEN.
17
nsalable
Hire, and
est, who,
study he
Uni'ortu-
■ the dis-
.rishioiier
ading tlie
who had
t tlie best
st got the
uent was
I was in-
179C), the
id formed
y against
son's and
Witli the
my early
itering the
ce, part of
And I do
any Pope,
oath with-
ly refused.
" On the following Sunday the priest proclaimed
from the altar that all might take the oath, as it was
only upon condition of confession and i-epentance
that tlie priest could absolve tlie sinner.
" Some time after the yec^manry corps were raised,
the French fleet, with a lai'ge land force on board in-
tended for the invasion of Ireland, anchored in Bantry
Bay. Troops were sent, for the flrst time in the cen-
tury, into that remote part of Ireland, and the first
regiment that appeared in our village was the Devon
and Cornwall Fencibles. We had thus an opportunity
of encountering the 'hated Englishmen' — hated to the
extent of a proverb, of which the literal translation
is, ' An Englishman is not more hateful to me than
thou art.'
" A sergeant and two privates presented their billet
at my father's door and were adniitted, not only
rooms but meals also being provided for them. Their
<iuiet behavior, their gratitude for my father's kind-
ness and hospitalit}^ astonished me. Could these be
the dreaded Englishmen ? My former fenrs were
changed into admiration.
" The sergeant often spent an hour or two in the
evening drilling us bo3^s in the old stone-paved
kitchen, and my military andjition and desire to l)e
one day a soldier was farmed into a flame.
" A storm driving the French fleet to sea again, it
was feared their coming to Bantry Bay was but a
feint to draw ofl* our troops from the north, where
they meant to land without opposition.
nr-
)Er
« li
18
A VETERAN OF 1812.
ki
" 111 the uncertainty the troops were inarched and
counter-marched from one place to another, and the
Fencibles often again passed through or were (piar-
tered in our village. Our former hatred became
friendship and liking ; no one of our own militia
regiments were greater favorites with us than these
Englisli soldiers.
" About tliis time the corporal who drilled tlie yeo-
mamy corps to which I belonged, was ordered to
join his regiment, and we were without a teacher.
Our captain, the Knight of Glin, who had hitherto
been in England, returned soon after the corporal's
departure. The first time he inspected us in the held,
he attempted to put us through our exercises. He
gave orders of which we knew nothing. Not having
learned the new system ordered for the instruction of
the army in 1792, he was following the one acquired
with the volunteers at the close of the American war.
In striving to obey him, we fell into confusion and
disorder. He flew into a violent passion and swore
roundly at us, declaring, with an oath, that if he had
the ' scoundrel ' who had drilled us within reach, he
would 'cleave his flesh from his bones with his sabre.'
"A good landlord, an excellent and just magistrate,
to whose active exertions we were indebted for the
peace of the surrounding country during the rebellion
of 1798, the knight was yet a hot-tempered man,
whose rage sometimes found expression in hard blows
as well as in words. His language was so oftensive
on this occasion that, unable to endure it longer, 1
A BOLD STEP.
19
cl tlie yeo-
3r(lered to
a teacher.
(I hitherto
corporal's
in the tiehl,
•cises. He
^ot having
truction of
16 acquired
erican war.
fusion and
and swore
if he had
[1 reach, lie
his sabre.'
magistrate,
,ed for the
e rebellion
lered man,
Ihard blows
|o offensive
longer, 1
"1
stepped out from the ranks and said : ' The men are
not to blame, sir. You are giving us words of com-
mand we have never heard. The man who drilled us
was a good teacher, and were he here, he could make
us appear to greater advantage.'
" For a moment I thought my bold words would
l)ring tlie knight's wrath upon my head, but, reflect-
ing that my father was a freeholder and no man's
tenant, though inwardly quaking I stood my groinid.
" After a pause, probably of astonishment at my
daring, he asked if there was anyone there who
could put the men through their exercises. Upon
my replying that I did not know, he asked me to
show him what they could do. I did the best I could,
and tlie men did well. He then desired me to go on
<lrilling them until he could procure another instructor
from the army. A sergeant and twenty men were soon
after added to the corps, and, on returning from my
work some days later, I found a sergeant's pike,
sword and sash sent to me with an order appointing
me sergeant. Thus was I, at the age of seventeen,
promoted over my father and elder brother. What
wonder that my boyish enthusiasm was greatly in-
creased by such unexpected honor."
In 1798, the first lieutenant of the corps obtained
a company in the Tarbert Fencibles, then being raised
by Sir Edward Leslie, and James was easily per-
suaded to join him ; an additional inducement being
•tiered in the promised appointment of pay-sergeant
o the company.
^^-'rr*^
20
A vetehan op I812.
h
H
11
fi h
The Tarbei't Fencibles were soon afterwards sent to
England to do garrison duty in tlie room of tlie
regulars require<I in Holland.
Before leaving home reiterated promises were ex-
torted, both from the boy and his captain, that he
should not, on any account, be induced or permitted
to enlist for active service abroad. His mother's
fears, prompted by the boy's well-known bias, took
this precaution to ensure his return before she would
consent to his departure. Much, however, as the lad
loved soldiering, there was a stronger deterrent to his
taking the Queen's shilling than even his mothers
fears or his captain's promise to bring him back in
safety to his native village.
Corporal punishment was at that time inflicted in
the army for the most trifling offences, and the reports
of the sufferings of the men under it had so excited
his indignation that FitzGibbon believed no persua-
sions could ever induce him to put himself voluntarily
in a position to run the risk of incurring such degra-
dation.
THE TARBERT FENCIBLES.
21
\h sent to
11 of the
were ex-
1, tliat lie
pcnnitted
mother's
l)ias, took
slie would
as the lad
rent to his
s mothers
11 back in
nflicted in
the reports
so excited
no persua-
K^ohintarily
uch degra-
CHAPTEE II.
f-V^
tN the 9th of June, 1799, Major-General White-
lock arrived at Poole, in Dorsetshire, where
the Tarhert P^encibles were then (piartered,
authorized to recruit non-commissioned officers and
men from its ranks for active service in the army
awaitinir embarkation for the invasion of Holland.
Before leaving his (piarters, FitzGil)bon received a
hasty visit froni Captain Creagh. He came to remind
liim once more of the many promises he had made to
bring him back to Ireland, and added, " If you are
Hrm in your refusal to volunteer for active service,
I'll take you with me to Ireland, where I hear I'm to
be sent shortly on recruiting duty."
FitzGibbon assured him he had no intention or
desire to volunteer, so he might make his mind easy
on that score.
An hour afterwards the sergeants were paraded in
the barrack-yard to be addressed by the general.
He spoke at considerable length, saying, among other
things, that " as the enemy would not come to tight
us, it was determined by the Government that we
should go and fight them ;" that he " was (juite confi-
dent we would rather go and tight for our king and
country than remain at home walking the streets of
Poole with powdered heads;" and, in short, that he
m
a,
m
iTrrrr-
22
A VETERAN OB' 1812.
\
'm
IfliU
1 !!
"expected to see ns in a few months' time up to our
knecK in Frencli olood."
Little as lie knew of the world, this speech sounded
an extravagant one to FitzCiibhon. His position
placed him directly opposite to where the general
stood. His evident interest attracted that officer's
attention, and he repeatedly addressed him directly,
asking if he understood what he said \
The sergeants were then dismissed to join their
companies.
After parade the regiment was formed into a hollow
s(piare, when the general addressed the men, nuich in
the same strain as he had used with the sergeants,
desiring those who washed to volunteer to step out of
their raidvs into the centre ; and going from company
to company he urged the men individually to do so.
Upon reaching FitzGibbon's, he expressed surprise at
seeing him still in the ranks.
" I thought you would be one of the first to vol-
unteer."
" I am determined not to volunteer, sir," replied the
soldier.
" And why should a young man of your appearance
not seize so glorious an opportunity of pushing his
fortunes in the service of his king and country ?"
" Because, sir, I am not willing to spend all my life
as a private soldier, nor as a non-commissioned officer,
and from the little I have seen of the army, I have no
hope of obtaining a commission without money or
friends."
wmmmmmmmam
AN IMPORTANT STEP — A VOW.
23
p to our
sounded
position
! iicneral
b officer's
directly,
join their
a liollow
1, nnicli in
sergeants,
itep out of
1 company
i to do so.
urprise at
-st to vol-
•eplied the
)pearance
ishing his
try?"
all my life
led officer,
I have no
money or
'%
■•:#
" Can you write ? " asked the rjeneral.
'(\'rtninly he can, very well," answei'ed Captain
Cn-aoh for him, and ad<led some kindlv expressions
f'oiiniH'nding the lad's diligence and knowledge of his
drill.
' Why, then," said the general, " I will be the first
to rt'commend you,"
" You will not, sir," replied the boy, with youthful
conviction as well as priggishness, " venture to recom-
mend me until you know if I be (jualified to hold a
commission, which I am now convinced I am not."
" All this," replied the general, " only tends to
convince me that you are, or very soon will be."
But FitzGibbon was still determined. The general
turned and went along the ranks, urging the men.
At length, in answer to his representations of the
manv advantao-es to be derived from active service, a
number replied that if FitzGibbon would volunteer
they would.
" What was I to do?" FitzGibbon often asked when
telling the story in after years, "I nmst either forget
my promises, my fears, silence my doubts, or brand
myself forever a coward, not only in the eyes of my
coim-ades but in my own."
He assented, and carried forty men with him into
^the ranks of the English army.
The step was taken and could not be retraced, but
Iwith a mentally registered vow that if it should ever
[be his fate to incur a sentence to the infliction of the
'-i
i<u
m
24
A VETE15AN OF 1812.
\ «
i!
lash, justly or unjustly, he would take his own lite
rather than sutler such det^radation.
FitzOibbon joined the army under Sir Ralph Aber-
cronibie, tlien encamped on Bareham ]3owns, and on
August Gtli, 171)9, he was draughted into tlie 49th,
with the rardv of sergeant. On the following morning
tliey were marched to the coast, and embarked at the
neigliboring seaport. V
The Heet with the transports put to sea on the
12th. Bad weatlier prevented the vessels approach-
ing the coast of Holland until the 2(jth, when tliey
anchored near the Helder. The troops were landed
on the 27th, but here we may quote FitzGibbon's
own words :
" The flat boats in which we were sent from the
transports moved off for the shore in the grey light
of early day. Our mortar ships had l)een tlirowing
bombs to the shore for a short time before. The
distance, however, was so considerable that I did not
think they could do much execution. My early
studies in Greek and Roman history had given me
an exaggerated idea of heroism, bravery and battle,
and I fully expected to find the French battalions
drawn up in battle array upon the beach, ready to
greet us with a volley the moment we were within
range, and, as our boats touched the shore, to oppose
our landing in a fierce hand-to-hand conflict.
"As we approached, and the light increased, I could
see five dark lines to our right, moving down upon
us, as I expected, to oppose oui* landing, but upon
LANDING AT THE HELDER.
25
lU'arer approach I could (listin^ui.sli tlicir scark't uni-
I'oriiis. Tlii^y were in fact the five Britiwh regiments
ljiii<U'(l some distance to our ri^dit, and whicli as yet
liad met with no I'csistance. Were the French so
dcfieicnt in courage, I wondered, as not to make the
most of sucli evi(k'nt advantaii^es {
" 'Die k)w line oi' sand-liills opposite our kindin<(
place was lined with troops. A volley was tired upon
us as we jumped ashore. The regiments already
landed char<;ed up the hill and drove the enemy back
at the point of the bayonet, while we landed without
further molestation.
"After fifty years of life, and having had some
experience of warfare, I am convinced my boyish
o|)inion was the correct one. Had the enemy realized
my expectation and opposed our landing in earnest,
the boats nuist have been destroyed or captured. To
know the value or force of fear upon the human mind
is one of the most important qualifications for a
connnander to possess, second only to the power of
banishing fear from his own ranks and driving it
before him into the ranks of the enemy. The officer
who has not this power will never be distinguished
from the herd of ordinary men, and should never be
i entrusted with a separate connnand.
"The brigade to. which I belonged. Sir John Moore's,
[was marched to the left, towards the Helder, where
[we found no enemy. All the fighting was on our
right, where our men drove the enemy back into the
Mjuntry." •
2
I
.,.rfT-i
!l
26
A VETERAN OF 1812.
, 1
\ ii
:!
Ii
III
Tlun'i! is a frjip liore in Fitz(fi))l)()irs narrative from
Au^niHt 27tli to October 2n(l. During that period tlic
])uke of York had joined the ai'niv and aHsmned the
command.
" Lon^- before day on the morning of tlie 2nd of
October, the Russian and British forces advanced to
attack the French posted in tlie sand-liills on the
coast near E^mont-op-Zee. The cohnnn to wliich tlie
49th belonged advanced alon^ the beach, luiving the
sand-liills to the right, tlie rolling* sea in close prox-
imity on our left. About eight o'clock the advance
connnenced skirmishing, and the column was halted.
Several of the officers ran up a few paces on the sides
of the hills to snatch a view of our troops on the
level beach. I followed their example. Eighteen
thousand men were on the plain before me. The
long lines of cavalry and artillery deploying to theii"
several positions, the life and stir of coming battle
surprised and filled me with delight. I had dreamed
of deeds of bravery, of fierce single combats, but now
that the battle was inuninent, I was surprised to find
that I was not nearly so brave as I had imagine<I
myself.
" The first man I saw killed was a tine handsonK'
young ensign, a lieutenant of grenadiers, who had
volunteered from the South Middlesex militia to the
line, still wearing the uniform of his late regiment.
He carried one of the regimental colors, and was one
of the finest-looking men I had ever seen. I stood
for a moment to look upon him as he fell, and thought
HATTLE OF EGMONT-OP-ZEE.
27
sadlv of till' vouiiij: wife lie liad h't't to mourn liis
uiitiiiR'Iy ond. It was but a nioincut. I had to run
on to keep ])ac(i witli my company and find myscll' in
the midst of a ^reat battle. J was a supernumerary
ser^^eant : I had no definite duties or position, nothing
to do but look about me. My preconceived ideas of
the discipline of the regulai* army were soon dissi-
j)uted. The natui'e of the ground, the confusion and
apparent hastiness of thc^ officers served to cause
disorder, and I tlKJUght, ' Sui'ely the French nuist be
better soldiers than we are.' "
FitzOibbon had evidently mentioned Colonel Brock
in tlie missing leaf of his reminiscences, as the follow-
ing paragraph indicates:
" After the dt^ployment of the 49th on the sand-
hills, I saw no more of Lieut. -Colonel Brock, being
separated from him with that j)art of the regiment
detached under Lieut.-Colonel Sheafl'e Soon after
we connnenced tiring upon the enemy, and at inter-
vals I'ushino' from one line of sand-hills to another
— behind which the soldiers were made to shelter
theniselv^es and tire over their sunnnits — T saw, at
some distance to my right, Savery Brock, the pay-
master, passing from the top of one sand-hill to
another, directing and encouraging the men. He
alone kept continually on the tops of the hills during
the firing, and at every advance from one range to
another he led the men, and again was seen above the
others. Not doubting but that great numbers of the
French soldiers would be continually firing at him — a
\i'
iU'«
I in
ifEiV
in
Ui
I
rjirr^
28
A VLTERAN OF 1812.
■!,•■ ''I
lar^(i man so ('.\]K)stMl — I watched IVoiii moiiieiit to
iiioiiiont to st'c liiiii fall, hut for ahout two hom-s
while in my view he remaiiuMl untouelied.
"After witMeHsiii^' Savery Brock's conduct, I deter-
mined to he the tii'st to advance every time at the
head of those around me, and I soon saw that of
those who were most prompt to follow me, fewer fell
hy the enemy's fire than I witnesse(l fallinjjj of those
n\()re in our rear.
"Still we advanced, an<l the French retreated from
one range of sand-hills to the next. About five
o'clock I was well on in advance, when, on the oppo-
site si('e of a valley facinji^;' us, we saw dragoons in
green advancing toward us. Believing them to be
Ilussians who were moving against the enemy on the
other side (jf the hills, a cry was raised to ' cease
tii'ing.' The moment the cry was obeyed, a body of
French infantry issued from a copse in the valley
jind charged up the hill toward us. We opened fire
instantly, but instead of retreating they advanced,
their officers waving their hats and swords as if
desirous of holding a parley with us. Upon this
someone cried they were Dutch troo])s who wished
to join us as three battalions had done a few days
before. Again we ceased firing. Our officers ad-
vanced to meet theirs. While we waited I formed
the men, about a hundred in all. Presently one of
my men, without orders, presented his musket. I
tossed it up with my pike, and declared I ' would
shoot any man who dared to fire without orders;'
i.
TAKEN PIUSONEU.
29
Ipou
tlu'ii, tnnn*ii(^ to Itsjirn tlu' caiisc of tlw iiwin's action,
I saw five of the enemy appi'oacliino-. Believing" tlu^y
meant to sni'i'ender, I went to meet tlieni : I disarmed
two, tlirowin<^ tlieii* mnskets on tlie ^roiuid, bnt in a
moment my pike was wi'enclied fi-om my hold and ]
was seized hy the collar. Strn^^'o-lin^j;' to i'vvv myself,
1 found two bayonets at my ])ack. My men iired.
The Frenclunan at niv riii'ht fell, bnt in an instant I
was dra^<^'ed over the hill. There they halted and
searched me. One di'ew my swoi-d and threw it far
Itoiu me with an oath. Another took mv sash an<l
wound it around his own waist. Two contended foi*
my oroat coat and nearly dislocate<l my shoulders in
their stru^"<;le for it. Then my coat and waistcoat
were pulled off in order that they mijj^ht <;et at my
shirts, a flannel and a linen one, for 1 never could
endure the flannel next my skin. They had the
tlannel one wdien a dragoon galloped up, snatched
my waistcoat from the infantry and drove them off.
Possessing himself of what money w^as left in the
pocket, lie flung it back to me and bade me dress
myself. He then gave me in charge of another dra-
goon, who seized my left wrist in his right hand and
trotted down the hill to where the dragoons WH*i-e
drawn up.
" All this could not have occupied more than three
or four minutes. While my ca})tor trotted down the
slope, we were met by another dragoon wdio, as he
passed me, brought up the hilt of his sword to his
ear and gave point at me. Fortunately I had learned
\
(
ll
IL
30
A VETERAN OF 1812.
the sword exercise and was able to parry l)is thrust.
He rode on as if Indifierent whether lie hit nie or not.
The man wlio lield me swore roundly at him, and
instead of ascending the hill turned sharply to the
left, and followed the valley until we were quite in
the rear of the Fi'onch lines. He then released me
from his hold.
" If I had had extravagant ideas of the glories to he
won in battle, I had also of the fate of prisoners of
wai'. 1 had recently read the memoirs of Baron
Trenck, and expected nothing less than confinement
in a dungeon with sixty pounds of iron about ni}'^
neck and limbs.
"The approach of another prisoner, an old sergeant
of the 49th, who had seen service in the West Indies,
was a relief to my mind. We soon after entered a
wood, where the dragoon ordered us to be searched.
Alas, my fine linen shirt pleased him, and I was
ordered to give it up. When I hesitated my fellow-
prisoner advised nw. to obey, adding, "A soldier of
the 92nd, who was taken with me, refused to give up
his canteen and a nmrderous Frenchman shot him
through the back."
" The dragoon gave me a shirt from his saddle-bag
in exchange. It was coarse as a barrack sheet and
nearly worn out. It was, however, clean from the
wash, and had ruffles to the wristbands as well as the
usual frill to the front. I remembered a song my
grandfather used to sing for me of ' French ruffles
• m;
A DISTRESSING >fARCtt.
.'^l
le
es
and ra^s.' Now wuh T possessed of some to iny no
small discomfort and mortification.
" While the exchange of garments was bein^ made,
Lieutenant Philpott and some grenadiers of the -SStli
were brought in. He stopped and asked me why
they stripped me. Before I could reply, a French
soldier struck liim a blow from behind with the butt
of his musket that made him stagger forward several
paces before he could recover himself.
" We were marched into Alkmaar and put into a
church, where I slept on the flags from six till eight
o'clock, when we were awakened, hurried out into the
street and marched oft* under an escort.
" I supposed we were to be lodged in some prison in
the town, but to my surprise we soon left it behind
us. Exhausted from fatigue, I dreaded a lou^ night
march. The dragoons of the escort frecjuently pushed
their horses upon us. One of them plunged in among
us, his horse dashing the man walking beside me to
the ground, and striking me a violent blow in the side
with his foot. To escape this danger I pushed on to
the front and strained every nerve to keep in the
advance. We were marched without halting to Bever-
wick, a distance of eighteen miles.
'' This was the most distressing night of my life. I
had already suffered so much fi'om fatigue during
our marches and countermarches since our landing at
the Helder, as to make my life a burden to me. Fif-
teen days later we reached Valenciennes, five officers
and one hundred and seven men." (See Appendix 1.)
i\'
L;_i:
i il
^^
A VETERAN OF 181-2.
;i 'l\
M
During- this and tlie few weeks that intervened
before tlie excliange of prisoners was effected, Fitz-
(jribbon was not idle. He seized every opportunity
witliin liis reach of conversing* witli his French
captors and learning as nmcli of their language as
possible.
Among some odd scraps of letters and manuscripts,
I find the following anecdote :
" The exchanged prisoners of war were landed at
Ramsgate from Flushing, in January, 1800. On the
march to Beccles and Bungaye, where the 49tli were
then stationed, I was sent forward to have the billets
ready for delivery to the men at the end of each, day's
march. On entering the iini at Witham, near Col-
chester, a gentleman standing at the door asked me if
I did not belong to the 49th ^. Upon my replying
that I did he said :
" ' Why then are you in such a ragged and stained
dress ? '
" ' I am returning from French prison, sir,' I replied.
" ' Come in, come in here,' he said, and innuediately
ordered the waiter to bring breakfast and a, glass of
brandy for me. He was surprised when I declined
the latter, as I never drank it.
" ' What, a soldier and not drink brandy ? Well, well,
I am very glad of it ; and now, where were you taken
prisoner ? '
" ' At Egmont-op-Zee,' I replied. Then to my sur-
prise he asked a number of ({uestions as to the
behaviour of certain of the officers in that battle.
A MARTINET — MILITARY DISCIPLINE.
33
" I^iioi'rtnt of wlio my ([uestionor iiii^ht be, I could
only reply faithfully as to what I had seen and knew,
and unconsciously was able to remove the odium of
cowardice from at least one to whom it had been
imputed. I learned later that my interrogator was
the surgeon of the 49th. He shook hands with me,
and bade me take care of myself and I would rise to
be a general officc^r. I was not \'ery sanguine of that,
but they were kindly words to cheer on the hopes
and and^ition of a lad who loved his profession."
In the sunuiier of 1800 the regiment was sent to
Jersey. During the senior Lieut.-Colonel's absence
on leave, the second assumed the connnand. Of this
officer's ability, FitzGibbon speaks highly.
" He was the best teacher I ever knew, but he was
also a martinet and a great scold. His offensive
language often marred his best ettbrts. The latitude
taken at drill in those days was very great and very
injurious to the service. The late Duke of York saw
this, and by appropriate regulations greatly abated
the use of offensive language.
"To such a state of feeling was the regiment worked
up by this man's scolding, that upon the return of
the senior officer,* his first appearance on the parade
was greeted by three hearty cheers from the men.
This outbreak of welcome was promptly rebuked ])y
the returned colonel and the men confined to barracks
for a week."
FitzGibbon does not name either of these officers,
* n
Colonel (afterwards Sir Isaac) Brock.
t-Jl
,^^4
A VETERAN OF 181-2.
i
i
;
tii
it
adding onXy : " I uii^ht record the Future career of
the two men, Imt will only say that they were not
on the same level. The history of the one officer
who won the affection and respect of his men by
kind though firm disci])line bears the higher military
reputation."
While the regiment was in Jersey, several recruiting-
parties were sent from it to England. With one of
these FitzGibbon was (jivlered to Winchester. The
party consisted of a captain, two sergeants, a corporal
and drununer. The captain appointed, being on leave,
was to join the pai'ty later from London.
Before embarking, and without Fitz( ribbon's knowl-
edge, his fellow-sergeant drew the month's pay for
the corporal and drunnner, went out of barracks, and
either gambled or, as he said, lost it, by having his
pocket picked. For this he was tried and sentenced
to be put under stoppages as a private until the
amount was refunded. Notwithstanding, before
going on board the Rowcliff'e sloop for Portsmouth,
the man again drew the month's pay, and soon after
their arrival in Winchestei", lost or spent the money.
The captain had not yet joined them, and upon pay-
day FitzGil)bon's duty would be to report the case to
the regimental head(juarters. This would inevitably
result in the reduction of the sergeant to the ranks,
or possibly the infliction and degradation of the
lash. The man was of respectable parentage, in edu-
cation equal if not superior to FitzGibbon, and his
pleasing, gentlemanly manner liad won his fellow-
A PROVIDENTIAL FIND.
35
soldiers' afibction. Haviiio- full confidence in liis
truthfulnesH, Fitz(jri])bon out of his own month's pay,
as yet untouched, j>ave tlie corporal and di'ununer
their week's pay. Another week passed without the
captain having joined the party, and ag'ain he paid
tlie men. Tliis was i-epeated until lie liad not a pemiy
remannng.
<' '^r
Twenty-foiii' hours liad elapsed since 1 liad tasted
food. We were walking- down the high street of
Winchester, pooi" as hungry and miserabh.' as
myself, neither of us knowing what to do nor where
to turn for help. To sell any part of onr regimentals
was impossible. It was a military offence, and its
connnissioii would inevitablv have brouijht tlie (lis-
grace 1 dreaded. Walking slowly and in silence,
weary with thinking and the vain effort to puzzle a
way out of the difficulty, I had almost given way to
despair, when, the light of a street lamp falling across
my path, my eye caught the gleam <3f a coin lying on
the wet pavement at my feet. I picked it up, and
carrying it to a neighboring sh(jp-window, saw it was
a half-guinea. I rang it on the sill to be sure my
eyes had not deceived me. I did not stay to enquire
who had dropped it. The street had many passers-
by ; its owner might have passed long since, but the
thought that it had ever been owned by anyone else
never crossed my mind. I was hungry tlu'ough no
fault of my own, and this half-guinea was to me a
direct gift from Providence, and as such I used it and
was grateful."
il
If! '
. '
36
A VETERAN OF 181t>.
CHAPTEE III.
C>ii
'1
\
i
•1
1 i
1 i!i
1 ■;■'' '
Ml
^N FeVnniary, 1801, tlie 49t]i was ordered IVoin
Jersey to Horsliaiii in Sussex, the recruiting-
parties receivino- instructions to join it on tlie
march from Portsmoutli.
" Arrived at Horsliani barracks, it was ^enerall}'
understood we were to be stationed tliere some months
and much of the unpacking was done. An express,
liowever, arrived tlie following- morning- from tlie
Horse Guards, ordering our innnediate return to
Portsmouth. At Chichester an order met us to be
on the south sea-beach at nine o'clock the followin<r
morning.
" During the two days' march conjectures were rife
as to our ultimate destination. Some said we were
intended for Ireland to (juell a rebellion there; others
for Manchester to put down a riot there, but it was
soon ascertained that we were to be embarked at
Spithead on board a man-of-war to serve as marines
in the Baltic.
" The grenadier company to which I belonged, was
taken on board the St. George, a three-decker of
ninety-four guns, bearing the flag of Lord Nelson,
and pleased and gratified was I at finding m3''self on
the same ship with him. The ships at Spithead
intended for the Baltic sailed to Yarmoutli, and there*
he
rife
sre
'I'S
las
at
les
le»
NELSON A GENEROUS FOE.
37
greatly to my disappointinent, we were transt'erred to
the Monarch, 74
"The fleet sailed on tlie 12th of March, and ancliored
below Elsinore on the 21)th.
" On tlie 80tli, the ships ])assed in single line before
the Castle, which opened a heavy fire upon them.
The Monarch led the van, and in passing fired 280
shot. Having passed beyond range the reports were
collected, and to everyone's surprise not a shot had
touched the ship, all having fallen short. Lord Nel-
son's ship followed, and he ordered that not a shot
should be fired from his guns, the others following
his example. Yet, a few days after the battle of the
2nd of April, a Danish account of the operations
stated that several men were killed and wounded and
some damage done to the walls by the shot from the
Monarch.
" This appeared to me unaccountable — that the con-
stant fire from two or three hundred guns did no
damage to our fleet, while that from one ship should
in so short a time aflect the castle walls and its
defenders.
" In 180(j, at Quebec, when sent on board a mer-
chant ship to superintend the landing of some army
clothing, I entered into conversation with one of the
passengers, a Dane, who had served on board a
Danish vessel on April 2nd, 1801. He told me that
Governor Strieker, who was in connnand at the time
in the Castle, was brought before a court-martial of
enquiry, when he suggested that the powder he liP ■
■ I
I
i • 1
38
A VETERAN OF 1812.
inust liavt' been daiiia^ed, it liavin^ been there during
the long peace of seventy or eighty years, then just
concluded, and asked leave to try the effect of newly
[)urcliased powder. Permission being granted, the
shot told with considerable effect upon the Swedish
sliores at the opposite side of the Sti'ait.
" On the 1st of April the fleet was divided into two
divisions, one to anchor at each side of tlie shoal in
front of the city of Copenhagen, that division in
whose favor the wind was on the following morning
to go in and fight the battle. Tlie wind favored Lord
Nelson's division, so it fell to his lot to achieve the
victory. The Monarch was in Nelson's division, and
had 58 men killed and 155 wounded — the greatest
number ever killed or wounded on board anv one
British vessel.
"The battle lasted four hours and ten minutes. The
shattered condition of the Monarch necessitating her
being sent home : the survivors of the marines were
transferred to the Elephant. In a few day« the
damaged ships were refitted, and the fleet, with the
exception of the St. George sailed up to Kiorge Bay.
"Sir Hyde Parker's ship, the London had her lower
deck guns taken out in order to lighten her sufficiently
to enable her to pass through the shallow entrance to
the Baltic. There not being sufficient transports t(j
take the guns of the St. George at the same time, she
had to remain before Copenhagen until their retui*n
from the London.
" A hint, however, being given to Nelson that Sir
re
ly
to
to
I Hi
ni
ir
THE VICE-ADMIRALS FLAG.
39
Hvdo Parker intended to sail at once and attack the
Swedes at Carlscrona, without waitinji^ for liini, lest
he nii^ht a^ain take the lion's share of the laurels to
be won in a second engagement, he ordered his barj^e
and started for Kiorge Bay.
" Coniino; on the poop the following morning at
five o'clock," writes FitzCiibbon, " I saw the admiral's
flag flying at the fore, and asking the signal midship-
man what it meant, was told that Lord Nelson had
come on board at two o'clock, and was then asleep on
the sofa in the cabin, Captain F(jley not yet knowing
he was there. lunnediately I was all ears and eyes,
the cabin being directly under the poop. Presently
I heard Captain Foley's voice at the door, rebuking
the servant for not letting him know that Lord
Nelson had come on board, and in a sharp tone from
>vithin, I heard a thin, rather feeble voice call out,
' Foley, Foley, let the man alone; he obeyed my orders.'
" For many weeks while he was on board, I had an
opportunity of seeing Nelson every day. He appeared
the most mild and gentle being, and it was delightful
to me to hear the way the sailors spoke of him. True,
I was only at sea during the summer, but my greatest
wish then was that I had been a sailor rather than a
soldier."
While in the Baltic an incident occurred which
might have interfered with FitzGibbon's career as a
soldier.
The detachment of the 49th on the Elephant was
commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Hutchinson, an impa-
ir
40
A VETEllAN OF IS12.
>1
tient, h()t-t('Mip('i'(Ml num. Oiu; iii()i'Miii<;*, very early,
he sent for FitzGil)l)()n to conu' on dwk. Whilo tin;
H}ii])s were at anchoi", hotli watclios wci'o in tlicir
liannnockH at iii^lit. Tlie liannnoekH lu'in^j; Inino-, all
occupit'd, press closely tot^ethei*, and a man tui'ii. '^jf
out siiiixK' must <••() down on his knees and there,
with difficulty, put on his ch)thes. When FitzGibhon
reached tlie deck, h(^ foimd the colonel in a towering
passion.
" How (hire you not come (piickly, sir, when I sent
for you :* You are an example of laziness to the men,
and if the like of this occui's again, I will bring you
to a court-martial and re(hice you to the ranks."
Then giving him the order for wdiich he had been
called on deck, the colonel left the sliip with Captain
Foley to spend the day in another vessel.
Mortified by the publicity of the rebuke, a(hninis-
tered as it was in the presence of not only the soldiers
and sailors on deck, but of two of the midshipmen
who had treated him with the kindly courtesy and
tact of one gentleman to another, a consideration he
was not entitled to by his rank as sergeant ; hurt and
indignant at its injustice, and naturally impulsive,
FitzGibbon determined not to wait for his colonel to
carry the threat into effect, but at once, voluntarily,
to retire to the ranks.
Upon Colonel Hutchinson's return to the ({uarter-
deck that evening, FitzGibbon met him, saluted, and
said : "As I cannot discliarge the duties of a sergeant,
sir, without incurring such censure as I received this
■ I
k
-jll
AN ANGHY OFFICER.
41
morning, T dcsiiv to I'titii'c into the ivmks as u pri-
vate."
'V\u\ Oolonel'H face HuhIrmI with iiuli<^naiit surprist^
as lie replied: " Very well, HJr; iVoni this iiioinerit you
are no Ic^i^'er a sergeant. Go, sir, to your duty as a
private, and renieudjer I don't forget you. Take that
with you."
A HJiort turn on the deck brou^'ht him atjjain in
contact with tht; irrepressible soldier as he w<'nt
below. Shakin<j^ his tist at him, he repeated his last
words with greater vehemence, " Remember, 1 don't
forcfet you. Take that ivltit you."
On tlie following moi-nin^ the colonel attain sent
for FitzGibbon and asked if he I'emembered what had
occurred the previous evening, and if he was still in
the same mind ?
FitzGil)bon replied that nothing had since occurred
to alter the opinion he had then expressed.
" Very well, then, join your company as a private."
He then paraded the company on deck and informed
the men that FitzGibbon, having found himself un-
equal to the performance of the duties of a ser<j^eant,
had resigned and retired into the ranks, cl()sin<;' his
speech by advising those who might thereafter be
promoted not to follow " the foolish example set them
by FitzGibbon."
For three months FitzGibbon remained in the
ranks. He was happy because answerable for no
one's conduct but his own. Strict in enforcing obe-
dience to duty when a sergeant, he was yet much
3
m
I liJ
i Si
vm
il
I' I
M!
42
A VETERAN OF 1812.
beloved hv his men, us many unecilotfs told of him
hotli tlieii and in latei* years ^o to prove. He never
allowed that any man could be wholly bad, but that
there must be f^ood in him somewliere, if one could
but touch the ri^ht chord to reach it. Believinj^ this,
he looked for it, and tliou^h the result was often lonj^^
delayed, the j^ood was jjfenerally foun<l.
In the battle of Copenha^'en, where the loss was so
severe, one of the most reprobate and unruly of the
men in the I'e^'iment was teri'ibly wounded in the
lower part of the back. When carried into th<'
cockpit, the surgeon bade P^itzCJibbon take him away
— there was no use in dressing such a wound, it
would ouly cause oreat pain. "Take him away," he
said, "and tell him he will be in a better condition
to be seen to to-morrow. Poor fellow, he will pr(^-
bably be dead by the morning."
The man lived for three days, and FitzGibbon's
comforting prayers and trustful confidence in the
mercy of God foi' the poor sinner soothed his pain,
robbed death of its terrors, and won for himself a
deeper affection in the hearts of his men.
Upon his reduction to the ranks, this love bore
fruit. The companies were divided into messes of six
3n each, the duty of one of the six, each day, being
CO perform all the menial offices reouired, sucb as
washing the dishes, etc. From all these the sergeants
were exempt. On the first day upon which this duty
fell to FitzGibbon, and he began to gather up the
dishes, one of the men stopped him.
li
SERVICE IN THE HANKS.
48
M'll do tluit, sir."
"No," replied Fit/( Jil)l)<)ii, "it is my duty, and I
did not lu't'onu.' a soldier witliout ninkinn- up my mind
to do all tlie duties j)i-()])erly heloni^inji^ to me, an<l,
th()u<;li t^ivatly obli<^'L'd to you, 1 am determined to do
this."
"Tlien, Ix'gorra, sir, v-ou'll ti^ht m<* first."
Tt is needless to say tliat FitzGibhon declined sujh
a combat, but durino- the time he remained in the
ranks the menial duties that fell to his share were
ahvjiv's done for him nolens volens.
The fleet had no more fi^htin^-. The <leath of the
Emperor Paul altered the course of events, and after
cruising about in the Baltic, })uttin<^ occasionally into
har])or at Dantzi^- and other ports, the fleet was
ordered home in August.
The 49th was landed at different ports, the j^rena-
dier company bein^ disembarktul from the Elephant^
at Portsmouth and marched to join the head(juarters
at Colchestei'. On approaching the town, Cc>lonel
Brock came out to meet them, and drawing his sword
marched at their head into barracks.
At parade the following morning, Colonel Brock
addressed the men. He thanked them for not only
doing credit to the regiment and its officers by their
bravery during battle, but for their general good
conduct while separated on board the different ves-
sels, the captains of which had written to him in the
most favorable terms of the men while under their
command,
: m
w
m
' ti
: i)t
*iii
!i|
I lit'
i
I
I
I
j
A VETERAN OF 1812.
V ll'Jl ill'
Hi
i!l
" He (Colonel Brock) created by liis jinlicious praise,
liis never-failing interest m his men, both individually
as soldiers and collectively as a regiment, a noble
spirit which bore fruit in many a well-won laurel in
Canada, in China and the Crimea."
After the regiment was thrown back into column,
Fit/Gibbon noticed his captain in conversatio^i with
Colonel Brock, and on the men being dismissed he
received an order to present himself to the colonel.
The fr Mowing conversation is too characteristic of the
two men to be omitted :
" Pray, young man," asked the colonel sternly,
" Why did you resign your office as sergeant when
on board the Elephant ? "
" Because, sir. Colonel Hutchinson censured me
j)ublicly and in harsh language, when in reality I
was not to blame." /
" Now, was it not to insult him you did so ?"
" Positively, sir, suclt a thought did not occur to me.
I felt mortified to be so publicly rebuked, and, as it
happened, in the presence of two of the ship's officers
who had from time to time treated me with more
than the attention due from men in their position to
one in mine. Then, during the whole of the day after
I was so cen. Aired, and before Colonel Hutchinson
returned to the ship, I felt that under such an angry
officer I nuist be always liable to similar treatment^
and this consideration, more than any other, deter-
mined me to resign."'
" Have you any objection to tell Colonel Hutchinson
so now ? "
mmm
PHH
f
A SOLDIERS OPINION.
45
" I have no objection, sir, to tell the truth at any
time."
" Then I wish you to ^o at once to his (quarters and
tell him so. He thinks your object was to insult him
by way of reveng;e."
FitzGibbon obeyed. Colonel Hutchinson accepted
the explanation and went himself to rec^uest Colonel
Brock to reinstate the self-reduced private to his rank
as sergeant.
When sent for again, Colonel Brock told FitzCJibbon
that it was in consei^uence of " Colonel Hutchinson's
re(juest that he was reinstated, and that tliere having
been no returns from the regiment sent in during
their service in the Baltic, he had never been officially
reduced, and would receive his pay as sergeant as
though nothing had happpened." Before leaving the
colonel's room the young soldier had something to
say. After thanking the colonel for his kindness he
asked permission to make an observation without
offi3nce. The colonel nodded, " Go on."
" It is this, sir. I think that nuich harm is done to
the discipline of the regiment by censuring the non-
commissioned officers in the presence of the men. It
lowers them in the estimation of the privates, and
weakens their authority, besides the ill-feeling it
creates towards the officer, which a private rebuke
would most probably not create at all, but would
rather leave the non-conunissioned officer grateful for
being spared in public."
!ii^
S!
46
A VETERAN OF 1812.
CHAPTEK lY.
CKj
JTlN tlie autumn of 1801, the regiment was moved
(^ from Colchester to Chehnsford, and passed tlie
winter in peace and comfort.
FitzGibbon was pay-sergeant of the grenadier
company. He was not a good accountant, and when
making out his pay sheet for February, found himself
deficient to the amount of nearly £2. He was horror-
stricken at this discovery, knowing he had not ex-
pended it upon himself, yet dreading the conseijuences
A recent occurrence in the regiment, of a s(piad ser-
geant being tried and reduced to the ranks for tlie
deficiency of one shilling, roused his fears lest the
greater deficit should be punished with the lash, and
" he would take his own life rather than endure the
degradation of stripping in the front of the x-egiment
to be flogged."
Under the pressure of this fear, FitzGibbon did
what in after years he said was " no doubt due to
my early reading of such romances as the ' History
of the White Knight,' of ' Parismus and Parismenus,'
' The Seven Champions of Christendom,' etc., I decided
upon applying to the Commander-in-Chief for pro-
tection.
" I asked for and obtained a pass for three days to
^ to London on pretended business. I walked up to
iiMiiBilPiTM
nwiiim ir^Ji.
A homantic apj>licatjon.
47
town, and found my way to the Anchor and Vines
tavern, close to the Horse Guards, and tliough tired,
at once wrote a letter to the Duke of York, stating
the case to him and praying of him to enable me to
replace the money so that my colonel might not
know of the deficiency : for, as I looked upon him
as the father of the regiment, I dreaded the forfeiture
of his good opinion more than any other consequence
which might follow.
" On the following morning, I gave my letter in at
the door to the orderly on duty. With an anxiety
I cannot describe, I walked before that door till niglit
fell, then in despair returned to my tavern. In the
course of my romantic reading, I had learned how
many were the evil influences surrounding courts and
princes, and supposed my letter had been withheld —
that probably such letters from people in humble cir-
cumstances were never presented to great men. I
therefore wrote another letter, adverting to the one
delivered at the office door, and again stating my case
as before.
" The second morning I took my stand at the door
before the hour of opening, and asked the sentry to
point out the Duke of Yc.k to me.
" The Duke soon approached. He was in plain
clothes and walking. I stepped up to him, saluted
him, and held out the letter. He took it, looked at
me from head to foot, and passed in witliout speaking.
" After the lapse of a few, to me most anxious,
minutes, I was called, shown into a waiting-room up-
!^'
m
m
I i
48
A VETERAN OF I81i>.
9
mm
stairs and told that Colonel Brownri^g would see me.
He came in presently with my two letters in his
hand. He asked if I had written them. I answered,
' Yes.' Upon which he said, ' The Duke can do noth-
ing in this matter before referring to your colonel.'
" 'But it is to avoid that I have made this applica-
tion.'
" 'In all cases of this kind,' he replied, ' nothing can
be done before referring to the Connnanding Officer.'
Then seeing my agitation, he added, ' The Duke is not
displeased with you. Return to your regiment and
you will not be treated harshly.' I retired, and it
being too late in the day to return to Chelmsford, I
went back to my tavern.
" Never having been in a theatre, and learning that
I might go into the gallery at Drury Lane at half
price, I went, and saw John Kemble and Mrs. Siddons
in the characters of Jaffier and Belvidera. On leaving
the heated atmosphere of the theatre I found it rain-
ing, and was pretty well drenched before I reached
my room. This, following the excitement of the two
previous days, brought on a bad feverish cold, and I
was unable to rise in the morning.
" As my leave expired that day I wrote a note to
the agents of the regiment, Messrs. Ross and Ogilvy,
to report my illness, and begged of them to forward
it to the regiment at Chelmsford. In the course of the
afternoon the servant came to my room and told me
that two gentlemen were below desiring to see me.
. " Startled at this announcement I desired them to
ai
h^
01
ei
COLONEL Brookes kiNDNtss.
4d
be shown up, wlien to my dismay in walked the
colonel and another officer of my regiment.
'"Well, young man, what's the matter with you?'
" I told him, ' a cold.'
"'Well,' he said, 'take care of yourself this night
and return to the regiment to morrow.' Adding, ' Per-
haps your money is all spent,' he laid a half guinea
on the table beside me witi* the words, ' there is
enough to take you home.'
" This kindness so affected me that I could hardly
say, ' If you knew what brought me here, you would
not be so kind to me.'
" 'I know all v out it. Get well and go back to the
regiment.'
" It .'■0 happened that the colonel had come up to
town that morning, and was at the agents' whe^ my
note was received. He then went to the Connnander-
in-Chief's where my letters were put into his hands,
when he came on to my room. Later in the evening
the colonel's servant came to see me. He was a
private servant, not a soldier, and a very intelligent
man.
" ' What's this that you've been doing at the Horse
Guards,' he began.
" ' What I would gladly conceal from the world,' I
replied.
" ' Well, I know something about it, for while
attending at table at the colonel's brother's house
to-day, I overheard a good deal of what the colonel
said of you to the company. It seems you have been
I
ii
mm.
50
A VETERAN OF \HV>.
writing letters to the Duke of York about some
difficulty you have got yourself into, aiul mentioned
the colonel in a way that pleased him and his brother.
He said that when the Duke gave him your letters he
recommended you to him, saying that he (the Duke)
would not forget you. Then the colonel added, ' If
the Duke forgets him I will not.'"
Upon his return to the regiment, FitzGibbon's
accounts were examined and an error of £1 15s.
erroneously entered against himself, discovered — his
limited knowledge of arithmetic and book-keeping
being accountable for the supposed deficiency.
The 49th, as indeed all the regiments of the line,
were at that time in a very inferior state of discipline
in regard to drill and field exercises. Sir John Moore's
new code of drill was being generally introduced, and
FitzGibbon's training under the drill-sergeant in Ire-
land, as well as his practical knowledge gained in the
yeomanry corps, was of great value to him and his
company.
In April, he was at Uxbridge recruiting from the
militia just then disbanded.
In June, the 49tli was sent to Quebec. FitzGibbon,
in order to take advantage of the long voyage and
comparative release from duty, to study, provided
hin^self with books upon nulitaiy tactics and field
exercises. Lying in the boat which lumg over the
stern of the vessel, he made himself master of every
detail contained in the " Rules and Regulations for
the Field Exercises of His Majesty's Forces."
brock's "favorite sergeant-major."
51
Sucli unusual application was not unnoticed by the
colonel, whose attention had been already so favor-
ably drawn to the young sergeant, and upon arrival
in Quebec the sergeant-major was promoted to be
(piartermaster-sergeant, and the sergeant-major's sash
given to FitzGibbon, over the heads oi ihe forty older
sergeants in the regiment.
In September, 1808, Lieutenant Lewis resigned tlie
adjutancy but not the lieutenancy, and thougli Colonel
Brock reconnnended FitzGibbon for the vacant adju-
tancy, there was no available lieutenancy for over
two years, and he could only ac' as adjutant until
180(), when Colonel Brock obtjcined an ensign's
connnission for his " favorite sergeant-major," as
FitzGibbon was known in the regiment, from the
Duke of York, who had not forgotten the lad and
his romantic application for his protection, and in
December of the same year lie succeeded to the
adjutancy.
In September, 1802, his company was sent to
Montreal, and in the following sunnner moved on
to York.
During these first years in Canada, there are many
stories told of the sergeant-major. Desertions from
the regiments stationed in Canada to the United
States were fre([uent, but it is recorded of Colonel
Brock that he only lost one man during the three
years of his personal conunand. He owed this to Ids
popularity and personal influence with his men, and
to the vigilance of his sergeant-major.
1
i'
52
A VETERAN OF \H\±
FitzGibbon always protested a^ijainst the use of the
" cat " for trifling offences, ar^uin^- that it degraded a
man not only in the eyes of his conu-ades but in his
own : that the sense of shame such punisliment left
in a man's consciousness pointed invisible fingers of
contempt at him and robbed liim of the courage
necessary to face an enemy, as well as of the love for
his officers which would carry liim to the cannon's
mouth with unflinching djvotion.
The invariable kindness with which Lie'it.-Colonel
Brock, although a strict officer in enforcing duty,
treated his men, was repaid by their devotion to him.
In several of his letters he speaks of the ingenuity of
the inducements held out bv the Americans to the
privates in the regiments at the frontier to desert,
and of the necessity of great watchfulness on the part
of his officers to defeat them.
Soon after their arrival at York, the sergeant of
the guard informed the sergeant-major that three of
his men w^ere missing, and that a boat had been taken
from a shed in charge of one of his sentries, who had
also disappeared. Although at midnight, FitzGibbon
reported the circumstance to the colonel, who ordered
him to man a bateau with a sergeant and twelve
privates.
The roll was called in the barrack-rooms, when
three other men, as well as a corporal of the 41st,
who had been left at York as an artificer, were found
to be missing.
At half -past twelve the colonel embarked, taking
■ii
mmm
Xirwnr-fWiTiK-aTii
A MIDNIGHT CHASE.
53
FitzGil)l)()n witli liiiii. Tlioy steered direct t'or Nia-
pira, thirty luileH across the hike, and arrived soon
after daylight. Tlie ni^lit was (hirk, Imt there was
little wind, and tli()u<;"h tlie passat^e liad been made
before in an open boat, it was consi(U;red a venture-
some undertaking^ Lieut.-General Hunter, wlio
commanck'd tlie troops in botli provinces, is said to
have expressed his (Hspk'asure at the colonel for so
rashly risking* his life. The deserters were overtaken
and induced to retui'n to their duty.
A short time after this adventure a very serious
nuitiny was discovered at Fort George, then o-arri-
soned by a detachment of the 41)th, under the connnand
of Lieut.-Colonel Sheafte, which, had it succeeded, had
certainly ended in the murder of that officer.
Although the day has lon^ passed when such
tyrainiical rule in an officer's hands would be toler-
ated, yet one cannot read the account of the treatment
the men suffered at the hands of this junior colonel
without a feeling of just indio-nation.
The four black holes in the fort were constantly
full. Flogj;ing was the sentence awarded for even
trifling offences. The passing of a sentence so heavy
that it recjuired to be inflicted at two, three, and even
four different periods, when the victim was incapable
of bearing the whole number at once, was not uncom-
mon. The " cat " was steeped in brine, before as well
as during the infliction of punishment, and the suffer-
ings of the men and their hatred of the tyrant may
be imagined. (See Appendix II.)
Ill
i
I
1
Ti»
54
A VETERAN OF IS 12.
■ t
Upon tlio discovery of tin; inti^ndt'cl iiiutiny, tlio
orticeiK in the puTison held a private nieetinjif and
decided to wend a .secret ineHHa^n; to Colonel Brock
before takinf]^ any pul)lic action.
Although not diHtinctly .state<l, the inipreHsion given
in that Colonel Sheatt'e was not one of the oflicei's hold-
ing this meeting, noi' was he cognizant of the message
sent to Colonel Brock. The feeling against him was
HO strong in the Upper Province that, later, it was con-
sidered advisable to remove him to Lower Canada.
A schooner then in the river was despatche(l at once
to York. Colonel Brock hurried back in the same
schooner, taking his devoted sergeant-major with
him. Upon arrival, the colonel recpiested that the
boat should be anchored below the town, where he
landed alone, leaving FitzGibbon behind, with orders
not to appear until sent for.
Colonel Brock's prompt action in personally arrest-
ing the principal mutineer, and by the force of his
connnanding presence and influence over the men
making each one of them in turn ari'est his fellow-
conspirator, is one of the most dramatic instances of
a military connnand anywhere recorded.
From Brock's letters we know how terribly he
nmst have regretted that any of his regiment had
been under another's connnand, wdien at the trial and
conviction of the ring-leaders in this unfortunate
mutiny, they reiterated their assertion that "had they
continued under the command of Colonel Brock they
would have escaped their melancholy end."
tl
Ml
C(
I'e
mm
MUTINEERS COUUT-MAUTIALED.
55
Lifut-Cieneial Hunter, then in (Quebec, ordei'ed
tliat the (lelin(|nents should be trie<l in tluit ^ran-iHon,
and tliitliei' thev were sent in S(^ptend)er.
Fitz(i}i})b()n was sent witli then). In a letter From
Colonel Brock (now in the Canadian Ai'ehive.s), in
I'eference to this court-martial, he says:
" After what I have stated, the general may chink
pi'oper to ^'ive directions to Colonel Mann to keep
Serjeant Fern and Private Cannes and the rest of the
witnesses at Quebec <lurin^- the winter, but 1 entreat
His Excellency's permission for Sergeant-Major Fit/-
Gibbon an<l Sergeant Steans being permitted to join
me without delay, which I imagine they will be abhi
to accomplish if allowed to depart tlie instant it is
found their presence is of no further use. Being by
themselves they will be able to travel infinitely more
expeditiously."
Colonel Brock had been ordered to assume the
connnand at Fort George, and the desertions ceased.
He allowed the men greater latitude, permitting them
to fish in their fatigue dresses, and in proper uniform
to visit the town of Niagara freely, and even to use
their muskets to shoot the countless wild fowl, on con-
dition that they provided their own powder and shcjt.
In June, 1804, Lieut.-Colonel Brock, with a detach-
ment of the 49th, removed to Kingston, and in the
September following, to Amherstburg.
Colonel Brock was appointed to the connnand at
Quebec in October, 1804, and it is probable that Fitz-
Gibbon went to Quebec with him, but we have no
I !■
'. \
WM
56
A VETERAN OK 1S12.
mt
4
lottrrs or positive mention of liim oi' where lie was
.stationed until the suninier of IHOV), when lie was in
C^,uel)ec.
In tlio autunni ol* 1805, Colonel Brock returned to
England on leave, and })efore liis return to Canada in
the sunnner of IKOd, he laid before the Conunander-
iu-Chief a scheme for tlie formation of a veteran
battalion for service in the Canadas, in which Fitz-
(libbon was mucli intei-ested; and as his ensij»*n'H
commission was ^iven him at tliis date, it is not
unlikely, nor out of accordance witli Cvolonel Brock's
well-known character for ^enei'osity, tliat he ^'ave his
favorite full credit for all the information he liad
<;athered for liim of the feeling among the soldiers
and the inducements offered to them to desert, both
by the Americans across the international boundary
line and the settlers in Canada who had taken
advantage of the free grants of land and were now
prosperous farmers.
FitzCibbon always said he owed everything to
Colonel Brock. He lent him books, had him with
him at every ()[)portunity, encouraged him in the
effort to improve and educate himself, not only in
every branch of his profession, b\it in all that was
either of worth or likely to be of practical use to him
as a gentleuian or in any position he w^as ever likely
to till, at home or in the colony. FitzGibbon called
the orderly room of the 49th his grannnar school, and
the mess-room his university, Lieutenants Stratton,
Bmckenbury and Loring his tutors,
s<
ana
" NOTIIINO IMPOSSIBLE TO A SOLDIER."
57
Whon in Quebec he often wrote to Colonel Hi'ock'.s
(liet.'ition, learning;* niueh ol* the coi'rect pi'oniuu'iation
oi' woi'ds hitherto unknown to him, thi-ou<;h the
colonel's corrections.
Upon one occasion, at Quebec, in l.S()5, CoIoih'1
IJrock asked the ser^'eant-niajoi- why he had not done
soniethin^^ h(^ had ()i-dei-e<l. Fit/(Jil)bon replied that
he had found it impossible to do it.
" Hy the Lord Harry, sir, do not tell me it is
impossible," cried the colonel: "nothing- should be
impossible to a soldier. The word impossible should
not be found in a soldier's dictitmary."
Two years afterwards, in Octobei*, 1807, when Fitz-
(jiibbon was an ensign. Colonel Brock ordered him to
take a fatigue party to the bateau guard, and bring
round to the low^er town twenty bateaux, in which to
endmrk troops suddenly for Montreal, fears being
entertained that the Americans were about to invade
the province in consequence of the affair between the
Leopard and the Chesapeake.
On reaching the bateaux the party discovered that
the tide had left them, and about two hundred yards
of deep, tenacious mud intervened between them and
the water. It appeared to FitzGibbon impossible to
drag the large, heavy flat-boats through such mud,
and he had given the word, "To the right face," when
it occurred to him that in answer to such a report the
colonel would ask, " Did you try it, sir ? " He there-
fore gave the word, " Front," and said to his men,
"I think it impossible for us to put these bateaux
if H;
\iH
I I
fill r
4v
it
58
A VETERAN OF 181_>.
afloat, but you know it will not do to tell the colonel
so, unles.s we try it. Let us try — there are tlie boats.
I am sure if it is possible for men to put them afloat,
you will do it : ^o at tliem."
In half an hour the boats were in the water. Tlie
troops were thus enabled to embark a day earlier
than if the order had not been carried out.
It was in this year, 1807, that the flrst suggestion
was made by Lieut.-(.Wonel John McDonell, late of
the Royal Canadian Vohnrteers, for raisin<i^ a cor[)s
among the Scotch settlers of Glengarry, Upper
Canada, but it was not accepted by the Horse Guards
or any steps taken to carry it out until it was revived
by Colonel Gore in 1811.
In a letter of this latter date from Colonel Baynes
to Major-General Brock, a Captain George McDonell
is spoken of as being appointed to attempt the forma-
tion of a corps from among the settlers of Glengaiiy.
In a postscript endorsed " private," Sir George Pre-
vost's intention of fllling up the new corps witli as
many officers of the line as he could, and with per-
manent rank, is announced.*
It is interesting to note this, as we shall hear a
great deal more of these Glengarry Fencibles before
the close of our biography.
The year 1807 was spent in Quebec. The following
spring the regiment was moved to Montreal. In
September, the colonel, now Brigadier Brock, was
Tapper's "Life ami Correspomlence of fSir Isaac Brock."
mm
a
re
ur
In
THE GLENGARRY FENCIBLES.
59
^iveii tli(j ccMinnand at Quebec, from wlicnce writin*^ to
liis V)rotliL'rs, lie regrets beiii<;' separated from tlie 49tli.
" Wiu'e tlie 49th ordered hence, tlie rank would not
l)e a sufficient inducement to keep me in this country.
In such a case I would throw it up willingly."*
He was succeeded in the command at Montreal by
Major-(}eneral l^rummond.
Owino- to the unfoi'tunate destruction of the books
of the 4i)th, at the evacuation of Fort Oeorge, in
May, bSl.S, it is very difficult to ascertain where the
various c()ui]),'inies were stationed, and, to the ever to
be re*;retted destruction of a (juantity of pi'ivate letters
and papers formerly belon^'ino- to FitzCjJibbon, by an
i^-noraut auto<;Taph collector, we are deprived of nuich
valua])le and interesting information of this period.
Several companies of the 49th, under Major Plender-
leath, were stationed at Three Rivers, on the St. Law-
rence below Quebec, from 1809 to 1811. FitzGibbon
was proliably with their detachment, as from incidents
in his later life it appea/s t.iat this officer uuist have
been closely connected with him in the regiment.
Major Pieiiderleath certainly valued FitzGibbon's
friendship highly, and showed his affection for him
and his in a srbstantlal manner. Among the papers
met with in my researches I found a deed of gift for
100 acres of iaid given to FitzGibbon's only daughter
by his old brother officer and fiiend. I am not aware
who now holds this property, or whether this deed
has been tjv>ught to complete the validity of the title.
m
,^T:
' V ■It
cm
M
I n
* rif
Tupper's " Life ami Correspondence of Sir Isaac Brock."
60
A VETERAN OF 1812.
I
In Scptt'inbei', 181 1, tlie 41)th was {i<;ain in Montreal.
Uecruitinj^ for tlie fjllen^'ai'ry Fenci})le.s was in active
opei'ation in April, 1S12. Lieut. Shaw, the acting pay-
master of the 4!)th, was ordered upon that duty.
Fitz(Hl)bon wrote to Colonel Brock in July, 1812,
with reference to a company bein<;- given to him in
the new regiment, and received the following auto-
graph reply :
" YoiiK, July 29th.
"])eA]{ Sir, — I lament that you should s(^ long
have been impressed with the i«lea that I possessed
the means of b(;ing serviceable to you. I had scarcely
heard of Mr. Johnson's having declined a company in
the Glengarry (which would have given me the
nomination), but I received an account of his being
reinstated. I consecpiently thought no more of the
business, thinking that officer was enjoying the fruits
of his good fortune. I know not positively whether
Mr. Johnson is reinstated, but being under obligations
to promote his views, I cannot possibly interfere to his
prejudice. I rath !r wonder you did not know that
Lieut. Lamont had long ago my promise of nomi-
nating him to the comjmny, provided it became vacant,
which, of course, would have precluded my applica-
tion in your behalf. Although you must be sensible
of the impossibility of my taking any steps to for-
ward your views in the present case, yet, be assured,
I shall always feel happy in any opportunity that
may offer to do you service.
"To a person unaccustomed to my writing I scarcely
would hazard sending this scrawl.
" I am, dear sir,
" Yours faithfully,
"Isaac Brock. •
-^
^
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I
A
A
i
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^^k^
A >
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ii m
GO
A VETERAN OF ISI'2.
In SfpU'iiilxT, ISl 1. tlu' 4!Uli Wfis ;i;;ain in Montri'al.
ilt'cniitiiij; for tlic (Jlciit^any Ki'iiciblcs was in active
operation in Api'il, I.S12. liieut. Shaw, the aetin<rpuy-
niastei- ot" tlie 4!*th, was onlei'e(l upon that (hity.
Fitz(Jih])on wrote to Colonel Hi-oek in .Inly, ISI2,
with reference to a company heino- o-ixcii to him in
the new re<iiiMent, and received the following; aiito-
(^•raph re})ly :
" YoKK, Julij 2nth.
"Deaij Sir, — I lament tliat yon shonld so lon<;
have heen impressed with the idea that I possessed
tlie means of hein^- sei'viceahle to yon. I had scarcely
heard of Mr. .Jolnisons havin;;- declined a company in
the (jlen^-arry (which would haxc ^ix-en me the
nomination), but I received an account of his hein^'
reinstated. 1 consecpiently thou^'ht no more of tlie
Imsiness, thinking- that otKcer was enjoyino- the fruits
of his good fortune. 1 know not positivt'ly wliether
Mr. Jolnison is reinstated, lait heino- under ohlit^ations
to promote his views, I cannot possibly interfere to his
prejudice. 1 rather wondei- you did not know that
Lieut. Lamont had lon<:^ a^^o my promise of nond-
natintjj him to the company, provided it became vacant,
which, of coui-se. would haxc pivcluded my ap])lica-
tion in vour l)ehalf. Althouirh vou nnist be sensible^
of the im])ossibility of my taking any ste})S to for-
ward youi- views in the pr'.'sent case, yet, be assured,
I shall always feel happy in any op))oi-tunity that
may offer to <lo you service.
"To a person unaccustomed to my wi-iting I scarcely
would hazard sending this .scrawl.
"I am, dear sir,
"Yours faithfully,
" Isaac Brock.
"^ - * * V '-'•■
C
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COLONEL BROCKS LETTER.
ei
" I should lik(> to 1)0 ainono- the \S\\\\ at this inoinont.
I am satisfied thev will siip]ioi*t and even add to their
loi-niei' fame. They Iwive my vei-y hest wishes. The
41st are heliavin^- nohly at Amiiei'stl)ur<^"."
In the I'ac-simile of this letter from C}ene)-al Bi'ock
it will he notiee(l that th(> yc^ar is omitted in the
date, hut fi-om t!ie context and from reference to
othei' correspondence now in the Canadian Archives
at Ottawa, lelativo to Lieut. Jolmson ( ,ontleman
who appu'ently could not decide in wliich regiment
he pi-cferred to hohl a commission, the Glenn;arry or
tlie Canadian Fencihles), there is no dtjuht tliat tho
letter was written in 1812.
Owin^ to the fact that the)v are very few letters
from Brock extant, and those in the keepin<jj of the
Ai'chives, the . ij^jinal of this one is a valuable relic.
VV^ritten on both sides of a .'-in<;le sheet, the paper
yellow from a^e and many of the characters indis-
tinct, it was ditficult to reproduce it faitlif' lly.
The following- lettei- hears an earlier date than
Ceneral Brock's, and needs no explanation :
"MoNTHE.VL, Mluj l(5th, 1812.
" SiH, — I ben- you will be ])leased to obtain for
me His Majesty's pei-mission to resio-n my conunis ion
of adjutant oidv, in the 4()th reo-iment.
" It is incumbent upon me to state my reasons for
wishing;- to resi(>^n the adjutancy, I therefore detail
them. Before 1 entered the army the circumstances
of my parents prcxented my obtaining- such an educa-
tion as to (pialify me to <lischai"i>;e the duties of an
otficei- in His Majesty's service. Whatever know-
.'III
II
f
^ "If
i
'I
^ _>L.
■-■ ite' tijti^
^t-.
w
•«-*
^
m
1 H
COLONEL BROCKS LETTEU.
61
" I sliould like to be aiiiont;- tlir 4'.)i\\ at this monu'iit.
I {iiM satisfied tlicy will sujjpoi't and even add to tlieii'
fornjer Ijuiie. Thev liave niv very l)eHt wishes. The
4 1st are behaviiin- nobly at Aiidiei-stbur*^'."
In tlu; fac-siniile of this letter iVoni (Jenei'al Bi'ock
it will be noticed that tlie year is omitted in the
date, but from tlie context and from I'eference to
other correspondence now in the Canadian Archives
at Ottawa, relative to L.eut. Jolmson (a j^'cntlenian
wlio app.irently could not decide in which re<;inient
lie preferred to hold a conunission, the (jJle!)<;ai"iy or
the Canadian Fencibles), there is no doubt that the
letter was written in 1812.
()win<j^ to the fact tliat there are very few letters
from Brock extant, and those in the keepint.^ of the
Archives, the orioinal of t]\is one is a valuable relic.
Written on both sides of a single sheet, the paper
yc'llow from age and many of the characters indis-
tinct, it was difficult to repioduce it faithfully.
The following letter bears an earlier date than
General Brock's, and needs no explanation :
"Montreal, May l(jth, 1812.
" Sir, — I beg you will be pleased to obtain for
me His Majesty's permission to resign my conunission
of adjutant only, in tlie 49th regiment.
" It is incund)ent upon me to state my reasons foi-
wishing to resign the adjutancy, I therefore detail
them. Before I entered the ai*my the circumstances
of my parents prevented my obtaining such an educa-
tion as to qualify me to discharge the duties of an
officer in His Majesty's service. Whatever know-
';;f
|lf
62
A VETERAN OF 181-2.
lod^'o r posHcsH, I lijiv(! uc<juiro(l since I ontcivd it.
I trust that I liave ho r.-ii- Huecocilcd as to liavc
rendoi't'd inysclF, at least as a iv;;'iin<'ntal otHcer, rc-
Hpoctahle. At this ])()iiit I do not wisli to stop; to
pei'sonal exertions 1 look principally t'oi' fui'ther suc-
cess in the army, and by (|ualiiyino- niyselF to hold
the higher and more important stations, 1 shall ha\e
th(» hest prospect of ari'ivin»j^ at them, and oi* he-
coming most useful to my kin^- and country, in whose
service I hav^ Sin ah'ea<ly so lil)era]ly rewarded.
" The duties attached to my present station em]>loy
mv, so as to leave no spare time. 1 am anxious to
study and become pi'oticient in the lan^uaoes, mathe-
matics, militaiy di'awin^, etc., so as to ([ualify myself
to discharp3, with honor to myself, the duties of any
situation to whicli I may hereafter have the ^^ood
fortune to ])e called.
" I have the honor to be, sir,
" Your most obedient, luunble servant,
"(Signed) James FitzGihhon,
" Lieut, and Adjt. 49th Regiment.
" To Colonel Vincent,
" Commanding ^^tli Regiment.
" A true copy.
" Noah Freer,
" Military Secretary."
This letter was forwarded to the Connnander of the
Forces in Canada, with a letter from Colonel Vincent
sjlicitin*!^ approbation of its petition, and reipie.stin*;-
permission to recommend Sergeant-Major Stean for
the adjutancy if FitzGibbon's resignation Is accepted.
We can, liowever, find no further record or entry
of any reply to either letter.
UP THE ST. LAWRENCE BY lUTEAUX.
GH
CHAPTEE V.
C»iL.
JffN J.'inuaiy, 1812, iiniiiedijitely after tlie decbir-
Plf {ition of war by tlie United States ag'aiiiHt Great
Hi'itain and her colonies, we find FitzGib])on
a<^ain addi'essing liis colonel and applyin<^ for leave
to resign the adjutancy, in order tliat he may be ^iven
tlie conunan<l of one of the companies of the 49th,
whose captain was absent on leave. This recpiest
was granted at once. A week later FitzGibbon was
placed in the desired command by Sir George Prevost
and sent with his company to escort the first brigade
of bateaux from Montreal to Kingston.
In these days of steamboats and canals, when
lieavily laden barges are towed in safety up our great
water highway, passing the rapids by the canals, the
difficulties of conveying the clumsily built, heavy
bateaux and their freight up the south bank of the
river, avoiding the rapids on the one hand and the
enemy on the other, can scarcely be realized. From
St. Regis upwards they were obliged to keep close to
the shore, and were posed to an enemy's attack at
any moment.
Why they hugged the south shore instead of fol-
lowing the northern bank of the river does not appear.
FitzGibbon says distinctly that for more than a hun-
dred miles the American shore was close on their left.
ii I
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1
ift
64
A VETERAN OF 1S12.
I-
P(jsHil)ly tilt' north clumiiel was not so well known to
the boatmen as the south, or it nii^ht he tliat Fit/-
Gibbon, adhering to tlic very original idea formed on
the sand-hills of Holland, tliat the safest place was
close to the enemy, took that route in preference to
the otlier. Jf so, the result i)roved its value.
FitzGibbon's enthusiasm, his readiness of resouice,
Ids willin«4'ness to take his share of work with his
men, whih^ at the same time preservin*^ his authoi'ity
over them, was lon^ remembered.
A white-haired old man (the late M. Le Lievre,
of Three Rivers), when speaking of this expedition
to the w^'iter in 187.S, recalled the particulars with
vivid interest: "I can remend)er that journey well,
although I was only a very youny- lad at the time.
FitzGibbon was a fine man, and a splendid soldier.
The men adored him, although he was strict. His
word was law, and they had such faith in him that I
believe if he had told any one of them to jump into
the river, he would have been obeyed. He always
knew what he was about, and his men knew it, and
had full confidence in him."
The Americans, learning thrt the bateaux were
coming up the St. Lawrence, fitted out an expedition
at Ogdensburg to intercept them. They landed on
Toussaint's Island, but through the timely warning
given by a man who escaped from the island and
roused the militia on the Canadian shore, the boats
were prepared to receive them. When the Americans
made the attack they met with such a w^arm reception
n
A WINTER DRIVE.
G5
that tlioy vveiv ohli^^cd to uImumIo!! one of their lumts,
and in Hpitu of tlic fact that tliey hrou^dit tlic t\\v
fi'oni tlu'ir ^•inil)oat to hear upon tlic hatcaux, an<l
obliged them to inovo out of ran*;'!', tlicii* own loss
was HO Ht'veiv tliat tliey were forct'd to ivtivat. (Ap-
])('ndix IV\)
Tlio bateaux reached Kin<;*Hton without fui'tliei"
molestation. Owiiij^ to the loss of the papers ahvady
referred to, it is impossible to ascertain with accuracy
where Fit/(}ibb()ii was stationed duriui"' the next foui"
months. Whether with that portion of the re<,nment
stationed at York, or at Fort Erie, or with tlie foui*
companies left at Kingston, or whether he was with
Brock at Queenston Heights, we have no document-
ary evidence, no written reqc^rd, to guide us.
In January, 1818, FitzGibbon was sent from Kings-
ton in charge of forty-five sleighs containing military
stores for Niagara. This was an extremely arduous
undertaking, the difficulties of overcoming bad roads,
snowstorms, and the bitter cold of a Canadian winter,
being scarcely less than those which beset the I'iver
highway from Montreal. Avoiding the trackless
forest and the softer snow beneath the trees, the
sleighs were obliged to follow the shores of the Bay
of Quinte, and after crossing the narrow stretch of
land between Prince Edward county and the main-
land, known as the " Carrying Place," and along the
low shores of Brighton Bay, to face the wide sweep
of wind over Lake Ontario to York. •
Upon his arrival at Niagara, he was detached with
\\\-
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66
A VETERAN OF 1812.
• t
liis company and sent to tlio Hliores of Lake Erie, to
the most distant post on the ri^lit of tlie army on tlie
Nia^'ara fi'ontier. The hike was frozen compk'tely
over from sliore to sliore, and thus formed a firm
hrid<jje upon wliich it was expected the enemy would
cross, FitzGibbon was set to watch and prevent this.
When tlie ice broke up in April, he was withdrawn
to the Niagara River, and posted at Frenchman's
Creek. If was from this post that FitzGibbon made
one of tlie darin^- raids for which he was afterwards
so well known. Seein<j^ a party of the enemy on ono
of the islands in the river at sunset >n the ()tli of
April, he crossed in a bateau with twelve men,
succeeded in reaching; the island unobserved, and sur-
prisin<»- the party, took them prisoners and brought
them back with their own boat.
That FitzGibbon was fre(iuently employed in con-
veyint;* despatches from the frontier to headcpuirters
at King'ston, we know, but we have no detailed record
of each occasion upon which this duty was entrusted
to him. His intimate knowledge of the roads, his
expeditious promptitude and rapid movements, as
well as the fact of his havin'»; been at so many dif-
ferent places, while that part of the 49th to which
he of right belonged remained at one post, makes
thih more probable.
He was with his regiment on the Niagara frontier
on April the Oth, when the raid on Strawberry Island
was perpetrated. He was at York wh'ni that post
was attacked by the Amc ".cans under Chauncey and
"^
UNDAUNTED " BRITISHERS."
67
Dearborn, and ))ack again at Fort Geoi-oe when it
was taken by them on May 27tli.
Tliere is no official record extant of the strent;th
of the force tliat, after the galhint defence of Fort
George, retreated to Burlington Heights.
The situation was critical. The recent ]x)ndmrd-
nient of York and its ev^icuation by its chief niagis-
ti'ates an<l officials : the presence of the American
fleet undgr Chauncey, a fleet capable of commanding
every port on the lakes and in actual possession of
the Niagara frontier shores: Fort George taken <in(l
(occupied by the enemy : the British force, harassi'd
and wearied by previous patrol duties, followed by
defeat, and further weakened by the permission which
almost amounted to an order given to the militia to
return to their own homes.
The American force, 8,550 strong, flushed with
victory, following up the retreat of the defeated
and well-nigh disheartened British army, made tlu?
prospect appear gloomy indeed. Nothing l)ut the
entire evacuation of the western peninsula seemed
possible. Against less odds York had been deserted.
I'here seemed nothing for it but to destroy all the
stuies that could not be carried away, evacuate the
Heights, and escape to Kingston, leaving the land to
the enemy. Fortunately for Canada there were a
few dauntless spirits to whom the words " defeat "
and 'retreat" re([uired many letters to spell — enough
of the ignorance of "when they were beaten" left in
the British ranks to sustain them.
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68
A VETERAN OF 1812.
C<)ll(*ctin<;" all the women and cliildren in the fort
on the Heights, and le.ellin^ all the fences on tlie
deserted fai'uis on the plains below, the British pre-
pared to make a last stand against the enemy.
Tidin<(s bein^- hrou^'ht to the camp of the approach
of the American army, Lieut. Crowther, with a small
party, was sent out to reconnoitre, and if j)ossi])le,
check the advance.
Upon reaching Red Hill, a scout hrouoht him word
that the enemy were close on the other side of the
Bi^ Creek. This information prompted the idea of
attemptiiif^ to surprise and capture the whole ft)i-ce.
Concealing* his party in the bush, the lieutenant
watched the enemy approach in evident ignorance of
the } ximity of any ambushed foe.
All seemed to favor the successful issue of his
strategem, when the excitable Irish temperament de-
feated it. The Americans were scarcely within range
when one of the 49th, forgetful of orders, tired. The
enemy started, broke for shelter, and the lieutenant
seeing all was up, tired a full volley to hurry them
before withdrawing his party.*
Ascertaining that the main body of the enemy were
preparirg to encamp at Stony Creek, he returned to
the Heights, and reported to General Vincent.
It was now FitzGibbon's turn, Ti'rom his know-
ledge of the ground and the enemy's behaviour under
sudden attack, of how the unsteadiness of the few
* The Battle of Stony Creek. E. B. Biggar, Cauarfiau Maffa':iiii\,
July, 1893.
I"'f 1 'll f ■
■^1
A VISIT TO THE ENEMV.
69
{iHVcte(l tlu' stcadiiu'ss of the manv, FitzGil)l)()ii t'clt
contideiit that a iii<;ht attack iiii^ht ])o made with
succes.s. Colonel Harvey was in favor of attempting
it, and Fit/Gil)bon volunteered to learn the exact
position and disposition of tlie enemy's forces, and
personally obtain all the knowled<4e necessary.
Disu'uisin^ himself as a settlei*, he took a basket
of butter on his ai'm, and went boldly into the
American camp.
There is no doubt whatever that he made himself
very entertaining to the soldiers, to whom he sold all
his butter, ^ettin^ the best price for it, or that tlie
pui'chasers believe<l they were obtaining' nuich valu-
able information of the position, panic and luimerical
inferiority of the British troops now fleein^j^ befoi'e
their victorious arms. The dis^-uise was so complete,
the vendor of butter so simple, that he was allowed
to traverse the entire camp, and ^ain considerably
more information than he appeared to give.
FitzGibbon returned more than ever convinced that
if General Vincent would consent to a night attack
it would be successful.
He reported the enemy camped on Mr. James
Gage's farm, on the easterly bank of a ri\ulet Just
west of the Stony Creek, which ran through a
shallow valley some two hundred yards wide, with
steep banks twelve or fifteen feet high, their guns
planted on tlie edge of the bank as on a parapet
overlooking the fiat. The infantry were encamped
behind them in an orchard on the north and in the
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70
A VETERAN OF 1S12.
licMsoii tlu> south of tlic I'ond, while Generals Wiiidci'
and (Jhandler had jjosscssion of Mr. Ga^^c's liouse as
tlieii- head(|uartei's. Tlie hickh'ss advance ;;uai'd was
])osted in tlie ineetin^'-lionse on the west si(U' of tlio
Hat, a (|uartei' of a mile i'roni the camp."^
l^pon FitzGibbon's i-epoi't bein<;' received, an anxious
council of wai' was held, and Colonel Harvey pio-
posetl a ni<j^ht attack ))ein<;- nia<le. It was the only
chance, the foi-lorn hope. The men had but miiety
i-ounds of annuunition remaining;". Sail had Ix'en seen
on the lake. If time were allowed them to eM'ect a
junction with the land force, disastrous, pi'eci])itate
retreat or annihilation was inevitable. The proposal
was accepted, and Colonel Harvey ;;i\'en the connnaiKl.
Five companies of the Sth under Major O^'ilvy,
and five of the 4nth nn<ler Major Plendei'leath, with an
unrecoi'ded iuind)er of militia and other corps then in
the camp — in all, a handfid of seven hundivd and
foui" i-ank and tile — set out in the silent summei*
niiiht to strike what every soldier thouii'lit mijjht ))e
a last blow for the British flag on that fair Cana-
dian frontier.
Ascertaining^" that eveiy musket was em})ty, even
the Hints removed, that no excitable Irishman mi^^'ht
a<;"aiu betray their proximity, Harvey gave the order
to marcli.
Three hours passed. No sound broke the silence, no
report of cannon carried tidings to the anxious hearts
* J. H. Land in Re[)oit of the VVentworth Historical Society.
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STONY CREEK.
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Upon tlu' H('i<;lits. Mcanwiiilc, tlu' troops had crept
acroHS the plains. l^p(^ii i-rachin<;' the scent' oi" Lieut.
Crowther's ambuscade tlie men were lialted, and tlie
various posts of attack or vigilance assigned to tlie
different officei's.
Stealing from the ccjver, the enemy's advance })icl\-
ets were bayoneted in silence ere the challenge
liad well passed their lips, and deploying into line the
attacking force marched up the steep bank of the
valley to the very mouth of the cannon, every man
knowing that any moment they might roar forth
wholesale desti'uction down the ranks.
F'itz(iil)bon was one of the fii'st men to ivach the
.V nnmit of the bank, at the moment that the first
w^iioy of the American nnisketry roused the sleeping
•uuners, who, springing to their feet, fired the guns
just where they stood.
Heedless of the death-dealing shot, the 49th
charged, and carrying the guns at the point of the
bayonet, turned them upon the now Ayi^iK ^'^i^'niy-
'^riie camp was taken : whole regiments fired but once
and fied, leaving their dead to be buried by their
enemies. The two American generals, Chandler and
Winder, were captured by the British, together with
seven other officers and 1 l(j rank and file. The
retreat of the front ranks carried panic witli it to
the rear: the ships, instead of supporting the land
force, served only as a means of escape to the flying
soMiers, and one of the most brilliant victories of
the campaign was won by the British — a victory that
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A VETERAN OF \H]±
moi'c tliaii ('()m])('Msiit('<l tlicii* JU'iiis lor the loss of
York ami Foi't Gcoi •<:'('.
Kit/Gibbon alwu\s said in ivlVivnco to tliis ])attl(',
that il* tlic victory had hci'ii lollowcd ])v iiimicdiate
|)Ui'suit of the I'ctrt'atiii^" Ainci'icans, Fort Gcor^t^
iiii;;ht liaNc been recovered without imich, il' any,
loss. The •' 'vaiice, however, only reaclRMi Forty Mik;
Creek two (hiys later.
'^I'liis sut;';;'ested t() Fit/Gil)])on tlie idea that lie
mij^lit do <;<)od woi'k il* he had a lew men undei" his
immediate command, (letaclied tor skirmisliiny' duty
in ad\ance.
To decide upon a line ol' con(hict and to act was
one with tlie soldier. He lost no time in applying;' to
Lieut.-Colonel Harvey, tlien Deputy Adjutant-Genei-al,
To his intense satisfaction his ivcpiest was received
1)V Lieut.-Golonel Harvev with the words, " Most
clieei'fully. I have been looking- for an otficer I could
send in the advance, and did not tliiid^ of you Come
to me in an hour witli written details of your pro-
jected plan of operations, and I will propose you to
the t^eneral."
The ^eneraTs consent obtained, the next difficulty
was to select men. Had all who volunteered and
wished to go with him been accepted, he would have
had nearly the whole regiment. But tlie number w^as
limited to fifty.
" We all w^anted to go," writes an old 49th man, in
18()2. " We knew there would be good work, fighting
and success wherever FitzGibbon led, for though
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THE "GREEN TKJERS.
73
iinpulHivc lie was prompt, and as l)rave as a lion.
'I'liou^ij a})i)ai-('ntly foolhai^ly, every man in tlie n'<;i-
ment knew that he knew what he was about, and
forj^ot notliin^."
Dui'in^tlie day, Fitz(iihl)on nwuh* up the company h
accounts and ti-ansl'erred tliem to another otfici'r;
selected his men from tlie several companies liimself ;
]Mirehas('d a sutiieient (piantity of I'ustiaii to make
shell-jackets, in order that he mi<^ht ))e a))le to show
fifty red-coats at one point and fifty ^'i-ey-coats at
another, and tln-ee cow-hells to be used as signals in
the woods, where the buj^de, whistle or even words of
command mi^ht serve only to betray tlieir where-
abouts to the enemy.
The 49th ha<l lon^- ere tliis datt^ won for themselves
the sobri(piet of the "(ireen Tij;ers " from tlie enemy,
the name iK'in^' su^'j^ested by the color of the; facing'
of their tunics and th<; fierceness of their fi^htin<i^.
Detachments of this regiment were generally sent to
the front of every engagement. Batteries and guns,
whose tire was proving disastrous to the advance or
retreat of the British, had been stormed and carried
by small handfuls of men from the regiment, and
their appearance was now almost sufficient to ensure
victory, and certainly carried fear into the ranks of
the enemy.
FifzGibbon's little band well sustained the character
of the regiment. He knew" each one of the men and of
what they were capable ; knew that his faith in them
was returned fourfold in their devotion to him, and
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74
A VETERAN OF 1812.
ill that esprit de corps ho essential to the successful
career of soldier or regiment.
Witli Ensign Winder and forty-eight rank and
tile, he successfully interrupted the coinnninication
between Fort Erie and Fort George, then in the hands
of the enemy, and pursued and well-nigh captured
a marauding troop of licensed freebooters uirler a
Captain Chapin, whose warfare had been principally
directed against defenceless farms, his men burning
and destroying banis and farm produce, terrifying the
women and children, and making prisoners of the few
laborers they found in charge.
By dividing his company into three parties, and
sending them by different pathways and tracks
through the woods and ravines, FitzGibbon was able
to cover a larger area and give the impression that
he liad a greater number of men under his command
than had he kept them all together. A code of sig-
nals was arranged by which they could communicate
with each other, and, though separated, be able to act
in concert.
Each band must have had many tales to tell of
narrow escape and adventure during those days of
successful hunting of the enemy. Once when Fitz-
Gibbon and two of his men were crossing from one
rendezvous to another, they were nearly captured by
a party of ten or twelve Americans. It being iftipos-
sible to retreat unseen, they concealed themselves
under an overhanging bank of earth, from which a
luxuriant growth of wild vines formed a screen, and
A BOLD STRATAGEM.
75
waited. Listening" intently, FitzOibbon made si^ns
to hi.s men not to move, and, turning, crept cautiou.sly
alon^ close to the bank to where he knew there was
a deep hole or cave. A ^^'eat tree had fallen and
partially barred the entrance : resting his hands on
the trunk, he raised himseli' and dropped lightly on
the other side, not, however, without having caught
a momentary glimpse of the enemy. The path they
had followed had come to an abrupt end on the top
of the rise : they were evidently uncertain of their
locality and had halted to consider, undecided whether
to return by the way they had come or to break a
fresli track and advance. FitzGibbon crawled along
until he was within a few yards of below where they
stood. Pausing a moment to recover his breath, he
uttered a succession of Irish yells and Indian war
cries, which, reverberating from side to side of the
cave, startled and struck terror to the hearts of the
enemy above. Believing themselves surrounded by
ambushed Indians, they decided that there was but
one path and took it, not stopping to look behind
them. FitzGibbon returned to his men, and they
went their way without further encounter with the
enemy that day.
On the 21st, FitzGibbon, by a judicious disposal of
his men through the woods and destroying the bridge
over the Chippewa by removing the planks, had
Chapin's whole troop in a corner, and would have
captured tliem had not 150 infantry coming from
Fort Erie been entrapped at the same time, The
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76
A VETERAN OF 1S12.
coinbiiRMl force so far outininilH'rcd FitzOiblxjii's tluit
lie deemed it advis}i])le to draw ofi' liis men and let
the United States infantry escort their own cavalry
back to Fort Georo-c.
Later on the same <lay, when enterin<;' a village
through which the enemy had just })assed, FitzGibbon
saw a dragoon's horse at the door of a tavern, and,
Iioping to surprise and capture the rider in oi'der tliat
he might obtain information of the enemy's move-
ments and intentions, he advanced.
When within a few paces of the door, an infantry
man came out and presented liis musket. FitzGibbon,
having his grey fustian jacket on over his uniform,
still advanced, saying (juietly, " Stop, my friend, don't
tire." The musket dropped to the charge, while Fitz-
Gibbon went on, " I advise you to go away (piickly
as there are British soldiers in the barn over there."
Then, being within reach, he sprang forward, seized
the man's musket and ordered him to surrender. In-
stead of obeying, the man held on firmly. The sound
of voices attracte<l the dragoon, who, issuing from the
door, pointed his piece at FitzGibbon's shoulder.
Lithe as a cat and of great nuiscular strength, Fitz-
Gibbon turned, and still retaining his hold upon the
infantry man's musket with his right hand, he caught
the one pointed at his shoulder with his left, and
brought it to the front l^eside the other. The man
pulled but FitzGibbon held fast. Finding he was too
strong for them, the dragoon drew FitzGibbon's own
sword with his left hand, and attempted to cut him
i
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i
A BRAVE WOMAN.
77
i
over the liead witli it, Init failed. He then ^ra.spe<l
it a.s a (lag<j^er and tried to stab liini. But there was
help near. As he raised his arm to strike, P^itzGib-
boii saw two small hands seize it from behin<l, orasp
the wrist, and the sword was wrenched from his hold
by a woman. An old man coming up at the moment,
the two Americans were made prisoners, and carried
oft' from within hearing of their own detachment, had
it occurred to them to call out.
It may be interesting to add that at the close of
the war, in 1816, FitzGibbon obtained from the
Govermnent a grant of 400 acres of land for the
woman's husband, as a reward for her assistance, and
in 1(S87 when her son, who had joined the rebels, was
taken prisoner, and tried, and would have sutfered
the penalty of death, FitzGibbon, in consideration of
certain circumstances which came out in the investi-
gation, obtained a full pardon for the lad from Sir
George Arthur.*
On the 24th of June occurred an incident which
has been more or less correctly described, both in
poetry and prose, at various times, more than once
being spoken of as " the most brilliant episode of the
war," that known as the " aii'air " or battle of Beaver
Dam. We have two accounts of it, one written at
the time by a correspondent of the Montreal Gazette,
and published in the colunnis of the issue of that paper
of July (jth, 1818, and one written by FitzGibbon in
* An account of his case was published in the Loudon Timcx, in
August, 1839.
78
A VETERAN OF 1812.
' I
later years for tlie information of his ^ijranilcliildren.
(The former will be found in Appendix V.).
Tapper also publishes an account in his " Life and
Correspondence of Sir Isaac Brock," which, in a foot-
note, he says is abridged from The Soldiers Com-
panion or Recorder. It has also been ably dramatized
by Mrs. Curzon, a well-known Canadian authoress of
the present day.
To tell the story fairly, I must, although reluctant
to load this biography with details belonging more
exclusively to the history of the campaign and the ,
country, endeavor to sketch briefly the condition of
affairs upon the frontier at that time.
We nnist recall the evacuation of Fort George by
the British — or its capture by the Americans, to put it
either way — followed by the battle of Stony Creek,
the pursuit of the retreating Americans, and the
desultory warfare carried on between the rival armies
along the frontier. This sort of guerilla warfare
between, not only the regulars, but the volunteer
companies and straggling bands of Indians as well,
had resulted in nothing decisive.
After tlieir defeat at Stony Creek, and their preci-
pitate retreat from the Forty Mile Creek, the Ameri-
can army were unable to undertake any offensive
measures. Their communication between Forts Erie,
Niagara and George were cut oft' by FitzGibbon and
his handful of the 49th men, now more dreaded than
ever as " FitzGibbon's Green 'uns."
FitzGibbon had chosen De Cou's house as his head-
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HEAVER DAM.
79
(|uarterH, a choice whicli evinced an intimate i<n()w-
led^e of the locality as well as considerable strate<»;ic
ability. The position gave liini the command of four
roads — to Queenston via St. David's, to St. Catharines
and the lake, to Colonel Bisshopp's station, and to that
most important post, Burlington Heights. The accom-
panying map does not give the last mentioned road,
but as FitzGibbon speaks of it as the chief object of
the American attack, and the later local maps place
the road to Bui'lington at right angles from that to St.
Catharines, it is reasonable to suppose it was there.
Personal terror of the Indians was excited in the
minds and imagination of the American soldiers by
the wild tales of their cruelties to prisoners told by
the settlers on whose lands th(^y were quartered.
The hatred of the latter for these intruders was in-
creased by the brutalities perpetrated by Chapin and
his men, and their love and admiration for Fitz-
Gibbon was raised almost to hero-worship by his
daring and success in checking the progress and in-
terrupting the communication between the enemy's
posts.
This check was not satisfactory to the Americans.
Complaints being made by the authorities at Wash-
ington of the sluggishness of the generals ni command,
orders were issued at head(|uarters that, a^ a. A hazard,
an effort nmst be made to di ' Ige .r capture this
irrepressible soldier, batter dow '. »e Cou's house, and,
by securing the road to Burlington Heights, open the
It
66
A VETEllAN OF ISlS^.
way to a succL'ssful attack upon tliat key to the
position.
The phm mentioned in the f'ollowin^^ letter to Fitz-
Gihbon from William Kerr, the Chief of the Indians
at Beaver Dam, and Brant's son-in-law, has, I regret
to say, been lost, and though every effort has been
made, both by myself and others interested in the
records of our country, we have not been successful
in recoveriiiiT it :
"Wellington Square, Jume 4th, 1842.
" My Dear Fitz, — This is the birthday of our ^-ood
old Kin^ George IV., which is still celebrated by the
militia of the country in Canada West.
" I wish you to get some jj^ood hand to sketch the
accompanying little plan of the country about the
Beaver Dam — that is, to copy it, and at the same time
point out any inaccuracies you may meet with, both in
the plan and account of the morning's work. The plan
of the country I did a few days after the battle — and
the account of that morning's work you can add to, or
make alterations. But you nmst keep, or send to me,
the original plan and account of the battle, as, you
observe, it may be pleasing some thirty or forty years
hence to look or talk over the same, when we ride to
Owen Sound on the railroad. Mrs. Kerr is quite well.
" Thine,
" William J. Kerr.
" Jas. FitzGibbon, Esq."
Burlington Heights in the possession of the Amer-
icans meant the probable occupation and possible
subjugation of the entire peninsula. (See map, p. 79.)
s
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I 'iV
LAURA SECORD.
From LoMlnp's " KielilBook "f tlif War «f 18l2."-Copyriglit, 1868, by
lliirprr & Brulliern.
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LaORA SfiCORD.
81
The duty of .striking* a prcparatoiy blow, this sur-
pi'ise and capture of FitzCiibhon, was t'nti'usted to
Licut.-Colonel BoTstler and a force of upwards of
five hun(hed men.
The natural confidence of Huccess which the com-
parative strength of the two forces pive the Ameri-
cans was eventually the cause of theii* defeat. At
the Beaver Dam, some of tlie junior officers witli
Lieut.-Colonel Bctirstler were overlieard discussing
his plans, and a woman undertook the difficult task
of attempting to reach and warn FitzGibbon.
The story of Laura Secord, her loyalty, ))ravery,
and perseverance under great difficulties, has been
told more than once, yet I must repeat it once again.
James Secord, formerly an officer in the Lincoln militia,
liad been wounded at Queenston Heights. Too ci'ip-
pled for further service, he had settled on a grant of
land in the Niagara district, in that part of the
peninsula at the t"me in the hands of the Americans.
A couple of their officers coming into Secord's house
to demand food, had stayed long enough, and talked
loud enough, to allow his young wife to learn the
danger threatening FitzGibbon and his handful of
brave men. Her husband was incapable by reason
of his lameness, but she could be fleet of foot and
strong in purpose. From the moment she obtained
her husband's consent to go, until she reached Fitz-
Gibbon, her courage never failed.
Putting everything in order, even setting the
breakfast table ready, that the appearance of her
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82
A VETERAN OF 1812.
presence mi^lit deceive any cliance visitor to the
Iiouse, and learning* tlie particulars of the best route
to follow, so as to avoid the enemy's pickets as nuich
as possible, she set out at the earliest peep of dawn.
Clad only in a short flannel skirt and cotton jacket,
without shoes or stocking's, hei" milking" stool in one
hand, her pail in the other, she drove one of the cows
close to the American lines. While ostensibly making-
every effort to stay the animal's progress, she at
the same time t^ave it a sly prod to keep it moving.
Accosted by the picket, who (juestioned her anxiety
to milk the cow so early, and chaffed her for her
apparent inability to overtake it, laughing at her
fruitless efforts to bring the creature to a stand, Laura
merely grumbled at it for being " contrary." The
scantiness of the woman's clothing, and her well-
sinmlated wrath at the animal's antics, (piite deceived
the man, who let her pass without further protest.
The moment she was oat of his sight, Laura Secord
drove the cow on more quickly, following the course
of a small ravine which concealed her from both
sight and hearing. A mile away, she hid the pail
and stool under the bushes, first milking the cow
sufficiently to prevent her returning too soon to the
clearing. She then set out on lier long tramp through
the woods.
The 23rd of June, the morning was hot and close,
and through the lower lands the flies were plentiful.
The underbrush in the fore ,t was tangled and dense,
making the tree-clad slopes more difficult to climb
COURAGEOUS PERSEVERANCE.
S^
The fear of encountering' outlying* pickets, or wan-
dering bands of marauding Americans, wlio would
stay or (juestion her, led her to avoid ' >v the slightly
marked tracks, and took her a long .v.^ ound. Her
first stopping place was the mill on t' little stream
not far from St. David's. Her friends aere, a widow
and a lad, endeavored to dissuade her from attempt-
ing to reach FitzGibbon, and added much to the
terrors of the way by exaggerated descriptions of
the fierceness and cruelties of the Indians, who then
infested the woods. But Laura had set out with a
definite object, and she meant to accomplish it at all
risks. She knew the enemy was to march the next
day, and she must reach De Cou's, where FitzGibbon
was, before them. The last half of her journey was
even more trying than the first. She knew nothing
of the way ; there were so many paths and "blazed "
tracks through the woods, tliat she several times took
a wrong one. When almost despairing of reaching
her destination, she came to an opening in the forest
and at the same time encountered a party of the
dreaded Indians.
One, who appeared to be their chief, sprang to l;*.s
feet and accosted her. Terrified, she was at first un-
able to speak, but reassured by the obedience of the
others to a sign from their chief, she soon recovered
sufficiently to try and explain by signs that she
wished to be taken to FitzGibbon. Reiterating the
name and pointing to the knife in the chief's belt,
she at last made him understand that many " Big
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S
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84
A VElERAN OP 181'2.
Knives"* were coining. With an expressive "U^h"
of satisfaction and intelligence, the Indian turned,
and led the way through the beaver meadows to
De Cou's.
" Thus," wrote FitzGibbon, " did a youn^, delicate
woman brave the terrors of the forest in a time of
such desultory warfare that the dangers were increased
tenfold, to do her duty to her country, and by timely
warning save much bloodshed and disaster,"*}*
* Michigans, " Big Knives," tlie Indian name for Americans.
t The following paper was signed by Fit/()!ibbon :
"I <lo hereby cei'tify that Mrs. Secord, wife of James Secord, of
(!liippewa, Esq., did, in the month of June, 1818, walk from her
house, near the village of St. David's, to I)e Cou's h(mse in Thorold
by a circuitous route of about twenty miles, partly through the
woods, to ae(|uaint me that the eneni}' intended to attempt, by
surprise, to capture a detachment of the 49th Regiment, then under
my connuand, she having ol)tained such knowledge from good
authority, as the event proved. Mrs. tSecord was a person of
slight and delicate frame, and made the effort in weather exces-
sively warm, and I dreaded at the time that she must suffer in
health in consec^uence of fatigue and anxiety, she having been
exj)osed to danger from the enemy, through whose lines of com-
munication she had to pass. The attempt was made on my detach-
ment by the enemy ; and his detachment, consisting of upwards
of ;")(M) men and a lield-piece and 50 dragoons, were captured in
consequence.
" I write this certificate in a moment of much hurry and fi-om
memory, and it is therefore thus brief.
" (Signed) James FitzGibbon,
^^ Formerly Lieutenant 4^Hh Rfyiment."
[Given l)y Auchinlech, page 17"), but Mrs. Secord possesses the
original, December 18G3.— " Warof 1812," Comn, page 14G.]
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INDIAN TACTICS.
85
Sending her to a farm l)eyond J)e Cou's to be
cared for, wliere, as wlie graphically expres.sed it, she
" slept right ofi'," F'itzGibbon repeated her tidings to
the chief, and remained on guard himself all night.
In the meantime the American detachment had
lain (H'er at Queenston, and in the early morning of
the 24th continued their march to Beaver Dam.
They had not gone far before they came n\)on
Kerr and his Indians, in number between two and
three hundred, chiefly Mohawks and Caughnawagas
from the Grand River and the St. Lawrence. Kerr
and young Brant saw at once that their force was too
small to (appose the American advance, so resorted to
Indian tactics to retard and harass the enemy. They
threw themselves upon the rear and flank of the
enemy, and opened a desultory Are. The Americans,
throwing out sharpshooters in reply, still advanced.
The track was narrow and rough, the forest on
either side forming a safe shelter for the Indians, who
were neither to be shaken ott* nor repulsed. Their
yells, echoing their rifles, rang on the national con-
science, and the man}'^ sensational stories told of their
savage treatment of prisonei's had the usual eflect on
nerve and brain.
About 7 o'clock, FitzGibbon heard firing in the di-
rection of Queenston. Taking a cornet of dragoons,
who happened to be at De Cou's, with him, he sallied
out to reconnoitre, and soon discovered the enemy.
They had retired from the road and taken up a
position on a rising ground in the centre of a field
11
86
A VETERAN OF 1812.
r
of wheat. The firing had nearly ceased, tlie Indians
havinjj^ to creep throu^li tlie standing corn to fj^et
witliin range, and the gnn.s of* the Americans reply-
ing only to the spot where the .smoke was seen to
rise from the concealed rifle.
Tlie Americans being about fourteen miles from
Fort George and several of their men lying killed on
the road before him, FitzGibbon suspected that they
probably believed themselves in desperate circum-
stances. He sent the cornet back to bring up his
men. Addressing a few animated words to them, he
then led them at the double across the open in front
of the American position, about 150 yards distant,
to the wood between it and Fort George, as if to cut
off their retreat, so disposing his men as to give the
appearance of greater luimbers.
A discharge of grape from the enemy's guns passed
through his rai^^-; and cut up the turf, but did no
further damage. The desired ground was occupied
without losing a man.
Upon discovery of the enemy, FitzGibbon had sent
a despatch to Colonel De Haren, who was in command
of a detachment of about two hundred men, as he
believed about a mile from his own post, but who
he afterwards learned had retreated to a distance
of seven miles. While anxiously expecting the arrival
of De Haren, FitzGibbon heard that the enemy were
expecting reinforcements. The Indians were drop-
ping off, and fearing to lose such a prize, he deter-
mined to " come the old soldier over them and
A BOLD SUMMONS.
87
doiiiaiid tliL'ir iiiKtant Hunviider." Tyinj^ a vliitc
liandkevchiet* to liis sword he advanced. His bu^'ler
sounded the " Cease firing," wliich to his surprise and
satisfaction tlie Indians obeyed.
An American officer advanced to meet him, also
bearing a fla^\
FitzGibbon informed liim that it was principally
from a desire to avoid unnecessary bloodshed that
he demanded the surrender of the American force to
the British now opposing their advance, and wished
the officer to recommend the necessity of such
action strongly to the general in connuand. Colonel
Bterstler's reply to this was, " That he was not
accustomed to surrender to any ai'my he had l it
even seen."
Upon this, FitzGibbon represented that " if such
was his (Colonel Bcerstler's) determination, he would
recjuest his (FitzGibbon's) superior officer to grant
permission for any officer Colonel Bcierstler might
depute for the duty, to inspect the British force, and
see for himself the advisability of not risking a battle
or the rancor of the Indians." •
FitzGibbon then retired, ostensibly to obtain this
permission. Upon reaching his men he found that
Captain Hall, of Chippewa, with about twenty
dragoons, had joined them, he having been attracted
by the firing. Re(juesting Captain Hall to represent
the mythical " superior officer," " receive the request
and refuse it," FitzGibbon returned to the American
officer who awaited the reply. Colonel Boerstler
II
88
A VETERAN OF 1812.
i !
! i
i
then r(M|uesto(l to bo fijivcm until sundown to considor
and decide. To this FitzGiV)bon replied promptly in
the negative, " I cannot possibly jj^rant such a request.
I could not control the Indians for such a length of
time," and taking out his watch, he added, " I cannot
fjjive your jjjeneral more than five minutes in which
to decide whether to surrender or not."
During the negotiations whicfi followed concerning
the conditions of surrender, FitzGibbon heard the
name of Colonel Chapin constantly repeated. While
delighted at the success of his strategem, FitzGibbon
endeavored to keep all appearaiice of satisfaction out
of his manner. When the condition that '" the volun-
teers and militiamen should be allowed to return to
the United States on parole," was advanced by Capt.
McDowell, the officer who acted for Colonel Bcerstler,
FitzGibbon asked if the volunteers mentioned were
not Chapin and liis mounted men. Upon receiving
an answer in the affirmative, he said : " The conduct
of that person and his troop has been so bad among
our country people, plundering their houses and other-
wise behaving ill, that I do not think him deserving
of the honors of war." Pausing a moment as if to
consider, he added : " But Hn I am aware that the
Americans accuse us of stimulating the Indians to
destroy you, whereas we have ever used our best
, endeavor, and almost always successfully, to protect
you, therefore, rat^^r than give you cause to think
so upon this occasion, I agree to that condition as well
as the others."
AN UNWELCOME ARRIVAL.
89
" Tlu'ii, sir." i-t'))lied Captain McDowell, '* if you will
send Mil ortieer to supci-intcMd the <lrtail.s of the Mii"-
reiider. we will he readv to leceive \'ou, and we sliall
depend upon you as a British otfieer to protect our
men I'roni the Indians.'
" I can only o-ivo you t' \s assurance,' he re])lied :
"the Indians must take mv life hel'ore thev shall
attack vou."
Fitz(Til)hon went at once to the chiefs, and repeat-
ing his promise made to the American officer to them
in French, he^'^ed of them to do nothing" to interfere
with its fulfilment. Thev aoreed at once, shakino-
hands with P^itz(iil)l)()ii in token of their faith. At
this moment, most unexpectedly, Ahijor I)e Haren
appeared, galloping" into the open and accompanied
1)V a colonel of militia.
" I would hjive given all I ever possessed, ' says
FitzGibhon, "that they had heen twenty miles dis-
tant, feai-'ug- that they would roh nu; of at least some
of the credit of the capture. It became impoj-tant
to let Maioi- l)e Haren know what had been alreadv
done, and I requestc^l him to stop and hear it from
me, but he most cavalierly replied, ' You need not be
alai'med, Mr. Fi. (ribbon, you shall have all the credit
for this affair which you deserve.'
" ' I desire UKToly, sir, to make known to you what
has becm done, that you mav proceed accordinoflv : '
but he would not stop his horse, and Colonel B(prst-
ler, seeing us approach, rode forward to meet us, I
introduced them to each othei', and then Major T)e
i M'i
90
A VETERAN OF 1812.
Harcn Im'^^jui ott'crin^" certain coiwlitioiiH to Colonel
HitU'Htlcr, upon whicli lie would accept his surrender.
"In an instant I saw myself on the point of bein^"
robl)ed of my prize, and steppin*;* (piickly to tlu' head
of Major l)e Haren's horse, on the neai' side, jim! h»y-
in<;' my left ai'm and elbow on its neck and my head
upon my arm, my face towards Major l)e Haivn so
that mv voice miiiht reach his eai" oidv, I said in a
low but most impei'ative tone, ' Not another word, sir:
not another word : these meu are my prisoners.' Then
steppin<»' })ack, I asked in a loud, firm voice, ' Shall 1
proceed to disarm the American troops ^ ' And he
could not help answerino-, ' You may,'
" Tlie American tro()])s fell in at once in answei- to
my connnand, and IVEajor Taylor, Cohjuel Bon'stler's
second in command, asked me how I would have the
men formed, in Hie Oi in column.
"'In file, if you please,' I replied, for I wished to
keep their ranks broken as nuich as possible, an<l
dreaded every moment that Major l)e Haren, in con-
versation with Colonel B(Krstler, would, by some
blunder, ruin all. The moment, therefore, that I saw
ei^lit or ten tiles formed, I ^ave the order, 'American
troops, Rioht face — Quick march,' tliat I mi^ht drive
Colonel B(prstler and Major De Haren before me, and
prevent their conversing together further during the
crisis.
" As we approached near where our men were
foi-med, I stepped up to Major De Haren and asked,
' Shall the American troops ground their arms here ?'
A BOMBASTIC SPEECH.
91
i
*T^(),'lu' aiisvvcnMl in a Iwu'sli tout', let tlicin iiiarcli
through hetvvei'ii oiii' uwu uiul ;;r()\ni(l tlicii" jiniiH on
the otluT si<l('.'
" FIIUmI with iiuli<;n{iti()ii at tlii.s ^i-cat lolly, I
thought, aliMost au(lil)ly, ' Wluit, sir, and when tlicy
see oiii" handful of nu'n, will tlu'y <4i'oun(l tht'ir arms
at your ])i(hlin<^'r but said, in an ini))i'essive tone,
' Do you think it prudent to march them thi'ou<^h
with arms in their hands in the presence of the
Indians { '
"Before he could reply, (yolonel Hcei-stler, holdin<^^
out his hand, exclaimed, ' For (Jod's sake, sir, d(j what
this officer bids you !' ' Do so,' said De Haren.
'"Americans, Halt! — Front! — Ground your annsi'
" The order was obeyed promptly. Then the In-
dians sprang forward from their hiding-places and
ran towards the prisoners, who in terror be^^an to
seize their arms aj^ain. The moment was critical. I
sprang upon a stump of a tree and shouted, 'Ameri-
cans, don't touch your arms I Not a hair of your head
shall be hurt,' addinj2^, 'Reme ber, I am here' — a bom-
bastic speech, but I knew I could rely on the promises
given me by the chiefs. The Americans stood still,
and the Indians went among them, taking possession
of such articles of arms and accoutrements as pleased
them, especially the pistols of the dragoons, but in all
other lespects with perfect forbearance and propriety.
" After the arms were grounded, and the pi'isoncra
saw that the Indians were so orderly, I ordered,
' Right face — Quick march ! ' and marched them away
92
A VETERAN OF iHlii.
from tlicir <*iriMs. All bfiuii; now snt'c. I mounted mv
horse an<l I'odc I'orwjii'd to Major Dc H!U'tMi,an(l ask('<l
liiin it' ]\v had any special order for me. Foi- tlie Hist
time tliat day lie sj)ol<e civilly to me, and i'e(|iiested
me to ride on and join Colonel i)(eistler and his
friend, J)r. Yonng', an<l conduct them to l)e Con's
house."
The kindly inteicours*' Ix'tween l*'itz( Jihhon and the
men he had so recently captuii'*!, din'in;^" this memor-
ahle I'ide, and until they were sent on to Quebec, has
l)een atti'ihuted to the fact tliat he revealed himself to
tliem as a Mason. There is, however, no mention of
this amon<;' FitzCJibhon's [)apers, and, kncjwin^* the
man fi'om his life and the nobility of his nature, I am
nnich more inclined to believe it due to the natui'al
coui'tesy with which a true soldier and ^•entleman
would treat a fallen foe. Fit/(jiibl)on made them feed
that they were moi-e the victims of circinnstance than
responsible for defeat.
Th(^ following are the articles of capitulation made
between Captain McDowell, on the part of Lieut.-
Colonel l)(erstlei- of the United States Armv, and
Lieutenant FitzGibl)on, althoujL^h signed by Major J)c
Haren, of His Britannic Majesty's Canadian Regiment,
on the part of Lieut.-Colonel Bisshopp, connnan<ling
the advance of the British, i-espectin^- the suri-enrler
of the force under the connnand of Lieut.-Colonel
Ba*rsth>r. It is taken from the ori^'inal document,
now in the Canadian Archives.
AUtlCLES OK ('Ai'ITtTLAtlO>j.
m
" l^'irst. 'riiat Li«'Ut.-( 'oloiicl IJd'i-stlrj' uikI tlic I'oi-ct'
mull')' his ('()imiiaii<l sliall surrcndci- piisoiicrs ol" wai'.
"Second. Tliat the oliicfix .shall rt'taiii tlu'ir liDisrs,
arms and I )a<i'^a<^'e.
"Thii'd. 'I" 'it tlu' non-coniinissiont'd officers and
soldiers shall lay down theii- arms at th.e liead of the
l^ritisli eolninn and Ix-come ))risoneis of wai".
" Fouj'th. 'i'hat tlie militia and the volnntcers with
Lieut.-C'olonel fid'i'stlei" shall be pei'mitted to I'etnrn
to the I 'iiite*! States on parole.
" Andw. M )()Wei.l,
''CapUi'iv ,>f fhi' U. S. ,.}(j/if Arfillrnj.
" Acceded to.
" C. G. PxEliSTI.KK,
'' Jj'ieitl.-Colovrl comd)/ deiacltl U.S. Arnnf.
- B. W. I)K h'aukx,
" Major CdiKid'utn Rcyinicnt."
I'he nund)er captiii'ed were 25 officers and 51!)
non-connuissioned officers and mer.. of whom oO were
dragoons, including" ^^0 mounted militiamen: also one
1 'i-poundei*, (3ne (J-pounder, two ammunition cars, and
the colors of the 14th Remment United States arm \-.
The Indians killed and wounded 5(j men. (\jlonel
B(Hrstler was also wounded.
FitzGihbon's force consisted of 4(5 muskets, a cornet
of dra(;"<)ons, ant' ' .s own cool effrontery, his rein-
forcement a captain of the -''a^oons (Provincial),
a serii;eant, cornoi-al and 1*2 draii-oons — "the first of
our dragoons ever seen in that (juarter, and their
arrival had an excellent effect upon the neL»()tiations."
(Account sent at his request to the late Sir Augustus
d'Este.)
m
94
A VETERAN OF 1812
i :J
" Mis UovJil FliMincHs the Pi'ince Reoent was
<;Taci()iisly pleased to i)estovv a ciniipauy upon me for
tills service, and the wjnnnandei' of the forces, Sir
(jreor^*<^ Pn-vost, wrote with Ids own liand a letter of
thanks to nie for it." (fbid)
Lest we should he accused of too hi^-hlv colorino-
the account, which undoubtedly reads nioi-e like a
chapter in a novel than sohei- history, we <;ive an
account taken fi-oin an Anua'ican writer, who made
the best of it from a national point of view :
" After tiie disaster of Windei' and Chandler at
Forty Mile , Creek, Colonel Bon'stlei' was pushed for-
ward with six hundred men of all arms, dra<;oons,
artillery and infantry, to dislod^'e a strong" picket
posted in a stone house about two miles beyond a
hilly pass, called the Beaver J)am, seventeen miles
from Fort Ueor^'e.
'■ Arriving at the Beaver Dam, Colonel Bcprstler
was surprised by a lai'ge body of Indians under the
conduct of young Brant and Captain William J. Kerr,
numbering about 450 warriors. The battle was main-
tained for about three hours, the Indians, of course,
fighting after their own fashion, in concealment, hav-
ing apparently surrounded (V^lonel Brerstler in the
woods.
" Indeed the enemy must have conducted the battle
with considerable adroitness, for Colonel B(ierstler,
galled on all sides, dared neither advance nor retreat,
while the result of every observation was a conviction
that he was surrounded by far superior numbers.
OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.
95
" At l(*ii<;tli, Lieut. Fitz(Jil)l)()ii of tho 40tli (enemy's)
lle<^iTiieiit an-iviii<4" on the oi-omul witli i'oi-ty-six rank
and tile, sent a fla^ of truce to C(jlonel Hcerstler
(lemandiui;' a sui'rendei". After some pai'Ieyin^', the
Britisli lieuti'uant maiiiiifvino- the innnber of their
troops and pretendin<»" to couihict the ne^^'otiations in
the name of Major l)e Haren, not foro-ettin<;' a few
occasional su^"<;-estions touching* the horroi's of the
Indian massacre, Colonel BoM'stler, liavin^' neitlier
reserve to sustain him noi* demonstration to favor
liim, surrendei'ed his detachment as prisoners of war.
This battle occurred on the 24th of June, and was a
brilliant affair for youn<i:; Brant, since it was fou^-ht
by Indians alone, iKjt a single cartridge being' ex-
pended by the reg'ular troops of the enemy."*
In a private letter from William Kerr (who was
Brant's brother-in-law) to Lieutenant FitzGibbon, he
o-ives the nund)er of " the Indians as 250, who were
actually retreating" when Colonel Bcerstler surren-
dered to your han<lful of men."
The following are the official despatches in which
the notice of the event was conveyed to headquarters :
" Township of South, June 24th, 1818.
" Sir, — At De Cou's this morning, about seven
o'clock, I received information that about 1,000 of the
enemy with two guns were advancing towards me
from St. David's. I soon after heard tiring of cannon
and musketry, and in consetjuenee rode in advance
* i(
Life of Brant," by William I. Thom, 1838. Dearlwrn & Co.
A VETERAN OK 181-2.
I
two miles oil tlu' St. J)avi(rs road. 1 discovcrc*! by
tlic tirin*;' tliat tlu' ciiciiiy was iiioviii*;' for tlic road on
the niouiitain. 1 sent ott' Cornet McKt'ii/ic to order
out niv detachinent oF the 41)tli, consistiiiii' of a siil)-
alterii and I'orty-six rank and tile, and closed upon
the enemy to reconnoitre.
" 1 discovered him on the mountain road and took
up a position on an eminence to the ri^ht of it. My
men arrived and pushed on in his front to cut otl' his
retreat, under a tire from his ^uns, which, however,
did no execution. After examiiiin*;' his ])osition, 1
found it difficult to approach him, there bein^' no
wood in front or on the flanks to cover the Indians,
and his force (apparently (iOO) I c nild not approach. J
was here informed that he expected reinforcements.
I therefore decided upon summoning; him to surrender.
" After the exchan^v of several propcjsitions be-
tween .Colonel Bdn'stler and mvself in the name of
Lieut.-Colonel De Haren, Lieut.-Colonel B(fc>rstler
n.u'reed to surrender on the terms stated in the
articles of capitulation. On my return to mv men to
send an officer to superinten<l the details of the
surrender — vou arrived.
" I have the honor to be, etc.,
"(Signed) J. FiTz(}iHH()N,
''Lieutenant 49th Regiment."
The soldier left his brother soldier to continue the
account, knowiiiji;" well that if fairly told the credit due
would be given to him. Whether the misstatement
in Lieut.-Colonel Hisshopp's despatch to Brigadier-
(jeneral Vincent was due to him or to Majoi* J)e Haren.
we cannot now ascertain. All that we can find in
reference to it in Fit/Cibbon's papers is the following' :
LlEUt.-COLONEL HISSHOPP's LETTER.
97
" And licrc I will state wluit T believe cnised Majoi*
J)e Hareu to eoiuliu't hiinself so str.'Ui^elv towards me
as lie did, namely, his having* i'etreate( I from the scene
of action instead of advancing' as I ha<l done : and,
aftei'wai'ds witnessing- my success, he felt liow the
two pioceedings mi^lit be contrasted, and he hoped
thus to j>-ive a turn to the passing- circumstances wliich
mig'ht change their appearance more in liis favor than
the real facts would do. Otiier pi-oceedings were
afterwards resorted t(j to rob me entirely of what was
due to me on this occasion : but I decline to state
them fi-om tenderness to the memorv of the officers
conc<'rned, who ai'e long since dead. I was, howevei-,
afforded an opportunity soon after to plea<l my cause
before Major-Genei-al Vincent, Sir James Yeo and
Lieut.-Colonel Harvey, and justice was in part done
to me in a pi'ivate letter to Sir George Prevost, for
the letter of Lieut.-C'olonel Bisshopp to Major-General
Vincent, afterwai'ds publislied, wholly wi"o:iged me."
Lieut.-Colonel Bisshopp's letter to Brigadier-General
Vincent, now in the C^madian Archives, is as follows :
"Beavek Dam, June 24th, 181.S.
"SlU, — I have the honor to infoi-m you that the
troops you ha\e done me tlie honor to place undei-
my connnand, have succeeded this day in taking
})risoners a detachment of the United States army
under the conimand of Lieut.-Colonel Bierstler. In
this affair the Indian warriors, under the connnand of
( iiptain Kerr, were the only force actually engaged.
To them gi'eat merit is due, and to them I feel par-
Hi
98
A VETEKAN OK iSlL'.
tieul.'irly ohlio-cd for (Ikmi' ;;all;iiit coiidnet on this
occiiHion.
"On the appcijiivinec ol' tlic dctjielniu'iit ol* tlic 41)tli
Rc^'iment under Lieut. Kit/(li))l)()n, the lii<;ht Com-
pany of tlu' 8th Kin<;'s Rt'oiineiit, tlic two Hank
companies of tlie l()4th undei* Major l)e Haren, and
tlie Provincial Cavalry undei* Captain Hall, the whole
surrendered to His Majesty's troops. To the conduct
of Lieut. Fitz(Jihl)on of the 4l)th Regiment, through
whose address the capitulation was entered into, may
he attrihuted the surrender of the American army.
"To Major ])e Haren, for his speedy movement to
the point of attack and execution of the aiTan^ements
1 had previously made with him, 1 am very nuich
obliged.
" 1 have the honor to enclose the capitulation
entered into between Colonel B(erstler and myself,
and a return of prisonei's taken, inclusive of wounded,"
not yet ascertained. I lose no time in forwaidin^' my
Stafi- Adjutant, Lieut. Barnai'd, to connmniicate to you
this intelligence. He has ])een particularly active
and useful to me on all occasions. 1 tak(; this op])or-
tunity of mentionin^^ him to you, and be^ the favoi'
of you to reconnnend him to His Excellency Sir
Georjj^e Prevost, as an active and promising" youno;
officer.
" I have the lionor to be. Sir,
" Your most obedient servant,
" Cecil Bisshopp,
" Liciit. -Colonel Coininiandii}^ Troops in Advance.
" BllKiADlEli-CiENElUL ViNCENT,
" Coininandiu'i Centre Division."
A WRONG IMPHKSSION.
99
'^rt'iiuv son's linos,
" A lie tlijit is all a lie can he met and foiii^ht with
outiight,
But a lie that is half a truth is a harder matter
to fight,"
im'olit ])(! applietl liere. Tlie fact of inclndino- the
forces nnder J)e Haren witli the small (Ictachnient
nndei' Fitz(Jil)))on's inmuMliato connnand in his repoit
to the (ieneral, leaves (and certainlv did make on that
officer's min<l) the impression that the comlnned forces
were present when the ne«;otiations hetween Colonel
Bo'rstler and the British were entered into — not, as
was actually the case, that they arrived dftev the
American ^'eneral liad surrendered at discretion to
Fitz(ii})bon. It will also be remembered that l)e Haren
reached the scene accompanied only hy a colonel of
militia, havino- in his anxiety outridchm his detacli-
nient. In fact, FitzCHblxm's fear lest his captives
should discover the smallness of his fcn-ce, is but
another proof that I)e Haren's had not yet conu? up-
The situation was aptly described by the late Jud^e
Jarvis, of Brock ville, who was with FitzOibbon at
Beaver Dam: " And when the Yankees did surrender,
we all wondered what the mischief he (Fitz(Jibbon)
would do with them." That the " active and promis-
ing young officer " must, however, have let something
of the truth out, General Vincent's letter with which
he forwarded Lieut.-Colonel Bisshopp's, suggests :
li
100
A VETERAN OF Isl-j.
I <■}■
" FoHTV Mnj-: CiJKKK, June -loth, l.Sl'V
" S||{, — I luivc tilt' hoiKJ)- oF ti-;iiisiiiittiii<;" to Your
KxccIlciK'v .'I r('])()it 1 i'('C('iv(.'(l IVoni Lit'iit.-Coloiicl
Hissliopp c'()iniiiun(liu<;' tlic ti'oops in .idvancc, of the
success of ri skinnisli with a stroiiji' (Ictachnicut of
cavalry and iiifanti'V, a(lvaiiciii«4" with two ticld-picccs.
" 111 the vigilance of Lieut.-C'oloncl Bisshopp, [ feel
iiiucli iiKlchtcd.and lea' leave to ivfcr Your Mxci'llcncv
to his report of the conduct of the officers and men
undei' liis command, which is desei-Ninii' every com-
mendation. 1 cannot but particularize that of Jjieut.
FitzOibhon, 41)th Re^'iment, commanding;" a small
rec(jnn()iti'in<;" party co-operating' with the Indians,
through whose address in enterintj* into the capitula-
tion. Your Excellency will perceive by Lient.-C-olonel
Hisshoj)p's I'eport, that the suirender of the Amei'ican
detachment is to be attributed. 1 be^' leave to recom-
mend this otHcej- to Your Excellency's i)rotection.
" 1 have the honor to be, Sir,
" Your olxMlient, humble servant,
"John Yincent,
" Brigadier-Generol."
llKTi'iiN or Amkkican I'kisonkrs Takkn Xkah Fort (Jkorck.
.llNK •24T1I, ISl.S.
CORPS.
c
o
01
13
o
a
'a
i
c
s
s
J
Cornets.
Surgeons.
1
E
£
a:
Light Dragoons
Flight Artillery
i
i; ..
1
2
19
31
()th Regiment Infantiv
1
3
54
Uth M „
1
3
11
.. 1
15
. •
301
'20th M
1
23rd II
••
1
4
2
57
Total
1
1
6
18
1
1
25
2
d<{9
COLONEL BCERSTLERS LETTER.
101
Okkk'Kks" N'amks and Hank.
Lt.-C'ol. Mu-rHller. Utli Kegt.
Major Taylor, 'iOtli Regt.
(apt. McbowuU. Lt. Artillery.
Macliarnic, (Jtli Regt.
.. MeKeiizie, 14th .1
II Cuniniiii.s, h n
II Kleniing, <> <,
« Reaeli, '2'Avd Regt.
Lieut. Norr'i.H. Lt. Artillerv.
I. Shell, (ith Regt.
II Saunders. 14th Regt.
II Arnell, n
(Copy.)
Lieut.
Keiiiev. 14th Regt.
II
.\Iar.siiall, «
n
Waring, n
1 1
.Mudd,
II
Murdoek, n
tl
(ioodwin, II
tl
Clarke. 1.
ft
Rohin.soi', M
1 1
Randall, n
Cornel
t Bird, Dragoons.
Surgeon ^'()ung, Nth Regt.
d. Hakvky,
/J(piifi/ Adjiitont-ddnrnl.
Tlie liiKtory is not eoinpk'tc witliout a c()])y of
Lieut.-ColoMel BciTHtler's letter to (iJeiieral Dearborn,
the oi"i<jjinal of wliich is in tl\e Canadian Archives :
"Twenty Mile Creek, June •25th, I8i:i.
"Sill, — I am ])erniitte<l to state the niisfortinie
wliich has befallen myself aiul detachment entrusted
to my care. We pi'oceeded yesterday until near the
r)eavei* Dam, when we were attacked by a lar^e
force of Indians, who were reinfoi'ced by I'e^ulars
under Colonel De Haren, while oth(ji' ri'inforcements
marched in the <lir(!ction of our rear. The action
lasted three hours and ten minutes, during" which
time we drove them some distance into tlu; woo<l, but
finding' oui* men not e(jual to that mode of fi^'htino-,
T ch}vn<4'ed my |)osition twic(^ duriiiL!^ the en^'a^vment
to p't more open <j^i-()und : but such was the position
that tht^ enemy's l)alls reached us fi-om eveiy dir<Ttion,
while ho was concealed. ( )ur anununition beiuij: nc^arlv
expended, suri-oundcMl on all sides, seventeen miles to
retn^at, where my force; would have constantly
diminished, especially after spending our anununition
'I
-'-T I ninrriT
w
1
102
A VETERAN OK lftl2.
Ill
wliilc tlu' ciu'iiiy was ^athcriH^' in iVoin vai'ious out-
posts : liivst'lf, Captjiin Macharuic, Lieut. Randall,
and Lieut. Marshall wounded, I saw that in the ex-
hausted state the men were in, that far the o-jvatei"
part, iF anv, could never reach Fort (ieor^e, therefore
was conipelle I to capitulate. The officers under my
command will state what may i)e iv([uisite as to my
conduct.
[Then follows the same detail of prisoners abridj^'ed
from the one given abovt'.]
" You will find enclosed articles of ca})itulation. I
have the honor to be
" Your distrcissed humble sei'vant,
" C. (}. B(KKSTLEK,
Lieut. -Colo 1 1 el l^th.
" Major-Gen. Deauhohn.
" I presume my destination will be Quebec. I beg
I may be exchanged as soon as ])ossible."
In tlie following extract from a letter dated Jvnie
2Sth, 18LS, and signed, James J. Fulton, A.D.C, the
ettect of the capture is mentioned. After reverting
to information and maps already sent to him (Sir
Oeorge Prevost), relative to the position of the forces
on the frontier, he adds: " When the western Indians,
arrive, which we hope will be this evening, the whole,
amounting to about five hundred, will be sent to the
Four Mile Creek. This movement will totally cut
off' any supplies that the enemy might receive from
this side of the w^ater. Indeed, from anvthinir we
loarn since Colonel Bnu'stler's disaster, they have
EFFECT OF THE CAPTURE.
103
nut (lure*! to send a patrol iiioi'c than om- inik' IVoin
Fort (Jcor^c in any direction. "
(U'neral l)r Rottenlnii'L!', who had rccfntlv Ix't'ii
a])|)()int(Ml to the eonmiand of the Nia<;'ai-a Frontier,
also speaks of the ett'ect npon tlie enemy of tlie
capture of tlie American <;"eneral. After himentin^
the faihire of Sir James Yeo's expedition on tht; hike,
and the consecpient impossihility of his attempting
to attack Fort (Jeorov, wliich, in conse(|uence of the
panic tlie Americans were thrown into l)y the capture
of B(i*rstler, and the cutting' off' of all communication
between the ^'arrison and their supj)lies, oi' from
reinforcements from the land and riverside, had been
an easy prey, he ad<ls :
"I have secured the position at Burlin^'ton Bay
a^'ainst a coiip-de-miiin. That ^loiy hold I must
retire to ultimately and maintain myself there until
the navy will be enabled to meet the fleet on Lake
Ontario. Had Sir James had time to spare to co-
operate with the army, Fort George would have
fallen, but I do not now |)ossess the means of attack-
ing them on both sides of the river. Lieut. Fitzdrib-
bon is a deserving and enterprising officer, and I sliall
forward your letter to him."
Unfortunately the private letter to FitzGibbon
from Sir George Prevost was among the papers the
loss of which has given us so much to regret.
■ r .. rr . t- Mirl li f
•iin
'I
104
A VETERAN OK 1H12.
C^HAPTER VI.
^i^LTH()lTGH FitzGibhon speaks oi-atrfullv of
the rt'wai'd for his sciNiccs at Heaver Dam,
reference to Colonel Brock "s letter, o-jven in a
])revi()ns clui])toi', as well as to the exti-act below,
fi'om the C'anadian Archives, betrays the fact that the
conipanv "so ^'raciously bi'stowed upcjn him" was not
unsolicite(l on his part. Tn after ytS'^i'M he i-eoivtted
Ins removal into a colonial regiment. It took him
from under the notice of the Connnander-in-Chief, and
interfei-ed with his success and advancement in the
armv and as a soldier.
At the time, liowever, his ambition was satisfied by
obtaining a company in a reoiment which he knew
to have been a favorite, and, to a cei-tain extent, a
creation of Sir Isaac Brock's.
"Headquarters, Kingston, J </iy/ 1, \H\:i
" Sir, — I have the honor to submit to vour Excel-
lencvH consideration the copy of a letter from Lieut.
Johnson, of tlie Ciinadian Fencible Infantry, soliciting'
to be permitted to resign all pretensions to ])r()motion
in tlio Glengarry Li^ht Infantry, to i-eturn to his
lieutenancy in the Cimadian Fencibles.
" I beg leave to inform your Excellency that Lieut,
.bihnson, at an early period, resigned his recruiting
orders, which were transferi-ed to Lieut. FitzGibbon of
THE ATTACK ON FORT SCHLOSSER.
lOo
tli<' 49t}i K(';^ini('iit, l)Ut wciv afterwards i-ccalli'd aiitl
I'f'storcd to Li(!ut. .lohnsou at the cui'iicst solicitation
oF Ills fatlH')-, to the ^rcat disappoiiitiiit'iit and pi'o-
judico ol* Lit'ut. Fit/( Jil)l)oM, wlio, in cons(M|U(MK'e of
this pi-ospc'ct of pi'oniotioii in tho levy, rcsi^'nt'd tlic;
adjutancy of tlic 4!)tli Ucoinicnt . . . . ;
"I bco- strongly to i'ecoinni('n<l to your Excellency's
notice the pretensions of Lieut. FitzGil)l)on of the
4nth, fi-oni the circumstances al)o\'e state(|, })ut most
])articularly from liis a))ility as an otticer of a Iij;*]it
corps, in whicli line of ser\ice he has recently so
eminently distiniiuished liimself."*
It would also appear from tliis lettei- that the ^'ift
of such promotion liad to ])e earned by the recipient
in the arduous and often expensive duty of reci'uit-
in^ a certain complement of the men to foi-m tlv;
company over which he was ^"ranted the connnand.
FitzGibbon's pretensions were favorably consid<;re(',
and the step in reginK^ntal rank ^iven hini, but he
did not join the new regiment until January, 1814.
He still retained connnand of the <^^allant little band
of the 49th. .
On Julv 'U'd, he sent Ensign Winder with a note
from Fort Erie, where he then was, to Chippewa,
bidding him give it to any militia officer he could
iind who would assist him in carrying out the plan
it contained.
The following report gives the result:
* Letter from Colonel Baynes to Sir (leorgc Prcvost, Cauiidian
Archives, 797, page 131.
7
T
106
A VETERAN OF 1812.
11
"Chippewa, July 5tli, 181 a
"Sir, — For the iiiformation of Gciu'i-al Dc Rotton-
bur^, plcMiHo Hay that I last cvi'iiiii^ received a note
from Lieut. FitzGibboii, iMMjuestiii^' me to assist
Ensign WiiKh^r of the 49tli Re<;-imeiit, with wliat
militia I could nnister, to make a descent about day-
break of this moruiu;; upon Fort Schlossei', and briiij^'
oft' what public l)oats and stores we coidd tiiul there.
T accordingly, in the coui'se of the ni<rht, assembled
.*H, includin<jf officei's, who, to^etlier with Ensign
Winder, vobniteer 'Phomp«on and () pi'ivates of the
4nth, crossed over in three boats and arrived at
Schlosser a little after daybreak, and were so fortu-
nate as to surprise the ^uard, consisting of 2 lieu-
tenants, 1 sergeant, 8 privates, W civilians, and 8 of
our own subjects, in the ^~ublic storehouse at and
upon th(^ wharf. We found one brass (J-pounder, 57
stand of arms, 2^ ke^s of nnisket ball-cartridges, (i
bulwarks (or nuisket-pi-oof curtains for boats), I
fjjunboat, 2 bateaux, 2 anchoi-s, 20 barrels of salt, 17
casks of tobacco, 8 barrels of pork, I barrel whiskey,
with some spades, bars and axes — all of which we
brought to this place. We left at Schlosser () scows,
6 boats (some of them very lai'^e), and about 16 tons
weijijht of cannon shot and shells. The scows and
boats, from their bein^ inuiKU'sed in water, we could
not brinjj^ off nor completely disable. W(^ remained
at Schlosser about one hour, during which time no
person appeared to oppose us : however, we had
scarce! v embarked in the last boat, when from 12 to
15 men came to the beach, supposed to be militia or
workmen from Pat«^v Mills. '^I'hey fired about twenty
shots of musketry at us, which were returned by our
last two boats. No damage was done to any person
BLACK ROCK.
107
in the boats, and T Ix'lit'Vc little hurt was dono to
tlie people on shore.
" 1 liave the hoiioi- to be, Sii",
" Your most obedient servant,
" Thomas Clahki:,
*' Lieut. •Colonel .Jnd Linev'ii Militia.
"To LiKrT.-CoLOXKL Hakvkv,
" Depnti/ A (Ij^itont-Gennutl.^'
Fitz( iibl)()n had jud<j^ed correctly i.. estimating; that
th(^ celebration of their national festival, the anni-
versary of the Declaration of Independence, would
occupy the cn<'my and render them less on the alert.
When sendine; Ensieii Winder upon this enter|)i-ise,
he ha<l a twofold object in view. He wished to ^ive
his subaltern a chance of distin^'uishlnj; himself in a
separate service, and so draw the attention of the
otficei* in conn;?and to him, and obtain his i-ecom-
mendation for promotion. He also intendi'd with the
remainder of his party to make a .simultaneous rai<l
or attack upon Hlack Rock, a more im[)oi'tant and
stronj:jly garrisoned post on the enemy's shon^s. To
his {jfreat disap])ointment, he could not obtain suffi-
cient boats in which to conv(»v his men across tlu^
river, and was reluctantly obliged to postpone the
intended descent.
Sir (icorji^e Prevost thought tlie success at Schlo.s.ser
of sufficient importance to is.sue a general order upon
it.
Two days later, Lieut.^Colonel Risshopp informed
FitzCJibbon that he desired to attack Black Rock, and
I !
108
A VETERAN OF 1812.
had asked (lencral De Rotteiibui'^ I'oi- tlinu' liundnjcl
men, but could oV)tain only two hiirdred.
" Do you think tliis mnnl)ei' sufficient :* "
FitzCJibbon snnlin^ly r(^plied, " T liope, sir, you will
not be ottended wlien I tell vou that 1 am onh wait-
iiiLT ^ov boats to make the attack with less than til'tv
men.
"Then you think two hundred will do," retui-ned
the colonel: a<ldino-, " You nuist not attack, but wait
until I return with the men, and you shall accompany
me.
Colonel Bissh()|>p came l)ack the following mornin<4'.
He allowed Fitz(iribbon to ai'j'an^'e the plan of attack,
to lead the advance, and to undertake to cover the
retreat should the main attack be frustrated.
At two o'clock on the moi-nin^" of the 11th, tlw
men end)arke(l. A thick mist lay over the watei-,
making" tlu' morninjj^ very dark. FitzCJibbon's men
were in tlie tii'st four boats. Owinjj^ to the darkness
and the stren^^th of the cui-rent, they weri' carried
fartln r down than their intended point of landing-
and had to ]iull up about a (lUJirter of a mile on the
enemy's side.
Although it was bi'oad daylij»'ht, the mist still huni;'
over the rivei' and its shores. Advancing at once, their
approach was soon discovered by the one luindred and
tifty militiamen occupyinjij one of the barracks, who
were under arms to receive them. Riohtly judging
that Colonel Bissho])p with the main body had been
carried farther down the stream, FitzCibbon had )*e-
AN INDIGNANT OFFICER.
109
course to liis old tactics to ^uin time, in order tliat
they might join him.
Leaving liis handful of men in the background,
trusting that tlie nature of tlie mist woukl magnify
tlieir inimber in the eyes of the enemy, lie advanced
with his bugler an<l a flag of truce. He was met by
the American connuander, Major Hall, with his
militiamen close at his back. S])eaking in a voice
loud enough to be heard by all, FitzGibbon sum-
moned them to surrender. " I see you are all militia,
and I do not wish to be killing the husbands, fathers
and brothers of your innocent families. You shall
all be allowed to retire on parole."
He had scarcely finished, when the men broke theii'
ranks and made off' down the hill towards Bufl'alo as
fast as thev could run.
" Stop your men, Major Hall," called out P^itz-
(libbon, though seci'etly delighted at the success of
his speech, " this is (piite iri-egular while negotiating
under a flag of ^ruce."
"I know it, sir," i"e])lied the indignant officer, "but
I cannot stop them."
" Then I nuist detain vou as mv prisoner," answei'ed
FitzCiribbon : but upon Majoi- Hall i-eiterating his
inability to "stop his men," he added, " I see it, sir,
therefore I will not detain vou ; vou mav retii'e."
Colonel Bis.shopp now came up. Fight large boats
belonging to the enemy weiv seized, loaded with two
12-pounders, one ()-pounder, a large ((uantity of pro-
visions an<l military stores, and sent ovei* to the
1
no
A VETERAN OF lSl!>.
Canadian side in eharoo of alxjut Imlt' liis ni<'n. Tlic
barracks and block-liouse, sufiicient to aeconniiodatc
tire thousand men, were bnrnod, and a schooner also
set on tire.
Had Colonel Hivshopp been content with such
measure of success, the enterprise had ended without
loss, but excited by the unex})ected result he I'efused
to listen to Fitztjibbon. He wished to carrv oft' four
liundred barrels of salt that were piled on the beach.
Fitz(}ibbon knew that the panic caused by his
bold words among the American militia would be
only temporary — the light of the burning buildings
would discover the small nundjer of the attacking
party, and unless they put the river speedily between
them and tiie enemy the result would be fatal.
PitzCjibbon never liked to speak of this, and in all
his brief accounts of the affair I can tind onlv the
following statement regarding this pai't of it :
"The details of what followed 1 am unwilling to
give, because it wouhl be imputing blame to others
and takin"; credit to myself. I will onlv add that we
I'emained longer than was needed, and were attacked
by a V)ody of militia and Indians. Alxmt half of our
own force haviniif beevi already^ sent back to our own
shore with the captured boats, the other half were
driven to their boats, leaving behind a captain and
fifteen men killed and wounded, and having twenty-
seven killed and wounded in our boats. Colonel
Bisshopp himself was wounded on shore and carried
to a boat. He received two wounds more in the l)oat,
of which he died five days after.
II
A GALLANT KESCUte.
Ill
" For IK) man fallen in battle did 1 <ijrievL' so nnich
as for him. He was a man of most gentle and ij^ener-
oiis nature, and was more beloved by the militia, ovt^'
whom he was an inspectin*^ HeM otHcer, than any
other who served in the province during* the war.
But he wanted either experience oi* jud^'ment, and
fell in conse([uence in the prime of life, in the twenty-
eitj^hth year of his age. "
From other sources, recollections of hearing the
story as told by some who shared the enterprise, I
have been able to piece togethei' what the soldier
could not tell himself.*
The blazing buildings attracted the Indians. The
militiamen, ashamed of their panic, when reinfoi'ced
by Major Parker and the foi"ce at Butl'alo, returned
and attacked the British with irresistible spirit Fitz-
(Jibbon, true to his command, endeavored to rally his
men and cover the retreat, but the disoi'dei* was too
great. In the confusion the wounded colonel nar-
i-owly escaped being left in the enemy's han<ls. Some
of the boats had already been pushed oti", when the
cry arose that the colonel was wounded and down.
FitzGibbon shouted, " To the rescue I '' Then as the men
still scrand)led for the boats, he called out, " Come,
my lads, we'll try for him anyway," and followed by
a handful of the devoted 'Green 'uns," made a rush
and succeeded in rescuini<: and carrvinii" the wounded
* Losing refers to this in his '* Pictorial History of the Wai-" in
a note — where he says: " He (Bisshopp) was taken care of l)y the
gallant Fitzdihhon and carried to the boats," etc.
m
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i, r !.
|;ti
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m
I i
112
A Veteran of isi2.
Jill :t
11
officer to the boat. Alas, tliat tlic U)\v sti'okes williiii:'
arms plied conM not evade the shot which cari'ied
death with it.
In i-eadin<^ tlie few private lettei-s extant, and the
scanty allusions to the condition of the army em[)loyed
on tlie frontier of LTp[)er Carrida durin<i^ the summer
and autunni campaigns of lSl.S-14, one learns some-
thing- of the hardships and sutterintij patiently endured
by the men. The break ino- down of the conunissariat
here, as in the other ([uarters both before and since,
was the cause of nuich unnecessary privation and
anxiety on the pai't of those in conunand, who, for
want of the material and ade([uate supplies, were
unable to take advantaf]^e of either their own militaiy
success or the blunders of theii* adversaries. The
often heavy loss of life, the cruel carnaj^'e, the hea})
of slain which marked the taking of the enemy's
guns, the loss of the hastily erected battery, or a
determined stand against the onslaught of the enemy,
appear nmch more terrible under the reflection that
had the duty of those at headcpiarters to furnish the
machinery of wai* been more faithfully ])ei'f()rmed,
nuich of it might have been saved. When one
I'eads, too, of battles fought and won, of daring
deeds done in the face of the foe, victories won
aii'ainst <rreat odds, one scarcelv realizes that the
report of killed and wounded is more than mere
statistics, and is apt to dwell upon the comparison of
a small numerical loss with the greater as the chief
item of coiiii'ratulation.
Wii'
SUFPEniNG SOLDltRS.
113
On tlie contrary, the weary reconl of men dyin^"
singly ot* fever, exposure, or deprivation of the abso-
hite necessaries of life, due to an inefficient connnis-
sariat, acquires an iniport?Mice out of all propoi'tion
to the actual loss. A soldiei' will understand tliis.
Would he not rather die a hundred deaths in the
moment of victory, than one on the lin<;"ering, weari-
ful bed of fever in camp (
A touch is given here and there in a private letter,
a bittei' word of censuiv levelle(l against the Com-
missariat department, of indignation at the appar-
ently wilful ignorance of the situation displayed by
the Home Government, or even as near the scene of
action as the headcpiarters at Kingston : a bare fact
stated in official despatches, oi- a sympathetic regret
expressed by an officer for the useless sufferings of
his men ; these are all we have to enable us to judge
of the (Uiilv life of the soldiei- \vatchin<>: and waitiiiix
on the Niagara frontier.
" On my arrival here I found the troops in great
distress for necessaries, shirts, shoes and stockings.
Most of the 4()th are lite rail// naked,'' writes James
J. Fulton, A.D.C. to Sir George I^revost, on June 18th.
The italics are his. (Canadian Archives.)
Speaking of the 41st on duly 14th, (General I)(^
Rottenburg says : " "^I'liat I'egiment is in i-ags, and
without shoes." (Ibid.)
The letters of that date rcN'eal a history»of wer.i-i-
some marches and counter-mai'ches, unceasing vigi-
Il '
1 5
( J
f ^
114
A VEtERAN OF ISIJ.
lance, \(n\jj^ wjitelies, miserable worn-out camping'
iK.'CiiSsaries, \vlu;re there were any at all, and scai'city
ol' pi'ovisions ami ine<li('ine.
The anxiety ol' the pooi- settlei's, who were also
soldiers, to harvest their crops and save the produce
of their fai'Uis for their own use, theii' reluctance to
sell at any price, necessitated the phicin*"!" of districts
in the innnediate vicinity of the head(juarters undei-
martial law.
The inefficiencv of the officials, who omitted to take
stock of the cjuantity of stores of either food or am-
munition : the hai-assin^ character of the warfare in
the forest: the heat, drenchin<j^ rains, sickness, and
the anxiety of each scattei'ed handful of troops for
the safety or success of the others, knowin^^ that the
defeat of one added tenfold to the dant^ers to he
incurred by the other: and the mystery and uncer-
tainty in which the intentions of the Connnander-
in-Chief were shrouded, even to the officers innne-
diately under his connnand, added to the o-j-eat dis-
tance from their homes and all that life held dear to
them, rendei'ed the situation a most tiyin^" one foi*
both officers and men to endure with patience.
" For many months past the prospect has appeared
Ko clouded to mv imaainati(^n, and men and measures
so (liferent to those which you and others have so
repeatedly expatiated on with sinisations of pleasure
and confidence, that 1 have been for months a silent
spectator o\' events which I durst not trust my pen to
dwell on. A veil of mystery and seclusion has, alas,
PROJECTED ATTACK ON NIAGARA.
11
Imt too lon^ ])(MMi tlic pri'valciit I'caturt' in this j);i}-t
of tlie woi'ld. '*
Sickness (U'ciinated tlie ranks, and tlic ^j^i-cat heat
increased tlie dantj^ers.
"Tlie weatliei- is intensely hot," wi'iti's (ienei'al De
Rottenl}Ui'<;' fi'om St. J)avid'.s, 'M)t\\ of Au^^ust, in a
private letter to Sir (}eor<j:;e Prevost, "and everybody-
is more or less atl'ected bv it. Colonel.-* Stewart, Flen-
derleath, May, Williams, Fitzdiibbon, and a i;reat
lunnber of others are laid np with the lak<' fever.
We are in ^reat want of medicine and wine foi" the
• I "
SICK.
Cc^lonel Plenderleath had been ol)lioed to retire
fi-om the outposts at Lono- Point on July .SIst, owin^-
to the ^Teat heat, di'enchiji*;* rains, and the sickness
amonj;" his men.
In the list of the troops to be employed on the
south side of the river in the projected attack on
Forts Niagara and (Jeorge, on August •24th, are .S5()
of the 49th under Major Plenderleath, includin<;' the
party of Lieut. FitzGibbon.
In the plan of attack, the Li<;ht Corps undei' (Jen-
eral Vincent are detailed " to rendezvous at the head-
(juarters at St. David's: a sufficiency of boats and
craft to be previous'y at a convenient place for cross-
ing- the river, between Lewistown and the Fort. The
V(jltigeurs, Lieut. Fitz(jtil)lon's ] arty and the Indians
to cross in the leaduig boats, and to possess themselves
* Extract from a letter written by Major (ilegg, 49tli Regiment,
from camp at Cross, to Drummer Powell, Oct. 8th, IHl.S.
m^-
116
A VEtEHAN OF 1812.
of the woody, close country near the fort. Major
Plenderleatli to attack and possess liimself of the
i^nns and battei'ies on tlie bank of tlie river facin;^"
Fort Oeor^e."*
There is no record of tliis carefully planned attack
upon Foi't Niagara having' been carried out, exce])t
that portion of it under Major Plendei'leath, including-
Lieut. Pit/XHbbon's party. I'lu' enemy were di'iven
in to their inner works, and fourteen prisoners taken.
The 49th had two officc^rs and three rank an<l tile
wounded.
The tidin<i;s of the defeat of (ieneral Pi'octor at
Moraviantown on the 5th of October, and the prob-
able fate of the remnant of his small })ut braxc force,
made instant retreat im])ei-ative.
" My friend CJeneral \' has only one decision
to make, and, if I do not oivatlv ei"i', his time is very
short. Oui" sick and ba<;"<;aov are hastenino- to the
rear, and I hope to God we niay follow them to-
morrow," wi'ites one of the bravest and best officers of
the 41)th, f)-om camp at Cross, Oct. Hth. "I shall not
consi«'er our retreat sale until we reach Burlington,
and little advanta<;e can arise from I'emaining there.
I have this instant received a ])rivate note from Fort
Oeorf^e, fron* a source to be depended on, which men-
tions that th' Indians have b 'en crossing all mornine-
to this side, and an attack has been promised by
Major Chapin this nie-ht oi* to-morrow. "-f
* Canadian Archives, 1812, p. 480.
t Major Olegg to Dnunnier Powell, from camp at Cross, October
8th, 1813.
A RETREAT.
117
That this proiniso was not kept, tlie niisoral)l(^ con-
dition of the retreating Hritisli force <liseovere(l, and
a hot pui'siiit, of more than possilile success, inadf hy
tlic Aniei'ican army, was (hie entirely to the hoM
front, tl\e vigilance and })ra\'ery of the liglit ti"oo[)s
covering the retivat.
On tlie 14th, Majoi' (degg again writes to Mi'.
Powell, from headquarters, Bensley's :
"I am ol)lin'ed to send vou hasty hut wry imiKjy-
tant details of our proceedings. Your consideration
nuist make the necessary allowance. We arrived
I.'
here (Bensley's) on the 1 2th, after undeig-oing a very
harassing march for our poor fellows, particularly the
numerous sick, whose pallid countenances cut me to
the (piick. The eh'ments were most unkind during
our I'etreat, but anything was pleasing after (putting
that sink of disease on the Twelve Mile Creek, where
an inactive residence had nearly annihilated as tine a
body of men as were ever led against an enemy. Oui*
men are comparatively comfortable in this position.
They are all under cover, but of course bai'iis will
not last much lougei'. C\)nsidering all things, the
casualties of our retreat have been very trifiiuii'.
Fortunately the enemy did not pursue us. Coloncd
Murray brought u]) the rear with the 100th and
Light Company of the King's, and he is still at the
P^ortv Mile, merely waitiuii- until the bateaux with
the sick have passed it. He will then fall back upon
►Stony Creek, watching the tw^o roads on the right
and left of that place.
" Of our furtlier movements 1 can give you no cer-
tain information at present. A plain statement of
our situation has been transmitted to Kingston an<l
;*■!
m
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118
A VETERAN OF 1812.
Monti'cal, and the wisdom of oth(M's must dccido tin'
ultimate fate of this oucc^ efficient Mrmv. At all
events nothing; will '.)(> done, unh'ss compelled by the
enemy, before our sick are sent oft'."
According to the i-ecoi*ds of the 41)th, that re<^iment
marclu'd for the F'cjrtv Mile (*reek on October 2nd,
embai'ked in bateaux for York on Octobei- 4th, and
re-embarke<l for Kin<^ston on tlie 5th, reachin<;- that
place on the I ith : yet Majoi* (de^;^ writes on the 14th,
without makinff- any reference to the departure of his
own I'e^iment, or (^f its having been separated h'om
the nuiin body before their retreat from the frontier.
The rest in barracks in the more cond'ortable
(juartei's afforded them in Kingston was of shoi't
duration. When the American aiMiiv, undei* the com-
mand of (Jeneral Wilkinson, crossed the St. Lawrence
below Kiuij^ston early in Novemb n*, the 41)th was
brigaded with the 89th and detachments of the (^ina-
dian Fencibles and Volti^eurs, the whole under the
comman<l of Colonel Plenderleath, and sent to watch
the movements of the enemv.
On the 11th, the battle of Chrysler's Farm was
fought, bat of it FitzGibbon ^ives no detail. He was
still with his old I'e^iment, as h > distinctly says that
he did not join the Glenjj^arry Fencibles, in which his
]iromot;on had ^iven him a company, until January,
1814. He remained with the 49th until that rep^i-
mont reached Montreal (m l)ecem})er l()th, and joined
the Fencibles at Kingston, wdiere they were (piartered
in January, 1814.
OSWE(iO.
119
CHAPTER VII.
i|!HE eainpaiii'n of 1}SI4 was Ix'^ni soon aftor the
'}^. opening of navigation. The fiist iinj)ortant
enj;-a^eiiH.'nt was the. attack n])o i ()sw(';^() on
May (ith, in wlneli tlic li^'lit companies of the (Jlcn-
;;arry ll('<rinu'nt were attach(Ml to Dc Wattcvillc's
regiment.
The landing'' in the face of a shower of ^Tape and
round shot, followe*! })y the; storniin^^ of tl)o liill and
capture of the ))attei-ies, was a hrilliant ati'aii*. The
(ilen^^aiM-ies, who coveriMl the h'ft Hank of tlie troops
in the advance, ad(h'd a sliare in tlie lionors of one
nioj-e victory to their former i-eputation.
Tlie reti^inient remained stationed in Kin^^ston until
earl\^ in June, wlien thev were ai^ain oi'dered to York,
and in July were sent forward to the Niagara fron-
tier, there to take part in the " most active and severe
campai^nis of any during the war. Hut it afforded no
opportunity of doin^ anythin<j^ individually," writes
FitzCiibbon. "I was almost constantiv emi)love<l in
the advance, and the Glenti^arry lle^'iment formin<;'
})ai't of the small bri^^ade under Colonel (now Sir
Thomas) Pearson, he was best ac(|uainted with me
that sunuuer, an<l to him I would gladly refer for
his opinion of me." *
* Letter <o Sir Augustus d'Estc, xMay, 1811.
mm
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iv 1 tti
TP
120
A VETERAN OF 18IJ.
I
II
( )m the 5tli olJuly the cnciiiy, tlii-cc thousaiMl stion^
\v(»i'(! i-('pnls(Ml with spirit by a Hiiwill Mi-itisli Force From
l'\)rt MiHHiHsau<;-a, and MMJor-( Jciicral Kiall ui';^r<l the
M<lvaiic«' oF ti'oops From Voi-U to ciuihlc liim to act
u])on the ottciisivc, " whih' the militia ami Indians
arc flushed with thcii* success, and theii- enthusiasm
{i;;ainst the enemy is still l)urnin<;' with indi^^iiatioii
at the wanton desti'uction oF houses jind pi'opei'ty at
St. David's, evei'V house hetween (^)ueenston an<l the
Falls haviuii' been burned bv them. "*
InFormaticn was obtaine*! Fi-om deserters (one oF
whom candidly acknowled^^'es "a Feai- oF hard tin-ht-
in«j^'' MS his reason For desertint;) oF the a<hanct' oF
the enemy upon Foi-t ( Jeor^(',*|-seven or ei<^ht thousand
stron<j^, with heavy «;uns and mortars: oF the buihlin;^'
oF the ])attei-'es at Voun«;stown and othei- points to
l)ear U])on the Forts and ])i-e\'ent the advance of ^"U!!-
l)oats to their assistance : oF the contidence oF success
wliich animated the enemvs ranks owinii" to their
supei'ior nund)ei's. This information is conveyed in
detail to Majoi'-General Di'unnnond in Major Riall's
despatches of tliis date.
It is not my ' "^tion to (Miter into the details oF
* (.'sinadian
1 Fort (leo M l)een oociipied l)y (ieiieial Murray when evacu-
ated l)y McClure on Deceniher 12th, IHl.S, who, on the 9th, had
i;omniitte<l the (Uvstardly outrage of burning the town of Newark
(Niagara) in order to prevent the British heing aide to winter in
Fortdeorge. Fort Niagara had been taken l)v assault on Deoem-
l)er ISth, and a bitter revenge wreaked on the American frontiei' in
i-etaliation for the burning of Niagara. .
RFINFORCEMENTS NEEDED.
121
tli(3 (Kffcndinnr force, tlic \v(»akiU'SH of tlic lli-itisli, the
small <;ai'i-is()n,s, the soi't of iiiakc-HliiftH of j^uhh
iii()unt('(l in Fort (Jcorm', tlic aiixictv cauHcd hv the
slMa't-si^litcil ])oIicy of oiu' of our otHccrs in permit-
ting tlic American Indians to attend a C(Hincil meet-
iiiii' iield })V tliose allie(I to the l^ritisli, " tlierehv
arousing mucli dissatisfaction amongst our Indians
and western peoplo."
Tlic delay in the ani\al of the miich-neediMl rein-
foi'cemcnts create* I fear lest the ardor of the militia
for revenue should C(X)1, or their numhei's he dccrcaHcd
l)\' the necessity of returninj'' to their farms to cut
the hay receivini^ damnne alr<iady from neglect.
]Major-({eneral Riall does not exa(^;;-eratc tlic situa-
tion wlieii he speaks of himself as " hcin^ in a veiy
unpleasant predicament." He had not sufticient men
or (jjuns at his command to relieve Fort (leor<;'e without
endan«;e)*in;^ the safety of the whole pi'ovincc. Ho
could not proceed a;^"ainst the enemy in one direction
without the risk of l)ein<j; outflanked and surround(*d
on the one hand, or of losing the foi'ts on the othei'.
Lieut. -Colonel Tucker, who was in command at
Fort Geor<:fe liad watched with intense interest and
apprehension the ^Tcat [)re])arations beinfj^ n«ade by
the enemy to attack it. The report of the en^ineer.s
who liad been sent some time previously to inspect
the condition of* the defences of that important post,
was unfavorable. Fort (Jeorge was not in a condition
to withstand a cainionade. The necessity for re-
inforcements and conciuted measures, to enable the
8
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< ' 1
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122
A VETERAN OF 1812.
Britisli to attack tlie enemy l)ef()ie tlieir otteiisive
works wei-e completed, was imminent. Tlie enemy
had crossed tlie River Niagara, bad erected and were
still erectin^^ further hattL'ries, from which they mi<,dit
attack tlie fort, or cover their retre:it if thev were
repulsed. M ijor-General Drummond had pushed on
all the force at his command, and was h.astenin^ liim-
self to support Generals Riall and Tucker. He had
sent on the Glen^ai y Re^dment in advance, and on
the 22nd of July we find General Riall a^ain reiterat-
ing the necessity of haste and of all available support.
All the details may be gleaned from letters now in
the Canadian Archives, but I nnist endeavor to con-
tine myself as much as is possible to those only in
which Fit/Gibbon is mentioned.
"Twelve Mile Creek, Jidy 22nd, 1814.
" Sin, — I had the honor to write to you this morn-
iujij^ by Captain Jarvis, and enclosed you a letter I had
from Lieut.-Colonel 'i'ucker, stating* his apprehensions
for tlie safety of Ft)rt (Jeor^e, from the \'ast prepara-
tions the enemy seemed to be employed in making
for its reduction, and urging m-^ to advance innne-
diat'dy to its relief. About 8 o'clock p.m., I received
a report from Cajitain FitzGibbon of the Glengarry
Regiment, whom I had sciut out with a party for the
purpose of recornioitring and gaining information of
the enemy's intentions, that he had withdrawn from
his position before Fort Geoi'ge, and was again falling-
back upon Queenston. From tlie top of the hill over
that place, where Captain FitzGibbon was, he was
enabFeTl to see his whole force, which was in column
cxt'^nding from near the village to Do Puisaye's house.
T-.
\i
lundy's lane.
123
The wa^^on.s and ba^ji^a^e seemed to ])e lialted at
Krowii's. Wlien Captjiiii Fitz(ii])bon left the hill,
wliieli he was obliged to do hy the advance of a body
of cavalry and riflenien, the colnnni was niovin<^
towards St. David's, and when about a thousand
centi'ed into that direction, it was halted. Captain
FitzGibbon was obliged to retire with his pai-ty
throu^'h St. David's, and was pursued about a mile
upon the road leading from thence to this place. I
understand some riflemen have advanced to within
a mile of the Ten Mile Creek, which is the i*endezvous
for Lieut.-Colonel Parry's brigade of militia. That
officer has been indefati^al)le in his exertions, and has
ac(|uired ^reat influence with the militia. I have
directed Lieut.-Colonel Pearson to detach two com-
panies of the Gleujyjarry Rp<:jiment to his sup})ort, and
he has beside a consideral)le mnuber of In<lians with
him." — (Genei'al Riall to Major-General Drummond,
Canadian Archives.)
^
:nig
the
of
rom
lino-
The battle of Lundy's Lane was one of the hardest
fou^j^ht and most important en<j^a^ements of the wai*.
Wa^ed at ni^ht, in darkness and a.fj^ainst a sujjerior
force, augmented by relays of fresh troops, it was a
hand-to-hand conflict, and nol)ly di<l the British hold
their ^'round. The particulars of the slru^j^le have so
of en l)(!en I'ecounted, that I need not flwi'U upon
them here. The Glengarry Regiment had been sent
in advance to reconnoitre the American camp at Chip-
pewa, and watch the movements of the enemy. They
occupied the hi^h j^'round near Lundy's Lane, and
were ^iven the post they had occupied before — the
right wing of the army. At first the principal attack
i iJli'lJ
c 'J Jfi' il
( I
''II
124
A VETERAN OF 1812.
'
I I
was Hustaiiied by tlie left and centre, but before the
close of the en^a^'enient tlie ri^l)t had theii- share of
the figlitin^". On the defeat and reti'eat of the enemy ^
wlio were in snch liaste to retnrn to Fort Erie that
they threw the <;'reater part of tlieir camping e<|nipaoe
and provisions into tlie rapids, the h<;'ht troops were
detached in pursuit.
In (ieneral Druniniond's report of tlie battk', he
speaks of tlie Ulen^arry Rej^inient as (Hsplayin^
"most vahiable (jualities as li^lit troops." (Des-
patches, July 2()th, 1814.)
A sharp affair of outposts took place between the
pickets of the rival camps before Fort Erie on the
(Sth of August.
The enemy threw out the whole of his i-iliemen
into the woods for the purpose of drivin^j^ out the
British Indians. At first they appeared to be success-
ful, '^riie Indians retired i"a[)idly on the advance pick-
ets, carryinjTj them with them. The I'etreat was, how-
ever, only temporary. The (llenoarry Regiment ad-
vanced with promptitude an<l great spirit, and, being
supported by the reserve, the Americans were di'iven
l)ack and the advance post re-established. In this
engagement the regiment had two men killed, seven
wounded, one taken pi'isoner and two I'eported as
nnssnig.
"I cannot forbeai'," wi'ites Lieut.-CJeneral Drum-
niond, from his headcjuarters camp before Fort Erie,
on August the 12th, "taking this occasion of express-
* Canadian Archives, ($85, page 47.
A REQUEST FOR LEAVE.
l2o
ino- to your Excellency my most mai'kcMl appi'obatioii
of the uniform exemplary <;'0()<l con<luct of the (Jlen-
jrari'v Lioht Infantrv and Incor])orate(l Militia — the
former under the connnand of Lieut.-Colonel Batters-
by, and the latter under Major Kirby. These two
corps have constantly been in close contact with tlie
enemy's outposts and riflemen during the severe
service of the last foi'tnight. Their steadiness and
^•allantry, as well as their superiority as lioht troops,
have on every occasion been conspicuous." Yet it
was just at this time that one of the officers of the
Glengarry Regintent asked for leave.
The story of Fitz(iibbon's marriage has been told
so often as a romantic incident of a soldier's life by
those who heard it at second or third hand from his
fellow-soldiers, that it is difficult to ascertain the
correct details of time and distance with sufficient
accuracy to put the story into pi'int. I can find no
recoi'd of it among his papei's, yet my readers will
readily recoii'uize that a man of Fitz(Jibbon's char-
acter would be of all men the most unlikely to ttdl
it on papei', although by a friendly fii'eside it might
be fre(|uently allu<led to among th(jse \.howei'e his
companions in arms at the front.
FitzCJibbon was ci^rtainly with his regiment duj'ing
the whole c.impaign, with the exception of the few
days for which, to the astonishment of his colonel,
he asked leave, asking without giving any I'eascjn
for such an apparently uiu*easonable re(juest. It is
safe, perhaps, to say that no other officer but Fitz-
i
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A VFTSRAN of 181 2.
(iril)l)on woul<l have luul such a requost tj^rantod. His
reputation as a capa))le officei' and I'oi* ^I'oat pers(jnal
bravery stcxxl his friend.*
Hi.s word that tlie need of leave was important to
him, tliat lie would return before any decisive battle
was fought and his presence re(juired, was sufficient.
Permission was given, and the soldiei" set off' to meet
his bride.
Despatches were sent to the Connnander-in-Chief
at Kin<(ston on the 8th of August, and again on the
10th. Whether FitzGibbon was the bearer of either
we have no means of ascertaining, but he certainly
found some means of sending a private despatch by one
or either of them to the girl he was engaged to marry.
* Lieut. -Colonel Bullock in his " Operations of the Army under
(ieneral Wolfe," published in the cohnnns of the Canailian Loyalist
and S/)!i'i'f of ISIJ, Kingston, .lune l.Sth, 1844, tells the following
anecdote of Fitz(Jibbon apropos of the bursting of shells from the
enemy's guns :
"Those shells are very dangei-ous customers, and yet they some-
times afford amusement, for I remember in August, 1814, C'olouel
Fitzdribbon and myself were on picket together near our batteries
before Fort Erie, he with his c()m])any of the (Jlengarry Light
Infantry, and I with my (Jrenadiers of the 41st. The batteries and
Fort Krie were exchanging tire. It was a ti:ie sununei- day, and we
were seated on the gi-ound amidst s(»me young second-growth oak
tVees. Fit/.(»ibbon was quoting witli great volubility some parts of
the ' Rejected Addresses,' when suddeidy a shell burst in the air
close to us, and my brave friend's tongue i-eceived an immediate
check, and no wondei-, for the fi-agments of sliell made an awfid
clatter among the trees ; we wei'e fortunate enough to lemain
uninjured, and away went my fi'iend again at the ' Rejectei)
Addresses,' as rapidly as ever. Such is courage."
A ROMANTIC MARRIAGE.
127
Mil
Ho bade her irioet liiiii in Adolphustown, then an
iiMp(jrtaiit little town on the road between Kin<^ston
and Y()]-k.*
Landino* at the Carryin^'-place, he rode sixty miles
to the church door. On Sunday, the 14th of August'
he was married to Mary Haley, by tlie Rev. George
O'Kill Stewart, the Church of England minister at
Kin<(ston, hy license, in the presence of Gavin H.
Hamilton and R. Mac Kay.
The knot tieil, the soldier said farewell to his wife
on the church steps, and rode back to keep liis word
to his colonel.
The condition of affairs om she frontier, hard fi(»;ht-
ing, privation and sickness being the inevitfible order
In an editoiial cohunn of the same paper from which the above
is taken is the following paragraph :
" Under the head of ' Operations of Wolfe's army before Quebec,'
the conclusion of which will be found in the first j)age, there is an
anecdote given by the gallant author (C. d. Bullock) whic'i fully
bears out the character for resoluteness and samj-froiil ever
attributetl to the old Forty-ninther. Those only, however, will
feel an interest in the anecdote wlio have ever seen a shell forced
from an enemy into the heart of his own position. They, on the
contrary, whose knowledge of the etFect of shells is confined to a
few field days when men play at soldiers, cannot be expected to
understand either the dant^er to which Colonel Fitzdibbon was
exposed, or the picpiancy of the composure he manifestetl on this
occasion."
* Adolphustown was settled almost entirely by the U. K. Loyal-
ists, who came over fi'om the opposite shore of the lake upon the
Declaration of Independence. It boasted of a court house and
registrar, and still possesses one of tlie oldest churches, if not
indeed the oldest, in the Province.
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A VEl'ERAN OF 1S12.
of tlie <liiv : Ill's iviiiiiioiit bcino- always sent to the
I'l'ont, and tlic oHiecrs exposed to constant dan<;"ei' : tlie
possi])ility, indeed, tin; pi'ol)al)ility, of an Amei'ican
Inillet findino- a l)illet in Ins l)reast, and the oii-l Jkj
loved bein<;- thus left unprovided foi", set nied to F'itz-
Gi})l)on ample justiticati(jn for su^^h an extraordinary
and romantic step. If he fell, as his widow she would
be entitled to a pension and thus be provided for.
The notes and letter -; from which 1 ha\e taken the
principal inci<lents of P^itzCJibbon's life were written
after his wife's deatli ; there is no particular mention
of her in them. Always delicate, the ti'a<i"ic death of
one of their sons in 1884 was a blow from which she
never recovered. She died in Toronto, on Marcli 22nd,
1(S41, and was laid beside her brotlier-in-law, Simon
Washburn, in St. James' churchyard. His tomb-
stone is still to be seen close under the walls of the
east aisle.
There are two or three fra<i*ments of lovinu- letters
extant, written durini^- their I'are separations from
each othei", but none of any interest to the ])u])lic.
From several books in my possession, such as tlie
" Beauties of Hervey," on the Hy-leaf of which is
written her name and the words, " From a friend in
the 49th, Quebec," and in ink of a later date, the
initials, "J. F. G.," Mrs. FitzGibbon must have been
a woman of some taste and education. She was not
a society woman, and is only remend)ered among the
few remaining- friends as one whose health kept her
a close prisoner to the house. FitzGibbon always
THE CAMP BEFORE KOHT ERIE.
129
spoke of hvv with sadness jind loviiio- pity : Iht eldest
^oii with tlie devotion ol* one to wlioni she had been
a i;()od mother an<l a tender dep 'ndent c]»ai"«;'e.
The pi'ivations suti'ered hy tlie troops, tlie want
of pi'ovisions, annnunition and clothin<4-, had ))enun
to assmiie alarniin<;- })i"opoi'tions by tlie l<Sth of
Alio list, l«i4.
Constant skirmishes with, the enemy, the wanton
(h'striu't'on of the cr(jps, th" harry in«»' of the s.'ttlers'
cattle and biirnin*^' of theii* barns, stores and mills,
roused the stron<i;'est feeling- at;'alnst the Ameri' ns,
and kept the force camped ])efore Fort Ei'ie con-
stantly on the alert. The erection of batteries to be
directed a^'ainst Fort Erie or reinforcements from
the American shore occupied every available man and
moment. The lioht troops were employed constantly
in the advance to protect the men at work. Early
in September the rain set in with such violence that
the discomfort of the men w^as much incivased. The
I'oad.i were rendered alnwwt im])assable for artillery.
The enemy had been lariielv reinforced from the
o])|)osite shores and had an ample supply of ammuni-
tion, while tlu' weakened British force were reduced
to countino- theii' rounds and were in hourly antici-
pation of attack. This was indeed ardently desired
bv men and officers alike. Too weak to assume the
ott'ensive, they yet felt themselves etjual to resistin*^-
an attack and proving- t) the enemy that they still
had British soldiers and Britisli pluck a^^ainst them.
(-ieneral Drummond speaks about this period of the
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A VETERAN OF 1812.
C}iiMp{ii<^n, as one " wliicli has Ikjoii marked })y a
series ol' nnlucky circuinstjuices, as well as, of latc\
by severe hardships and privations on the pai't of tlie
troop-!, who, I am m(jst happy in reportintj^, have borne
them with tlie utmost clieerfulness and have evinced
a detj^ree of steadiness and spirit hio-hly honorable
to them."
FitzOibbon was sent to Kin^-ston in Septemlier
with despatches from the cam]) before Fort Erie,
which resulted in Major- General Stovin beinj^; ordered
to Lieut.-General Drummond's support. In a letter
now among the papers buried in the Militia Depart-
ment at Ottawa, FitzGibbon is spoken of as being in
charge of a convoy with stores and necessaries for the
front. In another and later letter he is ad(h'essed
as " in command of the incorporated militia now on
the frontier at Niagara."
There are probably other letters among these buried
records in which FitzGibbon 's name occurs, but the
bundles being as yet unsorted, I was not allowed
further access to them.
FitzGibbon accompanied Mcijor-General Stovin
when he joined Drunnnond on September 17th. On
the 19th, the Americans attacked the batteries so
recently erected b}^ the British, " the fire from which
annoyed them much." (Despatch to Washington.)
The attack was ma<le under cover of a heavy fire
from their artillery, and with their whole force,
amounting to about five thousand men. The state of
the roads and the torrents of rain falling at the time
ttAKt) l-'IGHTlNG.
131
t3n{il)l('(l them to siieceod in tnniini'- the ri^'lit ol* tlic
line ot* pickets witliout })ein<^ perceived. A sinml-
tjiiieouH attack l)eino- made on tlie batteries, tliey
penetrated as far as No. 4 picket.
" I myself, " writes Drinnmond, " vvitnessed tlie ^ood
order and spirit witli which the Glengarry Lig-ht In-
fantry under Lieiit.-Colonel Battersby pnslied into
the wood, and by tlieir superior fire (h-ove back the
enemy's lio-jit troops." (Canadian Arcliives.)
Lieut.-Colonel Pearson, with the Glent^'arry Liglit
Infantry under Lieut.-Colonel Battersby, jnished for-
ward by the centre road, attacked and carried with
great gallantry the new entrenchment tlien in full
possession of the enemy. {Ibid.) Tlie British line of
pickets was again established as it had been before
tlie attack.
The American general, writing from Fort Erie,
speaks of this sortie as one " which, as respects hard
fighting, is not excelled by any one since the war."
The American loss was much greater than the British,
the loss of officers being exceptionally great. The
situation on the Niagara frontier was critical, 'i'he
enemy were increasing their force at every point, and
had even induced their mi itia to cross t ) Fort Erie
to the number of three thousand.
Fort Niagara had been so damaged by the incessant
rain as to render it unfit to resist an attack. Tlie
difficulty of obtaining provisions was increasing. Am-
munition was short ; the men in need of clothing,
mail}' of them in rags, and entire companies without
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A veteUan of \h\±
hIhh^s : the I'oads so })a(l tluit tlu' hcavv orfliianco eould
not he iiiovcm! witlioiit <;'ivat difHculty; tlicii- eanipH
j)itclu'(l litci'ally in tlic watci" on a swain])y oi-ound :
tlie nio-lits ^Towin^' cold, the early nioi.iinoH frosty,
and .sickness increasing-: constant vi<4ilance, tVeciuent
roll calls, and skirmishes with the eneniv harassino'
the men. The sickness amon<;' the troops increased
to an alarming extent, while an incessant downpour of
thirteen consecutive days rendered the camp a lake
in the nndst of a thick wood.
The exti'eme wretchedness caused by these circum-
st uices detei'mii'.ed Lieut-CJeneral Drunnnond to order
a retreat towards Chip] ewa, to about a mile from
their present cam pi no-ground, where, " if attacked,
better conditions would enal)le the brave handful (jf
troops wliich 1 connnand to at least h-ive the advnn-
taj^e of fi;4htino- on around .M^mewhat open." (({en.
Drunnnond's (h'spatch, Sept. 21st.)
The retreat was well executed, disturl)ed merely l)y
the advance of the enemy's pickets, wdio were (h'iven
back by the British, and the new camp occupied on
the 22nd. Here, too, we find tlie (Jlen^'ai'iy Reo;iment
forming- part of the advance, in case the enemy
" should attempt to penetrate towards (Chippewa in
force," to " ^uard and prevent the enemy crossing
Black Creek." (Archives, page 2(j8.)
Reports of the enemy having receiv(.'d large rein-
forcements of regular troops reaching him, General
Drunnnond deci(]ed to further concentrate his force
behind Chippewa, and with tlie advance composed of
RETREAT OF THE AMERICANS.
133
tlio lji;;'lit (\)inpani('s of the (itli, (S2n<l, and !)7th
rco'iiiH'iits undci" Major Stewart, the (il('n<j;any Iji^^Iit
liilaiiti'V, a scjuadi'oii of the Dtli Dragoons, and oih'
^uii, tilt' wlioK' undci" tlic coiimiaiid of Lit'ut.-CN)loiU'l
B}itt('rsl)y, })(? prepared " to withstand any attack lie
(the enemy) nii^ht make upon tlie position."
'I'lie movements of the enemy {ind tlie rumoi-ed
extent of his I'einforeements I'endered it ])i*udent to
witlwhviw tlie defending- foi-ce yet nearer to Clii|)])ewa,
althou<;li advance posts were still left a little in fi'ont
of l>lack Ci'eek. These advance posts were "fifty
men of the (Henoari'v Lii-ht InfantiN'." The remaindei"
of the reiiiment were stationed at Sti'eet's Grove.
(Canadian Ai'chives, C. ()S().)
" ( )n the evening' <>f the 13th, the eiiemv advanced
to Klack Creek, and haviiif^ effected the passa^'e of
that creek during the ni^ht, he continued his advance
as fai' as Street's (h'ove on the Following" morniiif^,
the (den^airiy Lii;ht Infantry retirin<i; hefore him
with the utmost regularity. A line of pickets was
taken up at a short distance in IVoiit of the tete de
ponf, and occupied until the moriiin<4', when they
were obliged to retire into the works before the
whole of the enemy's army." {Ibid. p. 31.)
The tire from his <;'uns continued the whole day,
but at ni^lit he retired to his camp at Street's Grov^e.
During tlie l()tli, he continued to deploy columns of
infantry in front of the British position at the mouth
of the Chii)pewa, without, however, venturing within
the rauixe of the i»Tius. About one o'clock on the 17th,
UA m
134
A VETERAN OF IS12.
liis troops (li,sap]H'}iriMl. PieUcts wen; iniiiiLMliatcly
thrown out, and hotli cavalry and iid'anti'V pushed in
♦ litf'crcnt directions to reconnoitre, 'i'he eneniv liad
al)andone<l Street's (Jrove and retired to Hhick (.reek.
^Phe stcadineHH of the retreat of the Ghnij^arry Hc/i-
nient, an«l tlie position of tli(> Britisli ])ein^ stronp'r
tlian they had antici])ated, as well as the; rumored
a])proach of the IJritish fleet on the lake, were th(5
pi'ohable causes </f this sudflen retreat on the part of
the Aniei'icans.
On tlie ISth, a ]ai';;-e hody moved up Black Creek
in the direction of Cook's Mills, on Lyon's C^reek.
The (llen^^arry Linht Infantry are hero a^^ain to the
front. I'licy, with seven companies of the S2nd, wei'e
innnetjiately sent in that direction. Upon the I'eceipt
of fuither tidin;;'s of the enemy's force an<l ])i*ol)a))le
intentions, the lOOth Ui^^iment, and the three re-
maining' couipanies of the <S2n(l, with one ^'un, were
ordercMl to .join them. With this force, in all about
750, (/olcMU'l Meyers was ordered to "feel the enemy
very closely."
Colonel Meyers carried out his insti'uctions, and, in
his letter to Major-Ceneivil Di'ummond, sj)eaks very
hi^'hly of the conduct of the Glen<;'arry Infantry. " I
found the enemy's advance," he writes, " with a strong
support, posted on the ri^ht l)ank of a ravine which
runs to Lyon's Creek, a small distance from the mills.
A part of the (ilen<jjarry Regiment turned down a
small wood, which covere<l the front of the enemy,
and crossed the head of the ravine, whilst the remain,-
THE BRAVE OLENCARRY MEN.
135
<1(M' paHHi'd tln'()u;^li the wood. By tliis inovcincTit ihv
(.'lU'iiiy's Ii;;lit troops were driven 1)Mc1\ in adniiial)l('
stylo, wliilst a part of his Toi-cc crossed Lyon's ('reek
Tor tlie pui'pose of annoyin*;' our left. Havinj;,' chietly
the reco^ni/(*inco in view, and tin<lin^' that object not
to 1)0 attainable by a forwai'd nioveinent, fi'oni the
thickness of the woods, 1 I'etiivd the (Jlenjiarrv^ Hetri-
nurnt, and fell back a small distance in the hope of
drawinjjj the onciny forth to the opi^n ^I'ound, and, if
circumstances w(^uld justify it, to brin^ him to a moi-c
<;eneral action." ((-anadian Archives.)
The force thus coaxeil into action oi- skii'mish, from
which they suffered <;'reatly, amounted to from 1,500
to 2,000. " 'i'he conduct of the (den^^arry lle^iment
durin*;' the campai<j^n has been so conspicuous, that
Lieut.-Colonel Battersbyand the officers and Ujcnof thi^
corps can receive little furthei* ])raise from any re])())-t
of mine, but on this occasion I cannot retrain fi'om
adding my humble ti'ibute of ajjphiusc to their earned
fame." (Colonel Meyers' letter.)
This was I'eplied to by a letter to the tro()])s IVom
the Lieut.-Oeneral, thanking' them for theii* <^allant
behaviour.
In the General Oi'dei-s of October 22nd, the regi-
ment is brigaded with Major-General De Watteville's,
and fonned at Street's.
The success of Colonel Meyers' reconnaissance I'c-
sulted in the retreat of .the Anjerican army.
The American connnander', (General J^rown, had
detached two of his regiments to cover his retreat
, i'
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136
A VETERAN OF 1812.
i
from Cook's Mills, and so well had the (Hcni^arrv
Ke^iiiu'iit " felt tlieiM " that they retreated in haste to
the sheltei* of the <i^uns the state of the I'oads had
prevented their ])rin^in^- with them, without st()})pin<;*
to burn the mills, or pausing to hazard the engage-
ment theii" pui'suers were so anxious to provoke.
Falling back over the heights o|)posite Black Rock,
they crossed over to their own shores, leaving only a
few hundred in Fort Erie. Although CJenei'al Drum-
mond was able to report all the positions held by the
British troops in good order, lie was too well aware
of the critical state of affairs, the want of pi-ovisions,
the state of the roads, an<l the uncertainty of Sir James
Yeo's movements on the lake, to hee<l the lettei's fron»
head(iuarters ui'ging him " not to let the season ]^ass
without sti'iking some decisive blow."
The retreat of the American army might well have
been construed as a feint to draw the British on, that
])y turning their position and outflanking them, they
might obtain by strategy what they had failed to
accomj)lish by force. The Bi'itish, however, were too
well aware of the numerical superioi'ity of their enemy
to either imamne such a courses necessary or doul)t
the reality of their retreat.
General J)runnnond had faith in his advance pickets,
in the vigilance of his officers, and in the impression
tlie valor of his light troo])s had made U])on the
enemv.
A rumor reaching the connnanding officer that the
enemy were about to evacuate Fort Erie, FitzOibbon
CLOSE OF THE WAR.
137
was (letacluMl witli a small party to reconnoitre at
closer (|uarters.
True to his usual custom of ^oin<;- liimself to the
front when there was any risk of capture, or the
information acted upon bein^ incorrect, FitzOibbon
posted his pai'ty in the wood, and rode forward alone
to within a few yards of the fort. There appearing;'
to be none of the usual siiins of activitv or life within
its walls, he ventured nearer, anil entering' the fort
rode throu^'li ever}' part of it.
The enemy had evacuated it only a few hours be-
fore, having blown u]) the works and in every otiier
respect completely dismantled and destroyed it, leav-
in<j^ nothing but ten or twelve kegs of damaged
nnisket ball and cartridge. (C^anndian Ai'chives.)
The Glengarry Regiment was destine<l for Voi-k,
to be (piartered there dui'ing the winter, but the
movements of the enemy made it necessary to retain
a force on the frontier. FitzOibbon's com[)any was
stationed at Turkey Point.
Although the war was practically o.er, the country
along the frontier and throughout the Niagara penin-
sula had been so desolated, and was still in such a
defenceless condition, a prey to bands of marauding
freebooters, that the (Jllengarry Regiment had still
some exercise for its abilities as light ti'oo])s, in pur-
suing these wretches and protecting the inhabitants.
Upon the official declaration of the peace in March,
the Glengany Regiment was stationed at York.
The knowledge of woodland warfare ac(]uired (hir-
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A VETERAN OF 1812.
inj^ those two campaigns on the frontier of Canada,
bore fruit in after years in a pai)er written for tlie
advice of his second son, when in 1840 lie obtained
for him a commission in tlie 24-tli Re<^iment (see
Appendix VI.), then serving in Canada.
Tlie " Hints," as he calls the letter, were printed for
private circulation amon^ his soldier friends. The
following letter from Sir John Harvey, at that time
Lieut.-Governor of New Brunswick, is an acknow-
ledgment of one of these sheets :
"Government House,
" New Brunswick, October 29th, 1840.
" Mv Dear Sir, — It will always attbrd me, as it has
ever done, very sincere satisfaction to hear of your
welfare and of the high d(!gree of esteem and respect
which your public ^vnd private worth appears to have
obtained for you, on the part not only of the author-
ities un<ler which you have acted, but of the com-
munity in wdiich you have lived.
" I have not forgotten, nor am I capable of forget-
ting, how admirably you justitied my selection of you
for a difficult and liazardous service — one from the
able and successful accomplishment of which both the
country and yourself reape<l honor and advantage. .
" I thank you for the paper you have sent, but
more for the warm expression of your friendly good-
wishes, and accept mine for yourself and all your
family, and believe me very faithfully yours,
" J. Harvey.
"Col. FitzGihhon,
" Tgronto"
' III! II
CIVIL APPOINTMENTS.
139
CHAPTEE YIII.
EFORE the (lis])aii<lin<^ of the Glengarry Fen-
1i^ cibles, tlieii stationed at York, in 181 G, tlio
Adjutant-General of Militia in Upper Canada
offered FitzGibbon a position in his office at £125
per aiHiuni.
Althou|^h the salary was small, FitzGibbon i^ladly
accepted it. Havin<j^ no private means to draw upon
when extra expenditure was recpiired, the purchase
of his uniform and horse, when first appointed to the
adjutancy of the 49th, formed the nucleus of debt
from which he was not entirely free until within a
a few years of his death.
Generous, impulsive, and sanguine to a fault, Fitz-
Gibbon could take no thought for the needs of the
morrow when those po.ssible contingencies were
likely to fall upon him.self. He could close neither
his door, his purse, nor his kindly helpful sympathy
to anyone ; he would give away his last penny, share
his last crust, rather than turn a deaf ear to one in
need of either. He used his influence to further the
interests of others, without considering for a moment
that he was thereby jeopardizing his own. His san-
guine temperament always ' brightened the distant
horizon, althougli the clouds overhead might be black
and lowering. Simple in his living, of great physical
-.1
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140
A VETERAN OF 1812.
II
.strength and .sound health, hi.s creed was C(jniprised in
the brief maxim, " Trust in God and do ^ood to your
neighbor." Full of gratitude himself, he had faith in
the gratitude of others. Knowing that tlie country
owed him nuich, he nevei' doubted that sooner or
later the debt would })e pai<l. How this confidence
was misplaced and the reward oF his work <lenied
him, is the saddest part of his Inography. Disap-
pointment embittered for a time his warm-hearte<l,
enthusiastic nature. The gradually increasing re({uire-
ments of a growing family, the accunuilation of debt,
the petty annoyances of the office, springing from
the incapacity or ignorance of those above him,
and the absence of genei'osity on the part of some
whom he had served in spite of themselves, fretted
his excitable nature almost to the verge of insanity.
His self-unconsciousness and fre([uent disregard of
appearances gained him the I'eputation at one time
of being "just a little cracked " in the eyes of the
dullards among his contemporaries.
This, however, belongs to a later period of his
biography. At present all was hopeful, happy with
his wife and youno' children. Conscious of the value
and capal)ilities of the new country, and of the field
it might be made for the exercise' of the talents,
energies or loyalty of its population : finding plenty
to do to occupy his time, ami being among the men
and friends with whom he had fought for the country
of his enforced adoption, FitzGibbon was then fairly
content with his position and prospects.
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ASSISTANT ADJ UTANT-GENEUAL.
141
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He lived at tliis tiinc in a wliitc house within tiie
precinets of the f(jrt, a lioiise whieli 1 helie\'e at one
time formed pait of tlie hari'acks. Jt has often been
pointed out to me, as a child, as the housi' in which his
eldest son was boi'ii. Jt is still standinji".
In LSI!), findiuii" the small salai'v from the otHce h(»
held insufficient to support a family, he I'esio-ned it
an<l devoted himself to the 1 isiness of a laiul a<;'ent,
which l)roui:^ht in lai'«»er ivtui'ns. He also held the
ollice of Administrator of the Oath of Alle<>'i.i.ice.
In 1820, he was a[)pointed one of the Justices of
the Peace in the Home J)istiMct. His name appears
fre(|Uently in the records of the (^hiarter Sessions
durino" the succeedini"- veai's.
In 1<S21, he was a<;'ain ott'ei'ed an appointment in
the Adjutant-General's otiice, but refused to accept it
\ndess the salary was increased to ten shillings a day,
that 1
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le senior c
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the other departments.
The Adjutant -General applie*! to Sir Pere<;-i-iiu;
Maitland, ami an order-in-council was passed to
i4*rant the sum. FitzGil)bon then accepted the post,
retainin<^" the privile<;e of administering;" the oath of
alleo-iance with its attendant fees.
In the followint^ year, 1(S22, a readjustment of
salaries was made in the department. FitzGibbon
was raised to the positi(jn of Assistant Adjutant-
General, but, to his intense indi<;na' ion, his salary
was reduced instead of being raised. The revenue at
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142
A VETERAN OF 1S12.
\
11
I
tlio (li.sposal of the Provincial Govi'i-nmcnt wns small,
and in order to incrtiasi! tlio salary of tlu^ Adjutant-
Genoi-al, a <l(!Ci'i'as(! in those ot* the officials Indow liini
was necessaiy. FitzGihhon was unfortunate en()U<;h
to be the principal suHei'ei'. Althou<;h Justly incensed
at such tivatment, an<l at the injustice of puttin<^
liini in a position i'e(juii'in*j^ greater expenditure, while
lessenin<;' the means of defrayin<jj it, FitzGil)bon,
believintj^ it nmst be remedied, retained the post.
I havi3 hitlierto said nothin<^ of Fit/XJibbon as a
Fi'eemason, althou<;"h his name is intimately associated
with the work of Masonry in Upper Canad.i. He
had been made a Mason in and a mendjer of the
military lod^-e in Quebec, in 1(S03, when stationed
there with Colonel Brock and the 49th. In the
minutes of this Lodt^e No. 40, A. Y. M., held on Au^'ust
12th, 1(S1-S, at Petrie's Hotel, Quebec, is the follow-
ing conjj;i'atulatory notice of Fit/Gibbon's success at
Beaver Dam :
" The recent events that bear testimony of the pro-
fessional abilities of Lieut. FitzCTiblx^n of the 49th
Regiment, will be <luly appreciated by his country,
and the soldier receive a recompense worthy of the
laurels he has earned.
" All that concerns the reputation or interest of a
brother Mason merits the attention of the fraternity
in general, and becomes more immediately interesting
to that Masonic Lodge to which he may have belonged.
The members of Lodge No. 40 feel that they are
called upon to express their admiration of the judg-
Mason tc Honors.
U^
iiloiit and bravery ol' Lituit. Pit/(ilil)l)()n, who tlicy
liavo had the satisl'aetioii ol* takiii^^" by the hand as a
iiit'udx.'r of their society, and tliey unanimously desire
he will accept their I'ei'vent wishes that fortune may
contiiuie to afl'oi'd him opportunities which his pro-
I'essional tall'uts and manly charactei' can improvt; to
the advanta<;"e of his countiy and his own reputation.
"Resolved unanimously, that a copy ol* the I'ore-
^oin<;' minute, sionud ])y the ofHcers of tlie lod^-e, be
transmitted to Lieut. Fit/(*ib])on of the 49th Ue<i;i-
ment.
''(Sijrued) Thomas Stott, W.W.,
Loil</e No. 40.
Wm. McCahe, S.W., No. 40.
Pierre ])()rcET, J.W.
Will. Gibson, Secy. No. 40."
In 1822, when Simon McGillivray, tlie special craft
envoy of the Duke of Sussex, the Grand Master of
Enoland, came to Canada to reorganize the ci'aft,
which had fallen into a somewliat sluittered condition
after tlie death of II. W. Bro. Jarvis, the Provincial
Giand Master, he selected FitzGibbon as the Deputy
Provincial Grand Master. It was a position of great
honor, and his conduct of the affairs of the craft,
particularly exemplified in his courteous bearing, his
attention to the work and the excellent address which
he prepared and gave to the craft, will forever keep
his name bright in the annals of the fraternity in
this country.
As an instance of his thoughtfulness for his brethren
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A VETERAN OF \S\±
in t\\v hour of ti'oii})k', tlio stoiy is told, and tliou^li,
as 1 have said in a former pao-e, tliere is no wi'ittcn
rocord of it anion^' liis papers, it is one.tliat is ji^ener-
ally believed anions- the fraternity, vvlio possibly have
traditional data for it, and tliere is no reason wliy it
slionld not Ije ti'Ue. It is to tlie effect that on the
day of th(^ sui'i'ender at Beaver Dam, FitzCJibbon
diseovered that two of tlie \v,ijrican officers, Lieut.-
C^olonel B(erstler and ])r. Youn^', were members of a
Masonic Lodtife in IS'ew Yoi'k city, and i'ov the sal<e
of tlie brotherhood, whicli they nnitnally loved, he
displaye«l towards theni after thti surrender many
kindly courtesies wliicli nuuh: that (hirk (hiy for oui'
American friends less unliappy than it would othei*-
wise have been.
P'rom the advance sheets of "Freemasonry in On-
tario," by Mr. J. Ross Robertson, Past Gran<l Master
of the C)}'der, I have been pei'mitted to make the
following' extracts which refer to the work of Fitz-
Gibbon as a craftsman. His letter was written after
liis acceptance of the office, and the testimonial which
accompanied it was one of which he might well be
proud. Both the Lieutenant-Governor and his Sec-
retary, Captain Hillier, were members of the craft.
They knew the purpose for which the certificate was
re(}uired, and were satisfied that the fraternity was
being placed in good hands under the charge of Fitz-
Gibloon.
The labors of years were nearing completion in
A MANLY I.ETTEll.
145
the lattt'i' (lays of I.S2I. Witli a diu' sciist.' of the
li'sponsibility involved, and an cvidi'iit a])|)reciation
of the honoi" conferred, Hro. , lames Fit/( Jil)bon, of
York, aececlcd to the re(|uest and a('ee|)te(l the nomin-
ation of ]*i'()vincial (Irand Master. His letter of
acceptance, (touched in coui'teous and tVatei'nal vvoi'ds,
was a«l(h'essed to the (Jrand Seei'etai'V of Kniihmd.
Hi'o. Fit/Gil)l)on wi'ites:
" York, riM'Ku Canada,
"DeceviherHih, IS21.
" Jliff/rt Worship/ td Sir and Brother:
" Havino- accepted the oH'vr of a reconnnendation
to the very lionorable and res])onsil)le situation of
Pi-ovincial Grand Master in this Province, 1 do myself
the honor of addi'essino- you upon the occasion.
" Althou<ijh 1 am not devoid of and)ition, I be^ to
assure you that 1 am not intiuenced })y that feelino-
in accjuiescino- in the wishes of my brethren, I liave
<^iven their recpiest my bt!st consideration, and have
complied with it from a sense of (hity and from a
feeling' of gratitude.
"1 am not insensible to tlie many and impoi'tant
duties whicli 1 would assume, and I know that at
present I am not well ([uahtied to discharge those
duties. But havino- had some experience of what
zeal and perseverance can do, I i end)oldened to
hope tlia^, witli the assistance and kind indulp'nce of
the bretliren, my hund)le efibrts in their service may
not be altoo-ether unprofitable; and tliat by our united
efforts tlie characteristic harmony of tlie craft will
be restored, and the reputation of P^reeuiasonry in
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140
A VETKUAN OK \H\±
I
this )n'()\inc(' lu'coiiiu not only invproacliahlc Imt
lioiioiJihk;.
" I lia\r tlir lioiior to he,
" Ki^lit W()j'slii))rul sir,
" V'our raitlil'iil and olH'dicnt
" Servant an<l brother,
"Jamks Fitz(Jii{|u)N.
''To II. W. HllO. KdWARI) IlAKI'Klf, Ksg.,
" Grand Sccrchtri/, etc., etc., United Grand
" Lodijc of Kmjland, Ijondim.
" Since \vi"itin<;- the i'oi'e<;'oin<;' letter it haw been
sni;'i;'este(l to \\\(\ that some testimonial ol" \\\y rank
an«l eharactei" should he transmitted, to be produced
should a (|Uestion ai'ise on these [)oints. 1 have in
conse(|uence o})tained of Sir Pei-eni-iiu; Maitland, our
Lieut.-(j}()vernoi', a cei'titicate which His Excellency
has been pleased to <;rant to me, and which I have
the honor to transmit to you herewith.
"James FitzGimuon."
That Bro. Fitz(Jil)])()n stood in hi<;h esteem with
the official head of the Pi'ovince of Upper (,^anada> is
attested by the I'ollowing letter of reconniiendation :
{ Official Seal 1
\ At Arms, j
" By Sir Pere(,mne Maitland, K.C.B., Lieut.-Gover-
nor of the Province of Upper Canada, Major-General
commanding His Majesty's forces therein, etc., etc.
" To all whiytn. it nutt/ concern.
" Greeting : I do liereby certify that James Fitz-
Gibbon, Es(|., a captain on half pay, a magistrate in
this province and a lieut.-colonel of militia, is a
PHKSKNTATION OF (.'OLORK.
147
ruitlirul scrvjiiit of His Mjijcsty, jiikI of irrrjji'ojicli-
uhlc clijiractci*.
"(iivcM uinlci' my liaiid and olllcial seal at, York, in
Upper (-anada this twcll'tli day of Drccinlu'i', in tlic
year oF ;;'rac(M te thousand ci^^lit lumdj-cd and twenty-
one, and of Mis Majesty's rei<;n tlie second.
" Hy His Kxcellency's eomniand,
"(J. HlIJJEH.
V. Maitland."
On April 2:}r<l, I<S2:i (St. (Jeor^r(/.s Day), Fitz(;ihhon
was in conunan«l of the foi-ces representin;;' the militia
of Cana<la, and assembled l)efore thi^ (Jovernment
House to receive the coloi's ordered to he pi'esented
by His Majesty, in token of liis appi'eciation of, and
<,n'atitu(hi to, tlie militia for their services in the war
of 1812-U.
Innni<4'ration and tlie necessity of encouraging the
inlhix of population was then, in 1821, '22 and '28,
as important a (piestion for irpper Canada as it is
to-day for Manito])a and the still unsettled districts
•of our wide Dominion.
A number of Irisli families i'rom the poorest dis-
tricts in their own land — well-ni<;-h " wihl Ii'ish " — the
majority ifjjnorant of any lantj;ua^e but their' own
native Celtic, had been sent out under the auspices
of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Upper Canada, and
had been settled on land in tlie county of Lanark,
where many of them were employed in the construc-
tion of the Rideau Canal, not far from the town of
Perth.
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148
A VETERAN OF iHll
nusod tu tlie ways of the country, jiih I coining"
(j\it, as many do still, witli extiava^mt (expectations
ol* fortunes to be made, without the trou])ie of earning'
them, and with exa<;(i;( 'rated ideas of the privile^'es
and fivcilom of the New World and absence of the
contro]lin<;' arm of tlie law, — this with the national
animosity of Roman Catholics and Protestants amoiiii"
them, resulted in disturl)ances and tln^'atened riot.
Alarmed at the aspect of affairs, the ma^^istrates of
Perth ap|jIi(Ml to Sir Fireoriue Maitland foi' a detach-
ment of troops to he sent thither. Hef(3re complying;'
with this i\<|uest the ( -overnor sent for Fit/(}ihhon,
with the result that he l)e<4o'('d to he allowecl to ^^o
alone to the district, i'ep<ji-t upon the condition (jf
aiTaii's, and endeavoi* to settle the dithculty hefoi'e
calling' out the military.
Confident in his kno vledL''e of {ind inHuencci over
his countrymen, Fitz(ilihl)on repaired to the scene.
He made en(|uii'ies and investi;.;ated the causes of the
disturbance, and reiterated his <U'termination not to
resort to arms until all other uieans had failed. He
assure<l the maj^istrates that the mere ai)pearanc(^ of
the military would but serve as a match to iindle the
flame, and insisted that not a shot should be fired
until lie had at least spoken to the belligerents.
Arriving at th" spot he jumped down into a cut-
ting, where ^'ano-s of these " wiM Irish " had struck
work aMd were assembled, one faction headed by a
big, broad-shouldered giant, ready for a free fight and
broken heads.
■MMi
IRISH RIOTS.
149
Facing them boldly, Fit/XJibbon ponnMl foi-tli a
volley in their own lanoua<;'e, the native Ii-ish, and
l)efore the niaf];;isti*ates realized what he was atteni})t-
in^, the mob had paused to Hsten, and wlu'n he
ceased, b ^ sides cheered liim to tlie echo. He then
went amon<j^ them, made friends of them, exphiine<l
away misunderstanding's, wliich their i<4"norance of
the countiy and of English had oritj^inated : expos-
tulated with them upon the folly of thiidving" that
any country could be o()verned, or order, peace or
safety to themselves or their property ensured, with-
out the law being" enforced and magistrates ()beye<l,
and ended by standing sponsor for tliem with the
authorities for their future g(jod behavioi*.
The result of his etlbrts was so satisfactory that
such a report was sent to the C^olonial OHice as
obtained him the ])ersonal thanks of Bishop Mac-
Donell upon the return of the lattei' to Canada. This
was tlie more satisfactory owing to th<' fact that
])efore FitzCiibbon's visit to the Irish settlement, the
report of their riotous behavioi* had been communi-
cated to the Colonial Office, and Loi'd F)athurst had
written t'^ Bishop MacDonell, then in Rome, on the
subject. The selj-lers having been sent out by his
advice, he was to a certain extent held responsil)le for
the result.
Fifteen years afterwards FitzGibbon had also the
gratificaticm of receiving from one of the magisti'ates,
who had been the most anxious lor the aid of the
niilitary, the information that, wonderful as it might
w
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150
A VETERAN OF 1812.
n[)|)('ar, not >i single instaiici* of riotous lu'liaviour Imd
(jccuiTL'd ill that district since his visio in 1«S28.
In 1(S2(), riots broke out in the tinvnsliip of Peter-
))or(jii«;'li, anion;^ the Irish settlements thei'<;, and Fitz-
(iibljon was sent to keep tlie peace ai.d restore order.
A^ain was tlie service accomphslied witliout other
force tlian his personal inthience and individual etf'oi'ts.
An incident occurred in 1(S()(), in Toionto, which
illustrate's his wonderful knowl(Ml(ro of and power
over his countrymen's childlike nature, and the last-
ing impression his efFoi^is made upon their mind and
memoiy. Fitz(iil)boii's dau<^hter-in-law, a widow,
then livin*^ in a little cotta<^e on Dundas Road, aliiKxst
opposite the <jjates of Rusholme, and one of the very
few houses at th^ time in that neighborhood, was
sitting up with a sick cliild. Probal)ly attracted by
the li<^ht in the window, a tipsy Irishman forced his
way into the house. Throwint^ himself into an arm-
chair, lie noisily demanded something to eat. Having
no one in the house with her but the chihb'en, and
unable to eject him forcibly, Mrs. F'it/CJiblx)!! thouglit
the best means of riddin<^ hei'self of the intruder was
to com|)ly with his demands. The noise made in open-
in<^ the door of the jhifionniere attracted the unwel-
come visitor's attention. He turned his eyes full
upon a large half-length portrait of Colonel Fitz-
Gibbon in his uniform. Staggering to his feet, the
man stared, raised liis hand to his cap in military
sahite, and stammered out :
" Lord Almighty, save us, but it is the Kirnel liiin-
ADDRESS TO ORANGEMEN.
151
self. An' is it in any liouse belon<rin(^ to himself IM
1)0 (loin' niischit'F ^ God bless him, Init he saved me
from a bad scrape wanst, an' was a kind frind to me
afther."
Waivin^r the proffered food aside, the man sta<^^ered
(jut, reitei-atin<^ alternate apologies for his intrusion
and anathemas against himself for " doin' the loike
furninst the Knrnel's veiy face, Go<l bless him," until
his uncertain steps and muttering accents died away
in the distance, and the grateful old reprobate, who
thus justified his benefactor's faith in the o^ood in
every human heart, went away into the night.
In 182(), FitzGibbon was gazetted Colonel of the
West York Militia Regiment of Canada. His com-
mission is dated the 2nd January. In the same year
he resigned both his position as Assistant Adjutant-
General and the Provincial Grand Mastership of the
Freemasons of Upper Canada.
Among his papers I find the following addi'ess to
the Orangemen of Perth and Cavan, showing that he
took a lively interest in the men over whom his
influence had been so beneficially exercised. It is
printed, but signed in autograph, and dated York,
June 18th, 182(5:
" To the Orangemen of Cavan and Perth :
" Fellow-Couxtrvmex, — I have recently been in-
formed that the Orange Loflges of Cavan and Perth
intend to march in procession on the 12th of July
next. Having for some years past observed with
increasing anxiety tlie conduct of the two classes of
" 'f
ti
Ill
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152
A VETERAN OF 1S12.
i
li
our countryiiKni who luivc come to reside in tliis pro-
viricf!, I camiot witlilioM from you {in (sjii-iicst cxprcs-
.sion of tlui r»M'liiin-,s wliicli have Im'cii raised in my
mind by this inl'oi-mation.
" Wlieii tin; Irisli emi^^rants hcf^an to ai'i-iv*; ifi (yan-
ada, the old inhabitants often exjiicsseil theii' feai's
that t]i(i evils so unliappily I'ooted in Ireland would
b(; ti"ans])lanted into tliesi; hitherto ])eacef'ul pi'ovinces,
and I could not liel]) ])ai-tieipatino- in theii- i'eai's. I
was also alVai<l that e\'en ii' pai'ty sti'ife wei'e not
revived, individual Ii'ishin(in would be found moi"e
))rorH! to iri'ec^ulai" ha])its than the other immi<^i'ants,
and such was also the oi'iio-al oj)inion in this j)ro-
vince. I cainiot expi-ess how <4i-eat my satisfaction
has l)een to see that my counti-ymen, in<Iividually,
an; as oi-dei-lv an<l well beha\e<l as I could, undei- all
the cii'cumstances, have; (^xj)ecte(l of them, noi- have
1 any fear foi- the futui'e, exce])t of th(; evil which
may ])Ossil)ly o-j-ow out of the proceedin^-s of the
( )i'ano-(' lodires.
" The origan izati on of the I*rotestants into societies
for self-def(Mice was in foiinei- times, it a])j)ears,
d(M'med necessai'v for thini" mutual safety : l)ut those
times ai'(i hap]»ily fast ]»assino- away, an<l the wis(i
and ^ood of all ]>arti<'s and of all counti'ies, now
I'ecommend to oui" countiymeii to practise foi'))eai'-
ance and to cidtivate i)eace ami g(jod-will towards
(^ach otiiei'.
" Without the ])ractice of this foibearance, and the
cultivation of this peace and j^ood-will, shall we ven-
ture to call oui'selves (Mnistians :* No, my fi'iends,
let UH not (hiCeive ourseKes, but rather h^t us Innnble
oui"S('lv(!H before God and pray — fervently ])i'ay— for
His ^ood o^i-ace to nrjiidc us in these times of incr(;as-
in^ knowled<ife, and of peace and security. Who will
^l
;!?■
TRUE (HKISTIANITY.
lo:i
now pretond that your religion, your persons, or your
pi-o[)erty are in flanfre»r ? Not one; no, not one, can
say so witli even a shadow of truth. I cannot now,
in this ])rovince, see on(; justifiabh^ i-eason Tor your
contiiuiin<^ to ^^o ahi-oad in processions, which have
ever Immmi consich'rcd 1)V voui" CathoHc Fellow-suhjects
as ofic'nsive and insultini»: to th(!ni in tlir hiirhest
d('<;T(!(^ and which have been i'('<;ard(!d by many ^(xjd
and eidi<j^hten(Ml nuiu as actually unlawful.
"The law, it is tiMK;, nii<j^ht suppi'ess these pi-oces-
sions': but how nnich inoi'e h()noi'al)le to yourscilves,
and pleasirifT to you)' fi-ii^nds, would it V)e foi- you to
follow the exanjple of tln^ lod^CH in Ireland, wlio.
fi'om a love of j)eace and a desii'e to conciliate their
neio-hbors, lia\e m'lK'i'ouslv I'esolved to •'•ixe no tiioit
oft'ence to them ;'
" I can assui'e vou that tli<' <n'eat Ixxlv of the
(^atholics wish you to take this step towards a ^ood
und«ii-standin;^ with tluMii, rathei' than to have the
law enfoi'ced af^ainst you, and which, sooner or
later, must be enforced, if it should continue to be
calh'd for.
"I liave copied from a London [)aj)er of .SOtli of
March last, several extracts from the sp(M3ches of
sonui of your best fi'iends and others in the House
of (Commons, tliat you may be made ac<p\ainte<l with
tlH'ir sentiments relative to your y)rocessions ; and I
lio|)e an<l ti'ust tliat the reading;; of these extracts will
lia ve upon your minds a similai' effect to what they had
on mine, namely, to satisfy you that these procf^ssions
are no lonfj^er necessary: that they are insultinf]^ to
the Roman Catholics, offensive to all your othei-
fellow-subjects, and contrary to the laws of your
country and to the laws of your relij^jion, the second
(commandment) of which is, that you love your neigh-
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A VETERAN OF IH12.
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boi* as yourself. And that you nuiy well understniid
wlio your iioi<^ld)or is, I I't^juost you to read the
woi'ds of our Sav our hiirisell', as wi'itten in th(; tentli
cha)»ter of St. Luke, be<^iiuiin<;- witli tlie twenty-
fitth vei'S(! and endino- with the tliirtv-seventh, an<I
havin;;' done tliis, kneel and pi'ay to Him to inclini;
all your hearts ' to ^o and do likewise!.' 'I'his also
is my fervent ])i'ayer foi- you, and not foi' you only,
but for ev(!i'v misguided fellow-beinii: who thinks that
he enn lov(! (lod without at the same time lovino- his
nei^ldx)!' (brother).
" 1 miiiiit nviSi) man ' (!.xe(.'llent r<!asons to inHuene«!
youi" minds uj)on this (|uestion, but T prefer bein^ as
bi'ief as I ean, an<l trust to youi* own jjjood sense,
whieh with reflection will, I have no doubt, su})ply
nnieh tliat J liave omitted.
"I nnist confe'ss that T am extremely desirous that
our diflerences should Ix; amicably settled by oui'-
selves. Let not our proverbial kin<l-heartedness be
WMiitinj^" towards each other, else it niay become a
mockeiy and repi'oach to us.
" With this i'eelin^ I shall confiiK; my comnninica-
tion to IrishuK!!!, and I wish that no one else be
s))oken to on the subject. And here I cannot help
entreatin<i; you to turn youi* eyes towai'ds Lower
Canada, vyhere Pi'otestants, though ^T(;atly infei-ior
in mnnlK'rs, are not op]n'esse(l by the Catholics, and
where, without any socic^ties, all enjoy peace and live
in harmony. If, therefore, tlie (Catholics and Pi'o-
testants cannot ^o on in tlu; sami; manner here, it
must be su])])osed, and I fear it will be sai«l, that it is
because thev are Ii-ishmen — which Irishmen should
certaiidy be the last to admit — and they ou^dit,
then;fore, no longer to ])ursue a course (jf conduct
which must subject themselves to this reproach.
EXTRACTS FROM TUE "TIMES.
155
"This communication must he [)rint(3(l, Ix^causc T
cannot |)os.sil)ly spar(3 time to make tlic innnhcr of
copies I want, hut I will take care that not a co]>y
shall ))<; sent hut to an Irishnuin : and I i)ai-ticulai-lv^
iHMjuest that it niay Ix' cii'CMilate*! aiiion^" those only
i'or whom it is intended.
"Let your decision he what it may, I shall ever
desire to he the true iViend of every fellow-country-
man, or, in otlu^r words, the fi-iend oi all such as I
feel you must wish to he — woi'thy Irishmen.
"James FrrzdiiujoN."
[extracts.]
" ORANCiE Processions.
"Mr. Hrovvnlow. in iisin<i; to hrino- forward the
motion of '^ > . no had ^iven notice, said Ik; was
hap))y to hiHi^ this suhjecit under the considei-ation
ol' the House. He was an.xious that the attention of
this House should he drawn to tin; \niha])|»y state of
that country in this age of im])i-ovement of commerce,
laws, government and trade.
"In the year J 825, the magisti'atcvs in tin.' neigh hor-
hood of Lishurn were called on, at the instance of tin;
li'ish Govermnent, to meet at liisbuin. to tak<! into
consideration the steps necessary to l)e taken in oi'der
to pi'event the Orange; processions on tin; 1 2tli of
July. This was done in conse([uence of the opinion
of the law officers of the Crowm as to the illegality of
pi'ocessions. . . , The OrangeuHjn then proceeded to
Lis})urn, where a serious riot took jJace. . . . He did
not make the present complaint as against Orange-
men alone. He never would be ashamed to own tluit
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A VETERAN OF 1812.
he had been once an Orangeman. The King had not
a finer race of sui)jects, more indei)en(lent, liigh-
niindeil, determined, pul)hc-s])irite(l, men more deter-
mined, in all ditHculties and dangers, to do their dnty,
aceording to their sense of it, than these Oi'angemen
of the north of Ireland. His motion was ajxainst
that system which pitted one set of men again.st
another, and stained the green fields of Ireland with
blood. Hence, want of .' iiployment, bnrnings, mas-
sacres, and that state of irritation which rendered
Ireland one innnense madhonse of demoniac spirits,
one mass rangin,^- themselves nnder any man of dis-
tinction who was dispo.sed to lead them on, and the
other willing soldiers of anyone who had the hardi-
hood to be their captain.
" The honorable meml)er concluded by moving for
copies of the correspondence which took i)lace between
the Lord Lieutenant and four maaistrates of the
county of Antrim ; also copies of the correspondence
with the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and copies of
the opinions of the law ofHcers of the Crown.
" Mr. Plunket, the Attorney-General for Ireland,
said that the members of the Government of Ireland
were all ecpially disposed to su])press illegal associa-
tions of all kinds, both those of Orangemen as well
as tho.se connected w^ith the Roman Catholic body.
Between all the members of the Government, as well
as between himself and his learned friend, the Solici-
tor-General of Ireland, with whom he differed on the
question of Catholic disability as nuich as it was
possible for him to differ with anyone, there existed
a sincere determination to destroy all associations of
an illegal character. Now, with respect to this parti-
cular case, he could only say that both he and his
learned colleague had given a decided opinion that
LORD CASTLEUEAGli S Ol'INlON.
157
tliese processions were ille<^al. It had already been
determined that the Orange societies were illegal, and
it was of necessity a conse(|uence that the processions
of sncli societies were contrary to law. ... It was
his strono' conviction that Oi'anjjeisni was dvinii' away
in Ireland, (lentleini'n were at k'n<>th beiiinnintr to
see the ])()licy of disconntenancing these lanientahle
(hvisions, and though occasions might occur again for
popular excitement, j'et, generally speaking, it was
his opinion that before long it would subside, if it
were not kept alive by vindictive recollections. These
were disputes the memories of which ought to be
buried.
" Sir John Newport said he had lived to witness
manv thinijfs connect<Ml with his unfortunate country,
which wrung him to the heart. His right honorable
friend liad said that Orano'eism was on the decay in
Ireland. He doubted it. In 1811, when the subject
of Orange societies was fii-st brought under the notice
of this Hou.se, the necessity of suppressing them was
strongly urged by Lord Castlereagh, the President of
the Board of Control, and almost every mend^er of
the Government, but it was answered that parliament-
ary interference was unnecessary, as pai'ty spirit was
then declining in Ireland. (Jentlemen might expect
to see the same results in ten years more time, iF
something were not done. He earnestly prayed the
House, as they regarded the well-doing and tran(iuil-
ity of Ireland, not to be insensible to the mischiefs
of these processions. It was their nature to irritate
and divide. Who could say that if the memory of
the defeat at Culloden had been kept alive offensively
by processions, Scotland would enjoy the trancjuility
with which she is now blest i The thing was im-
[>ossible. Irritation must follow insult, and those
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A VETERAN OF 1S12.
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whose duty it was to extinguish provocation wore
responsible for the consequences.
" Mr. S(!cretary Peel, after making several observa-
tions, said tliat foi* liiniself, Ijcin*:; known to entertain
stron*;' opinions upon the Catholic ([ucstion, he could
only say that he had never heard a sentiment of dis-
ajipi-obation expressed, even by tlie warmest advocates
of the (juestion, with rL'S})ect to the impropriety of
Orange associations in wliich lie did not most heartily
concur. It was his warmest wiwh that they were at
an end : and so far as that « Inscription of associations
was c<jiicerned, he believed they were gradually dis-
solving. With I'espcct to Oi'ange processions, he
agreed with the Kight Honorable Baronet that it
would conduce much to the trancjuility of Ireland if
they were given up, and he (Mr. Peel) would hold
those men higher who exerted themselves to discoun-
tenance these pr(jcessions than those others, if any
there were, who gave them encouragement by their
example. If the imposition of law be necessary to
repress them, by all nieans let it be applied ; but if
he (Mr. Peel) were a pi'ivate gentleman residing in
Ireland, he would try what he could do by influence
and example to discourage them, and in these senti-
ments the House might count upon his sincerity.
" At a former period he expressed the opinion still
entertained by him, that these societies would yield
to the wishes of Parliament, and that loyalty could
compensate for the mischiefs resulting from the con-
tinuance of such societies and proceedings."
FitzGibbon's friendship for others, his interest in
the well-being and well-doing of the younger men
with whom he was thrown, and his prompt action in
interfering in whatever occurred within his cogniz-
THE IMUISS inoT.
l.")!!
ance whenever there appeared tlie remotest chance of*
such interference being for good, whether it was any
})usiness of his or not, accorchng to the conventional
I'eading of tliat expression, often 1(mI him to interpose
wliere anotliei', possi])ly more woi'ldly-wise, might
have passed by on tlie other side.
Tlie woi'ld has long forgotten, if indeed tlu; present
generation has ever heard, the story of the sad (piarrel
between two young mend)ers of two of Toi'onto's
ohlest families. Chance threw Fitzdibbon in tlu;
way at a moment when Ids interposition and forcible
separation of two hot-headed youths, and the placing
of one of them undei* Ids brotliei-'s cliai'ge, seemed
the right thing to do. Unfortunately the se(pu'l
proved that others were less wise. When, however,
some years hiter, garbled accounts of the affair ap-
peared in one of the public prints, FitzCJibbon, being
appealed to, was able to bear testimony to the truth
and exonerate one of the unfortunate actors from
unmerited blame. That FitzGi])b()n was appealed to
is evidence of the estimation in which he was lield
as one whose word, judgment and right feeling cotdd
be relied upon, and his integrity of purpose have
weight with the public.
On June 8th, l(S2(j, a raid was made upon the
printing house of the Advocate, a paper published
by William Lyon Mackenzie. The door was ])roken
open, the press partially destroyed, and a (piantity
of the type thrown into the Bay ; cases were " pied "
and scattered over the floor, the furniture and other
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contents oi' the room left in a state ol" disorder and
confusion. Mackenzie was absent at tlie time, liavin^
withdrawn to tli<' otlier side of tlie line pending;-
an aiTan^ement with his creditors. The raid was
perpetrated hy a nund)L'r of the yonno- men, who,
objecting- to the utterances of the Advocate as disloyal
and abusive, took the ))unishnient of its editor and
the destruction of the otien<liuo' p:-iut into their own
hands. Many of the i-in^'leadei-s in this press riot
were arrested : some of them, thr()u<ih FitzGil)b()n's
active enei-^y and assistance, were tried and heavily
fined.
Althouo-h FitzGil)b(jn a^'i'ced with the justice of
the sentence and jmnisiiment for breakino- the King's
peace, he had no sympathy with the Radicals whose
disloval utterances had roused the hot-headed youths
in the citv into takino- the law into their own hands.
He nn'oht collai' them and run them into pi'ison to
keep them out of mischief, but when the law \\\\\\-
ished them by the exaction of a tint\ he was one of
the first to assist in raising it. Impecunious himself,
and unabl(3 to give it out of his own pocket, he had
no hesitation in usino- his influen.ce to i>"et it out of
those of otlnn-s. It was but another of tlui character-
istics of his nature. He could condemn the act, and
actually sit in judgmt^nt upon it, but through his
knowledge of human nature and youth, as well as
his entliusiastic loyalty to the Crown, could condone
the offence, owing to its cause of the provocation.
Mr. Dent, in his "History of the Rebcdlion in l.S.']7,"
A StTHSCRIPTION LIST.
IHI
is incorrect in saying that " FitzGibljon sympathized
strongly witli the boys, and regretted tlie result of
the trial, and retjfarded them as martv^rs. "
He did nothing of tlie kind. The boys wei'(.' justly
])nnished, as all breakei's of the peace and destroyers
of otliei- pe(jple's projK'i'ty should be, but the disloyal
utterances of the Radicals pi-ovoked it, and it was but
an instance, a [)ractical illustration, of young blood
being carried away by enthusiastic loyalty, which in
later and calinei" pulses made men staunch upholders
of the British tlu'one.
FitzGibbon volunteered to canvass the town for
subsci'iptions towards discharging the fine. He suc-
ceeded in collecting the amount, but the names of the
contributors never transpired. The list was burnt
the njoment it had served its pui'))ose. The Radicals,
hearing something of it, endeavort^d to make capital
of it, and rumors were set afloat hinting at the heads
oF several dei)artments of the (ioverinnent as contri-
l)utors, and sneering at the justice in which the judges
levied a fine and then contributed to pay it. C^ollins
went so far as to assert that Sir Peregrine Maitland's
name headed the list opposite a large contribution.
FitzGibbon had been wise if he had taken no notice
of this, but he was an Irishman and could not resist
the temptation. In a letter published in the Freeman
over his own signature, he distinctly declared Collins'
assertion to be wholly untrue so far as the Lieut-
Governor was concerned. When ( *ollins was arraigned
for libel before Judge Willis, in his address to the
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A VETERAN OF l8l:i.
bencli he accused FitzGibbon of " begging the amount
from dooi' to door."
On May 4th, 1827, FitzGibbon succeeded Grant
Powell as (Herk of the House of Assembly, being
appointed to that office by Sir Peregrine Maitland,
and on Sei)tendjer 8th, 1828, Registrar of the Court
of Probate of Upper Canada,
The salaries from these offices were small. The
accumulation of debt and the recjuirements of his
family made it almost an impossibility to confine his
expenditure within the limit of such narrow means-
The sale of his connnission in the army in 1820 had
relieved him temporarily from his embarrassments :
but FitzGibbon was one who, holding a p\d)lic position,
lived, to a certain extent, according to it, and not
according to the disproportionate salary belonging to
it. His corres})ondence was extensive. His popularity
and well-known willingness to help his neighbor
without fee or reward, brought many outside duties
and responsibilities. His friendship for Sir Isaac
Brock's family, and the undying gratitude he felt for
his memory, for kindness which no after services of his
to any one of his beloved colonel's family could ever
repay, brought him the trouble and expense of trustee-
ship, executorship, etc., the postage alone such offices
entailed being a considerable item of expenditure.
Among his papers are many letters acknowledging
these efforts, and his generous assistance in managing
their business matters.
In 1831, we find FitzGibbon 's connnission as Colonel
WILLIAM LVON MACKENZIE.
16:i
of the 2nd West York Regiment of Militia, ante-
dated January 2nd, 1826, and redated March 19th
1831.
Party spirit in the Canadas, and particularly in
the Upper Province, ran very liigh at this period.
William Lyon Mackenzie, the talented leader of the
party whose radical opposition to the Family Com-
pact and its supporters terminated later in open
rebellion, was the publisher and proprietor of the
most outspoken radical organ. He was a member
of the House, and had spoken forcibly against acts
which he considered abuse of the executive power
placed in the hands of the Government by the people.
Since the days of " I, Peter Russell, grant to you,
Peter Russell " notoriety, members of the House had
obtained grants of Crow^i lands, over which the
Executive and not the Legislature held control, to the
extent of from five hundred to two thousand acres
each, on simply paying the fees exacted by the
officials.* This was one of the grievances against
which Mackenzie spoke. The grants were perfectly
legal, but it w^as against them as a system which
permitted of abuse that he strove. Although Mac-
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* (Jrants of Ian<l were in the earlv <lavs of the Province entii'ely
subject to the discretion of the (iovernor-in-Council. Official dig-
nitaries granted kinds to their servants f-nd other dependants,
which, as soon as certain recjuisite forms were complied with, were
transferred to themselves. When the Hon. Peter Kussell held the
office of Lieutenant-Cjoveinor of Upper Canada, he is said to have
used his power to acquire lands in the manner (juoted above.
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keiizie was oxpellod the House on a (question of
])i'ivileoe, an Act was eventually })asse(l to })i'event
tlie alienation of Crown lands as rewards for public
services. How this Act att'ected FitzCJibbon's lortunc
will be seen later.
A brief epitome of Mackenzie's case may not be
amiss here, as it will explain FitzUibbons share in the
events of that date.
While a member, he had at his own cost distributed
copies of the journals of the House, without note or
comment, unaccompanied by the appendix. For this,
as a breach of privile<;"e, he was expelled.
The second time, a libel published in a newspaper,
and of which he acknowled^-ud the authorship, was
made the i^round of ex])ulsion.
A third time, the House declared the previous
decisions rendered him incapable of taking his seat.
The fourth time, though unanimously elected, be-
cause unopposed, his election was declared void.
The fifth time he was not allowed to take the oath
or his seat, being forcibly ejected from the space below
the Jbar on a motion to clear the House of strangers,
and finally, after taking the oath, he was again
dragged from his seat by the 8ergeant-at-Arms and
condennied to silence under threat of imprisonment.
Mackenzie and FitzCJibbon had several passages at
arms over various matters connected with the printing
for the Government, which was done by the former's
printing-house. Some of those were based upon very
small provocation, if we may judge by letters extant,
\
I,
A STORMY MEETING.
165
on such apparently trivial items as the omission of
certain blanks in the printed copies of the journals
of the House on the score of an intinitesinial economy.
Mackenzie also complained in one of his petitions
for redress to the (lovernor-in-Council, tiiat Fitz-
Gibbon had i*efused to administer the oath to him
upon taking his seat, to which FitzGibbon replied
by the assertion that he had not done so upon liis
own authority, nor could he administer the oath to
any one on taking a seat that had been declared
vacant by the Assembly.
After Mackenzie's second expulsion from the House,
the vote being carried by twenty-seven to nineteen,
he appealed to the people to resent the outrage as
against their constitutional privileges. A sense of
the wrong he conceived he had suffered at the hands
of the Government goading him into the use of
stronger language than lie might otherwise have
employed, and his elo({uence being of a kind which
attracted a turbulent class of followers, public feeling
on both sides was roused to a height that threatened
I'iot.
A stormy meeting was held in Hamilton on the
evening of the 19th March, 18.S2, at which both sides
claimed the victory. An attempt to assault Mackenzie
was made the most of by rumor and excited sym-
pathizers, and a meeting called for the 23rd, in York,
promised to be a stormy one. The meeting assembled
at the court house. Dr. Dunlop and Mr. Ketchum were
respectively proposed as chairman, and both declared
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166
A VETERAN OF ISl-J.
elected. Dunlop took the chair and the Reformers
withdrew and organized an open-air meeting in front
of the court house, making use of a farmer's waggon
as a platform. When Mackenzie attempted to ad(h"ess
tliis meeting, liis opponents were not slow in express-
ing their antagonism, accentuating it by the material
argument of stones and othei' mis:;iles. Tlie riot
soon assumed an alarming aspect, and the sherifi"-
declaring himself unable to preserve the peace, begged
Mr. Ketchum to bring the meeting to a close. Through
the diplomatic suggestion that " The friends of the
Governor might adjourn to Government House and
cheer His Excellency," the attention of many was
distracted.
During tlieir absence Mackenzie addressed the meet-
ing, and an address to the King being drawn up,
setting forth their grievances, many signed it. Many
who had not signed it before went with Mackenzie
to the corner of Church and Richmond Streets,
where, on tables in the street; four hundred and
thirty-eight names were added.
So far I have quoted almost entirely from Mr.
Charles Lindsey's " Life of William Lyon Mackenzie."
The remainder I mav now take from FitzGibbon's
papers.
Rumors of the uproar reaching FitzGibbon, and
hearing that the mob were not only threatening to
burn Mackenzie in effigy, but intended to attack and
destroy the office of the offending paper, he hastened
to the scene, He found the streets full, the crowd
STREET IlIOTS.
107
denser and more excited as lie approaclu'd tlio print-
in o'-liouse. A sliot from one of the windows, answered
by a volley of stones, was the signal for a <;enei'al
rush upon the building". Fit/( Jibbon foi-ctMJ his way
rapidly through the ei'owd, his heig'ht and streno-th,
as well as his being recognized by all as one having
authority, assisting his progress. Seizing two of the
most excited instigators of the riot by the collar, he
dragged them to the gaol close by, and returning took
his stand on the steps of the house. Raising his voice
that he might be heard above the noise, he called
upon all the loyal and true men to aid him in making
a stand agciinst the rioters.
Mackenzie demanded that the nulitary be called
out. FitzGibbon flatly refused, assuring him that
there were enough good men in the crowd to aid
him to restore order without the intervention of the
military, adding, however, an emphatic request that
he (Mackenzie) would retire, as his presence was the
chief cause of the disturbance.
" I will not retire, sir," replied Mackenzie, " I have
as good a right to be here as you have."
" Very well," cried FitzGibbon, " if you do not I
will put you in gaol, too."
" You dare not, I am a men>ber of Parliament,"
shouted Mackenzie.
He little knew the man he had to deal with.
Instead of replying, FitzGibi. ... proceeded to put his
threat into execut' ^ ai.- was actually dragging the
•'■^.li-
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168
A VETKKAN OF ISI-J.
;ii|i
future rebel to the gcaol wlicm two of his friends, also
members of Parliament, a))j)eare(l.
A])|)ealino- to them, Fitz(Ji])bon Ijeo-^ed they would
tak(i care of Maeken/ie, as he had no wish to impi'ison
him: if they eould persuade him to retire, he ( Fitz-
(Jibbon) woidd pioteet them whih' (hjino- so. 1'hen
turniuf]^ to the crowd he ealled out, " ^Ii*. Mackenzie
calls upon me to oi'der out th(^ troops, but T will not
insult you by C(jm])lyin<;- with his demand. I will
rather call upon you, and you, and you " (indicating
individuals in the crowd), " and will find o^ood men
(,'nou<j^h to ensure the keeping* of the Kind's p^ace. "
This appeal was answered by a shout o. appro-
bation. Mackenzie and his friends were then allowed
to retire without further molestation. Upon reach-
inn^ liis house, Mackenzie, deceived probably by his
innnunity from attack while under FitzGibbon's
protection, turned and wished to a^ain address the
mob. This was no part of the soldier's plan. Taking
Mackenzie by the shoulders he put him forcibly but
(juietly inside and shut the door on him.
The two other members, Messrs. Macintosh and
Ketchum, again beg'ged that troops should be called
out, if only to be stationed in the court - ouse during
the night, but FitzGibbon was firm. The danger was
over for the present, and he would himself incur the
responsibility and remain at the court house with a
sufficient number of special constables to see that all
remained quiet. Apparently satisfied they left him.
A short time after, Colonel Foster, Assistant
!--;:!
iiVlKT IlESTOUED.
KiO
Afljutant-Gcnoral of the Forces in r]>]»('r ('Miuida,
^^•allopLMl 11)) and, ali<;-litin(^, desired Fit/( Jihhon to
mount and ^"o at onee to Govermnent House, wlu'i'e
tlie Litnit.-Governoi' wisli('(l to sec liini. I'^itzl liMion
ohevcd and lound Sir .lolm (\)li)orne anxiouslv
awaitinii' liini. Tlie two nicinlM'j-s, Messi's. Maelntosli
and Ketcluun, had just applied to liini to order out
tlie troops to keep the peace duiMn<;' the ni;j,ht, l)ut
before C()ni])lyin»;' witli tlie i-e(|uest tlie Oovei'uor
had sent foi* Kit/(Ji])hon to learn if the ti'oops wei'e
necessary.
"I prav of your Excellency," replied p^itzfjlihhon,
" to do nothin<j|; of the kind."
" Had I not betttn- aujiinent the miard on tlie Bay
side, and have men at liand there ^ "
" Pray do not, sir."
" Well, then, ' said Sir John, " I will (jrder a [)ieket
to })e in readiness in the ir^rrison, to turn out at a
if
•ed.
moments notice
" For God's sake, sir, do nothing of the kind. Give
no order whatever. I am convinced tliat it is a great
object with Mr. Mackenzie and his party to have the
troops called out. They have been outnumbered and
beaten to-day, and they now desire to have the troops
called out, in order that they may be able to proclaim
to the Province to-morrow, that " but for the inter-
ference of the troops they would have triumphed."
No troops were called out, and quiet was maintained
without them.
From the reminiscences of an old Upper Canada
U
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1
170
A VETEUAN OF 1S12.
Collcf]jc boy I have fjjathered something; of tlio impres-
sion Fitz(jlil)})()n \\\iu\v upon tlioH;* about liini at the
time :
"I first went to college in I8IU, my l)i*()th('r Lewis
and I bciu!'' tlie first sent from tliis distriet," writes
William Wallbrid^e, of Belleville. "I remember Col.
FitzGibbon well. He was a iTmarkable-lookin<^
man. 1 rememl>»er hi in the House, for, not caiing
much to join my companions in their <:^ames, I used
to find my way there.
" The Lef^'islative Assembly then held its sittinnfs in
the old buildin(( opposite the market-place on Kin^*
Street. I was particularly struck with the Clerk, a
tall man, straio-ht, upri<;ht, and decidedly military in
his carriage, his clear incisive voice and prompt per-
formance of his duties. I fre(piently met him on the
way to the House, at the corner where St. x^ndrew's
Church now stands, his hei^'ht and soldierly appear-
ance, as well as an eccentric habit he had of carrying
his tall hat on the end of his cane, sli<;htly above his
head, instead of wearino- it, that the air might circu-
late freely about his head, attracting my attention.
His hair was always cut as closely as possible, a
fashion more noticeable then than it would be now.
" In 1832, when the cholera was raging in Toronto
— (it was bad in '34, but nothing to what it was in
'32) — FitzGibbon w^as the prominent man. It was he
who arranged and organized every plan for the care
and comfort of the sick, and the decent burial of the
dead. He was here, there and everywhere. He was
in
TORONTO IN \s:\±
171
afraid of nothing, whctluT in tliu ivnioval of tlie sick
to the hospital or in convoying tho dead to the grave.
I reniend)er seeing him once with two carts close to
the college, one for the dead, the othei* for tlie <lying.
He was standing near, and with Ids own liands assist-
inir in their removal. He seemed to have a charmed
life, to need no rest, and to be as exempt from conta-
gion as he had been from the enemy's tire on the
field of battle. He was not acting under any autho-
rity from the Ciovernment or city, but solely ati<l
entirely on his own responsibility, and through pity
for the sufJerers."*
[The General Hospital was west of the Upi)er Can-
ada (^oUege on Russell 8(piaro ; and it was opposite
this building, standing, as it does, slantwise to the
street, that Mr. Wallbridge remend)ered seeing Fitz-
Gibbon attending to the removal of the plague-
stricken people in 1832.]
" Toronto was a different place then to what it is
now. There was not a foot of pavement in the whole
city, except it might be a plank or two set down
between a few doorways. During the spring and
autumn, the streets resembled freshly ploughed fields,
the mud particularly adhesive and heavy.
" I saw FitzGibbon frequently during the years
1832, '33 and '34, and heard all about the political
* Dickson, in his "History of Upper Canada College," speaks of
FitzOibbon as " risking his life to labor night and day during the
cholera seasons of 1832 and 1834."
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A VETERAN OF 1812.
.)
struggles of those days. I was in Toronto when
Mackenzie's meeting was held in the market-place in
1884. A fine new market-liouse had been built at
tliat time, witli projecting lioods or roofs over the
batchers' stalls. Underneatli these hoods great hooks
were fastened, on which the butchers hung tlieir
quarters of beef. The meeting Avas such an exciting
one that every available place from which to hear
the speakers was crowded, and many of the lads
climbed upon these hoods. Tlie oi.e Geo. FitzUibbon
was on gave way, and in falling he was impaled on
one of the hooks beneath. He lived only a few hours
after he was extricated."
" On the coldest day in winter," writes another old
college boy, Mr. D. B. Read,* " Colonel FitzGibbon
walked into town carrying his hat in his hand. He
had, no doubt, an overheated brain, but it burned in
the right direction. He had uncompromising integrity
and undoubted courage."
FitzGibbon's simple faith that while he was doing
his duty, comprised in the broad creed of " doing good
to his neighbor," he was in God's hands an instru-
ment for His work, carried him safely through scenes
and sights their nervous fears unfitted others to cope
with. Firmness combined with the personal influence
courage gives over weaker minds, as well as the
almost superstitious belief of the poor in his im-
munity from death, ensured obedience to his direc-
*The aiuhor of the " Life of Simcoe,'' " The Four Judges," ete.
."■ etc,
ORANGE PROCESSIONS.
173
tions and reliance upon their efficacy. Excitable and
impulsive when irritated by causeless oj^position, he
was prompt, cool and o^^ar-headed enough in the
moment of action to '^ r>re:.s with confidence the men
he led or the sick ne iCcored. Many a terrified
soul went home to its rt in the hope of mercy and
forgiveness breathed into the ears of the dying body
by the faithful soldier.
FitzGibbon's printed address to the Orangemen in
1820 had helped to induce them to desist from their
processions in the public streets. For eight years
none of the lodges in Toronto had held any such
demonstration. In 1884, however, some recent arrivals
from Ireland persuaded them to turn out again. Fitz-
Gibbon anticipated the result, and took precautions
to lessen the evil, although he could not prevent it
altogether.
Early on the morning of the 12th, he called upon
Sir John Colborne, Lieut.-Governor of Upper Canada,
and communicated his fears to him, and the means he
had employed to endeavor to pi*event their being
realized, reiterating his desire that every effort might
be made for peace without the intervention of the
military,
FitzGibbon speaks of the riot which occurred as
much more serious than that of 1882, and one that
required much greater effort on his part to succeed
in quelling, although he was ably assisted by several
of the magistrates. His greatest satisfaction appears
, t!l
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174
A VETERAN OF 1812.
to have been in the fact that the riot was ended and
quiet restored without havingr to call out the troops.
It was duriiio; tliese vears that Mrs. Jamieson, the
autlioress, was in Canada, and became one of Fitz-
Gibbon's most intimate friends. Mr. Jamieson suc-
ceeded J. H. Boulton as Attorney-Cjreneral, and thoufrh
unfitted for the ])ost at such a critical period in
the aftairs of the colony, was not very fairly treated
by the Government which placed him in that position.
Mrs. Jamieson's reminiscences of Canada in her
" Winter Studies," contain several anecdotes of Fitz-
Gibbon and lier interest in " the simple-minded, gener-
ous, brave, capable, as well as remarkable man."
FitzGib])on's ordv dau^'hter and eldest child was
often with the authoress, who was wont to say of
her that " she was one of the most truly ladylike and
aristocratic women she had met in Canada."
FitzGibbon had seventeen children born to him, but
only his daughter and four elder sons lived to grow
up. Of their childhood and the companionship of
their father, many pages might be written.
Knowing the value and advantages of education,
he not only availed himself of every opportunity of
obtaining it for them from outside sources, but
endeavored, by entering into their studies, to make
them practical and entertaining. In his life-book the
definition of a gentleman was, " one who would not
hurt another's feelings by word or deed, but was ever
ready to lend a courteous hand to help in time of
need." His manner was as courteous and kind to the
A RACE TO COLLEGE.
175
humblest as to tlie highest among his ac({iiaintances.
A story told of him, or rather a remark made by one
of his greatest admirers, a canny Scot, to whom he
owed money, goes to show how this pleasant manner
often stood his friend :
" Ay, a}^, the Colonel is a fine mon ; he'll aye shakit
ye verra kindly by the hau', but na word aboot the
pay."
FitzOibbon lived at this date (18.31 to 1840) in a
two-storied ron(»;li-east lujiise at the south-west cor-
ner of what is now Queen Street and S[)adina Avenue.
The house stood a Imndred feet, more or less, back
from the road. Four large willows* grew by the
edge of the roadway before it. The usual route fol-
lowed by the colonel to his office, and the boys to
college, was along the shore of the ba3\
Upon the morning the new buildings of the college
were opened, the boys were in great 1 ^ste to set out.
Their father walked with them. Some of their school-
mates, many of whose names are first on the list of
" old boys " of Upper Canada College, lived in the
opposite direction, east of the college, their route
also being along tlie shore on the space between Front
Street and the lake, known afterwards as the Esplan-
ade. Each party catching siglit of the other at the
same moment, when about e(|uidistant from the col-
lege, the same idea seemed to occur to both.
"Run, boys," cried the colonel, "and we'll beat
* These willows have been taken down since 1 870.
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A VETEHAN OF |Sli>.
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tlioui." A racu ensued, the di^Tiiiied Clerk of the
House racinu" ciloiiii' with tlie boys as keeiilv interested
in tile result as tliev were, and nu whit behind theni
in speed.
" And we won, too. We i^ot in first, tlujuti-h bv
little more than a neck, ' savs one of the bovs : " and
my fatlier was prouder of that half-dozen steps than
if we had beaten by a d(jzen yards."
In 18-S2 or 18liS, a woman had a small house or
shanty built in the rear of the college in McDonnell's
field. The house was not more than fifteen feet scjuare.
In this she kept a tiny shop or stall for the sale of
apples, sugar-sticks and other such school-boy de-
lights, finding her principal customers in the college.
Every one of the boys knew the old dame. She was
often teased and chaffed by the " j'Oung gentlemen,"
all of which she took in good part, resenting only
what she designated as " fine airs."
One day, one of the FitzGibbons apparently
offended her in this wa}^ She retaliated by the
taunt that " their fatlier was not a gentleman, he
having risen from the ranks and was only a common
soldier."
Furious with indignation, the boy ran to his father
to deny it. Amused, yet knowing the old woman
must have had some provocation, FitzGibbon (jues-
tioned the boy, and learned that he had really been
rude and overbearing. On reaching the college the
next morning he took the boy to the old woman's stall.
" Good morning, Mrs. , I have brought my
TORONTO S FIRST MAYOR.
177
lad with 1110 to apologize for liis ruduness to you
yesterday, that you may believe his father is a <j;i'iitle-
mau, thou<;'h he did rise from the ranks, and cannot
allow his son to prove himself anything- else."
On the ()th of March, I(S'i4, the town of York had
its limits extended and was erected into a corporate
city, and its orig'inal name Toronto restored to it.
There has been much controversy at various times
over the origin and meaning of this name, Toronto. I
think it is not difficult to find. T-wan-to, pronouncing
the letters as if French, is the Ojibeway word for
" shelter from wind," virtually " a harbor. ' The pres-
ent pronunciation of the word and its conse(|uent
s])elling is due to the preponderance of the Irish
among the residents and legislators, when the name
was first pronounced and written by the al)origiii^s'
successors.*
On the 15tli, a proclamation was issued calling a
poll for the election of aldermen and common council-
men on the 27tli. In this election the Reformers had
the majority, and chose Win. Lyon Mackenzie as their
mayor.
Owing to the necessity of funds for municipal
expenses, it was requisite to obtain a loan. To meet
this demand of the city treasury, a rate of 8d. in the
pound was levied. This was deemed an exorbitant
i f M'
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* The name "Toronto"' is to be found on old maps of Upper
Canada at various points on the hikes, where the Indians sheltered
their canoes. (See Bouchette's History of Canada. )
> >,:(•'■ U'
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178
A VETERAN OF 1812.
tax, and roused such popular indignation that a meet-
ing was called to enable the corporation to explain
the necessity, and give nn account of the city debt
and required expenditure.
The meeting was a stormy one, an<l was finally
adjourned until the following day, July 80th, to be
held in the market-place. This was the meeting
referred to by Mr. Wallbridge.
Mr. Lindsey, in his " Life of Wm. L^'on Mackenzie,"
tells us this " building was a parallelogram, iind ov^er
the butchers' stalls a balcony to accommodate specta-
tors wfiH hastily run up.
" When the sheriff (Jarvis) was addressing the
meeting in support of his vote of censure on thc^
conduct of the mayor, he said :
" ' I care no more for Mackenzie ' — then looking
about him at a loss for a comparison, he, school-boy
like, looked upwards, and seeing a crow flying over-
head, added — ' than tliat crow.' "
" This elicited a cheer and a stamping from the
crowd on the balcony, many of them mere lads, who
naturally turned n out to sc what sort of crow it
was that had come so opportunely to the sherifi"s
assistance. The hastily built erection strained and
collapsed, precipitating the crowd upon it to the
ground, breaking limbs and bruising many, and
impaling others upon the great hooks of the butchers'
stalls beneath."
The last w^as the unfortunate fate (before alluded
to) of FitzGibbon's third son, George, a fine promising
PATERNAL COUNSELS.
17a
1''
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lad of sixteen, whose ready wit and brilliant sallies
were the life of his school-mates, .^nd whose abilities
promised future success at the Bar, the profession to
which he had been early destined by his father.
FitzGibb )n's ^mef and horror were great. The bo}^
lived only a few hours, but in such agony that the
bereaved father was grateful to see the bright eyes
close in death and the agonized liml)s at rest.
In I8;i5, Fitzljribbon's eldest son, Charles, left home
for the first time. He had studied for the Bar and
passed his examination, but a visit to Dublin, where
FitzGibbon's father and brothers were then residing,
and an offer of a post in an uncle's business there,
seemed to promise more speedy returns tlian the
practice of the law in Canada.
The following letter was written upon receipt of
the tidings of his son's change of plans:
A
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who
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and
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" ^\ Dear Charles,— I have but a short time to
connnit to paper a few items of advice for your future
guidance. Attention to some of these has helped me
much to conquer the many difficulties which ever
beset the path of him wl\o has to ascend by his own
unaided exertions.
" Spare no pains to acquire a thorough knowledge
of the business in your uncle's establishment, and con-
duct his affairs as much as you possibly can exactly
us you think he wishes to have them conducted.
Remember that in proportion as you succeed, you will
lighten the burderi of his cares and anxieties, and
increase his kindness and affection towards you.
" Comport yourself towards your aunt with affec-
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180
A VETERAN OF 1812.
tionate deforence, even to the minutest nttentions,
and to the cliildi'eu be affectionate and ls.ind : and be
the same to the Martins" [otlier cousins]. 'Confine
yourseir to tlie circle of ac(iuaintances to wliicli your
uncle will introduce you, and studiously decline every
other. For, be assured that it is inconijjatible with
due attention to your busi;u!ss to cultivate society at
all while in the early part of your progress,
" Ai^ainst sniokiiiii" and .i^-ainst drinkin(j I need
not, and against any other vice, I almost flatter my-
self, I need not warn you. Hut the passions re(|uire
to be ^"uarded af^ainst with great diligence. I there-
fore reconnnend you to figlit the battle against them,
one and all, at first and in the outset. To keep the
high and happy ground of innocence is much more
easv than to return to it, if once vou take a down-
ward step. I wish I coidd convey to your mind a
part of the impression made on mine by the many
melancholy examples I have seen in the army, of
young men who could not abstain from Avhat they
called pleasure, but which soon brought them to dis-
ap})ointment, misery and a wretched end. Every
temptation you successfully resist will strengthen
your moral courage, and you will soon find yourself
to be of too much value to your parents, to your
i-elatives and to yourself, to become an unworthy
and degraded being. Be assured that the Almighty
will guide you from usefulness to eminence and hap-
piness, if you carefully and devoutly turn to Him for
help and support.
" Attend punctually to the duties of your Church,
not for form's sake, or for the approbation of the
world, though this is well worth having, — but for
strength from above to enable you to resist tempta-
tion and to do good. Your good example has already
Til
^.
DISTLTKIiANCES NKAll COllNWALL.
ISl
ley
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311
Ul"
ftHy
ity
ap-
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rch,
the
for
|p+a-
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iKilped to improve your youn*!^er brothers, and the
continuance of it will still ensure our o-ratitude to
you: but especially for your niothei's and Mary's
sake an<l mine, do all vou can to make us rejoice
in you.
" The last words my I'atluir spoke to me, when I
first parted fi'om him in GHn were, ' The oi-eatest con-
solation I have, James, on your leavin<;- me, is that I
feel confident vou will never do anvthini:" to disjxrace
me.' And you ;nust tell him that I write these words
now with tears of satisfaction that I never forgot
them, and am sure I never shall, and that I hope the
blessing which attended them will b(! seen to extend
to his grandson under his own eyes in his old a^e.
Be to him what mv brothers and T were to our
m'andfather, and may Oo 1 AlnnLihtv bless v<JU all.
" Toronto, Uppeh Canada,
''Hepiemher 11th, 1S.S5."
In November of the same year, FitzCJibbon's second
son was called to the Bar of Upper Canada.
Riotous proceedings having occurred among the
laborers employed in the construction of the canal
below Cornwall, Sir Francis Head sent FitzGibbon to
restore peace among his excitable countrymen. Fears
were entertained that advantage would be taken of
their antaTOnism to their French fellow-laborers dur-
ing the elections of 1886, and more serious trouble be
the re. alt.
FitzGibbon was ordered to take fifty stand of arms
and ammunition from Kingston to distribute to the
local militia in the event of reciuiring their assistance.
The service was, however, successfully performed.
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A VETERAN OF 1812.
and tho eloctions, which were important, party feelin<^
liavin^i; ])een excit('(l ahiiost to rebellion by the (pieH-
tioiis at issue, ])asse<l without ri(jts. As on former
occasions, Fitz(jiibbon ti'usted to his personal inllu-
ence, and did not re(|uire the aid of the militia.
He was appointee I Justice of the Peace f(jr the
Eastern J^istrict about tliis date (June 18th, 18'i()),
probably in order to ^ive him authority to enforce
the law apiinst the riotous workmen he was sent to
pacify.
When lu! sold his connnission in the anny in 1820,
Fitz(Jibbon had purchased ei^'hteen aci'es of land in
Toronto, on the west side of what is now Spadina
Avenue, and south of Queen Street. He knew that
Canada was a hind of <;reat promise, and time alone
was re(|uired to develop her resoui'ces. Toronto was
one of the earliest settled cities, and had a population
whose descendants were likely to reap a rich harvest
from their small sowings. Knowing; this, he consid-
ered this purchase one that would in time be an
ample provision for his children and gTandchildren,
and was anxious to retani it at all cost to himself.
Dent (in his "History of the Rebellion of 1887 ")
speaks of FitzGibbon as " a persistent office-seeker."
He was, indeed, active and energ'etic in mind as well
as body, and w^as always ready to undertake more
work. The expenses of living, as well as of carrying
on the various schemes (small though they might be),
that he considered incund)ent upon him as a loyal
officer of the Crown and a true subject, required
VALEDICTORY PHAISE.
183
means to defray their cost, and FitzGibbon doubtless
refused no lionest ()|)j)()rtunity of earnin<jj wliat was
required. He lield several posts, but the a;;'^re<4'ate
sahiry was not a hirn^c one.
The followinj;- letter from Sir .John C'olborne,
through his Secretary, evidently refers to one of
these offices :
*' OOVEUNMEXT Hoi'SE,
"ToKoxTo, Ja/^ -iOth, 18.S8.
"Sir, — With reference to vour letter of the 12th
inst., 1 am directed bv tin; Lieut.-Governor to assure
you that His Excellency is so fully persuade'd of your
zeal and active services while \\i\ has l)een in the Pro-
vince, tliat he lias lon<;' been desirous of havin*^ an
oppoi'tunity of conferi'in*;' on you an appointment
which mi<;ht in some res|)ects be more in accordance
with vour views and wishes.
" His Excellency thinks it l)ut due to you to express
liis thanks for your exertions on manv occasi(ms in
the public service, and to notice the sacrifices which
you have made of your time and health, in carrying-
on the various duties which you have been entrusted
to dischar^'e.
" 1 am also to add that His Excellency will leave a
copy of this letter 'ith his successor, in order that
your character and sei'vices may be made known
to him.
" I have the honor to be, Sir,
" Your obedient servant,
'W. Rowan.
" James Fitzgibbon, Esc^."
'W
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184
A VKTKKAN OF ISI-J.
CHAPTER JX.
^HK ycni' IH.'^T wa.s an cventrul one, not only in
1^ tlio liistoiy ol" r])|)»'r ('{iniida, but in the life
and fortune of our liero.
"It was at once," lie wi-ites, in a lettei" to Sii-
Auf^ustus d'Kste in 1(S44, " the most successful as well
as the most disastrous of my life. What occun"<»d
tlien enal)led me to accomplisli something" towards the
savino- (»f tlie city of Toronto and the ovei'throw of
the rebels — havin<^ no tliou^'ht of reward, other than
the saving of l)lo()dshed — and the spontaneous and
unanimous vote of my fellow-citizens to reward me
for what I had done, roused such liopes of freedom
fi'om my pecuniary difficulties that their <lefeat well-
ni<;"li impei'illed my reason."
It is difficult for the present generation, brought
up under a regime of self-government, to understand
the system of colonial management as carried on
from Downing Street.
To men wdio had, in the end of the previous cen-
tury, given up home, friends and property for the
sake of loyalty to the Crow^n, the defence and main-
tenance of rights asserted on behalf of their sovereign
was the highest of political duties, and the}^ had
brought up their children in that faith. In many it
fell little short of the loyalty of the Cavaliers to the
and
on
had
ly it
the
PIONEERS OF REFORM.
1S5
Stuai'ts. S('lt'-^()V<'rinn('iit by the p('n]ih' was "Roinid-
licad, Puritan, Vank<'(' — tliin<^s thcv had Touiiht
apiinst and lied IVoiii.
They s()u<;lit loi" ])r<)))('i'tv an<l infhicnci' at the
liand.s of the iiionareh and liis ininistei'H, as a rewaivl
for theii" siit!erin<;\s in his cause and the defence of
his American dominions, just as tlie (Cavaliers sou^^dit
retln'ss of tlieir wron^^s and reinstahnent in tiieir old
ri^lits l)y (Miarles \l.
To these Loyalists came active British Radicals, such
as (louvlay and Mackenzie, whiK' reform was working
its way thi*ou;;h the tii ^ of difficulty and distress
vvtiich f()llo\ve<l the close of the ^'reat war, hriufj^in*^
( 'atholic ('mancipation, municipal and pai'liamentary
reform in Kn^land, and revolution in France.
Many otlu^rs followed Mackenzie and (icairlay to
Canada tilled with the same ideas and j^-oud of their
success in the old country.
They could boast of no services for the Crown such
as those of the U. E. Loyalists. Their sutt'erinos and
aspirations had all been for popular i-iglits.
The necessity of oper'.ng up and cultivating the
wild lands throughout the country, and the encourage-
ment offered to emigrants, had brought many settlers
from the United States, whose notions of govern-
ment had been formed in the Republic.
An alliance between these two bodies against the
Loyalists and their h .ers in the Family Compact
was as inevitable as was the strife which grew up
between these opposite forces. Downing Street rule
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186
A VETERAN OF 1812.
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was, for the most part, in conformity with the views
and wislies of tlie U. E. Loyalists in Upper Canada,
and with the great body of the English-speaking
minority in the Lower Province.
Unfortnnately Sir Francis Bond Head was not
capable of coping with these rival constituents. He
was not a military man of any standing or experience,
and recognized none of the signs of rebellion patent
to those who were, or who were more in touch with
the inevitable advance of reform : and when the re-
bellion, in the imminence of which that " paragon of
eccentricity and blundering" (vide Bryce) so repeat-
edly asserted his disbelief, actually broke out, he only
added inaccurate statements and boastful accounts of
his own over-weening confidence and prowess to the
blunders already committed.
FitzOibbon wrote several accounts of the outbreak
of the rebellion in Upper Canada, and of Mackenzie's
intended (attempted) attack on Toronto in December,
1 837. " An Appeal to the People of Upper Canada,"
published in 1847, is perhaps the most exhaustive as
regards his own share in the defence of the citv. The
" Appeal " was written after successive events had
robbed him of the reward voted to him by the
unanimous voice of the House of Assembly, and the
publication of Sir Francis Head's garbled account
in his despatches to the Colonial Office had thrown
discredit upon his services and bade fair to " make
the colony over which he (Sir Francis) held so brief
a rule, little more than a nation of liars,"
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AN OBSTINATE GOVERNOR.
187
Stun^ to the quick by Sir Francis Head's asser-
tions, his entire silence on some points, half-truths on
others : impetuous, harassed by tlie difficulties which
his pecuniary circumstances rendered unavoidable,
sick at heart from hopes lon(( deferred, and embittered
by disappointment, FitzGibbon rushed into print
before time had enabled him either to look at the
facts cahnly and state them with sucli diplomatic
tact as mi<;ht ensure success, or to leai'n with what
credence the Lieut.-Governor's account would be re-
ceived.
Had FitzGibbon allowed Sir P^-ancis to fall into the
pit he was so persistently determined to di^ for him-
self, and had taken no precautions a^^ainst the danger
he knew was imminent: had he merely shni<i^<^ed his
shoulders and allowed the Lieut.-Governor to take
the responsibility of leaving the city unprepared, and,
when the principal buildings were in flames, and the
rebels armed with the muskets Sir Francis refused to
place at the service of the loyal defenders, had he
then stepped in, and at the cost of valuable lives and
property won a pitched battle, and driven out a
greater number of rebels, he would probably have
been knighted, or had other honors paid him.
To do this, however, was not FitzGibbon's nature.
He had seen too much of the sad scenes of war, knew
too much of its realities, w^as too generous and noble-
minded to profit by another's folly, to run the risk of
such bloodshed and devastation. He saw on all sides
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evidences of the imminence of an outbreak of rebel-
lion apiinst tlie autliorities.
From tile year LSI 5, when Sir Francis Gore, by his
policy as Lieut.-Governor of Upper Canada, had sown
the see<ls of future trouble, FitzGlbbon had watched
tlie course of events with interest, a!id from 1824
with ever-increasino^ anxiety. He communicate<l this
anxiety to Sir John Col borne in 1834, and was re-
quested by him to carry out one of the sugi^estions
he offered, as a precautionary measure — the formation
of a corps of young men in Toronto, ostensibly for
the purpose of in..truction in drill, that they might
be better fitted for commissions in the militia when
required. The corps was limited to seventy, that
being the number of rifles available from the military
stores. During the summer months of the three
successive years, FitzGibbon drilled these lads twice
a week, and in order to encourage them to equip them-
selves in correct military style, went to the expense
of procuring rifle uniforms for himself and eldest
son. This might well be called the first military
school in Canada.
Perhaps the happiest hours of those years were
spent in this labor of love. He was a soldier before
everything. He loved the very rattle of accoutre-
ments, and took a genuine pride in the improvement
and smartness of liis company. He valued drill not
only as a means of making a man upright in his
carriage, prompt and vigorous in his movements, but
as calculated to regulate his mind^ strengthen his
UFRELLTON IN LOWER CANADA.
189
cliaracter for iipriprlitncRs, lionosty, o})edi('iice and
strai<4'htt'()rward simplicity, and draw out latent re-
source and talent. Add to tliis the confident expec-
tation tliat his etibrts w(juld not be thrown away,
but in the hour of nee<l the time spent in drillin<;'
would bear fruit, and we niay understand the pride
of the soldier in his " boys."
" It may not be irrelevant to observe in conclusion,"
wi'ites one of the corps, the late Walter Mackenzie,
"that your previous instructions assuredly enabled
many members of the ritle corps to render efficient
service at the critical period in (piestion (the out-
break) For myself, I may assert that my appoint-
ment to the conunand of one of the four principal
divisions organized in the Market S(|uare of this place,
on Tuesday morning, the 5th of December, 1887, nmst
have arisen from my connection with that body, and
tliat my confidence in assuming the charge was
materially increased by findirg myself under the
guidance of an officer of your ardent zeal and dis-
tinguished services." (Letter from the late Walter
Mackenzie to Colonel FitzC;iil)bon.)
The tidings of the rising of the French-Canadians
in Lower Canada in 18-S7 added certainty to Fitz-
Gibbon's forebodings, and induced him to redouble
his efforts to persuade his friends and fellow-citizens
to join him in preparing for the like contingency.
That the members of the Government at that date
were not only swayed by the opinions and \yill of the
Governor then in office, but were practically governed
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190
A VETERAN O^ 1812.
by him, the light of the present day, thrown upon
the events of the past, sliows plainly. Where, as in
1837, the Governor was a narrow-minded, self-opin-
ionated and obstinate man, it mattered little of what
constituents his council was composed. Good and
true men as many were, they were either overruled
by the Governor's authority and determination, or
silenced by doubt, or fearful of incurring the respon-
sibility of dissension or acting without his authority.
In such a man the rebels recognized their most useful
ally, and in his obstinate, contradictory nature and
his persistent disregard of the advice of the few who
saw the probable result of such culpable blindness,
able assistants.*
*That FitzGibbon was not the only one who endeavored to warn
Sir Francis of the threatened danger and urge the need of precau-
tions being taken, is shown by the following extract from a letter
written from Cobourg by the Rev. Egerton Ryerson to a friend in
Kingston : " You will recollect my mentioning that I pressed upon
Sir Francis Head tlie propriety and importance of mal ing some
prudent provision for the defence of the city, in case any party
should be urged on in the madness of rebellion so far as to attack
it. He is much blamed here on account of his over-weening con-
fid'jnce, and foolish and culpable negligence in this respect."
Again, when telling his brother William of the efforts to induce
Sir CJeorge Arthur (Sir Francis' successor) to commute the sentence
of Lount and Matthews, two of the rebels condemned to death, he
repeats : " I also mentioned to the Governor that you and the Rev.
J. Stinson had waited on Sir Francis about four v ks previous to
the insurrection ; that you infoi'med him of insurrectionary move-
ments about Lloydtown and other places, which you had learned
from me ; that you had strongly urged Sir Francis to raise volun-
teers and put the city and other places in a state of defence ; that
UEPEATED WARNINGS.
191
FitzGibboii's way to his office in tlie Ptirliameiit
})uil(ling.s lay, as has been said, alon^* the Bay shore
on the stretcli of hind below Front Street. Here lie
fre([nently nu;t Sir Francis Head on his way to walk
for exercise on the lon<4* wharf near the ^'arrison.
These meetings led to lonir and animated convei'sa-
tions on many snbjects, but chielly upon the stjite of
the Province and political parties. The Governor's
opinions difi'ered greatly from Fitz(}ibbon's on many
you and T had waited on the Attorney-(}eneral next day, and that
we had urged these things on him in a siiuihii- niannef, hut tiiat
tliese statements and advice had been disregarded, if not disbe-
lieved."
Again, after expressing his decided opinion that " punishments
for political offences can never be beneficial when they are inflicted
in ()[)position to puldic sentiment and syn»pathy," Dr. Ryerson
adds: "The fact is, however, that Sir Francis Head deserves im-
peachment just as nnich as Samuel Lou.it deserves execution.
Morally speaking, I cannot but regard Sir Francis as the more
guiltj' culprit of the two." (Extract from " The Story of my Life."
Ryerson. )
Again, after speaking of the evil effects of Sii' F. B. Head's
ar))itrary con<luct upon the country, and the state of dissatisfaction
everywhere evident, William Ryerson says: "After all we know
but little of the calamities and miseries with which our once ha])py
land is now afflicted, and yet Sir Francis, the most guilty author of
this misery, escapes without punishment ; yes, with honor and
praise. How mysterious are the ways of Providence ; how dark,
ci'ooked and perverse the ways of men."
Colonel Foster, the Assistant Adjutant-Oeneral, also repeatedly
urged Sir Francis Head to retain a small regular force in the Upper
Province, and he also wrote to Sir John Colborne, representing the
mischief that was likely to be the result of the withdrawal of all
the military quartered in Upper Canada, particularly Toronto and
its vicinity.
I' ,v
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192
A VETERAN OF IHli,
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important points. Feai'ful that Sir Francis niijU'ht
think he threw himself in ) is way, or tin(Hno- tlie
arguments their conversation often ended in irksome,
FitzGibbon, upon seeing him approaching, would
sometimes turn aside in anoiher direction, tluit he
might avoid meeting him. Sir Francis, liowever,
frecpiently called to him, or, if out of rc^ach of his
voice, beckoned him with his stick to wait for him.
FitzGibbon has left no details of th^^se morning
chats, only the general idea that he, too, took the
opportunity of urging upon Sir Francis the great
need of making some preparation, or taking some
measures to ensure the safety of the city and the
prevention of loss of property ; and by being in
readiness to put down any rising, practically prevent
it. FitzGibbon, confident that his fears wi^re not
groundless, saw it coming ; the Governor, deter-
minedly shutting his eyes, refused to believe it either
probable or possible.
When Sir John Colborne asked Sir Francis Head
how many of the troops then in lT[)[)er Canada he
could spare for service in Lower Canada, he answered
" All."
When the last detachment, consisting of a sub-
altern and thirty men, were on their way from Pene-
tanguishene through Toronto, FitzGibbon begged the
Lieut. -Governor to keep them in the city, " if only as
a nucleus for the militia to rally round."
This he also refused, saying, " No, not a man. The
doing so would destroy the whole morale of my
Trpff
ARMS AND AMMUNITION.
19f^
policy; if the militia cannot (lefen<l the Province, the
sooner it is lost the better."
" Then, sir," excliiiHie<l FitzClibbon, " let us be arnuMl
and ready to defend ourselves."
" No," replied Sii- Francis, " I will do nothin<^. I
do not apprehend a rebellion in U[)per Canada."
Six thousand stand of small arms with an^nnmition
liad been sent a short time before t(3 Toronto from
Kingston, and deposited by the Lieut. -Governor's
orders in the market buildin<j^s, under the keeping of
the civic authorities, the two constables bein«»; on
guard over them at night. Fitz(}i])b)n consid<'re(l
this protection, under t]v\ circumstances, insuthcient.
He called upon an<l urged Sir Francis to allow him
to organize a guard from his riile corps to prevent
any attempt on the part of the I'ebels to obtain
lorci])le possession.
This otter was also declined, the Lieut. -(Governor
emphasizing his refusal by the assertion " that were
it not that he disliked to undo what he had .\lready
done, he would have the arms brought to Govern-
ment House and entrusted to the keeping of his own
domestic servants."
In despair of bidng able to induce Sir Francis to
reahze the need of action, FitzGibbon desisted and
withdrew. Before reaching th(3 passage he was re-
called by His Excellency in person, and re(piested to
" make the otter in writing."
This FitzGibbon was very willing to do, the man-
ner of the request leading him to hope that his otter
toll
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194
A VETERAN OF 1812.
would tlien be accepted. His surprise, therefore,
may be understood, when the t'ollowin<^ day's issue of
the Toronto Patriot, the Tory oro-an, contained a
printed copy of tlie offer made to His Excellency.
Had FitzGibbon been self-seekinrr, or anxious only
for self-a<»'<»randizement, he mi<;ht have turned this
to his own advantage, but he saw only that Sir
Francis used the offer of a ^uard, for which he had
asked in writint^, to publish to the Province that he
had no fear of rebellion, and to throw odium on the
man who uro-ed preventive measures bein<^ taken.
Although such blindness seems incredible. Sir Francis
doubtless calculated to be able in the event of there
being no rising, to boast of how nmch more correctly
he had estimated the political situation than the more
anxious of his advisers.
But this was not all. Sir Francis not only made
an ungentlemanly use of this offer, but, knowing how
unlikely it was that a copy of the Patriot would ever
reach the eyes of the officials at home, he entirely
ignored the offer in his despatches to the Colonial
Office.
Some little time previous to this, FitzGibbon had
been transferred from the command of the 4th Regi-
ment of York Militia to that of the 1st Regiment of
the city of Toronto. In this regiment FitzGibbon
found many vacancies. True to his nature to do at
once work that lay close to his hand, and which he
considered from the circumstances required attention,
he made out a list of candidates for the vacant com-
PERSONAL POPULARITY.
195
inisHions and submitted it to His Excellency. Believ-
ing it would ensure more speedy consideration ])ein^
paid to it, he carried the list to Sii- Francis personally.
The Lieut.-Governor took the paper, rea<l the list it
contained and handed it back to Fitz(Jibbon,declinin«;'
positively to do anything- until the followinij^ sununei*.
Exasperated by what he thought extraordinary tolly,
yet unable to act in this manner without authority,
FitzGibbon racked his excitable brain to devise means
by which to make some preparation, however small,
to meet and hold the rebels in check until, wdien the
Governor's eyes were opened by finding them at his
door, proper and more effective measures would be
taken to defeat them.
It nuist be remembered that FitzGibbon's popu-
larity, the devotion to him |)ersonally he had won
from many he had at various times befriended, sym-
pathized with, or saved from oettin^- into trouble or
sorrow ; the friendly word and kindly smile he had
always ready for the most insignificant, his intense
individuality, his ready interest in others and the
sort of hero worship his daring deeds and reputation
had won for him in the minds of the lads of the next
generation, put him in possession of means of infor-
mation which he might act upon but could not betray.
He had also been the first provincial acting Grand
Master of the Freemasons in Upper Canada, and
though he had resigned that office in 182G, he was
still a prominent member of the fraternity. He had
lived in neighborly contact with his fellow-citizens
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196
A VETERAN Ol' ISIJ.
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I'or ovt'j" twenty v<'}irs. He had Ixm-ii \alu»'<l an<l
iKjiiorcd i)y liis coiiiiiiaiKlri-s and su[)erioi' uthcri.s
tlir()U<;-h the war ol' IH12-I4.
Ho had known Voik in tlic days wlicn it was littU;
inoro tliau a <^ai rison, and, in consciincnct' of tli(^ civil
a|)j)ointin('nts he ha<l held in the intoi'voninj^' years,
had not only had the; ()p])oitunity but the will to
know every additional niend)er ol' the increasin*;"
2)o|mlation,
Sir P^rancis, on the other hand, knew little or nt)th-
ino'ot* the colony he had been taken from coniparatix c
obscurity to o()vern — knew little in fact of men or
politics — had no tact, but was amply pi'ovided with
insular ])rejudiee, without the knowled<i;e which en-
nobles it or robs it of an obstinacv' of which the only
desi^natory adjective is pig-headed. Nor, it may be
said, did Sir Francis know anything* of FitzOibbon
beyond what a man of his limited penetration could
learn in the short period of his residence in the Pro-
vince. The obstinate contradict(jriness of liis nature
resented bein<;' argued out of preconceived opinions by
a man of Fit/iJibbon's excitable temperament, and one
wdio made no secret of having- risen from the ranks
of a line regiment.*
* The impression made 1)V Fitz(}i]jl)ou's I'epeated asseitiou of
this fact has led to many l)hmders on the part of his biographers,
who state that he was "the son of a poor cottar on the Knight of
Glin's estate," "of hiunble origin," etc. — bliniders which only care-
ful search among family pa])ers, a visit to the rnins of the old house
on the hill above the towers of (ilin, and the Knight's corroborative
testimony, gleaned fi'om his title deeds and family records, has
etfectually corrected.
PRKCAUTIONARY MEASURES.
197
His aiixiouH desire to take some precautionary
iiicasurcH i'ec(^ivinf^ no encouraf^enient, hut distinctly
the reverse, from Sir Fi'ancis Head, Fitz(ii))h()n (h'ter-
mincvl U])on actin<j; on Ins own res|)()nsil)inty.
Knunieratin^- the men in 'J'oi'onto U])on wliose loy-
altv he knew lie could relv, to the nundn'i'oF 120, and
takin<;'the list to ( government House, this irre])ressil)le
defender of his home showed it to Sir F')-aneis, with
the intimation that he " intended to warn each of the
men on the list to he in readiness to come armed to
the Parliament House, at any houi* of the day or
nijjjht, u])on hearing- the college bell rin<^ the alarm,"
and " that he also meant to ask the Mayor of the city
to warn all his loyal friends east of Yon<j^e Street to
i-ally to his aid at the City Hall upon the rino-jn^- of
the cathedral bells."
Pausing for a moment, Imt not lon^ CT^iOu^h to
allow His Excellency to utter the refusal 'le feared
was on his lips, FitzGibbon added : " For the vloin^- of
tliis I desire to have your Excellency's sanction, but
permit me to tell your Excellency that, whether you
<;ive me leave or not, I mean to do it."
Sir Francis looked at him with indignant surprise
as FitzGibbon continued : " I say so with all due re-
spect to your Excellency, as the representative of my
sovereign, but you are so convinced that we are in
no danger that you will ti 'vc no precautions: but I,
being fully convinced that the danger is most innoi-
nent, am determined to take every measure in my
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198
A VETERAN '"F 1S12.
power to (l(3vi.s(3 lor the protection of my lainily and
fricndH."
Sir Frjinci.s did not reply iimncdiately, hut, after a
pause; of doubt and uneei'tainty, Ite at last ^^avc a
reluctant consent, much as if it was forced from him
by the soldier's deterndned words.
Whether willingly or unwillin;j;ly ^jiven, it was still
consent. 'I'hankin^' His Excellency, Fit/( Jih])oii with-
drew. He went at once to tin; City Hall, where, in
the prtisence of Alderman Dickson (Dixon ^) he com-
municated the result of his interview with Sir Francis,
and asked the Mayor to co-operate with him and
undertake tha"". someone should be at hand to v'm^
the bells of the cathedral when warned by the rin^-
in^ of the colle<^e bells.
Sir Francis was not the only one who thouo-lit
FitzGibbon over-anxious and over-zealous in thus
takino^ timely preca\itions against surprise by the
rebels, who, he knew, were arming and being drilled
in the outlying districts a])out Toronto. When he
called upon the Chief Justice he met with something
of the same opposition he had received at the hands
of the Lieut. -Governor. Upon stating his object and
expressing his fears, the Chief said : " Colonel Fitz-
Gibbon, I cannot partake of your apprehensions, and
I am sorry you are alarming the people in this way."
FitzGibbon repeated what he had said to Sir
^ Francis, and agjain reiterated his determination not to
be persuaded by anyone to desist from taking what
precaution he could against being surprised by an
iFWf!
CHIEF JUSTICE ROBINSON.
109
niidiscipliiu'd rabhlo sut'h as he expected tlie rebel
I'orce would be. He, liowever, yielded so fur to the
Chief JuHtiee us to a^ree to warn the heads of families
only.
TIh! insur;;*ent I'orees were j^athered, the rebellion
broke; (^ut, and the college bells ran<;' the alarm before
Fit/(j}ibbon liad tiiin; to warn tifty of the one hundred
and twentv-wix men whose names were on liis list.
Althou^di the followin*^ lettei- was written some
two years later, I think I cannot do better than
insert it here. Fitz(iibbon never ])lamed tlie men
who at this time were so inciv^dulous. 'j'hev had as
deep interests at stake as any could have, and wouhl
have been as prompt to defend them had they not
})een blinded by the false security in which Sir
Francis liad wivipped himself, and apprehended no
dan<:jer of any actual rebellion. Tlie coiukict of tlie
Chief Justice after the event was, however, tliat of a
generous man. It contrasted very favorably with
that of the Governor. ,
(Eivtract from the letter of Chief Justice Bobinson.)
" My Dear Bishoi', — I think Colonel FitzGibbon
may feel assured that the Government has a Just
sense of his faithful and valuable services. If I had
any doubt of this, I would most readily repeat in
writing what I have taken occasion to say to the
Secretary of State on that subject.
" During the many years that Colonel FitzGibbon
has resided in Upper Canada, his resolute character,
his ardent loyalty, and his active and intelligent
200
A VETERAN OF 1812.
mind, have led him and have enabled him to render
important services to tli<' Government and to the
Province, and on several occasions wlien I think it
wonld have been difficult to find anyone else who
coidd liave discliar^vd tlie same duty so efficiently.
" With re<;ard to his services in 1837, I have no
doubt (and 1 should be happy to state this on every
occasion where it could be useful to him) that his
earnest conviction b d'ore tlie outbreak that violence
W()ul<l be attem]:)ted, and tlie measures of precaution
whicli lie spontaneously took in conse<[uence of that
impression, were the means of saving the Government
and the loyal inhabitants of Toronto from being for
a time at least at the mercy of the rebels: and I
believe that the most disastrous conseipiences would
have followed the surprise which Colonel FitzGib-
bon's vigilance pi'evented. His conduct also, when
the crisis did occur, was most meritorious.
" The Legislature has shown a strong sense of this
service, and a great desire to reward it ; and I am
persuaded tliat no one would receive more pleasure
than the i^resent Lieut.-Governor of Upper Canada
and his ] -edecessor, from any measure of Her Majes-
«ty's which should Iiave the effect of recompensing
Colonel FitzGibbon in such manner as may be most
agreeable and useful to himself.
"(Signed) John B. Robinson."
[Enclosed in a note from the Lord Bishop of Tor-
onto, dated London, 83 Sackville Street, 16th August,
1839.]
On Saturday, December 2nd, a man whose name
is not given in any of the papers, either printed or
in manuscript to whicli I have had access, came to
f'-^l^fl
SECRET INFORMATION.
201
the Adjiitant-General's office and asked to speak with
FitzGibbon in private.
At tliis interview FitzGibbon obtained fnrtlier
information concernin^^ the movements of tlie disaf-
fected, and of arms being sent from all points to the
north of Toronto. He endeavored to persuade his
informant to repeat it to the Governor and his Coun-
cil, but without success. The man declined positively-
He had revealed what he had seen and heard to Fitz-
Gibbon as to a fellow-mason, and refused to run the
risk of losing lite or property at the hands of the
rebels by permitting his name to transpire. They
(the rebels) knew that he had come into town upon
urgent private business, and believed it was for that
alone he was there. He could not depend upon any-
one else keeping his name secret, and if it was be-
trayed, assassination upon his return, or destruction
to his property if he remained in town, would be the
inevitable result.
Knowing how much more satisfactory this infor-
mation would be if delivered first-hand to the Lieut.-
Governor, instead of through him, FitzGibbon urged
it by every argument he could advance, but only
succeeded so far as to induce the man to say where
he might be found, if Sir Francis should demand his
presence.
The tidings warranted the belief that the outbreak
was as imminent as FitzGibbon feared, yet such was
the opposition he met with both from the Governor
and his assembled Council, to whom he lost no time
13
!r'"*r
I i\
ID H
i .
It'
'I
202
A VETERAN OF 1812.
in communicating it, that the man was summoned
and interviewed })y Sir Francis and the Attorney-
General, and the intelligence discussed for nearly six
liours without any definite conclusion beinf( arrived
at or any orders issued to meet even a possible emer-
gency.
In vain FitzGibljon urged the necessity of some
precautions being taken, some preparation being made
to guard against surprise. Neither the Lieut.-Gover-
nor nor his Council would consent, the Hon. Wm.
Allen alone advocating FitzGibbon's advice being
taken.
In reply to Sir Francis' weak objection, that the
man's report had not made the same impression on
his mind as it had apparently upon Colonel Fitz-
Gibbon's, the information he brought being at third
and fourth-hand, FitzGibbon reiterated the (question :
" ' Wliat impression does it make on the man's own
mind ? Has he not seen in a blacksmith's forge bags
filled with what he has no doubt are pike-heads :*
Has he not seen the handles already made, and the
timber prepared for more, which, he was told, were
intended for hayrakes or pitchforks ? And has he
any doubt at all of the object of all the preparations
which he, from day to day, has seen making in the
neighborhood ^ '
"Whereupon the Hon. Wm. Allen said : 'What would
you have, gentlemen ? Do you expect the rebels will
come and give you information at first-hand ? How
can you expect such information but at second, third
I !
APPOINTED ADJUTANT-GENERAL.
203
or fourth hand ? I am as long in this country as most
of you, gentlemen. I know the people of this coun-
try as well as most of you, and I agret^ in every
work spoken here to-day by Colonel FitzGihbon, and
think that an hour should not be lost without prepar-
ing ourselves for defence.'
" After Mr. Allen had done speaking, I turned to
His Excellency and said: 'In short, sir, when I came
here this morning, I expected that your Excellency
would give me leave to go into the streets and take
up every half-pay officer and discharged soldier I
could find in the city, and place them this very day in
the garrison to defend it.'
" To this His Excellency answered : ' What would the
people of England say were we thus to arm ^ And
besides, were we to pass the militia by, they would
feel themselves insulted.'
*' To which I replied : ' Pardon me, your Excellency ;
they would rejoice to see me organize the military to
be a nucleus for them to rally round.'
" When I withdrew from this meeting or council,
and reflected on all that had passed, I did fear that I
should be looked upon by those present as a presump-
tuous and arrogant man, for I spoke with great
earnestness and fervor." ("An Appeal to the People
of Upper Canada.")
This meeting was held on Saturday. Nothing was
<lone until Monday morning, when FitzGibbon being
sent for. Sir Francis read a militia genera^ order,
appointing him Adjutant-General, and ordered him
if
,
19
Mi
204
A VETERAN OF 1812.
to si(Tn all general orders and documents issuing from
the Department as Adjutant-General.
After a moment's hesitation, FitzGibbon declined
j)uttino' himself into what would be a false position.
The law allowed only one adjutant-general, and as
Colonel CpHfin still held tliat post, another could not
legally be appointed. Reflecting, however, that even
the nominal holding of such a position would enable
him to do nuich upon the authority of his office that
would otherwise be impossible, FitzGibbon consented,
provided the words " Acting Adjutant-General " Avere
allowed to follow his signature. There was another
reason for his reluctance to accept this appointment,
in the fact that some time previously Sir Francis had
questioned him upon the condition of the working of
the Adjutant-General's department, and the state of
things was such that he had been obliged to report
neglect and inefficiency on the part of the official
holding that position ; and his being a personal friend
made it a sin against the noblesse oblige of his race to
appear to supplant him. Now, how^ever, he saw no
alternative but to do so to some extent, or lose the
one chance that offered by which he nii<»ht obtain the
power to do what he was so confident the safety of
the country re([uired. It was a sacrifice of personal
feeling for the benefit of others, the loss of one for
the gain of the many. That the friendship between
the two men was unbroken bv it is but one more
proof of the estimation for integrity of purpose and
A MILITTA GENERAL ORDER.
20.-)
loyalty to the truth in wliich FitzGibboii was licld by
frit'iid and foe alike.
Sir Francis consented to tlie proviso, and inniKMli-
ately prepared a militia (^'eneral order, appealing' to
the officers comManding regiments and corps in tlie
Province, and conveyin<»' instructions for their <4'uid-
ance in tlie event of tliat wliich Fit/(jri])})on now
believed was inevitable — the possible outljreak of re-
bellion.
FitzGibbon carried a copy of this order to the
Queen's printer the same day, but it was not ready
for circulation in time to be of much use as a pre-
cautionary measure. The outbreak occurred on the
nio'ht of the same day in which it was placed in the
printer's hands.
Though FitzGibl)on, in writing of this memorable
day, December 4th, has given no })ositive detail of
information obtained which served to increase his
apprehensions of the imminence of the outbreak, his
actions go to prove that he believed it but a (piestion
of hours. Mackenzie had attacked him personally
in the columns of his paper, and was prol)ably ke[)t
informed by his friends of FitzGibbon's ai)peals to
Sir Francis, as well as of the Lieut.-Governor's refusals
to provide against surprise.
On the afternoon of the 4th, the discovery that
suspicious-looking characters had been seen lurking
about the neighborhood of his house, led FitzGibbon
to believe that he might be especially marked for the
rebel vengeance.
n
\pww
rir
I'Mi
!
ii
20G
A VETERAN OF 1812.
There is a dim recollection in my mind of a sto.y
told me when a very small child — so dim, however, it
is, tliat I <lo no wisli to adv'ance it liere as authentic
in the remotest degree. If, however, there is even
the least fomidation of trutli in it, FitzGibbon's cer-
tainty of tlie advance of the rebels and their sino-Hno-
him out for especial attention would ])e explained.
The story was told us in the nurseiy, and belon<^s
to the treasured traditions of my childiiood. One of
the youn*;" men, returnin*^' from an outlying district
in the early dusk of the winter twiliglit, happened to
pass by a low house in the northern outskirts of the
city. A lioht in an U2)per window and the mention
of FitzGil)b()n's name heard through a narrow open-
ing, the sash being raised on a reel of cotton, attracted
liis attention. He staved to hear more. His horse's
feet making no sound upon the soft, wet grass, the
gtnitle creature, obeying his hand, drew close to the
window in silence. Half a dozen men were in close
converse in the room, discussing the intended march
on Toronto that night, and their conhdence of success.
Waiting to hear no more, the lad walked his horse
until out of hearing from the house, then hastened
into the city to report what he had heard to Fitz-
Gibbon. Whether in confidence, or whether the in-
formant was one of his own sons, and he feared the
lad's interest and excitement had exaggerated the
importance of what he had overheard, and did not
wish his name mentioned, my memory fails to recall ;
the chief item impressed on my childish mind being
A MIDNIGHT INTERVIEW.
207
tliat some important iiitellifi^ence was obtained through
a window sasli proppe«l open with a I'eel of cotton,
aii<l tliat the rider liad such loving- control over his
horse tlvat he was enabled to ride away nndiscovered,
and convey the tidin^jjs to the colonel.
FitzGibbon merely says that as ni^lit approached
he became more a})prehensive oF impending danger,
and consequently determii!"vl to sleep at his office in
the Parliament House \nitil he considered the crisis
over. Late in the day he invited several of his
friends to spend tlie evenino- with him, an invitation
readily accepted. Although they might not share
his apprehensions, many were willing to share his
vigils. FitzGibbon was an excellent raconteur, and
is fre(iuently spoken of as "one of the most enter-
taininii' and anmsino- men of his dav." Few of the
men of his accpiaintance would refuse to spend the
night with him.
About ten o'clock, some other incident occurring,
the detail of which he does not give, FitzGibbon
deemed it as well to inform His Excellency of his
fears for the night, and his intention of remaining at
the buildings. He found upon reaching Government
House that Sir Francis had retired for the night.
Looking back now upon the insistence of the man,
one cannot but acknowledge that he nuist have been
regarded as an intolerable nuisance by those who did
not share his apprehensions, and this disturbing of
vice-regal slumbers a great annoyance.
In vain Mrs. Dalrymple protested tliat her brother
»
iii^^
■"y
208
A VETEUAN of 1s12.
.il
was fatigued, and that it was liard tliat he should
be disturbed. FitzGibbon insisted, and tlie Governor
came down in his dressin^-^own to liear what he liad
to say, and no doubt returned to his rest in nowise
more convinced tlian liitherto, and possibly in no
very anuable mood. An hour later, information was
brought to FitzGibbon that the rebels were actuall}'
approaching the city in force from tlie north.
Sending Mr. Cameron, one of his rifle corps, to
ring the college bell, FitzGibbon mounted a horse
belonging to the House messenger and kept in a
stable close at hand, and galloped from house to liouse
in the west end of the city, warning the occupants
and bidding them hasten to the Parliament buildings,
armed, as the rebels were then approaching the city.
The college bells were rung, but the city bells were
still silent. Annoyed and anxious lest nothing but
a confused, unarmed body of citizens should assem-
ble, to fall an easy prey to the rebels, and knowing
that even momentary success would swell the rebel
ranks, FitzGibbon rode to the cathedral. Finding
the doors still locked, he shouted for someone to
run for the keys ; then, when to his impatience the
messenger seemed long in returning, he called for
axes to break open the doors. The keys, however,
arrived in time to prevent other means being resorted
to ; the doors opened and the bells rung, but not until
half an hour of what might have been valuable time
was lost. FitzGibbon had relied on the promise given
him by the Mayor, that the city bells should be rung
OUTBREAK OF THE KEIIELLION.
209
as soon as the rin<^iii^' of the colle<(e bells tj^ave the
alarm.
(jiviii<^ (Hivetions that the eases eontainin<^" the
anus in tlie City Hall sliould \)v opened, and theii-
contents distributed to the men as thev came in, Fitz-
Gibbon, accompanied by two students, who were also
mounted, rode up Yon^e Street to ascertain what pro-
gress the rebels were makin<»" towai'd the citv. Reach-
in^ the ravine opposite R(3sedale without enc()unterin<»'
any rebel force, F"itzGibbon be^^an to fear that his
alarm was premature, and that he had laid himself
open to ridicule by his exti'aordinary proceedings
and excitement. He determined, however, to <j^uard
against possible contingencies and cany out his plans.
He saw there would be time to place a picket on
Yonge Street, to check the expected advance of the
rebels, but before turnino- to reti'ace his steps, he ex-
pressed a regret that he had not a few more mounted
and armed men with him, as he might then have
ridden on to Montgomery's, the reported head(juarters
or rendezvous of the enemy, and reconnoitred his
position more satisfactorily. The two lads eagerly
volunteered to do so, but FitzGibbon was very re-
luctant to allow them to undertake such a service.
One of them, Mr. Brock, had been sent out to Canada
and placed under his especial care by his father.
Major Brock, who had served with Fitz(}il)bon in the
49th, and had since proved himself a most generous
and kind friend.
Not wishing to expose his friend's son t'^ unneces-
\ i
V ■
{•f
pit', f__
■v;;jf};;
h*,::iSHj5
f
n
210
A VETKRAN of I8l2.
I '■>
! :
sary danger, FitzGibbou at lirst iv fused, l)iit the lad.s
were 80 anxious and so coutideut no harm would
happen them, tliat lie at lenj^th consented and returned
to the city without tlu^m. He had not ridden many
yards before he met Mr. Powell, one of the city akler-
men, and Mr. McDonald, the whMi'Hn<;"er, also riding-
out to learn what truth there was in the I'umors of
I'ebels nnisterin<jj at Montgomery's. Fit/Gibbon haile<l
them with satisfaction, be^'<;(Ml them U) ride oncpiickly
and ovei'take Mr. Brock and Mi'. Hellinohjun, and
continued his way, relieved of some of his anxiety
concerning the lads. FitzGibbon's sui'prise was there-
fore great upon arriving at Government House a shoii
time after to find Mi*. J^)well there before him. Mi*.
Krock and his friend had been met and taken prisonei's
by the rebels within a few minutes of their parting
with FitzGibbon and Mr Powell, encountering them
directly after, liad been sunnnoned to surrender him-
self also. Instead of complying, he had fired at and
shot their leader, then turning his horse had galloped
back to town. Finding the toll-bar shut, and no one
replying to his shout, fearing pursuit, he had left his
horse and made his way across the fields to Govern-
ment House, where he found the Governor still in
bed, the clamor of the bells not having disturbed him.
Mr. Powell's report roused him to the reality of the
impending danger, and for the first time he was i eady
to take FitzGibbon's advice, though it was only to
dress himself and come with him to the market-place.
While FitzGibbon was thus escorting the Lieut.-
^pufpn
AN ANXIOUS NIGHT.
211
Governor to the centre of defensive operations, the
City Hall, .Tu<l<;'e Jones, who had <;'iuiid)led at tlie
over-zeal of FitzGihbon when wakened hy his messen-
ger an honr before, had also realized the neeessity foi*
aetioii. He had formed a picket, and niarcheil it ont
to the toll-bar on Yon^e Sti'cet. Kidin«i' thithei-,
KitzGibbon learned that the rebels, alarmed by the
fall of their leader and the rin^iii*;' of the city bells,
had returned to Montm)merv s. Sentries were then
carefully posted. The remainder of the iii<;'ht was
spent in armin<ij and or^anizin<if the citizens.
One of the tirst men FitzCJibbon had I'oused when
warned of the approach of the rebels was the Assis-
tant Adjutant-CJeneral, Colonel Foster. To him, more
than perhaps to any other member of the (iovei'ii-
ment, was due the rapid and effective or<^anizati()n
of the mass of excited citizens — who had rushed
unarmed, and in many cases panic-stricken, to the
market-place — into an orderly defensive force.
FitzGibbon speaks in one of his letters of this
night as one of the most anxious he ever spent. H*
we consider the nature of the service required of him,
we may lealize his anxiety. He liad to deal wdth an
excited mob, hastily aroused from their beds, many of
them sympathizers with or themselves unavowedly
rebels, crowding to the City Hall unarmed, but ready
to seize the weapons served out (without any possi-
bility of distinguishing friend fi'om foe), and use
them either in attack or defence, whichever side scored
the first success and turned the scale ; but recently,
'■' ^li'
i i
\ i
* "is
1
■■■ I«j
1
212
A VETERAN OF 1812.
almost at the eleventh iiour, apjxjinted to the eoin-
iiiarid, havin^^ no regular Hoklier.s, men who fall into
the ranks meclianically at a word and obey oi'ders in
silence; with militia re^nments insuthcicntly olKcered
amid the dai'kness, the ehimor oi' the l)ellH min<^led
with the excited exclamations of tlie moh; the panic;
cansed by tlu' Hyin*;' I'umors and (■xa^<^eiated re])orts
of the extent of tlie outhi'eak (inmors circulated hy
Mackenzie's friends and sympathizers), and the feel-
ino- of certainty that if the i-ehel force struck the iii-st
blow with even partial success, hundreds who now
ai)peai*ed loyal wouM join the standard of revolt.
Under such circumstances, we can not only n'alize
FitzGibbon's anxiety, but can understand the value
of the few old military officers and men upon whose
technical and practical knowledge, as well as loyalty,
he could rely.
The militia certainly deserved the chief credit and
great praise for service rendered under most trying
circumstances, but the assistance of men like Colonel
Foster was a large factor in the organization of the
people into a force capable of guarding the city.
FitzGibbon speaks later of Sir Francis Head's desire
' ^H through the militia rather than through those
J had any pretensions to military experience, as if
.egardless of the injury he must do by neglecting to
avail himself of the professional services at his dis-
posal, giving as an instance in point Sir Francis'
refusal to accept an officer formerly belonging to the
G8th Light Infantry as his aide-de-camp, requesting
WIMJAM IIYEHSONS LETTER.
2i;j
tluit FiizOibboii should send Iniii a militia officer to
net in that capacity on 'i'liursday, Dtcciiihci- 7tli.
This ])olicv of the Licut.-Ciovi'i'nor may in a
iiicasun^ account for the absence of innnv names in
the vai'ious accounts of that jx'i'iod and the ])i*omin-
ence ^jjiven to the militiamen in the excitement in
Toronto dui'in;;- the first few days of the reljellion in
V
])per
C
una* la.
By sunrise on Tuesdny, the men were formed in
])lato()nH in the Market S(|uare, the one ^un, a (J-
|)oun(h'r, mounted and loadiMl in front of the City
Hall.*
Rumors renchin<j;; FitzCJibljon that the rebels, havintij
retired to Montii'onu'rv's, wer" fellinii- trees and forti-
fyin<j^ their position, he i-ode out to ascei'tain wluit
truth there mi<;-ht be in 'Jw report. He was accom-
panied byCai)tain Halkett of the (iuards, Sir Francis'
* Extract from William Ryerson's letter to Dr. Ryerson, Decem-
ber oth, 1887 :
" Last night a])out twelve or one o'clock the bells rang with gi'eat
violence ; we all thought it was the alarm of tire, but being unable
to see any light we thought it was a fal.se alarm, and we remained
i|uiet until this morning, when on visiting the market-place 1 found
a large numl)er of per.scms serving out arms to others as fast as they
})()Ssil)ly could. Among others, we saw the Lieut. -Governor, in his
every-day suit, with one double-barrelled gun in his hand, another
leaning against his ])reast, and a ])race of pistols in his leathern belt.
Also Chief Justice Rolnnson, Judges Macaulay, Jones and McLean,
the Attorney-General and Solicitor-( leneral, with their nuiskets,
cartridge boxes and bayonets, all standing in ranks as private
.soldiers, under the command of Colonel Fitztiibbon." ("Story of
my Life," p. 177.)
214
A VETERAN OF 1812.
aide-de-c.iinp and four others. The rumor was with-
out foundation, the road was open and the position of
the rebels sucli tliat FitzCJibbon felt confident a prompt
attack would certaiidy disperse them without niuoh,
if any, loss. Full of this opinion he returned, and
going at once to Sir Francis, begged to be allowed to
march three hundred of the live hundred men then
in the Market 8(|uare, with the G-pounder, to attack
the enemy at once. To his surprise and indignation
Sir Frt^iicis replied : " No, sir, I will not fight them
on their ground ; they must fight me on mine."
In vain FitzGibbon urged the advisability of mak-
ing an attack upon the rebels before their number
increased. In vain he represented how much less the
loss of life and pi'operty would be if the rebels were
defeated or dispersed before they entered or attacked
the city — how muph less difficult to surround and
defeat them on their own ground, or to defend one
entrance to the city, if they should be even partially
successful in resisting the attack, than to guard and
watch the many approaches by which their most
powerful weapon, incendiarism, might enter it,
Sir Francis would listen to none of his arguments
or entreaties. Finding that persistence only aroused
irritation, FitzGibbon reluctantlv desisted.
Tuesday was spent in further preparation. The
picket posted by Judge Jones on Yonge Street had
been withdrawn in the morning, and as the evening
approached FitzGibbon undertook to form another to
mount guard during the night,
SHERRIFF JAKVIS PICKET.
215
While selecting and drawing up the men, Sir
Francis saw him from a neighboring window, and
sending for him demanded, " What arc you doing ^ "
Upon FitzClibbon replying that he was forming a
picket to place on Yonge Street, he ordered him per-
emptorily not to send out a man. FitzCHbbon urged
not only the impoi'tance but the absolute necessity of
not leaving tlie road open and unguarded. Sir Francis
only reiterated his connnand.
" We have not nr.'n enough to defend the city. Let
us defend our posts, and it is my positive order that
you do not leave this building yourself."
FitzGibbon protested against such an arbitrary
command, but Sir Francis only repeated it. ])isgusted
at such ignorance, and annoyed that he should be the
victim ; feeling that he was being treated like a child
who had been given a task to do, and then told he
was incapable of attempting it, FitzGibbon left the
room — not, however, to obey. He was not a man
to give up what his knowledge of military tactics
and night fighting, as well as the possible designs of
the rebel force, such as had flocked to Mackenzie's
standard, told him was the right and l)est course to
pursue. The picket posted on Yonge Street was a
necessary precaution, and. Sir Francis' commands to
tlie contrary, he meant to so post it. He only did
out of His Excellency's sight what he would other-
wise have done under his eyes. He formed the picket,
placed it under the connnan<l of Sheriff Jarvis, marched
it out, and posted it himself.
21G
A VETERAN OF 1812.
, :; I
Upon his return, he went directly to Sir Francis,
reported himself and told what he had done. Sir
Francis rebuked him an<j:rilv, but in milder terms than
he had expected.
An hour afterwards, when tidin<jjs were brought to
Sir Francis that the slierifi* nnd his picket had been
taken prisoners by the rebels, he turned to FitzOibbon
and re[>roached him bitterly for his disobedience. But
the soldier scoffed at the report. The sheriff was no
fool ; the pickets had been well posted, and directions
for their guidance too carefully given for such a re-
sult; and though Sir Francis' wrath was somewhat
apjieased by the arrival of a second rumor that the
picket h}? \ escaped, FitzCHbbon was as incredulous
of it as of the first. When, a short time after, Mr.
Cameron came from the sherifi' to report to the Gov-
ernor that the enemy had approached the picket, been
fired upon and fled, leaving sevei'al of their men dead
upon the road. Sir Francis acknowledged, Iv desisting
from his reproaches, that FitzGibbon had acted ad-
visedly.
A few minutes later, an anonymous letter was
handed to Sir Francis, warning him that the rebels
intended to come in before dav and set fire to the
city in several places simultaneously, in the hope of
distracting its defenders or driving them from their
positions, especially their stand at the City Hall,
whei-e the arms and annnunition were stored.
It was ascertained the following day that the party
,ncis,
Sir
than
ht to
been
ibbon
. But
ras no
ctions
a re-
ewhat
at tht'
dulous
,er, Mr.
e Gov-
t, been
n dead
sistin^-
ed ad-
AN IMPRUDENT ORDER.
217
driven back by Sheriff Jarvis' picket had been de-
spatched by the rebel leader for this purpose.
Alarmed by this letter for the safety of the spare
arms, Sir Francis gave orders that they should be
removed to the Parliament Buildings, which, being
isolated, were less accessible to an incendiary. There
were no wagons or other means of transport avail-
!d)le. It was midnight, cold and dark, the roads
were bad, and the men weary from watching and
excitement,
FitzGibbon knew that if Sir Francis Head's plan
of ordering the men to leave their loaded weapons at
their posts, shoulder half-a-dozen of the spare un-
loaded arms and convey them to the Parliament
House, was carried out, nothing but confusion and
probable disaster would be the result. Uncertain of
the loyalty of many of the men armed to defend the
city, if opportunity arose of helping the rebels ; cer-
tain that they were surrounded by spies and sym-
pathizers who would advise their friends of any
such proceedings, FitzGibbon opposed the Lieut.-
Governor by every argument and persuasion he could
til ink of or advance.
Sir Francis persisted, and remembering how re-
ct'iitly his orders had been openly disobeyed, he
ap])eared the more obstinately determined that this
one should be executed. FitzGibbon was in despair.
He continued to remonstrate, assuring Sir Francis
that if he would allow the arms to remain where
they were till daylight, he would himself undertake
«(ii.,
1
218
A VETERAN OF 1812.
! ! i
to place reliable men in positions that would enable
them to keep the rebels at such a distance as would
ensure their safety, for he apprehended the very worst
results from such a movement as Sir Francis ordered
being made in the dark.
Fortunately at this moment a shout from the street
announced the arrival of Col. Macnab, with upwards
of sixty men, from Hamilton. Turning to the Lieut. -
Governor, FitzGibbon said: "Now, sir, we are safe
till morning, for with this reinforcement you can
guard every approach to any distance from which we
can be injured." Sir Francis yielded, although Fitz-
Gibbon had seized upon the arrival more as an argu-
ment by which he might gain his point, than because
he thought the additional number made any appre-
ciable difference in their security froin the fire-brands
of the rebels.
The remainder of the night passed without dis-
turbance, and on the following day the arms were
transferred to the Parliament Buildings.
During the day (Wednesday) volunteers and militia
came in from Hamilton and Niagara by water, and
from the country by the eastern and western roads.
The city was socn crowded. There was not a sufficient
commissariat for the moment, supplies were not con-
veniently available, the householders had to hide
away their provisions to ensure a bare subsistence for
themselves, and the danger of a famine was more to
be dreaded than any attack from the rebels. It be-
came an imperative necessity to attack them, to defeat
fiTHT^'i r
able
oul<l
lered
itreet
var<l«
jieut.-
^ safe
u can
ich we
, Fitz-
i argu-
)ecau8e
appve-
brands
lit dis-
is were
EXASPERATING DELAY.
210
their enemies and disperse their friends with the
least possible delay.
Durint^ the day the Attorney-General met Fitz-
Gibbon in the corridor of the Parliament House, and
showed him a militia general order a})pointin<^
Colonel Macnab to the command of the militia in
the Home District, to which his (FitzGibbon's) name
was affixed. Indignant at finding his name appended
to a document he had never before seen, FitzGibbon
was about to demand, in no measured terms, who had
dared to act for him ; but reflecting how important it
was that he should not add to the already groat diffi-
culties which must arise where such a number of men
and officers from all parts of the country had come
together, and, without any regular organization, were
to march against the common foe, he said nothing.
Night came on and no orders were given by Sir
PVancis for the attack.
FitzGibbon waited until eight o'clock ; then, too
anxious and impatient to delay longer, he went to
Government House in search of Sir Francis Head, and
was told the Lieut. -Governor was at the Archdeacon's.
On returning to his office he met the Hon. William
Allen and Mr. Draper. He asked them to go wdth
him to Sir Francis and urge an attack being made on
the following morning.
After discussing the matter for nearly two hours
without arriving at any conclusion more definite
than a promise from Sir Francis that he would give
orders to attack the reuels on the following day,
iiii
!
tl I
r
'
ii
t
'I;
If
Hi
!i^l
!!
220 A VETERAN OB^ 1812.
FitzGibbon rose to leave. Sir Francis had, unknown
to FitzGibbon, promised Colonel Macnab the command.
FitzGibbon, naturally concluding that, as Adjutant-
General and the man upon wliom so much had
devolved, he was in command, could not understand
His Excellency's hesitation in <:,iving him the neces-
sary orders.
Now, although his attention was drawn to it by
Mr. Allen, the (piestion was still undecided when he
left to attend to other pressing duties.
After visiting the pickets and guards FitzCiibbon
went home, He had had no rest since Sunday night.
Learning that some suspicious-looking people had
been fired at in the neighborhood of his house, he
deemed it wiser to return to his office, where he slept
until four o'clock on Thursday morning.
Believing that he should eventually be given the
connnand^ he spent the first half-hour on awaking
in drawing a rough memorandum for the attack. As
it may be interesting to those curious about such
details to give this roughly-sketched memorandum
here, I copy it from the original draft. It is written
on coarse foolscap and docketed
December 7th, 1837.
ROU(JH SKETCH OF DISTRIBUTION FOR THE ATTACK
THIS MORNING:
Colonel Macnab.
Lieutenant Nasli 1st Company Advance Guard.
" Coppinge ..2nd " "
♦< Garrett.... 3rd " *'
Major Draper.
Henry Sherwood.
M
ho
tlu
such
iduiu
•itten
|37.
"TACK
u-a
t)ISPOSITION OF THE FORCES. 221
Two Guns.
Captain Wm. Jarvis 1st Company Battalion.
'* ('ampbell 'iiid
♦♦ Nation '.Wd
" Taylor 4tli
♦« Jno. Powell otli
Henry Sheiwood (itli "
Henry Draper Ttli "
Donald Betliune Stli
Colonel Samuel McLeau .... Lieutenant Cox to aid.
Lieut. -Colonel (ieo. Duggan.
Major Jno. Gamble.
Judge Macaulay.
Colonel McLean.
*' Jones , . For t he . t Battalion.
" Jno. Macaulay.
Captain Macaulay.
" Durnford.
Art illery.
Captain Mathias.
Major Carfrae.
Captain Leckie.
Dragoons.
Tliree Companies in front.
One (Jun, Major Carfrae.
Four Companies :
The men of Gore, under Colonel Macnal).
One ( Jun.
Four Companies :
Right Hank under Colonel S. Jarvis.
One Company Men of Scarboro' in the woods with
Odonel McLean (Allen).
Left flank under Colonel McLeau (Archibald).
Two Companies under (,'olonel Jones.
Whether or not this disposition of the force was
afterwcards adhered to, there is no record among
FitzGibbon's papers. It may have been altered.
Is'' n9'
222
A VETERAN OF 1812.
t,i
We find when Sir Francis declined to accept the
services of Captain Strachan as his aide-de caiup for
the day, that FitzGibhon sent Henry Sherwood in
his stead, and asked Captain Straclian to remain near
liini durintj^ the attack upon the rebels.
Trifling as these details appear to us now, they are
indicative c^* tlie antagonism and irritating friction
between the two men, as well as finger-posts pointing-
out tlie cause of much misunderstanding. Tliey also
sliow the influences under wliicli each acted according
to his knowledge or characteristics, or was swayed
by the impulses of the moment.
The question of wlio should be given the conmiand
was still unanswered. FitzGibbon would not ask it
himself, yet no one else seemed to be moving in the
matter. While in this uncertainty, Judge Macaulay
and the Hon. John Macaulay came into his room,
anxious to learn w^hat were the plans for the day.
FitzGibbon told them what had passed at the Arch-
deacon's the previous evening, and asked if they
would go to Sir Francis, who was sleeping in a room
near hv, and ascertain his wnslies. A few minutes
later, FitzGibbon was sent for. He found Colonel
Macnab also by Sir Francis' bedside.
The scene must have been a curious one : the
dishevelled, half-roused Lieut.-Governor resting on
his elbow in th(^ camp-bed, the rival commanders on
either side of hiih ; the two Macaulays, one of them
an old comrade and friend of FitzGibbon's early days
in the country, one who had fought beside him in
"HipiF
A DRAMATIC SITUATION.
223
also
the
ng on
the campaign of 1814, and knew his military abili-
tieH and reputation, standing by, interested spectators
oi' tlie scene. Hm-e, too, was an opportunity for
the exercise of the Lieut.-( governor's fondness for
" I'ounded periods " and " h)ve of epigram."* He did
not lose it. FitzGibbon says : " He raised himself up
and said that he 'found liimself in a painful position,
having as rivals before him two (jfficers of ei^ual zeal,
of e<|ual bravery, and of equal talent, competing for
the connnand.' "
The last comparison roused our hero's indignation.
Colonel Macnab's pretensions to military knowledge
or talent were drawn from a cadetship of one year,
an ensign's commission for less, and no rank at all in
the militia until after FitzGibbon had held that of
full colonel. No wonder he stepped back and looked
at Sir Francis. The situation was dramatic. One
regrets that some sketch or cartoon of it has not
come down to us from the pen of one or other of the
two witnesses. The result of the interview was a
recjuest from the Lieut.-Governor that FitzGibbon
and the Macaulays would leave him to settle the
((uestion with Colonel Macnab. After waiting half an
liour in the corridor, they were recalled, and told that
C'olonel Macnab had released him from his promise,
and the connnand was given to Colonel FitzGibbon.
Without a single thought or reflection on what
'il
>\
i
1^
[y days
dm in
* Lord Melbourne's speech in the British House of Commons, on
Sir Francis and the Rebellion,
224
A VETERAN OF 1812.
might be the tcrma of Huch ca suiTondor, FitzGibbon
sliook liHii'ls with Colonel M.'icna)), and hurried away
to do what he thou<^'l»t lia<i been already delayed too
lon<^ — to organize the force for the attack.
FitzGibl)on never blamed Colonel Macnab in any
way for this rivalry, if so it can ])e called — he
but did as he was told. The two men were always
great friends ; Sir Francis' extraordinary behavior
roused no jealousy nor caused misunderstanding be-
tween them. Although Colonel Macnab received the
ho!ior of knighthood at the hands of Her Majesty
and a sword from the colonists for his share in (quell-
ing the rebellion, FitzGibbon was at the time about
to be rewarded in a manner more adecjuate to his
needs, and the fact that he never received it caused
no more than a passing comparison with Colonel
Macnab's better fortune. That Macnab was e(j[ually
generous will be seen later.
Few wdiose knowledge of Canadian militia is limited
to the line body of well-drilled men forming any of
our city regiments of to-day, can realize the difficulty
of forming the militia of T837 — many of them but
raw levies from the scattered settlements throughout
the country — into an effective attacking army. The
moment the column marched, FitzGibbon's spirits
rose. He was confident of success — success, too, with-
out much, if any, attendant bloodshed. He had no
doubt but the rebels would fly after a brief resistance,
if they stood their ground at all. These expectations
were, as we know, realized. The rebels fled in haste ;
IIOUT OF THE HEBELS.
225
the uttackino- force ])r()ke tlieir ranks and pursued in
siich disorder that it was little more than one crowd
runnin<;' ai'ti'i* another.
Fearin*;; lest the I'ebels niioht take advanta<^e of
the disorder in the ranks of their pursuers and rally,
FitzOib))on kept well in the advance, that in the
event of his fear bein^- realized, he niit^ht make an
effort to re-form at least a portion of his men. It was
not recpiired ; the enemy fled in all directions. The r
leader, Mackenzie, bem^* very closely pressed, left his
horse and took to the woods on foot.
Giving up the pursuit and returnin<;', FitzGibbon
met a party of al)()ut forty men. Asking- the officer
in counnand wdiere he was bound for, he received the
reply that they had been ordered to burn Gibson's
h(juse. Montgomery's was already in flames, having,
much to FitzGibbon's regret, been set fire to hy some
of the more excited of the loyalists, but Gibson's house,
being out of the way some two miles, had hitherto
escaped.
Believing there must be some mistake, as nothing
could be gained by such action, the officer repeating
that he had positive orders, FitzGibbon rode rapidly
after the now^ returning main body, in order to ascer-
tain from Sir Francis if he had given the connnand.
Before reaching him he was met by Mr. Sherwood,
Sir Francis' aide-de-camp, with the intimation that
" the Lieut.-Governor wished the men recalled who
who were going to burn Gibson's house, as he did
not wish it burned." Sending Capt. Strachan to over-
22G
A VETERAN OP 1812.
take the (letaclinient and countcnnaiid the olmoxioiis
oi'der, Fit/(}ihl)()ii r()(l(; on hiiu.self to the main body.
A few niinnt(j.s later lie was called and told that
His Kxcellenev wished to see him immediatelv at the
head oi* the colnmn. Fitz(lil)))on oheycMl the snm-
mons, and to his Huriu'ise the order to save (iihson's
h(ais(» was countermanded. He endeavored to remon-
sti'ate, Init Sir Francis was ohstinate. He laid his
hand on FitzCJibhon's arm as he rode alon*;- beside
him, and I'epeated, authoi'itatively : •
"Hear me; let Oibson's house be burned innnedi-
ately, and let the militia be kept here until it is done."
Then settin^jj spurs to his horse, he I'ode on rapidly
towards town.
It was late. The men had had a fatiguino- day ; they
were cold, weary ami hungry. There was no neces-
sity to keep the entire force waiting while the order
he so utterly disapproved of was carried out. Fitz-
Gibbon reined back liis horse until the main body
liad passed, wheeled out the last division, and sent
them northward. Turning to the field officer, whose
name he does not give, he bade him take the com-
mand and see the order executed.
" For God's sake, Colonel FitzGibbon," the officer
replied, " do not send me to carry out this order."
" If you are not willing to obey orders," said the
colonel, *' you had better go home and retire from the
militia."
"I am very willing to obey orders, but if I burn
that house, I shall be shot from behind one of these
liURNiNO OF Gibson's house.
227
fences, for I have to come over tliis ruad aliiio.st every
(lay ill the week."
In tlie meantime the two men were K'l't alone, the
main })0(ly returning- to town, the (h'taelnnent wlieeled
out for the speeial service on the way north. Tliei*'
hein<r no other otticer at luind to whom to entrust the
command of tlie hitter, Fitz(i!il)})on (U'termined to
undertake it liimself.
Sir Francis Head's (U'spatcli to the Colonial Office,
i)eceml)er ]9th,* so misrepresented his action with
reo-ard to the l)urnin<^ of Gibson's hous(», that upon
perusin<r it in the following April, Fitz(Jibl)on wrote;
a clear statement of the truth to L()rd (Jl(!nelt^,f with
the result that Sir Francis was obliged to append a
footnote to the pa^i^e in his '' Narrative," ac know led "•-
ino- the falsehood contained in his despatch. Curt as
are the words, " By my especial order," they suffice to
sliow liow reluctant the writer was to proclaim his
former statement to be false — to prove that, had there
been a loop-hole of escape, he would have seized it.
* " The inilitia advanced in pursuit of the rebels about four miles
until they reached the house of one of the principal ringleaders,
Mr. (libson, whose residence it would have l)een impo.ssilde to have
saved, and it was consequently burned to the ground." (.Sir Fran-
cis' Despatch, Decend>er li)th, 1837. See Appendix VII.)
t Although this statement was written on April 17th, and placeil
in Sir (leorge Arthur's hands to be transmitted to Lord Olenelg,
FitzGibbon was persuaded by his friends to withdraw it; but upon
reading a further production of Sir Francis' pen {)ul)lished in May,
FitzGibbon could no longer withhold his letter. A copy of the
original will be found in Appendix VIII.
Ill
IS I
■i
ill! ¥
228
A VETERAN OF 1812.
FitzClibbon always (1o[)1oi-(m1 tliis act. It was not
only iiniiecc'ssary, ])ut imjxjlitic and petty. Had tlic
order been given liiiii in pi'ivate, or before a limited
number, as other of Sir Francis' connuands had been,
FitzGibbon would have taken the responsibility of
disobeying it, as he had done before. But an order
given by a connnander-in-chief to his second in com-
mand, in the hearing of a number of subordinate
officers, and in the presence of the men, has no alter-
native : it must be obeyed, however r^ductantly.
The deed was done, the rebel Gibson's house razed
to the ground, and FitzGibbon returned with tin;
detachment to town. Disnn'ssing the men, and ascer-
taining that the guard at the Buildings had been
relievx'd, he turned his steps to his own house. He
w^as weary, mentally as well as physically. 'Hie rest-
less excitement and anxiety of the past few days, the
want of sleep, the iiritation and annoyance caused by
the Lieut. -Governor's behavior, the heart-sick disgust
he felt at having been forced to do a deed his very soul
abhorred — one that seemed to him unchristian and
beneath the diginty of a true British soldier — and the
long hours in tlie saddle unheeded during the excite-
ment, told upon him now" that the need for action
was past. By the time lie reached his own door, late
on that winter evening, he was unable to dismount
without assistance.
So bitterly did he feel the treatment he had re-
ceived at the liands of the Lieut. -Governor, that on
the following morning, finding himself unable to rise
RESIGNS OFFICE.
229
from his bed, he sent a verbal message to Sir Francis,
resigning the recently bestowed appointment as
Adjutant-General. The blow had fallen, the rebel-
lion he had so persistently and in the face of opposi-
tion and ridicule prophesied, had broken out, but,
owing to his foreknowledge, energy and determina-
tion, had not succeeded. The country was now
thoroughly roused to a sense of the reality of the
I'ebellion, there were men willinf;: and anxious to
defend their homes and prove theii* loyalty to the
British Crown, and his services were no longer indis-
pensable or necessary.
" I could not," he writes, *' serve the Province ad-
vantageously to its interests under the innnediate
command of such a man as His Excellency, anu I felt
constrained to resign an office in the Pro\ incial ser-
vice which, above all others, I desired to hold. Its
<luties were familiar to me, and to their efficient
performance I could cheerfully have devoted my
Ix'st enei'gies."
Sir Francis, without one word of regret or en([uiry
of the cause, accepted the resignation, and appointed
Colonel Macnab to succeed him.
Ill enouirh to be confined to the house for several
days, his youngest child dying, his wife ailing, the
long coveted ])osition given up, and entirely neglected
by the Lieut.-Governor, who did not pay him the
ordinary courtesy of conventional encpiiry, we may
understand something of the soreness and disappoint-
nient felt by the generous, loyal, enthusiastic heart.
230
A VETERAN OF 1812.
,:
In 1847 Sir Francis Head's policy in Upper Canada
was attacked in the Edinburgh Review, the writer,
in an article of some length, l)laniing him for disre-
garding FitzGibbon's advice.
Sir Francis' reply contained the following state-
ment, the gross falsehood of which FitzGibbon was
fortunately able to prove :
" It is therefore necessary that I should disabuse
the public by reluctantly stating, what was perfectly
well known thi-oughout Upper Canada, namely, that
the gallant militia colonel in (juestion, from excessive
zeal and loyalty, gradually became so excited that on
the day after the defeat of the rebels, it was neces-
sary to place him under medical treatment ; that
during his illness I in vain endeavored by every
possible act of personal kindness to remove from him
the strange idea that I was his enemy ; and that,
although he eventually recovered, this idea continued
to haunt him so* incessantly that when, a year after-
wards, on his visiting England, I was, from feelings
of regard, about to call upon him, I was earnestly
requested by a Canadian, now in Toronto, not to
do so." (Letter from Sir Francis Bond Head in the
London San.)
mm
IIH'
PUBLIC RECOGNITION.
231
CHAPTER X.
.
jHE year 1887 closed in ^looiu and sorrow for
FitzGibbon, but tlie be^innin^ of tlie new year
had brighter days in store for hini.
Tlie people saw with regret the way in which lu;
had been set aside by Sir Francis. The loyal among
tlieni knew that to him they owed their escape from
tlie rebel designs on the city, and were anxions to
show their gratitnde in some tangible form.
On January 28rd, 1888, the matter was ])rought
up in the House of Assend)ly, and the following reso-
hitions passed unanimously :
" Resolved, — That James FitzGibbon, Ks(juire, hav-
ing rendered signal services to this province in a
military capacity on various occasions, when he was
a regular o^cer of the regular forces of the empiin^
during the late war with the United States of
America, and subsequently in several civil capacities,
and also very recently as Colonel of Militia on the
l)reaking out of the rebellion in the Home District, it
is a duty incumbent on this House to recognize, l)y
some public expression, his brave and faithful con-
duct, and to use such means as may be in its power
to procure to be granted to him by his sovereign
some lasting token of the royal bounty, as an
232
A VETERAN OF 1812.
1 ^
! I
-:r|!j
acknowledgment of the estimation in which these
services are held by the people whom it represents.
" Besolved, — That this House do humbly address
Her Majesty, praying Her Majesty will be graciously
pleased to grant to the said James FitzGibbon five
thousan<l acres of the waste lands of the Crown in
this province, as a mark of Her Majesty's royal
favor, for the honorable, efficient and faithful services
of that gentleman during a period of twenty-six
years."
Upon these resolutions, an address to the Queen
was passed by tlie House, and sent to the Legislative
Council, which House also passed it with only one
dissenting vote.
Witli what feelings of gratitude did the soldier
receive this spontaneous act on the part of the Legis-
lature ! He had asked no reward for his services,
had expected none, had endured his anxieties and
trials as well as he could, and, although he had felt
Sir Francis Head's treatment of him keenly and
resented it indignantly, he had no expectation of
relief from his troubles reaching him in so gratifying
a manner. Whatever the Lieut.-Governor thought
of him, the people were grateful. He forgot all the
clouds, turned his back on all his troubles ; his
sanguine nature anticipated the sunshine ; he saw his
debts paid, his children provided for, and himself an
honored and valued citizen of the place he had done
his best to save from lire and sword.
The address was forwarded to the Secretary of
ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN.
233
State for the Colonies, aceoinpanie<l by a letter from
the Lieut.-Ciovernor, the following copy of wliich he
ordered to be sent to FitzGibbon :
"Upper Canada, Toronto,
''March Sth, 1838.
" My Lord, — I have the honor to transmit to yonr
Lordship a joint address to the Queen from the
Legislative Council and House of Assembly of Upper
(^anada, praying that Her Majesty would be gra-
ciously pleased to grant to James Fitzdiblxm,
Esquire, five thousand acres of the waste lands of
the Province, as a mark of Her Majesty's royal favor
for the honorable, efficient an«l able services of that
gentleman during a period of twenty-six years.
" I beg leave respectfully, but most earnestly, to
join in this recommendation, and T can assure your
Tjordship that a braver, a more loyal and devoted
s(!rvant than Colone FitzGibbon cannot exist in Her
Majesty's dominions.
" In time of war as well as in peace, he has admir-
ably performed his duties, and I am confident that
the boon which is solicited in his favor by the
Legislature of this province, would be most gratefully
acknowledged by Her Majesty's loyal subjects in
Upper Canada.
" I have the honor to be, etc., etc.,
"(Signed) Francis Bond Head.
" To the Lord Glenelo, etc., etc."
It is difficult to describe the effect of such a
complete contradiction of his former behavior. The
over-strained laudation of services he had pre-
i|j
m
i
if I
il; ,
I
284
A VETERAN OF 1812.
viously i<,morerl or denied, disgusted the honest-
liearted soldier.
Sir Francis was now as civil as he had before been
uncivil. He professed himself ready and anxious to
do anything and everything in his power to further
the wishes of the Assembly, to ensure the addi'ess to
the Queen being received with favor by the Colonial
Office; assured FitzGibbon he had always valued his
services and abilities and had " noticed him in his
despatch." He bade him go to the Surveyor-General's
office and pencil his name on live thousand acres of
any vacant land he desired, " provided he did not ask
for town lots."
These attentions, paid after the two Houses had
passed the address, are probably the foundations for
Sir Francis' assertion in his letter in the Sun. A man
of FitzGibbon 's character was not likely to receive
such false blandishments with much cordiality.
On March 12th, FitzGibbon was appointed Judge
Advocate on the militia general court-martial for the
trial of alien invaders, or such persons as should be
brought before it charged with levying war against
Her Majesty in the Province.
The court met at the Garrison in Toronto on the
13th March. FitzGibbon ably discharged the duties
of his post. At this court-martial General Sutherland,
the American officer who had been actively engaged
with the rebels on Navy Island, was a. aigned. In a
volume published by him later, he gives a full account
L
SIR FRANCIS head's UESir.NATlON.
235
of his own trial from liis point of view. Anion^ the
documents (|Uote<l is a letter from FitzGil)l)on in his
capacity of .lud^e Advocate. Sutherland took excep-
tion to his actinj,^ as sucli, hut as he di<l likewise to
the appointment of tlie majority of th(» eonnnission,
it may be taken for what it was worth.
At the end nf March the Homi' CJovermnent ac-
cepted Sir Francis Head's resi<;nati()ii, and the even-
ing before his departure he i" vited FitzGibbon to
dine with him.
Reluctant as lie was to acce])t the invitation, Fitz-
Gibbon did so. The Lieut.-Governor's evident desire
to conciliate him and his own naturally forgiving
disposition made it seem the ri^i^ht thin^ to do.
The onl}" other person present was the Lieut.-
Governor's private secretary. Again Sir Francis
reiterated his wish to see the boon asked for in the
address granted, and he parted with FitzGibbon
promising to use his best efforts on his behalf upon
his return to England.
In May, when his despatch of December 19th,
1837, was published in Toronto, the " mention made
of FitzGibbon " in it was greeted by an indignant
protest from the citizens.
A public meeting was called and resolutions passed
by a crowded gathering, embodying their strong
sense of the injustice done FitzGibbon by the Lieut.-
Governor.
Alderman Powell was called to the chair, and in spite
236
A VETERAN OF 1812.
'' ') ■:■!
of the effort of an oiitliusiastic ^ontloiiinn by the name
of McMilhm, wlio wislicil tlu' cluiirinan to divide the
honors of J)('e('mh('i* 7tli witli tlic colonel, further
resolutions wore eai'i'ied, to Ji]>l)ly to tlie Provincial
(jrovernnient foi' a ;^iant of one aci'e of land within
the city limits, and that ste))S should he taken to
place subscription lists in the banks and other houses
of public busiiujss in oi'dci* to raise funds to defray
the cost of huildino- a suitable house for the man to
whose exertions and forethou<dit the citizens owed
the preservation of their homes.
'Diere aie very few files of the (hiily papers of tliis
date now extant in our libraries, what there are
being but odd iuind)ers scattered over several years,
the fullest beino- those of tlie Reform or^^ans. From
the wholesale abuse and ridicule levelled at Fitz-
Gibbon, whole colunnis of these rebel papers bein|i;
devoted to him, the widespread admiration and
enthusiasm felt for him by the loyal may be more
truly realized than from the partial praise of friends.
The assent to the address from the Legislature
liad not been received, and the more cautious of
FitzGibbon's admirers and friends feared a second
and more local petition would neutralize the first
(from those authorized to speak for tlie Province at
large), foi* which reason it was considered advisable
to drop it.
In June, the answer was received, and the follow-?
ing letter was sent to Fit^Gibbon ;
How
A DISAPPOINTING MESSAGE.
237
" GoVKKXMEXT HorsE,
"T()U()NT(J June 'HWd, 1.S3.S.
"Sir, — I {ini (liivctccl by tlic Licut.-Ciovernoi*, <isit
is a matter in wliicli you are [)arti('ularly intcivstc*!,
to inform you that lie has n^ceived a dcspatcli from
tlie Ri^'ht Hoiiora])l(' the Socretaiy of State, ackuow-
le(l<;'in(jj tlie reeei[)t of the joint a<I(h'esH to the Queen
from the Legislative Council and AsHombly of this
Pi'ovince, prayin<^ that a <i;rant may he made to you
of five thousand acres of the waste lands of the
Crown, and statin;;- that on its hcino- laid at the foot
of the throne. Her Majesty had been pleased to ex-
press her gratification at the honorable testinujny
borne to your services by both branches of the Pro-
vincial Leiiislature.
" His Lordship adds, that if it should be the ))leasure
of the two Houses to mark their sense of voui* scr-
vices by a pecuniary ^'I'ant, it will att'ord Her Majesty
nmcli satisfaction to ^ive her assent to any Act which
may be passed for that purpose ; but Hei* Majesty is
advised that, consistently with the terms of the recent
Provincial Act on the subject of the alienation of the
waste lands of the Crown, and the pi'inciples on which
that Act proceeds. Her Majesty could not make you
the proposed compensation in the form of a grant of
land.
" I liave the honor to be, Sir,
"Your most obe<lient, humble servant,
" John Macaulay.
"Colonel FiTzGiHiioN, etc., etc."
Thus the Act passed to put an end to the promis-
cuous granting of lands — an Act forced through the
Houses by the clamors of the Reformers — defeated
the unanimous vote of the same Lesrislature to reward
■w
238
A VETERAN OF 1812.
the man who hatl been instruiiiental in puttinjij flown
the ivbcllion raisiMl l)y the principal men anion^ these
Ret'oniiers.
Tlie joke was a <;riiii one, Imt it did not U^ssen the
severity of FitzOibbon's disap])ointment. His liopes
liad been so buoyed up by anticipations of release
from debt and dreams of better days, that the reaction
was great. but his friends had not given up his
cause. A bill authorizing the House to legalize the
grant passed both Houses. This, it was hoped, would
receive the I'eady assent of the Goveinor-in-Council.
They were again disapp(jinted, the bill being reserved
for the consideration of the Crown.
Fearful lest it should meet with the same fate as
the address, FitzCiiblxai was advised to cross the At-
lantic, and by bringing the influence of such friends
as he had in London to bear upon the Government,
ensure it Ijeing granted. It was, however, useless.
The Honu! Ciovernment had had their eyes opened
to the abuse of privileges by former officials in Upper
Canada, and they were determined that no more
Crown lands should be granted to individuals for
public services.
FitzGibbon had two interviews with Mr. Labouchere,
the Under Secretary of State, but without any satis-
factory result. Reluctant to give up all hope of
obtaining the consent of the Crown, he lingered on
in London. I have been unable to ascertain where
or in what part of the great metropolis he lodged
during the six months he remained there. The only
m
A VISIT TO ENGLAND.
239
mention of his private life in the letters of that date
extant is an incidental assertion that he " was very
lianl up, and lived in (piiet, cheap lod^infrs, as inex-
pensively as possible."
The letter ^iven behnv belongs to this time. His
intercourse with the Brock family had never been
broken off". The kindly services he had been ^lad
to render them in return for their brother's kindness
to him, were again returned with kindly interest by
the friendship and jifiection of Sir Isaac's brothers
and nephews. Savery Brock, in particular, remained
a loving friend until death parted them. Among
the correspondence of FitzGibbon's later years are
one or two letters, written in the shaking, uncei*-
tain hand of extreme old age, their expressions of
love and friendship as strong and true as in their
palmiest days. Nor did the feelings find expression
(jnly in words. Savery Brock lent his friend money
without interest until better days dawned, and Fitz-
Oibbon was able to pay it back in full. Whether
the visit to Guernsey, mentioned in this letter, was
l)aid or not, w^e have no record :
" Guernsey, July 1st, 1839.
" My Dear FitzGibbon, — I have received vour
letter of the 26th ult. The packets, Government
steamers, leave Weymouth every Wednesday and
Saturday evening (nine o'clock) for this island, and
are about seven hours running over. Every Tuesday
and Friday evening at seven o'clock, from South-
240
A VETERAN OF 1812.
,i;
umpton, stiirts ii vi'ry fine .stoainor, the Atlanta, that
niakc'H licr paHsa^^o in ton ov eleven lu^ui'.s.
"On Monday, Wednesday /riiursday and Satui'day,
a .steainei' (piits Stjnthampton at seven o'clock, and
conicH over in twelve hours — all <if()od boats. Tlie
railroad to Southampton trains ipiit London eveiy
(hiy about noon, and reach Southain])ton in time for
the Hteand)oats. With these accounts, you cannot be
at a loss to come over liere, and you may be assured
of a hearty welcome by me. I have a bed for you,
and nothing can <;ive me more; pleasure than seeing-
you.
" Let me hear from you on receipt of this. I am
anxious to learn that yon have (^ot over youi* ditfi-
culties. I HU^^est nothing. You know how pai'ties
run, and the Ministers will not be sorry to l)e
informed on many points hy you. They will, I
tliink, grant you the land in (piestion. I know they
(3Ught to do so, for without a few such men as you
are, they would have no land to grant.
" I send this to the Colonial OtHce to hunt you out,
as you have not given me your address or the address
of Mr. Price.
" Yours faithfully,
"John Saveuy Brock.
"Colonel FitzGibhon.
" Should you come here direct from London, I
advise you to come by Southampton ; if from Ireland,
by Bristol, then by Weymouth; but I know yru will
come and see me."
Returning to his lodgings after the second fruit-
less visit to the Colonial Office, FitzGibbon had
almost given way to despair, when his eye fell upon
SIR Al^GUSTUS d'esTE.
241
a letter oF introduction ;^nven him years hct'oiT hy
Mil officer ()f tlie ( Juanls (Sir .loliii Kustace), wlio had
served witli him on tlie Nia;;ara I'loiitier in l<SI4.
T' ' h'tter, wliich was a sealed one, liad hccii entirely
lor^^otten, and only the overturn in«;' of other j)apei-s
in tlie moi'iiini;- had })r()U;;lit it thus ojjportunely to
li;,dit. Although Fit/( Jihhon liad little ]ioj)e of tliis
letter hein<( of any use to him, lie detei'iiiined to
deliver it at once. I'he address took him to a dis-
tant part of the city, .S5 Upper Berkeley Street,
Portman S(piare. Sir Augustus d'Este was not at
home. FitzCJihbon left the lettei* and his card,
then, having nothing to do, went for a long walk
across the ]>ark into the country to the west of
London.
Returning to his lodgings some time after four, he
was sur])rised to find his call had heen returned at
two o'clock. Sir Augustus d'Kste, not finding him
in, had left a note expressing his disappointment,
and a hope that he should he more fortunate the
following day at the same hour, when he meant to do
himself the pleasure of calling again.
From the first hour of their meeting until his
death, Sir Augustus d'Este was one of FitzCiibbon's
best and most valued friends. He helped him with
interest, with valuable introductions, and, above all,
with a devoted love and admiration that foun<l
expression in long lover-like letters and many a
kindly service. The drcvss sword worn by P^itzGib})on
in later years, and shown in the portrait which forms
W
242
A VETERAN OF 1812.
'U'\\
the frontispiece to this volume, was ^iven liini later
by Sir Augustus, with the lovnug words that he hoped
its having been worn by himself would not lessen its
value in the eyes of liis friend.
The scabbard is crimson velvet, witl: the armor of
various dates in gold raised in relief upon it ; the hilt
a gold- winged dragon ; the handle ivory, capped by a
helmet of gold ; the blade, which is a scimitar in
shape, is a beautiful specimen of enamelled steel in
blue a u gold, the designs representing different coats
of arms and mottoes. The belt is of crimson leather
embroidered with gold thread, and linked together
by lions' heads — the buckle an int ^rlaced dragon's
head of the same metal. The velvet of the scabbard
is frayed at the edges, proving that it was no mere
ornament, but had been worn by its noble donor.*
* Sir Augustus d'Este was the son of H.R. H. Prince Frederick
Augustus (Duke of Sussex), the sixth son of George III., and the
Lady Augixsta Murray, second daughter of the Earl of Dunmore.
They were privately married in Rome, on April 4th, 1793, anJ,
lest there should be any doul)t raised of its legality, though not
from any apprehension of the first ceremony being insufficient,
they were again married by bt. .is, in the Parish Church of St.
George's, Hanover Square, Londv.n, on December 6th, 1793. Yet
a decree afterwards passed the Court of Doctors' Commons declar-
ing the marriage unUiwful and void. This decree separated the
1 iaband and wife.
Prince Frederick Augustus, in his will, dated "Berlin, Septem-
ber loth, 1799," expressly declares that " I feel myself still not
less bound by every obligation of law, conscience and honor, to
consider her as my lawful and undoubted wife in every respect,
as if that decree had never taken place, and tnat I consider, and
ill
RETURN TO TORONTO.
243
FitzGibbon remained in England until nearlj'' the
close of the year, when he returned to Toronto.
Soon after the meeting of the last session of the
last Parliament of Upper Canada, in January, 1840,
an address was voted by one of the Assend)lies pray-
ing that His Excellency the Governor-( General, the
Right Honorable Charles Poulett Thomson, would
" be pleased to inform the House if the royal assent
had been given to the bill passed last session, entitled
'An Act to enable Her Majesty to make a grant of land
to James FitzGibbon, Esquire.' " (See Appendix IX.)
The reply to this address was practically the same as
to the former, and though further discussion of the
matter resulted in an Act being passed by both Houses
to repeal the Act providing for the disposal of public
lands of the Province so far as to enable Her Majesty
to consent to the grant to FitzGibbon, it also was
ever shall acknowledge, our son. Augustus Frederick, who was
htnn after both these marriages, as my true, lawful and legitimate
son.
In 1830, papers fell into his son's hands which convinced him
beyond a doubt of the legality of his claims. He was, however,
unsuccessful in establishing them, and refused to accept any othei-
title from the Crown than the simple one of knighthood. He died
uumariied. His sister, Lady Augusta, married Chief Justice
Wilde, but left no children.
Sir Augu&i^us gave FitzGibbon a complete copy of all the docu-
ineuts and papers connected with his case.
The marriage was doubtless annulled on the ground of absence
of license from the Crown, that, according to the law of Great
Britain, being necessary.
V
i'
k'i\
244
A VETERAN OF 1812.
roseived for Her Majesty's consideration and received
no furtlier attention.
The following extract from the debate in the House
on January 25th, taken from the columns of one of
the most bitterly antagonistic Radical papers, the
Toronto Mirror, shows with what feeling the (pies-
tion was discussed. Tlie editorial column of the
same issue, containing some virulent abuse of Fitz-
(Ubbon, leads one to suppose that the report of the
proceedings in the House would not be more partial
to his cause than the necessity of the case obliged.
" Mr. Burwell brought forward a resolution praying
Her Majesty to grant from the casual and territorial
revenue to James FitzGibbon, Esquire, £2,500 foi*
ii )ortant services rendered to this province by that
gentleman.
"Mr. Boult(m opposed the resolution. He respected
Colonel FiizC}ibl)on, but considering the present state
(jf the country and the embarrassed stat(j of our
finances, he thought £1,000 quite sufficient to com-
pensate him for any services rendered. A bill passed
this House granting him five thousand acres, which,
at four shillings an acre, the price paid by Govern-
ment for United Empire rights, would amount to
£1,000.
"Mr. Burwell believed, under Divine Providence, the
safety of the country was owing to the gallant colonel,
But for him the citv would have been taken. The
sum proposed was only e([uivalent to the land.
"Mr. Gowan wished to know how the gallant colonel
had saved the country, before so large a sum should
DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE.
245
•m
'iW w
ice, tlu'
)1()1K'1,
Tlu'
be taken from the pockets of the people to reward
liiin.*
" Mr. 'rhoinson said the financial affairs were in a
\('ry embarrassed state, bnt at the rate they were
ooiii^- on, it would not appear so. He called n])on
the (/hainiian of Finance to infoi'in the House if
tlieii' affairs wx're in a flourishing state. He would
it'commend to members to pay their hv)nest debts.
Sums were advanced by people for the repair of roads
and brid^'es, and they were allowed to suffer.
"Mr. Kearnes reminded them of the poor man who
aski^l a bishop for a guinea, wdiich was refused ; he
then asked him for a crown, wdiich was likinvise re-
l'use<l ; and last of all, he asked for a p(^nny. That
was also refused. He then asked the humane bishop
lor his blessing. ' Yes,' said the bishop, ' kneel down,
and I will give it.' Because the blessing cost him
nothing, he was willing to give it, but he would not
give the money. The £2,500 proposed would be given
to the colonel on account of fiis {jfi'eat and meritorious
services, and his attention and anxiety when preserv-
ing the city and the lives and property of the people
of the Province. There was not a dissenting voice
against the 5,000 acres of land voted to him, and the
• lespatch said he could not get it ; and now they w^ere
going to renninerate liim in money. Would they
raise a man higli in his expectations, and then depress
him ? Would it be honorable to do so ? He saved
ns fi'om ruin, and £2,500 M^as very little for his ser-
vices to the city of Toronto.
" Mr. Merritt said that at the time the disturbance
* Mr. (iowan had evidently not forgotten Fit/(iil)l)on\s address to
the Orangemen, nor his influence in preventing the processions and
rlemoustrations which he (Gowan) had made every effort to revive
'■'1(
11'
111' 'iii
ii
III i ! 1^
246
A VETERAN OF 1812.
took place here, the gallant colonel harl preparations
made quietly, and but for that Mackenzie would have
been in and taken the town.
"Mr. (lowan said, if he was to judp> of the prepar-
ations by the event, he could iKjt go with him. It
was all done by surprise. There were other individuals
who deserved reward as well as Colonel Fitzdiilibon
He thought £1,000 (juite sufficient a reward for the
services performed. Several other persons distin-
guished themselves in 1887, and they were not to get
anything.
" The Speaker (Colonel Macnab) did not think it
was generous to make enquiries as to th(^ services
rendered. A grant was made at a time when Ids ser-
vices were fresh in the memory of every member.
They addressed the Government to give him 5,000
acres of land, and he was deeply grateful for the con-
sideration which this House laid on him : and what
did the}^ do ? They made good their pledge by pass-
ing an Act of Parliament, and it passed unanimously
in both Houses. To that bill the Queen's assent was
withheld ; but they were told they could make good
their pledge by an appropriation from the casual and
territorial revenue. Have they got that sum in the
casual and territorial revenue ? You may grant it.
You pledged yourselves, and you cannot retrace your
steps without disgracing yourselves. It would be
unjust to hold up this hope, and then cut it off. They
might give the 5,000 acres, or give a sum of money.
In the last American war he served his country faith-
fully. In the late rebellion he commanded the militia
and he (the Speaker) served under him, and he was
active and zealous.
" Mr. Rykert said the House was pledged, and he
would support the resolution.
M"?! fi<
LORD SEATONS LETTEl?.
247
" Mr. Gowan had no objection to tho £1,000, as the
House was pledged. He moved that £1 ,000 be ^q-anted
to Colonel FitzGibbon in order to compensate him
for his meritorious services.
"Mr. Cook thought he was deserving, but pU'nty of
land could be had at five shillings an acre.
"Mr. Kearnes moved the House to rise, report pro-
gress, and ask leave to sit again.
"Mr. Backus said the casual and territorial revenue
was not yet surrendered ; he hoped some connnuni-
cation would be laid before the House u])on that
subject. He was for granting tlie land.
" Mr. Thomson said they should be careful bow
tliey granted money out of the ordinary revenue of
the Province.
" Mr. Merritt said it was nonsense to argue about
the price of U. E. rights. Some land was worth two
dollars an acre.
" Mr. Rykert said they should not retract their
vote ; they should give a sum equivalent to the land.
" Committee rose, reported progress, etc., etc."
This debate called forth a further storm of rage
and indignation from the Reform press. Part of the
editorial columns of the paper from which the above
is taken contained, as has been stated, the most viru-
lent abuse of the " gallant colonel."
Lord Seaton interested himself in FitzGibbon's
behalf, and wrote to Lord John Russell on the sub-
ject. In the following letter to FitzGibbon he en-
closed the reply he had received :
" I acquainted Lord John Russell that I presumed
lie had received a report of your conduct at the time
il I
t
Ik
l\ \
.1 Mi'
ill
'
I
248
A VETERAN OF 1812.
of JVIackenzie's menaced attack on Toronto : that you
had constantly exercised your influence over your
countrymen settled in Canada, with ^reat advan-
tage to the public, and that the local autliorities had
made use of your influence in times of difliculty and
dant^er.
" 1 regret that my application has not produced a
more satisfactory result, but I shall have ^reat plea-
sure in being able to render you any assistance in my
power.
"I remain, very faithfully yours,
" Seatox."
The letter enclosed was but a repetition of the
former refusal of the Colonial Secretary to allow the
alienation of public lands.
During Lord Sydenham's administration nothing
was done. The union of tlie two provinces absorbed
the attention of the Legislature and the Governor to
the exclusion of private questions, and though Fitz-
Gibbon in a private letter, thanking him for the ofl'er
of an appointment for his son in Quebec, drew His
Excellency's attention to his case, he felt how small a
matter his embarrassments were in comparison with
the larger interests of the Province, and made no
further effort to obtain redress.
FitzGibbon's eldest son had given up the business
post he held in Dublin, and returned to practise at
the bar in Toronto, bringing with him a cousin who
had recently been left an orphan. She became as i\
daughter to her uncle, and to her tender qare the
!f1W i
!f1?
REMOVAL TO KINGSTON.
249
c'oiiiFort of FitzCiibbon's (lecliniii<j^ years was lar^i^ely
due.
After tlie death of Ins wife, on Mareh 22iid of
this year (1<S41), Fit/(Jibl)oi) removed Ins family to
Kiii«;Hton, that ])eiii(; tlie next sto|)|)in^-phice of the
l)eraml)nlatinn- (lovernment (^f tlie dav. He was
tliere a[)j)ointed commissioner for a(buinisterin<^ the
ojitli to mend)ers of the Le<^ishitniv, June otli, and
Clerk of tlie Le<;islative Council on June 10th.
The house on Queen Street was left in cliar^e of
the <»;ardener for a time. There were still five acres
about it free from mort<4M^e or incumbrance, all that
remained of the eighteen acres purchased in 182(5.
Knowing; its value, Fit/CJibbon made every effort to
retain it. Although deeply in de))t, he was willino;
to pay hi<;'h inteivst rather than lose this one bit of
property, and from appearances all he was
o\ ■ likely to hold. The house was a ^ood one as
houses were in those days : the <>"arden was well kept
and the fruit and flowers plentiful : the lawn included
a bowling alley, which was a source of much pleasure
to his sons as well as to friends and neighbors.
Of FitzOibbon's life in Kingston we can glean very
little. Casual mention of his name in letters, refer-
ences to him in the local papers, reminiscences of
jdeasant chats and walks with him by the one or two
of his friends who survive him, and two indifferently
well executed portraits, are all that we have.
The portraits have unfortunately been cut down
16
liii;i
m
I
V '
\
250
A VKTERAN OF lHl-2.
and the iiaiiir of tlie artist lost.* We liav(3 only a
shadowy outline of the story of how they came to he
])ainte<l. How oi* whei'e he found the artist is uncer-
tain : but, knowinji' KitzCJihhon's kindlv interest in
the poor, who wen; stru^^lin<^ to eai'ii a livin;^, his
syn»])athy in the sutirrin^s of his fellows, and his
<juick observation of whatever ci'ossed his path, as
wcill as th" evei'-present wish to do some little ^ood
to his neighbor, \vv, can undei'stan<l how an expi'ession
of sufierin;;' or despaii' on {in intellij^'ent face woulil
tttract his attention nnd induce hini to follow and
learn whether a hand ini<;ht not In; stretche<l out
to help.
" I do not know who the ai-tist was," writes his
dau^htei'-in-law, yeai's afterwards, " but 1 always
understood that the colonel fecund him in a ^ai'ret
starvin*.^, that he fed him, visited him, and when
stront;' eiiout^h, found him work, be;;iiniin^ with his
own portraits, for which he paid seven pounds ten
each. I believe what the man was able to eai'n
through the colonel's influence provid"! him with
funds to take him to New York, where he afterwards
did better and connnanded ^'ood prices for his por-
traits."
The portraits of FitzGibbon are moni than life-si/e,
which {j^-ives the likeness a startling effect and the
* From the occurrence of the name Kro'bel in the public accounts
of the Legishiture in 1842 to 184"), it is not unlikely that he was
the artist of FitzCHbbon's portrait.
■'if!!
SIR CHARLES lUfiOTS ADVOCACY.
2ol
e-si/e
i<
I the
iccounts
impression tlwit they are coarse rejnv^seiitations of the
oi'in-inal, the ei'udeiK'Ss of the (lrawiiii»: u'iviuir tlie faee
an unnatural fuhiess, an<l hoth nosc^ and upjM'i' lip a
^I'eater leno;th than tlu^ face of a phot()^n-a[)h taken
twMuity yeai's Inter possesses.
A litho^i-aph print taken from one of the.se por-
traits was puhlislied in the A ikjIo- American Maga-
zine for Sej)teml)er, l'So4. The smallei- size i-ohs it
of some of the ih'fects of the jjaintino;. Fitz(iihl)on
found no fault witli it. Jn a h'ttei- to his nei)he\v,
(Jerald Kit/( Jihhon, dated January, 1^55, h(^ says:
"I Iwive just recisived a Canadian magazine from
Toionto, to which is ))reti.xed a |>i'int of my i-ou<j^h old
face, to my orcat sur))i-i.se ; and havitio- in it, also, a
i)rief bio^i'aphical sketch of my military life, but not
a word of my }iavin<j^ saved Toronto, which, however,
may ))e reserved f(jr a future number. . . . 1
thou<;]it I had been entir«'ly foi-^otten by the provin-
cials, but it is not «|uite so."
Sir Charles Bae;ot, Lord Sydenham's successor, took
u|) Fitzdibbon's cause with intere.st. He read tlie
facts from an outsidei-'s ])oint of view, and lost no
time in drawin<r tlie attention of th(i House to a case
in wliicli he " consi(hn'e(l tlu; colonel an extrenndy
ill-used man." As a result, an Ordei-in-Council was
made, reconnnendin^ an issue of land scrip to Fitz-
(Jibljonto tlu' amount of the Government price of
the land, which he mifj^ht have procured had the bill
ji;iantin^- the land received the royal assent.
Unfortunately, the value of the land scrip at the
■■ it:'- iv
2o2
A VETERAN OF 1812.
t ■' r
time this Ordei'-in-Council was made was about Mall'
what the land was worth. By acc('ptiii<; tliis way
out of the (lirticMilty, and bciu;;' <)l)n;;('d to st^ll at once,
the (lovernnicnt would liave liad to disburse two
tliousand pounds in onh'r that Fit/liibbon mi^ht
receive one; thousan*!, the purchaser or s))eculator
pocketing;- the ditiercnce. The upset price of the land
havino- been fixed by the (Government at ten shillings
an acre, it would ])e obli<^ed to i-edeem the scrip at
that price, irrespective of tlie sum i-eceived for it hy
FitzGibbon. To tliis Fit/driblxju objected, both foi*
his own sake and because it j^ave an opportunity foi*
that whicli savoi-ed of jobbery.
The session closed, liowever, without the messaf^c
beintij sent down to the House, A few (hiys aftei",
Fit/Gibbon met Sir Charles Ba^ot in his official
capacity. The Governor took the o])p()rtunity to
express his ret»Tet that he had not been able to
brint;- the matter to a satisfactory termination for
FitzGibbon : he " wished to send the messaiic down
but had been overruled."
Sir Au<:^ustus d'Este, about this time, drew up a
vshort, concise, but clear statement of all that had
occurred in connection with the business, and had
taken an opportunity of readint]^ it himself to Loi'd
Stanley, then Secretary for the Colonies. He writes
(in March) :
"My Dear FitzGibbon,— On the 28th, the last
day of last month, I was in the chair upon the occa-
hiiir
way
)nco,
two
li^ht
lator
land
llinj^s
•ip at
it by
h for
ty for
essatjj<'
after,
)fficial
ity to
\)lc to
ion for
down
7 np <'^
lat hud
lid had
Lord
writes
le hist
le occa-
i
SIR (HAUI.ES MKTCALKE.
25;i
sioii of a diiinci" wliieli was nrivcii to Sir Charles
Mi'teall'e, jirt'vious to his dfj»artiirt', Ity the Colonial
Society. After dinnci". 1 rt'<|neste(l the I'asorof lM'in<j^
allowed to call upon him, which icipicst was rcailily
^I'anted, and yesterday, March Ist, 1 i-*'ad onci- to him
almost the whole of the accompanying^' statenu'nt,
which luul heen prepared i'oi- and |>resented to Lord
Staidey. I also furnished him with a copy of it,
which he jtromised U) rea<l (jver durin^- the voya^^e.
" When you have I'ead the statement, you will he
aware of the exact extent of Sir C'hailes Metcalfe's
knowledcre concernin«i' your services and theii* con-
templated acknowledonient by the two ( Jo\ crnments.
Hoping" that you will approve both of the statement
and of the measure of my reading- it over to your
new (Jovernor-CJi'neral, J shall for tlie pi'(\sent con-
clude, renewin«^ the assui'ance of the sincere re<;'ard of,
" My dear FitzCJibbon,
" Yours most truly,
" AiJfarsTi's d'Kste."
When speakino- of his fi-iend elsewhere, Fitz-
(hbbon says: "To him also I was indebted for a
special introduction to Sir C/harles Metcalfe, whose
conchict towards me dui'in<r the short remainder of
his most valuable and exemplary lift; was extraordi-
nary even for that extraoi'dinary man."
The new Governor did, indeed, take a deep interest
in the sohlier and his dithculties. W^hen he found
the Government would neither pay over the sum
•granted to F'itzGibbon, nor advance any portion of it
to enable him to meet the most pressing of his debts,
he insisted upon advancing sufficient out of his own
'ifiiii
f i
IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)
/
O
%'
1.0
I.I
11.25
■f 1^ IIM
■^ 1^ III 2.2
2.0
1.8
U IIIIII.6
v:
v
^
<^
254
A VETERAN OF 1812.
! !
:;! !
I I
n
:.
I
pocket, generously doublino; tlie amount named by
FitzGibbon.
Lord Metealfe sent Fit/Oibbon's memorial to the
(council, but it went no further, and another session
pa.ised without any settlement. The resi<^nation of a
number of the Executive Cotuicil necessitated the
proro<4"ation of the House, and yet another session
passed without any settlement being reached. Lord
Metcalfe, however, obtained a report from the Coun-
cil, which he forwarded, with a favorable recommen-
dation, to the Colonial Office. (See Appendix X.)
When the new Parliament a.ssembled in Januarv,
1845, the matter was again })rouglit to their notice,
and in March, when the estimates were laid on the
table, the sum of £L^^^t) was inserted and recom-
mended in payment of the long outstanding reward
for his services, so enthusiastically voted him by the
unanimous voice of the Assembly in 1888. The
protracted anxiety and uncertainty, alternate hope
and despair, so affected Fit/Gibbon's health, that
when the seat of Ciovernment was removed to Mont-
real, he applied for leave of absence and remained in
Kingston.
Finding the state of his health still unfitted him
for a faithful discharge of his duties, P^itzGibbon
tendered his resignation in May, 184(5. It was not
accepted at once ; a Connnittee of the House addressed
the (Jovernor-General to allow FitzGibbon to retire
on a pension of three hundred pounds (Canadian
currency) a year. This was at first refused, but upon
1"^
RETIREMENT FROM fUBLtC OfFlCE.
255
d in
a second and tliird address bein^^ presented, stating
that in consecjiience of inability of tlie clerk to per-
form his duties, he having produced medical certificates
to that effect, the office was in danger of becoming
a sinecure, and the work of the House not being done
satisfactoi'ily by a su])stitute, the petition was grante<l
and FitzGibbon allowed to retire. Thus in June,
lS4(j, ended twenty years' sei'vice in the Canadian
Houses of Parliament, and forty -six years of active
life in the country.
(Copy of Dr. Widni(:r\'< Ccrlijicttle.)
" Toronto, Ajynl .Srd, 1845.
" It is now thirty years since I became accpiainted
with Captain FitzCiibbon, then in the Glengarry Light
Infantiy. The war with America had then just
concluded, and the whole connnunity of Upper Can-
ada, civil and military, was full of a})plause in regard
to the conduct of Captain Fitz(iibbon, during the
course of the preceding campaigns.
" It was justly pronounced that his services had
been of the highest order, and contributed to stamp
his corps with the character of vigor, vigilance and
valor.
" During a long series of years of peace, the same
(jualities which rendered him conspicuous as a military
man, were productive of an effective and highly
honorable discharge of the duties of the offices he
held in civil life.
" And thus would the useful and faithful course of
Captain FitzGibbon's career have terminated in civil
engagements, but for the occurrence of the unnatural
attempt of the rebels to sever the country from British
:lfi
250
A VETEIIAN OF lSl-2.
connection, in 1887. At this crisis the foivsiolit and
fiu'i'oy of CMi)tain Fit/Gil)})on saved tlie city ot"
Toronto from destruction, and were tlie means of
shortaiino" a strnu'ii'le tliat miMit (otherwise liave heeii
protracted. For tliese services alone, tlie gratitude
of the Government is eminently due to Captain Fitz-
Gibbon. His expectations of a release from pecuniary
embarrassments have been raised by a vote of the
Le<^-islature for a ^rant of land grounded on the hi<>h
value at which it estimated his services duriiiii- the
rebellion. These expectations havin<»; failed in their
accomplishment, to my knowled^^'e, has had a power-
ful eti'ect in destrovin.'- the healthy^ tone of his min<l,
and has rendered him incapable of performino- the
active duties of his office, and ahuost unfitted him foi'
the social intercourse of his friends and acijuaintances.
"(Sio-ned) C. Wiumek."
(Dr. Wi)iders Certificate.)
" These are to certify that my knowledge of Colonel
James FitzGibbon, Chief Clerk of the Honorable the
Le^^islative Council, extends over a period of thirty-
three years. Gifted with a constitution naturally
good, and of abstemious habits, he has nevertheless
a temperament highly sanguine and nervous, and this
acted upon, primarily, by an active life spent in the
military and civil service of his country, and second-
arily, by disappointments and distresses of no ordinary
character, has produced such a state of mental irrita-
tion, prostration and<lespondency,and loss of memory,
as at times to render him (piite incapable of the
efficient discharge of the duties of his very important
ottice. In addition to the foregoing circumstances, 1
would observe that Colonel FitzGibbon has nearh'
attained the age of sixty-tive years, forty-seven of
"^w
FAILING HEALTH.
257
hiu-li
•• the
which have been lionorably passed in tlie pnhHc ser-
vice ; and advanclnii" a'c has bi-ouolit witli it an
increase of physical intii'niities, some oi" them intU'ed
of lono- stand inof, wliicli «;reatly add to the causjs of
incapacity above mentioned.
"On tile AvhoU,', tlien, it is my deUl)ei-at.' o))inioi),
founded on facts wliich have corner to my kno\vled«;-e
fi'om so many years' personal fi-iendship and intimacy
with Colonel Fit/(Jibbon, that he is, from causi's (piite
beyond his control or power of avoidance, physically
and mentally incapable of further pul)lic duty, and
that his perseverance in the attemj)t to perform the
ai'duous duties of his present otHcial station, will
<;reatly a<)^gTavate the constitutional maladies under
which he now sutlers.
"Given under mv name, at Montreal, this tifth day
of May, 1845.
"(Sio-ned) WiLLfAM Winder, M.D.
Thus had the repeated disappointments, hopes <le-
ferred, and accumulation of debts and difficulties
brought about the very disability to perfoim his
duties in 1845 which Sir Francis Bond Head had
falsely asserted of FitzGibbon in 1887.
258
A VETERAN OF 181*2.
CHAPTER XI.
ti
«-.<:.-,
EITZCJIBBON'S secoiKl son, William, had hwu
.^ a])])oiiitL'(l Clerk of the County of Hastin<;-s in
1(S42, and had taken up his residence in
Belleville, his sister and cousin accompanying' him.
His fathei', althouufh in Montreal several times diirino-
the sessions, spent much of the intervening- months
with them.
The S({uare house in which they lived, with a broad
verandah round two sides of it, is still standing.*
It is situated in the low part of the town, near the
river mouth, known as the Flats, and is not now a
very healthy locality, owing to the spring floods
which sweep down tlie ice and inundate the low-lying
lands on that side of the Moira. Here, as the
colonel's health improved, and he was able to take
exercise again, he astonished his neighl)ors, and gained
a character for eccentricity, by his athletic perform-
ances.
Club swinging, horizontal bar, and other kindred
athletic exercises were not so connnon then as now,
and the spectacle of a man turned of sixty-tive
years of age, clad in jerseys, swinging himself from
a bar fixed across the supports of the verandah,
* The house has been turned about by the force of the spring
floods, and its outward appearance also much altered.
T'lfi!]
ATHLETIC EXERCISES.
259
nee ill
IP- him.
(luring
months
a broad
Lnding*
lear the
t now a
)• floods
bw-lying
as the
to take
d p-ained
)ert'oriu-
kindred
as now,
ixty-tive
elf from
l^erandah,
the spring
doublint]^ himself up into a ball, jumpin^j^ through
liis liands, or hanging by liis feet, drawing Ins Ixxly
up by sheer strength of muscle, and anon leaping
ovei' chairs arranged in rows, was (piite suthcient to
obtain him a certiticate of insanity from the majority
of his neighbors.
" On the bright moonlight niglits in the summer,
the colonel would spen<l an hour or two taking such
exercise," writes an old I'esident of Belleville. " He
had a splendidly developed muscle and a tine
physi()ue. A crowd of l)oys and half-grown lads
would conoreii'ate on and aloiii*" the fence that
divided the narrow strip of garden in front from
the road. It was as entertaininjx as a circus to tliem.
He never saw or took any notice of these spectators,
but, on the contrary, aj^peared ([uite unconscious of
their presence. When literally dripping from tlie
effect of the violence of his exertions, lie would wipe
the drops from his face, and ' thank Providence that
he lived in a (piiet neighborhood.' "
His brother Gerald, the Master in Cliancery in
Ireland, had lent FitzGibbon £1,000 in 1841. This,
with the grant voted by the Assendjly to him in 1845,
enabled him to discharge a considerable portion of
his debts, but the long delay and the una\'oidable
renewal of notes, etc., and other law expenses, had
increased them to a total far exceeding the original
sum. Among the letters from Sir Augustus d'Este
is one which shows that the debts upon which no
interest was accunuilating were the first to be dis-
charged. After acknowledging the receipt of a bill
iililil
m
i
260
A VETERAN OF 1812.
■iff
m
of exclwmt^e Tor £100, Sii" Auoustus says, " witli
which sum it was my liappiiiL'ss to liavu Imcii able to
accommodate you at a time wlien it was useful."
This, as indeed every other letter FitzGibhon received
from this kind IViend, breathed love and friendshi]),
and an admiration that was almost exa<ra't'i'Jited in
"i-ii-i
expression.
Lady Sim])son, in a letter to Fitz(jii])bon, then in
Montreal, Decend)er 18th, 1<S45, while regretting that
illness prevented his being with them that day, also
speaks of " the affectionate regard in which you are
held by our dear and estimable friend, Sir Augustus
d'Este, whose whole life seems to be one continued
act of goodness. I have already heard from his own
lips much of your history, and had with him lamented
the coldness and ingratitude of those in power, who,
while claiming for themselves the merit of putting-
down the rebellion, appear to have forgotten or over-
looked the one to whose judgment and valor that
happy ev^ent was mainly attributable.
" The kind heart of your excellent friend can well
feel for those who have suffered, for cruelly and
deeply has he been wronged, and much has his noble
spirit endured, but you are doubtless well acquainted
with the merits of his own case, and it is therefore
needless for me to dwell upon a theme which ever
fills my mind with sorrow and indignation.
" With our united kind regards,
" Believe me, my dear sir,
" Yours very sincerely,
"Frances K. Simpson."
RETURN TO ENGLAND.
261
FitzGilibon returnod to Eiiii^land early in the year
1(S47, but in wliat part of London he lived until July,
1849, we cainiot ascertain. Lady Seaton addresses a
letter to him at that <late, to 56 Stafibrd Place, Pini-
lico, and it is probable he had been there for some
time. Charles Mackay speaks of him at that time as
"his friend Colonel FitzCiibbon, living for six months
in London on sixpence a day, foui-pence of which was
spent in bread, one penny for milk, and the remainin^t
penny for su^ar, and assui'ing him (Mackay) that he
never felt so well in his life."
This story has been repeated many times as an
illustration of cheap living;;, some of the variations
indulged in by the ditlerent narrators being widely
ditlerent from the original.
o
The pension granted in 184() was not paid initil
September, 1847, and then only from the beginning
f that year. FitzCJibbon had gone to England in
June in the confident expectation of receiving the
first half-year's payment in or by the end of July.
Its non-arrival left him very short of funds, and he
wrote to enquire the cause. Calculating the time
that nnist elapse before he could receive a rei)ly, he
counted his cash and found, after paying for his room,
he had just sixpence a day to live upon, until he
might reasonably expect to receive a remittance from
Canada. His success in this exl ordinary economy
was so satisfactory that aft ihe money did reach
him, he spent most of 'n defraying the cost of the
publication of several t: os and pamphlets on infant
NiiM<
ll
i
ill
m
M
i
f. H
I
'H !'
262
A VETERAN OF ISI'2.
e(lncation, {in<l in liclpiii^* to t'lirtluT the ('st}il)li.sli-
rnent of nioht schools in the poorer parts of London.
Miss Strickland, who knew him very well at this
time, speaks of him as "starving- liimself in order to
publish some ])a])ei"s oi' articles he had written on
infant training:;." That these pa])ers attracte<l some
attention the following; letters show :
" Amhleside, Xovember 1 1th, JS4S.
" Sir, — I have read yonr pam]ihlet an<l letter with
<;Teat interest: and I tliink it will please yon to hear
that thev arrived just as! was wi'itini^ the concludiiii:
portion of my papers on ' Household Education,' which
are, 1 suppose, the papers you have sei'U of mine. I
was actu dly w^ritino- upon the 'Power of Habit:' and
I have taken the liberty ol' (piotin^ a passage from
your tract. I knew you would not object, as the
object of us both is to rouse the minds of parents, in
every possible w^ay, to see the truth.
" I am not likely to go to London this w^inter, but
I should like to send you my volume on ' Household
Education ' when it comes out. I don't know exactly
when that will be, but it goes to the publisher (Mr.
Moxon) next week, and it will not be very long
printing.
" Unless I hear that vou will have left F' irh^n^ ^Y
Xnias, we will say, I will desire Mr. Moxon to forward
a copy to the same address wath this note.
" Be assured I sympathize warmly with your earn-
estness in regard to the important subject you have
treated, and am, Sir, with much respect, yours,
" H. Martineau."
ELIZABETH STRICKLAND.
263
l)lish-
idou.
t this
U'l- to
,eu oil
, sonii'
;r with
to hear
cUidin*^^
,' which
lino, t
it:' and
[re from
as the
rents, in
iter, hut
)Usehohl
exactly
ler (Mr.
pry long
[rhmd by
forward
)ur earn-
row have
Ineau."
" BrcKi\(JHA.M Palace,
''May oth, IS41).
" MisH Murray presents her conqtlinients to ( -olonel
Fit/( Jihl)()n. Shr was so })lease(l witli the' Reiiiai-ks'
l)v'A Colonist,' which lie was very ol)Ii<!ii>ii" in sendiii'''
to her, that she lias taken some pains to penetrate
throu^'h the \'<'il undo' which the ()])inions were con-
cealed. The subject is one which has for a <^reat
manv' years attracted the attention of Miss Mui'ray,
and she is at this moment much eii^^a^'ed in considei'-
iuu: the best mode of cheekiui:' juvenile delin(iuencv
hy inducing the Government to take a refoiinatory
and e(lucational char^-e of each chiM U))on th(»ir first
conviction in a court of Justice. This would check
the evil at its very commencement, and totally pre-
vent the l're(|Uent recoiinnitment of young offenders."
In the following letter from Miss Sti'ickland, wdiose
niece had become engaged to B^itzGibbon's eldest son,
a pamphlet from his pen is mentioned, which, I regret
to say, [ have been unable to find in any library or
public depository of such works :
" AVEXUE LODCE,
'' Bayswateu, Attg. (jth, 1849.
"Dear Colonel FitzGihhon, — I have read with
tlie strong interest natural to my family connection
ill Canada, your pamphlet received this morning, foi-
which I return you my thanks. Nothing can be
clearer or more concentrated than its composition.
It is thoroughly readable by an idle person ignorant
of the subject. Every one of that species of reader
will be as much charmed as I was at the conduct of
the Ohio volunteers. But, query, was their most
«ii
264
A VETERAN OK 1812.
' ; ,'3!
a I
.if
oi'i^inal beluivior to their captain caused })y iiis lack
of ^ovcriiinn^ ])()\vcr, or the iiii))racticabilitv of liis
res|)ectal)le scjuadroii i* E(|ual |)()rti(jn.s of b(jtli ccjii-
tril)ut(Ml to tlie result, 7 (/iwss.
"'I'lie business ])art of your ))jun|)hlet appeal's to me
a U)ost salutaiy warning. If our Govei-nuieut will
not listen to the voices of its veteran otiicei's possess-
ing experiences l)oth uiilitaiy and civil, they nnist
e'en take the result. '*erhaj)s if the wartiing of
fi'ieiuls will not be hee(lc(l, they will listen to that of
enemies. The enclosed has, \ doubt not, excite<l some
alarm in our colonies, althou<.^h no one seems to have
noticed it here.
"As a woman, I feel that my o])inion on such mat-
ters is out of pbice, and as a historian my thou<^hts
seldom dwell on any matter y()un<i^er than two hun-
dred years: Ijut I think that the federation you
propose wouhl become more pahital)le to the Nova
Scotians, New Brunswickers, etc., if each colony were
invited to cause a resident minister to be selected
from amon.v their own representatives to sit in the
British Parliament as a referee, to give information
on any statistic matters under legishxtion. The con-
dition that such person must be a Nova Scotian, New
Brunswicker bo^'u, or French-Canadian, etc., woukl be
gratefully received, I am sure : the pride of the col-
onists would be mightily gratified, the utility would
counterbalance any trouble, the colonists would tax
themselves in a trifle of £500 per annum or so, to
maintain their resident minister, and the situation
would be a stimulus to obtain English at'-nnments in
education, and a bond of the strongest nature as to
the affections of the colonists. I know personally
sonu^thing of the Nova Scotians and Newfoundland
natives, and I know their pride is adverse to the
FEDERATION FOKETOLI).
2C5
i lack
ji his
I con-
1 to IHC
\t will
ossess-
r must
injj; oi"
that ol'
!(l soiuc
to have
cl\ luat-
liou^hts
,vo hun-
ion you
le Nova
,11 y wero
selected
t in the
jinnatiou
The con-
Aan,Ne\v
wouhl be
the col-
ty would
ould tax
or so, to
situation
inients in
ure as to
:)ersonally
l-se
undland
riMlcnition witli ('nnadu, l)ut if they were ])fittrd and
sootlied as ]n<''h-l)l()<)<h'(l horses are tanie(l, tlicv iniolit
be led anywhere, j)rovide(l their nationality be owned. "
On the same sheet of note paper, written the re-
verse way oF the sheet, is the following;:
'' Avj/. l.'Uli.
" Dkah Cof.onel FiTZ(}iiU'.()X,— [ am sony to say
that I discovered this note unposted, when 1 thouj;"ht
\'ou had had it some time am). Such is, I am sad to
own, the fate of manv of m\' ei)istl('s. Writinji' tliem
is almost a sutterino- to uw, and when wi-itten, souje-
thin^' J nnist attend to demands me, and away they
<^() amonj^ my j)a])ers. f own I cannot kee]) up any-
tliin^* like a correspon<lence : my friends are obli<;'ed
to come an<l take my epistles viva voce, and aoreo
not to think me savatre if I do not write.
" I have, however, written to Lord Aylmer, for I
owe them a lono- scon; of apolo<»'ies foi* invitations not
accepted, not noticed indee<l, and calls uinvturned :
therefore I am (loiim' neu'lected devoirs as well as
iiKMitioninij; your work. Will you enclose one with
Colonel Fitzliibbon's compliments to Lord Aylmer,
and the (^ther to Lady Aylmer, she bein^^ literary,
and he a firm friend to Canada.
" I am, yours very truly,
" EiJZAHETH Strickland.
" P.S. — Lord Aylmer is, I am sure, from home, but
if you enclose my letter with the pamphlet to the
Eaton Square address, he will receive them in time.
" I have no objection to receive a (juiet visit on
Sunday. I was at church and dining out with an
old friend the day you called. I dine out to-morrow
and Wednesday ; on Thursday I shall be glad to
see you."
17
I
266
A VETERAN OF 1812.
Miss Jane Strickland, the author of " Rome, Ro^al
and Republican," and many tales from Rcmian and
Eastern history, met FitzGibbon frequently at her
sistci's cottage in Bayswater, and in her beautiful
old a^e* was never weary of talking of the charm
of his conversation, his intense individuality and love
of humanity.
" I have told him n^peatedly," she said, in speaking
of this date, " that he sliould write ■ history of his
campaigns ; but no written page could convey the life
and vim of the relation, a mere body without a spirit
that gave it such indescribable charm. He was plain,
decidedly plain, but he carried himself well, was a fine-
looking man, and the moment he began to talk, all
else was forgotten."
Despite Miss Strickland's avowed aversion to letter-
writiniT, there are several letters from her amonir
FitzGibbon's papers, and of his among hers, which
betray a mutual admiration and affection for each
other, expressed in the courteous, dignified language
of their day.
Miss Strickland introduced FitzGibbon to Mr. John
Ollivier, the editor of the Home Circle, a magazine
then in good circulation in England. Several articles
and papers from his pen on infant training were
published in its columns. Ollivier also published a
pamphlet for him which attracted the attention of
George Combe, the phrenologist, and the following
* She lived to he eighty-eight, retaining her faculties and wonder
fill memory to the last hour of lier life.
I
-WW
GEORGE (;OMBE.
2G7
Refill
1 and
,t her
Aitiful
chanu
d love
eakinj:!;
of his
the life
a spirit
,s plain,
8 a fine-
talk, all
o letter-
among
which
or each
language
Lr. John
Inagazine
1 articles
Ino^ were
)lished a
intion ot
toUowing
Ind wonder-
letter was the beginning of a pleasant correspondence
and friendship between the two men. The hitter is
addressed to "A Colonist'" > ^ itzCjri})bon'K iiom de
j)lume), "to the care of .l./iii. llivier, Es(i., 5J) Pall
Mall, London." It is written . a firiii, clear, copper-
plate hand, the lines straigh and the words well
separated — a liand that nuist have been a j)leasure to
his printers and proof-readers :
" 45 Melville St., EDixiunuai,
"November 18th, 1848.
" Sir, — I have read with nnich pleasure your ' Re-
marks on the Advantages of Early Training and
Management of Children,' and admire the spirit in
which they are written. Apparently, however, you
have not had an opportunity of learning what has
been written on the subject of education since you
left England. Robert Owen taught us so long ago as
1820, the identical proposition contained in the third
paragraph of your pamphlet, and tried to realize it
in practice on a great scale at New Lanark in Scot-
land, and with oidy partial snccess.
" Having written and published a good deal myself
on human nature and education, I beg to enclose an
advertisement of my books, in some of wlii>h, par-
ticularly the ' Constitution of Man,' you will find
some ideas congenial to your own.
" I am, Sir,
'• Your very obedient servant,
"Geo. Com he.
"To 'A Colonist.'"
Through Lord Aylmer, Lord Aberdeen, Lord Seaton
and others interested in Canada and Canadians, and
iHl
iJiMilli!'
268
A VETERAN OF 1812.
in FitzGibbon personally, he was appointed one of
the Military Knights of Windsor, Lower Founda-
tion, on May 20th, 1850, and on January 8th, 185.S,
was removed to the Royal Foundation of the same
Royal Pension.
The Military Kni<;^hts of Windsor were founded by
Edward III., in the twenty-second year of his reign,
1-S48, for the support of twenty-four soldiers, " who
had distinguished themselves in the wars, and had
afterwards been reduced to straits." Appointments
are in the gift of the Crown. Each mend)er is paid
a small amuial stipend, and an allotted residence in
tlie walls of the Lower Ward. The only service re-
([uired of them is the attendance of a certain number
daily at the religious offices in St. George's Chapel,
where they occupy stalls at the feet of the Knights
of the Garter. The dress is a long dark blue cloak,
with a scarlet collar and a Maltese cross of the same
color on the left slioulder : a short, straight, two-edged
sword or rapier with a Maltese cross-shaped hilt and
a scabbard of dark leather.
The residence is a cottage interior with low ceilings
and deep window sills, built in the walls of the
castle on the right of the main entrance towers. A
tiny gate- way and narrow path lead to the low door-
ways which face the beautiful St. George's Chapel,
where these " poor Knights of Windsor," the original
designation, pay their daily devoir.
The installation is a very simple ceremony. After
the first lesson of the service for the day is read, two
le of
nda-
L85.S,
saiuo
id by
•eign,
' who
[ liad
neiits
pMi<l
ice in
36 re-
unber
luipel,
lights
cloak,
same
■edged
It and
eilings
Df the
rs. A
T door-
^hapel,
rit»;inal
After
id, two
I -i
i: ■
^1
,
'
•
"'''
t
;
nn:
i
i'v
'
J
n
s»
1
■^i
5
; (
1
■TTTT'
MILITARY KNICJHTS OF WINDSOR.
269
kni^'lits, tlie latest iiist<i!l('(|, ot) out, and liand in the
nevv^ one. As the}' enter, all three bow to the altar,
turn, and bow t(j the dean : the new knight is then
led by the hands and placet 1 in the stall he is hence-
forth to occn})y.
1 will not attempt to depict the beauty of the
chapel, its lofty ^'randeur, the ex([uisH" ])ei'fection of
the car\'in<4' on screen and stalls, the <;Teat east win-
(\()\v, throuii'h whose softl\'-tone<l tints the liHit falls
in such mellowed tenderness: the histoi'ic associations
of the rich emblazoned banners pendant from the
rafters above the stalls of the Knights of the (Jarter:
the historic arms and mottoes of those who have left
their impress on the history of theii* countiy recorded
on the panelled walls; the full notes of the or<;an
above the screen, and tlie clear, sweet voices of the
chorister boys from away down the l()n<;" northern
cloisters, growing- clearer and clearer as they approach,
until the sw^eet sounds rise above the aisles, and till
the grand nave beyond with melody.
Six of the knights are obliged to attend service
once a day for a month, except in the case of sickness
or leave of absence.
The pension attached to this royal bounty was
small, only one shilling a day, and upon the appoint-
ment of a new Knight of the Garter, each military
knight received a fee of one pound.
The chief benefit derived from it is a settled resi-
tlence among their compeers, and under the innnediate
protection of the Crown they have served. There is
m
sll
/)
y.f
270
A VETERAN OF 1812.
also a curtain presti^o about tlie ]H).siti()ii wliich helps
to smooth th(j ron«;li phicvs made by poverty for
those who have <loiie their \vt)rk well, without
adecjuate worldly reward— those who, in the common
lan<»;uao;e of the times, have " seen better days."
Here they have cont^enial society, the ({uiet which
old age seeks, coupled with the advantage of keeping
in toucli with the (questions stirring men's minds ; out
of the tumult and strife, but within the circles of the
echoes roused by the advance of science, literature
and art ; within reach of the tidings from the political
world, and in the time of war, of the latest news
from the army.
Can we not picture their excitement and interest
in the tidings from the Crimea ?
What unedited accounts of bygone battles fought
and won, of retreats well conducted when the day
had gone against them, of marches i»iade, deeds of
laring done, hardships endured, couhl the walls of
the knights' quarters tell ? How often the " only
course " left for the n.. ii in conr land was laid down,
argued over, and emphatically advocated by the
knights as they paced the ramparts in friendly con-
verse after service.
How every appointment was canvassed and com-
mented upon, each bringing his knowledge of the
name or man to bear upon the approval or disapproval
of the " action at headquarters." How they rejoiced
when a favorite or familiar regiment, or name which
represented " one of the youngsters " of their day,
II,!: Ill
FAVORITE WALKS.
271
u'lps
' for
liout
imon
.' ; out
A the
L-ature
ilitical
news
iterest
it'ought
le day
sells of
alls of
" only
down,
)y the
y con-
was mentioned in the despatches, and <j^rieved ov^v
the untimely fall of those who liad shown promise of
ahility in their professicHi.
Can we not realize how eacli knight represented
his own old corps amon<; them, and received the con-
gratulations or condolences of Ins feHow-kni<;*]its as
its representative ^
FitzGibbon was an early riser now as ever, and an
excellent pedestrian. A favorite walk was U) Froo-
more, then the residence of the Duchess of Kent. Sir
George Cooper, Her Royal Highness' secretary, whom
FitzGibbon had known well in Canada, had obtained
him the privileged entree to the park and gardens.
FitzGibbon was never weary of this beautiful
place, and went there frequently for the pleasure of
sitting under the trees and walking over th'^ Derfectly-
kept sward. It was also a show-place, to which he
took his friends and visitors. His sister, Mrs. Wash-
burn, wdio spent some weeks with him in the summer
of 1851, speaks of going to Frogmore with her
brother, of the loveliness of the park, and the " deli-
cious feel of the velvety grass which made it such a
pleasure to walk upon."
Another long and favorite constitutional was down
the Long Walk to the statue at the end, a distance of
three miles, or in the Lower Park towards Ditcham
and back.
The great Exhibition of this year brought many
colonists to London, and many of his old Canadian
friends found their way to the knight's quarters —
II
272
A VETERAN OE lHlL>.
some ^lad of tliu opportunity of sceiiio- liim n^vjii,
others, on si<j^ht-S('eino- inti'nt, \ei-y willing- to visit
Windsor Castle and an old ae(|uaintance at the same
time.
The Baroness de Loiif^ueiiil was amon<i; the former.
Slie had written a warndy expressed letter of congra-
tulation to Fitz(j}ibbon upon his appointment, and Her
Majesty's kindness to his dau<j^liter,* and now took
advantat^e of beiiio- within easy access of London to
visit her old friend.
Several of his former brother officers, wdiom he liad
not seen for years, but wliose friendsliip he had re-
tained throujj'h all tlie clian<res and chances of tlieir
lives, also came to see him.
Among these, Captain Brackenbury, of the 49tli,
one of the tutors of liis barrack-room university (see
page 50), was (jne of the most welcome. They had
not met since they were young men in Canada. The
afternoon spent togetlier was all too short in whicli
to recall the old days and their recollections, or tell
of all that had happened to either during the inter-
vening years. The intercourse thus renewed was
never again broken ott*.
He had also other visitors about whose names still
lingers more or less of interest. Miss Agnes Strick-
land, accompanied by the artist, Melville, and her
* I regret much that I have been unable to ascertain the parti-
cular nature of Her Majesty's kindness, but the reference to it in
the Bf ness de Longueuil's letter is evidence of the soldier's grati-
tude to iiis sovereign.
infill
AGNES ST KICK LAND.
273
j)ul)li.slu'r, (^)ll)iini, wlicn <»ii a visit to tlio CustKi in
order to have one ol' th(.' ))ortraits there copied Tor
lier " Lives of the Queens ol* Kni^'hind," spent tlu^ t^ven-
in;4' at No. 9'; tlie R(!V. H. Hawtive; Major ('larke;
1. Kitteruiinster, who writes in <^lowin^' enlo<j^y of tlie
liappy houi's spcuit in "tlie (piiet, snu^* room in the
(Jastle, while the .rave old man swun<;' to and fro in
his Yankee chair, relating" scenes of byu-one days,
living life over ag'ain in all its delii^dits, forgetting
the sorrows till t attended them;" of the "stroll on
the rampai'ts watching the sun go down in a hlaze
of glory;" their "walks by tlu; river-side, exchang-
in<»' thouiihts of this and other worlds:" of the
"beauty of the landscape di'essed in all the pride
of spring," " the song of the lark and murmur of the
river," accompaniments of theii* " fondly remembered
intercourse."
Other friends, unable to come to Windsor, invited
FitzCJribbon to dine with them in London." These
in citations, however, were generally declined, and the
alternative of breakfasting with them offered. He
preferred going up early to returning late, or incur-
ring the expense or inconvenience of remaining all
night at • n hotel.
He liaa been elected a member of the Highland
Society of London in 1842, and always received a
card for the annual dinner held in the Freemason's
Tavern, Great Queen Street, on March 22nd, in com-
^^i^
* Among these was Sir Allan jNIacnab.
i.'l'
274
A VETERAN OF 1812.
UK'Uioration of t\\v battle oi* Alexandria, hut even this
invitation was only once acce])te(l.
He ha«l also ])een admitted as a Royal Arch Mason,
Ionic (Chapter, Toi'onto, on Januaiy 12th, IS48,and to
the Supreme Gi'and Chapter of London, Knoland, on
Au<^ust (ith, 1850 : and thou^li there is no note anion^-
liis papei'H (jf his attendin<j;' the lod<;"e meeting* in
London, the position in the ci'aft *;*ave him additional
means of influence, and enlarged his opportunities of
makin<^ liimself lieard when occasion re(juired it, or
when his advocacy could he used to benefit others.
FitzGi}jl)on went several times to town to the
Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, ^oin^- up by an early
train and returning in time for dinner at seven, meet-
ing many friends and calling upon others. Such a
day is briefly described by his sister, who went with
him on September 10th :
"Lp to London by the 9.02 train ; walked to Miss
Strickland's from Paddington. Miss S. had a small
cottage and garden at Bayswater. She showed us
the largest apples I ever saw, that had grown on her
trees. Took a biscuit and glass of wine. Miss S.
sliowed us out a short way. We walked to the
Crystal Palace through the park, a most pleasant and
not a long walk. We entered the Palace at half-past
eleven, and stayed there until three. Met Egerton
Baines from Toronto, wlio told us his mother was in
town. Although we were pretty well tired, we walked
to Brompton Row (could get no conveyance) to Lady
^m
DEHTS DlSCIIAIUiKI).
275
Rai'klt'y's. Slu^ hud jisked us to stay a few days with
her, ])ut we could not. We stayed nearly jiii liour,
then took an onniihus to Uet^ent's (>ii'(;us, whei'e we
inten(h'<l to take ancjtlier to Paddin^ton Tej-minus,
hut we were too late ; the onniihus ha<l Just lel't, and
there would not he another foi' an hour. Took a cab,
an«l ^'ot in in time I'oi" the hali'-past live train, and
home by half-past six."
The first years spent at Win<lsor wei-e, liowever,
years of real privation and po\erty. Small as his
income was, Fitz(iibboTi devoted the lar^ei" portion of
it to the payment of his debts, reserving* only what
was barely sutiicient for actual su])sistence. There
are letters extant from friends, some of them of rank,
Invathint;* friendshi]) and affection for him ; and while
at the same time acknowled*;in^- the receipt of various
sums they had induced him to accept as loans durin<i;
the trying time between 1838 and 1845, reproaching
him for being in such haste to draw upon his so lately
augmented but still narrow means.
His daughter and niece, who, with his son William,
joined him in England in 1850, shared his privations,
seconding his lau<lable ambition and enabling him to
realize it.
His brother Gerald was soon his only remaining
creditor, and with the exception of the last sixty
pounds due, the thousand pounds lent by him in
1841, principal and interest, was paid in full before
FitzGibbon's death. This sixty pounds was gener-
1'l
ji^
T. "
I: i
270
A VKTEHAN OF 1H12.
uu.sly rorgivcM liiiii ])y liis hrotlici* at a tiiiic wlicu tlw
a])proach ot* tlic infii'initiiiH of }i<:;<; rundmuMl him so
niixioUH lest lie sliould Jii; in (k'])t, tliat tlu: I'cai-
aHi'('t('<l his liealtii injuriously.
Tlu'Sij years hrou^lit otliei' and o;roator <;Ti('t'H in
tlu'ir train. His son WillianTs liealth had iK'cn t'ail-
in<;" ['oi' some tiuiO. The sea voyaj^'e and chan^n; had
not the beneficial eH'eets tluy had ]ioi)ed for. He
I'eturned to Canachi early in the autumn, and died at
Belleville, in October, lfS51. FitzCiibbon felt this loss
keeidy, but another and a <j;'r(;ater blow was soon to
fall upon the brave old man. His dau<4hter Mary,
the dearest companion of his life, was slowly dyiu^',
althou^'h as yet her father's eyes could not see it.
In March, 1852, he writes to Miss Strickland of a
visit from an old brother lieutenant, "one of my old
corps, the 49tli, who sold out in ISIO, and returned to
England to the study and practice of medicine. So
stron*;" does liis friendship for me continue that he has
taken upon him the management of my Mary's health,
and came here to study her case for a few days."
Dr. Anderscjn ordered her to drink goat's milk, and
later on FitzCHbbon writes : " Every alternate day I
walk about six miles out and home to bring to Mary
a soda water bottle of goat's milk from the beautiful
Cashmere goats belonging to Prince Albert, on one of
the farms in the Park."
His youngest son, James, died in 1852. After hav-
ing served but a few years in the 24th Regiment, he
Pi^
KINDLY LETTERS.
277
sold his eoiniuission and retunu'd toCanadji to devote,
himself to the study of the law. He ])rac'tised in
i^elleville, ( )ntari(), and stories are still extant there
of his wit and eIo(|uence at the Bar.
Mary did not lon;^ survive hei* hrother, and the
Vear f 'osed in sorrow for the hereavecl father.
Tlierc are sevei-al letters of this date from his old
iViends and hi'othei- otheers, fidl of kindly fi-iendshi|)
and synq^athy. In one of these, from ('a])tain Ih'aek-
eiihurv, a remarkable dr( nn is refei-i-ed lo, which
dream had at the time .so c d'oi'tin«c an intluenee on
Kit/Ciibbon's mind that he had it printed, in the hope
that it ini^ht benefit others.
" In my dream I fancied myself stan<lin;;' in fi-ont
of a golden column, ])ri^'htly burnished, in which I
saw my own face most cleai'ly reflected, J)eli^hted
with the brilliant appearance of all around me, I <j;azed
intently upon the retlecte<l face, and soon it appealed
to expand, to be enlarged, tc become more expi'essive,
beautiful, sublime, beyond all I had ever ima^^dned of
the hiiman face. Filled w'th a deli<:jht beyond all
})()wer of lan^'uage to express, it flashed upon my
mind that I was in heaven. The first impulse was
that I should prostrate myself in prcjfound gratitude
to the Almighty for having created me for such a
blissful des'.:*iy. I vividly remembered the Scripture
wli'ch says, ' Eye hath no een, nor ear heard, iieither
hath it entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love Him ; '
278
A VETERAN OF 1812.
i
'f,^>.
and liore I t'elt that it was more tliaii realized to me,
and tlie crownin*; joy of it all was that it would
never end. My mind became, as it were, expanded
to a vast extent, looking into eternity with mental
power never before imagined by me, and with an
awful impression of its boundless, its infinite extent.
" In the midst of these ineffable thoughts my mind
was suddenly turned to earth, and there I saw my
wife lying on a sick bed, with her five childi'en in
tears standing around it. Here then was the very
state of sorrow and suffering I had so often in imagi-
nation dreaded. Yet my happiness was not in the
least affected by it. Before this dream I could not
have conceived how this insensibility to their suffer-
ing could be, but now I clearly compi*ehended why I
was not so affected. I mentally exclaimed : ' Oh, it
matters not, they will be here innnediately ; ' and
whether the intermediate time were five years, or
fifty years, or five hundred years, did not then appear
to me worth an anxious thought, so brief did all time
appear to me compared to the eternity which then
appeared before me.
" And so, in truth, it really is to a mind expanded
as my mind then was. And this comparison and the
consideration of it now appear to me as fraught with
a cu. isolation to suffei'ing minds here on earth, which
no other consideration is at all ecjually calculated to
give. And, therefore, while my mind is thus so in-
tensely and blissfully impressed, do I hasten to record
A REMARKABLE DREAM.
279
iided
(1 the
witli
'hicli
d to
o in-
;cord
tliis vision, before it fades from my memory in the
sli(rhtest decree.
" Now, I trust I shall not be tliought superstitions l)y
anyone to whom I may comnnmicate what I liave liere
written. I am deli<]^hted with the dream, because it
proves to me that even in this life I possess a capacity
for enjoyment of blissful happiness of which before
now I had no adecjuate idea, and because it convinces
me that in lieaven no consideration of things on earth
can diminish my happiness there. And here I take
for granted that the Almighty has in like manner
endowed every human being with latent capacities
for increased happiness, whenever in His merciful
will He pleases thus to exercise those capacities.
" Thus a new field for thought appears to be opened
u]) before me, in which my mind may be further
improved, and I be enabled to increase its powers and
enhanc-3 its happiness. Now, more plainly than ever
heretofore, do I understand and feel that man is a
progressive being, and that it is his duty to avail
himself of every circumstance, occurrence, or means
whicli may enable him to advance himself in useful-
ness, in virtue, and piety ; and with the view, espe-
cially, of further enal)ling him to do good to his
neighbor.
"Anyone, at the hour of death, leaving behind
wife, children, or other beloved relatives, exposed to
poverty, sorrow, or other suffering, having such an
absolute conviction of mind as I then had, of the
!
I
t
280
A VETERAN OF 1812.
sliortness of all things of time lierti on earth, as com-
pared witli eternity, must surely, under such convic-
tion, be nearly, if not altogether, relieved from mucli
mental suffering, and enabled to depart in compara-
tive peace, and even with hope and joy and confidence
in the goodness of God,
*' That this account of my dream may occasionally
soothe and cheer the anxious spirits of pei'sons so
circumstanced, I lunnbly h()]^e and fervently ])ray.
" Amicus."
ENEROETIC OLD A(iE.
^81
CHAPTEK XII.
"^ITZGIBBON was never idle. His old enero^y
■ji^j^ and anxiety to be of use to someone — to do
what little good might be within his power —
never flagged. He read all the papers witii avidity,
making notes of interesting items, clipping para-
graphs containing information suitable for the accep-
tance of some of his youthful correspondents among
I lis nephews and friends ; occasionally, where a remi-
niscence of his own was apropos, replying to or
writing articles for the press, military matters espe-
cially attracting his attention.
The following is, perhaps, as apt an illustration of
this interest and the " grist he sent to the mill " as
anything among his papers :
" iMoNDAY, November 22nd, 1852.
" Sir, — In the supplement to the Weekly Despatch
of yesterday, I have just read the following words :
' And never let us forget to honor and care for the
' humblest soldier who has done his part of the great
' task in the faithful spirit of his chief. The indivi-
' dual honors cannot be his, and he knows it. He is
' proud to see decorations on the breasts of his officers,
'they are tributes to his valor; his bayonet helped
' to win them ; his discipline, his firmness held the
* ground ; his energy was in the last decisive charge.'
I cannot withhold from you the statement of a simple
18
'\''\'
i'sii
» i
n
ii
282
A VETERAN OF 1812.
fact which, I think, becautifullv^ ilhistrates the truth of
your hypothesis.
" Tlie battle ol' Queenstou, in lJ])per ( ■ana(hi, was
fought on tlie 18th ol* October, 1812. Captain Dennis,
of the (}rena<lier Conipan; of the 4J)th Ke^'iinent,
connnanch'd the post at the be^innino- of tlie battle,
and for al)out an hour afterwards. Majoi'-CJeneral
Brock ari'ived from Nia^ura, and was killed, and
Captain Dennis was wounded, Imt lie still kept the
field. The invaders were all killed or taken prisoners :
amon^ the latter was Lieut.-Colonel Scott, the present
Commander-in-Chief of the American Army.
" In three months after, a <»eneral order was read
at the head of that grenadier company, which pro-
moted Captain Dennis to the brevet of Major.
" On the company being dismissed, one of the
soldiers tossed his nuisket high above his head, and
cried aloud, ' Hurrah, boys, we have done something
for the old Roman at last ! '
" That Captain Dennis is the present Major-General
Sir James B. Dennis. Because of his zeal and his
daring in battle, his soldiers usually called him ' the
old Roman.'
" The tribute you have paid to the memory of the
Duke and to the army, and especially to the privates
of that army, is most gratifying to me, having been
once a private soldier myself, and I am most grateful
to ^''ou for it. I wish every soldier in the army had
a copy of it. The study of it would add to his just
pride, would increase his devotion to the service and
nerve his hand in the day of battle.
" May I request of you to give this efFi Ion a place
in a future number of your journal.
" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
"An old Guenadfer of the last Century."
A SAILOKS "PEN YARN.
2S3
bh of
, was
lllUH,
\ient,
at tie,
lu'val
, and
•t the
)ners :
[•eseiit
; read
1 pvo-
)f the
.d, and
ething
leneral
id his
11 'the
lot' the
•ivates
been
•atet'ul
|iy had
LS just
ie and
place
IRY.
The mention of an old comrade would a^ain lead
to a renewal of intercourse or letter of en(|uiry.
The following is a reply so evidently characteristic
that we give it. The top (^f the page has unfortu-
nately been mutilated by some enthusiastic colk^ctor
of crests for the impression of the coat of ai'ms :
" I am, indeed, my <lear sii*, the vsame Tom Mansel
who shared w^ith yourself the glory of victory at
Nelson's ever-memoi'able battle of Copenhagen, but
cei'tainly not possessing the youthful bearing which
then animated my aspiring spirit, as both body and
mind are fearfully, in tlie ])resent stage of progressive
old age, fast approaching the lee-shore of beam-end
position, yet I endeavor to presei've an even keel as
kmg as remains a shot in the locker to keep off* the
ennui of natural infirmities. As I intend, in the course
of a short time, to clinch the tow-rope of pleasure by
hailing your snuggery at Windsor Castle, I there-
fore cut my pen yarn short, and will spin one as long
as the main top bowling when we meet to talk in
good earnest, and fight our battles of glcn-ious record
o'er and o'er again.
" Believe me to be,
" My old comrade and friend,
" Yours very faithfully,
•'Tom Mansel.
" P.S. — If you happen to visit the gallant Naval
Knights of Windsor, will you kindly convey my
royal mast-high regards to Lieut. Henslow, who
served under my command some years gone by ; a
gentlemanly, exemplary officer thus I held him in
estimation, and no mistake,"
JHI
1
fli
1
1
284
A VETERAN OF 1812.
His corresponrlence with (ieorge Combe led to an
enthusiastic study of phrene'o^y. He was a firm
advocate and believer in the science, and in many of
his letters speaks hi«j^hly of its influence for greater
contentment and increase of hope in the future
improvement and development of good in humanity.
H(; was also a great reader, and many of his letters
of this date contain his opinions and impressions of
the books he was at the time perusing. In July,
1857, during the mutiny in India, he refers to the
life of Sir Charles Napier as " the most exciting
work I have ever read."
He understood the antagonism of the directors of
the East India Company to Sir Charles Napier's
measures. Sir Charles' difficulties were a more
extensive reproduction of his own in Canada prior to
the rebellion. He believed that had Sir Charles
" been duly supported, the present mutiny would
never have occurred. For years he had warned the
Indian Government of their danger. He had pre-
vented mutinies, and pointed out clearly how to
govern all safely and well, but as his counsel in-
volved changes in the civil departments, which atFected
the vast abuses of patronage, he was treated as an
intolerable nuisance, and driven from the country.
" Were it not for the destruction and ruin conse-
quent upon this mutiny, I would rejoice at it. Never
have men so well deserved disaster and punishment
as these directors."
He paid one or two visits to Dublin before the year
NKJHT SCHOOLS.
285
) an
iirm
ly of
eater
iturt'
mity.
ettcrs
»ns of
July,
;0 the
xiting
the yea
1855, but thou^'li he nuide nuiiiy plans and promises
to repeat them later — promises which \ni was, how-
evei", careful to speak of as " conditional only " — he
was unable to fulfil them. He vahied and loved his
sister-in-law (wife of his brothei- Gerald) highly, and
Ids letters are full of kindly, iii-ateful reminiscences
of her hospitality and affection for hinj. It is to lier
care of his correspondence we are chietly ind(d)ted
for the details necesMuy for the last chapter of our
veteran's life.
The night schools and classes establisluMl in the
town of Windsor were also of great interest to Fitz-
(Hbbon. He fi'e([uently addressed the boys, and
while entertaining them with graphically depicted
accounts of incidents in his own experience, anecdotes
of men and soldiers he had known, he drove home
many a lesson and maxim of value. He never lost
an opportunity of impressing upon them the desira-
bility of cultivating truth, sobriety, courtesy and
kindness to the least of (lod's creatures. He noted
everyday incidents in th " streets, trifles which others
passed by unheeded, and turned them to account in
his friendly talks with the boys.
He w^as always ready to drill a score of raganmf-
fins, and halfpennies never stayed long In his pockets
when others' need seemed to demand their expendi-
ture.
During the last few years of his life, while still
able to go up to towai for the day, it became necessary
to see that he had a return ticket on the raihvay ;
- ttk
v-'r'Hfi
I fWM
28()
A VETERAN OK 1812.
otiierwise his soft heart for a Imn^ry hul or sym-
patliy for a doleful tale of want wcjiild liave h^ft him
without the uieanw to pay liis fare back.
He was re})eatedly CJiiled uj)(jn l)y tlie Dean t(j act
as trustee for tlie widow or or|)liaii dau^^liter of a
deceased brother kiii^'ht, or for advice and assistance
in preparing* pension papers and arran^ino- tlieir
aiiaii s.
Altliou^h he corresponded witli many friends in
Canachi (hiring these first few years of liis life at
Windsor, none of his letters has come within my reach
except the followin<i^ t(j tlie late Mr. Walter Mackenzie,
of Castle Frank, Toronto. He had been one of B^itz-
Gi])bon's rifle corps or<»anized pre\'ious to the reljellion
of 1887, and ever remained one of his most devoted
friends and admii-ers. In this letter a strong love for
Canada is expressed, and one cannot but regret that
his version of the history of the war of 1812 was not
written for the l)enefit of those now so deeply inter-
ested in that little known period of Canadian history.
"Lower Ward,
"Windsor Castle, May 10th, 1855.
" Mv Dear Mr. Mackenzie, — I must begin this
answer to your interesting letter of the 14th ultimo,
by making an admission, or more properly a confes-
sion, that I really am unequal to making it an ade-
quate return to your epistle. Your idea that the
' Celt being especially distinguishable from the Saxon
by retaining the tire of youth amid the snows of
winter's age,' is no longer fairly to be entertained by
LKTTER TO WALTER MACKENZIE.
^87
led by
in(\ It is tnu' tliat niv ijliysical condition is now far
ill
Ix'ttc'i" tlian cviM- liitlicrto 1 could have hoped lor. I
can .junj[) and danc<' with as li^ht and clastic a hound
as at any [)cri()<l during;' the last forty years, and
cei'taiidy more so than durin<;' any pei'iod ol' the last
ten veai's. But 1 cainiot say so nuich foi- the mental
rner<;y. Would that 1 coidd <;uide, jud oi- t'oiwaid in
any way youi' etfoits in the cause of (^madian a<l-
vancement, either historically, politically oi' socially.
In fact, my desire is so sti'on*;' in this direction that it
i"e((uires an eifort to make me refiain fiom making-
you an offer of help wlierever you may think 1 could
render it. But in Justice to you 1 dai'e not. 1'he only
wav in whicl) I can concoct anvthinii' like an ade(|uate
answer to yours is to <^<j over it para<;ra])h by para-
<i;raph and say something- to each.
"Should J)r. Widmei- not have left Toi'onto Ijefore
V<JU receive this, nray chai'm' him frc^m me to conu3
to W^indsor, which he can do in less than an hour by
rail, or if he cannot from any cause, that he will
write nie to come to him. I tlnidv the meetin<;" would
make us both a year younger.
" Our ' tilt ' with the Dean and Canons is now fully
in the lists before the Chancellor. Whether we, like
the slender Ivanhoe, shall roll their Revei'ences in the
dust, as he rolled the brawny Bois de G lilljcrt, time
alone can tell Your letter shows me that we have
the ^ood wishes of one honest heart. The gentlemen
of the lon^' robe are now actively employed in pre-
[)aring (piestions and answers, replies and rejoinders,
and all the usual prolonged fence of such gladiators.
The last note to me, as chairman of the K nights'
Committee, from our chief champion, is very encour-
aging. Still I will not indulge in much hope, and I
am pursuing my own course without any reference to
aid from that (piarter. If it come, taut miettx.
I
I
l> '• i!
2cS8
A VfcTElfAN OF iNl'i.
" For tilt' lionor and prospci-ity of old Kn^dainl, [
^I'icve U) see its elei'oy so oi'asj)iii<;' and avaricious.
No ckiHH of this nation is doinii- so niueli ini»n-\' to the
puhlic mind, and it pains nie to learn that a like
spirit is manifesting^ itself in yoni* tlirivin^' ja'ovince.
" 1 have not a copy left of the letter you mention.
I believe it was the substance of a paper I wrote at
the re(juest (jf Loi'<l Seaton, in 1841), and which I had
soon aftei* printed in London. T have been s;)metim('S
ui'o<'d to ^'ive my version of the war of 1S12, but I
could not reconcile myself to do so: because, if J did,
1 could not refrain from tellin^^ all the truth, and this
would expose to puljlic blame, if n(^t shame, some I
would fain not W(jund. Hut at this lon<;" distance of
time I mi^ht say nuich without reluctance which then
I woidd decline. Therefore, shoidd you ever enter
upon a sketch of Canadian chronicles, and would call
on me for an account of any siniile (jcciu'rence or
series of events known to me, I could <;'ive you de-
taclie<l sketches, some of which may help to till U[) or
amplify a narrative for you.
" It is interestintr to me to learn that you went to
Sir Francis Head, with Judge McLean, to ur^e him
to attack the rebels on Tuesday morning, because I
also went to him soon aftei* suiuise and entreated of
him to give me three hundred out of the five hundred
then armed in the Market Scjuare, and with the only
0-])ounder then brought from the garrison, I pro-
mised in two hours to disperse the rebels. His
hurried answer was, ' Oh, no, sir, I will not tight tliem
on their ground ; they must tight me on mine.' 1
could not help mentally exclaiming, 'What an old
woman I have here to deal with I ' (Perhaps you
have a copy of a pamphlet which I had printed and
published in Montreal in 1847, ' An Appeal to the
People of Upper Canada;' if you have not, pray
REMTNIS( KNCKS OF THE UEHRLLION.
289
■lit to
.' liim
„use 1
tod of
ludivd
\ only
pro-
His
tVu'Ui
lie.' 1
in old
is vou
Id and
DO the
pi-ay
ohtuiii one if you can: T suppose Rowsoll may yet
li.'ive some unsold.) At that niouieut 1 eonsidered it
of tlie hi;j;liest iiiiportauee to disjxTse them witli the
least |M)ssil»|(' delay, that tlie news of their defeat
siiould aecompauy, if not precede, the news of the
outhi'eak, and therehy ])ai'aly/e and eoid'ound all
othei" disloyal men in the Piovinee hefore they eould
aet in concert: and had tlie i-ehcls the |)resence of
mind an<l tiie dai'in<^' which their first steps indicated,
the Uppci- Province minht have fallen under their
power. The ste[)s taken hy you and me and our
otliei' few fi-iends, such as the shootin;;' of Anderson
hy Powell and the I'inoin;;' of the city hells on Mon-
day niii'ht, (••ave tlie first check.
" As to the Navy Jsland campai<jjn, it was di-o-i-ace-
ful to us. 'I'ho rehels an<l sympathizers weiH' on the
island like rats in a trap, and the moment the detach-
ment of the 24tli joined at Chi])])ewa, an attack should
have heen ma<le. Klmsley had hoats enou(»"li, and a
descent U))on the island was easy and certain to suc-
ceed. But there was no will and tlu^refore no way.
So far from thinkiiiii" vou not the tit person to lecoi'd
the events of that outhreak, I know no man who
knows more of its details, or ohs 'rved them with so
earnest a zeal and spii-it as you did — no, not one.
'■ And here I must break off' t(j atttnid the summons
of Margaret to tea — as you broke off to attend the
summons to ' tax costs.'
" What you say as to your lack of love for your
iJi-ofc^sion brines vivid Iv to mv remembrance the
case of the only son of old C^ol. James Green, lon<jf
s(.'cretary to Lieut.-General Peter Huntei', onct^ Lieut.-
<Jovernor of Upper Canada. He desired above all
thino-s to iro into the armv, but his father sent him
to Oxford, to be educated for the Bar. He was called
to the Bar in Lower Canada, and took up his post,
iiiiiiii
200
A VKTERAN OF l8l->.
not ol* cxci'ci.so, but of inacticu, in Thi'^M^ RivorH. 1'lu(
lu'a<I(|uart('rH of the 4!)th wrns tli<'n there, in 1810,
und youii<;" (Ji'een told me that when in l^oi'tsniouth,
Kn<;|}in(l, on his I'etui'n to Canada, lie was on the
point oF enliHtin<j;' as a ))ri\'ate soldier, which, how-
ever, he <lid not, hut retui'iied to ('anada. We invited
him to heeome an honorary memher of our Mess,
whei'i^ I became most intimate with him. His life
became a most unhappy one,an<l although he becamo
Clei'k of the Peace at (.Quebec, he died early, as I
Ixdieve, of something- like u bioken heart, Y\v was a
hii»'h-minde<l, noble and ii'enei'ous N'ouui" nwin. (Mrs.
(irasett is his dau<;htei-, oi' othei' relati\(' of his.)
"But surrounded by such 'specimens of humanity'
as you mention, you must cultivate cheei'fulness, self-
confidence an I [H'l'sevei'ance for theii* sakes, and not
sink, nor even bend, beneath the bui'den of moi'titied
feelinjjjH or disappointed ho[)es, rA)r Mi's, Mackenzie's
sake and their sakes, cheer u]) and chei'ish a maidy
pride and a lofty resolution to me«'t and sui'mount
(jvery obstacle to a final success and inde[)en(lence.
" I would gladly see you employ such spare time
as you can command in literary exercises which niay
be most agreeable to you. I (h*eam of pre])ari no-
some essays for the guidance of the young in Canada
in the exercise of their social and political (hi ties,
adding now^ and then a few hints on the parable of
the Good Samai'itan, witli special reference to my
discordant countrymen, the Orangemen, and their ad-
versaries, the Romanists, who mutually dishonor oui'
common Christianity by their almost total want of
the great Christian virtue, charity. From time to
time I fear mucli for the future harmony and pros-
perity of Canada.
" But I find my firmness of purpose becoming, day
by day, less firm, or rather more feeble. It just
THE ClliMEAN WAR.
291
occurs to iiu! tliat if I wur«! near you I wouM ^ivo
you leave to exercise autlnn'ity over me, wliieli, if
stei'uly exercise(l })y you, iiii;j;lit ])r()(luce some I'ruit ;
Tor I i-eally liave tlie mimmHuI liealtli and pliysieal
sti'enj'tli, an<l hiek oiilv th«' sti*oni»' will to l)rin<i- all
into active oju-ratioii.
"M'lie first Atxflo-Arnf'riani maiiaziiie \'ou sent me,
Mud the only one 1 have receive)!, I lent to the Karl /
of Alhemarle an<l have not received it hack. As
chairman ot* tlie (.onnnittee of tlie Militarv Kni^lits
of Windsor, 1 have heen in correspondences with Ins
liOivlship for some months, he hein»>' oui* advocate in
the House of Loids. On seein<;* the a})|)ointment of
Lord Bury to an otiice in C/ana('a, 1 have from time
to tinie sent to tlie Karl Canadian papers of various
descriptions, tindin<^' they ai'e acce[)tal)Ie t<j him and
to other individuals of the fannlv.
" You say, ' Last wc^'k 1 sent you one (^ontainino*
ji second article on the same subject, which 1 took
complimentary but somewhat mistaken notice of,'
hut this I have not received. 1 fear that all things
sent by post are not surely delivertMl. Occasionally I
send newspapers to Canada, and know not if they
ever reach. I cannot enter into a cori'espondence to
ascertain if they do. Last week 1 sent you a Tiiiien,
and occasionally 1 may obtain one to send you here-
after, though uncertain if they ever reach you. But
the Provincial papers, no doubt, republish all, or
nearly all, that can interest you Piovincials.
" I cannot think of offering you any connnent on
the thousand and one errors and blunders of our great
men here. The public prints say nnich more than
any private correspondent possibly could ; to them,
therefore, I must refer you. In Noveml)er I was on
the point of addressing a letter to the Times, giving
sage counsel to Lord Raglan. (What presumption ! ! !)
Fl.
m
■!i: Hii
\
I
III
292
A VETERAN OF 18 1±
The letter which I tliou^'ht of writin<;-, I was sure the
Tintes wouhl not publish. Nevertheless, I am since
sorry I did not then write it, as it would have actually
foreshadowed almost every evil which has since been
intlicted on that doomed (as it then appeared to me)
army. 1, who witnessed three campait;"ns in the
wintei's of Canada, mij^ht well foresee the hori'oi's in
store for those gallant fellows. But the horrors have
been so patiently, so heroically boi'ne, that the soldiers
of that arniv have added a new and beautiful rav
of ^lory to the character of the British arms, or 1
should rather say, to the character of the British
soldier. I consider this result as almost an equivalent
for those losses and disasters — an<l the like, I say, of
the insane char<;-e at Balaclava, ordered by Lord
Lucan. The men who made that charo-e have earned
a place for themselves in history above that of any
of theii" predecessors. These two examples will brin*^'
forth <;()od fruit in due season.
"The Roebuck Connnittee's report will be printed
by order of the House, and, 1 suppose, sold as usual.
I will, if I can, procure a copy for you.
"You talk of blind and bi-ainless men. Query:
Have we any other now, after forty years of system-
atical exclusion of all talent, as such, or if any one
of the favored class did possess natural talent, had
he any encourati;-ement to cultivate his talent ^ Or
wouhl he not have exposed himself to ridicule had he
seriously attempted it ^ Now, however, we are on
the eve of chanties which as yet cannot be clearly
seen.
" Bein^ now old, and no more work in me, I often
ima^'ine myself as if standing on the top of the fla^-
statf on the Round Tower of this castle, and surveyinj^'
all tlie passing displays of folly and wisdom exhibitin*;'
REPUBLIC OR COSSACK ?
293
on the surface of this j^lobe of ours, and sapiently
coninientin^ thereon. I often wisli to record my
imaginary connnents, but it is too hite in the day.
Of the views and objects of the RoyaHsts, the Aris-
tocrats and tlie Democrats in Europe, I entertain
opinions whicli I beheve to be clear and well founded,
but to detail them \vo\dd be too nuich for me to write,
and perhaps for you to read. But I am convinced
that tlie period is approacliin^;' when Napoleon's say-
in*^ at 8t. Helena will ])e verified, that "in fifty years
Europe will be Republic or Cossack," and I tliink the
danger is greater of its becoming Cossack tlian Re-
public. The despots everywhere are armed and well
prepared to pounce upon the first uprising of any of
the peoples, who are everywhere isolated and, as it
were, prostrate. I sometimes exclaim, 'Thank (Jod,
I have Canada to fall back unon.' Its future seems
to me more full of promise than that of any other
section of the human family. I long to be among
you. I tliink I co\d<l make my pen useful to you all,
but this liope is not a very strong one.
"Tell Mrs. Mackenzie that if I go to Chatham, I
will call upon Major Durie. But this is not likely,
unless I can obtain more money from the Dean and
Canons ; for I have reserved to myself only the bare
means of subsistence, and have appropriate<l all else
towards paying off' my remaining debts. How cruel
of this heartless Government to stand between me
and the grant of land thi'ee times voted for me by the
two Houses of the Upper Canada Parliament I And
yet they assented to tlie Rebels' Losses Bill, and voted
to Papineau S4,50() wdiich he had forfeited by his
acknowledged rebellion. I sometimes lose my patience
and my temper. God bless you and yours.
J. E.G.
I'll
\ 'V.
11! -
:i n'
294
A VETERAN OF 1812.
Although the letter to the 'Times of which Fitz-
Gibbon speaks was not written, tlie following extract
from one to his nephew Gerald, of a later date, may
be interesting as a soldier's opinion on the cause of
some of the disasters in the Crimea. The letter is
dated Monday evening, 5th February, only, but fi'oni
the context we may conclude the year to have been
185().
" My indignation a(^ainst those who have caused so
many unnecessary evils to our army in the Crimea
was boiling- over when I wrote my last note to you,
and I therefore forgot your re(]uest as to the Toronto
magazine. Ft was then lent, and has not yet V)eeii
returned to me, but when I receive it back I will
send it to you by post. The charge will be sixpence
only.^
" From all T have now read, I am confirmed in my
opinion that those evils have been chiefly caused by
the want of a good road from Balaclava to the camp.
The want of that road I ascribe chiefly to Sir John
Bnrgoyne, the commanding engineer there. Next to
him I would blame Lord Raglan himself, who should
early have foreseen the necessity for such a road. I
consider that every officer on his staff, certainly the
Quartermaster-( General, Lord de Ros, and ev^ery gene-
ral belonging to that army, as most shamefully want-
ing in military skill and foresight. They were then^
for weeks before the bad weather set in, during which
time I wonder the want of a winter road does not
appear to have occurred to them : or if it occurred to
the juniors, they, perhaps, had not courage to offer an
opinion to a senior. For many of our commanders I
have known to have met such a,dvice, or even sugges-
DISASTERS IN THE CRIMEA.
295
llWii
I Fitz-
ixtrac't
e, may
lusc of
3tter is
it from
e been
used so
Crimea
to you,
roronto
et been
I will
ixpence
I in my
ised by
e camp.
Johu
Sext to
should
oad. I
ly the
y gene-
waut-
e there
r which
oes not
irred to
offer an
Unders I
sugges-
in
y
^
tion, with a contemptuous repulse. (General de Rot-
tenbur<j^ ^'ave for answer to a su<i^^"estion ottered to
him hy an excellent otHcer in Canada, in I81.S:
'Colonel Nichol, when I want your advice 1 will ask
vou for it.' Yet if the colonel's suiiiiestion had been
acted upon, Hutt'alo would have l)et'n taken durin<;-
the followin*;' week, and all the stores for the aj)-
proaching campaign captured or destroyed, which
would have made it impossil)le for the Americans to
invade the Province that sununer. Thev, however,
did invade it, and we lost Fort Ceorge and the hves
of many hundreds of our ofhcers and soldiers, to<rether
with many vahiable stores and much provision.
" I rejoice that the French army is side by side
with ours, thus to prove, beyond all doubt or denial,
our shameful mismanagement, which would be stoutly
and insolently denied were our army acting alone, for
it would be impudently said that such evils were
inevitable."
His knowledge of Canada and ( imadian life brought
many to him for information or letters of introduction
for themselves or friends about to emigrate. All sorts
and conditions of men came to him ; some he could
put off with his card to be exhibited in Canada, but
the majority recpiiring more particular attention,
occupied much of his time and increased his corre-
spondence extensively.
The following letter, adui'essed to Mr. Stayner,
Post Office Inspector of Upper Canada, and sent to
the care of FitzGibbon's eldest son, is a specimen of
the many kindly letters of introduction he wrote to
old friends in Canada in behalf of parties in whom
he was interested :
r ii
l#iJ
tm:
mi>
j
290
A VETERAN OF 1812.
"9 Lower Ward,
" Windsor Castle, Sept. 24tli, 1859.
" My Dear Siii, — I can luirdly exi)ect that yon can
recall nie to yonr memory, for I never had the honor
of an intimate acquaintance with yon. I first saw
you in Montreal in 1807 or '08, when you married
the daut»;hter of Mr. Sutherland, with wliom I was
then ac(|uainted. I was then the Adjutant of the
49th Keo-iment.
" I am now im[)elled to address you in behalf of a
youno- o-entlenian (son of one of the Military Knights
of Windsor, Capt. Douglas, a neighbor of mine) who
has ventured to identify his fortunes with the Pro-
vince (^f Canada, and is now employed in the Provin-
cial post office at Toronto. The Hon. W. H. Merritt, of
Upper Canada, spent a day with me here this week,
of whom I en([uired if you were yet at the head of
that department in Canada, and he thought you were,
as he had recently seen you.
"Capt. Douglas is now an old man, as all these Mili-
tary Knights are. He has three daughters here with
him. At his deatli I fear these three young ladies
will be wholly unprovided for. They have two
brothers. One is employed in the Post Office Depart-
ment here in England, usually in taking charge of
the mails to Alexandria and other ports in tlie Medi-
terranean. His conduct has given so much satisfaction
that he has recently been promoted in the Depart-
ment. This brother remits to his sisters all he can
possibly spare from his income. That his brother in
Canada is equally desirous of aiding them I entirely
believe.
" The interest I take in these young ladies impels
me to address you ; they are intimate with my two
nieces who reside with me and keep liouse for me,
A LEtTER OF iNTftODUntlON.
297
and I am therefore acquainted with the particuhirs
which I thus communicate.
" Should tlie brother in CanacUi be really deserving
of your favorable consideration, may I venture to
bring him to your notice, in the anxious hope that he
may be soon enabled to contribute his share to the
support of these excellent girls.
" The only apology I can offer for thus trespassing
upon your benevolent attention is my desire ' to do
good to my neighbor ; ' and my impression of you
makes me believe that my appeal will not be unac-
ceptable, but rather the contrary, if you can depend
upon my judgment and discretion in making this
statement. And I venture to hope that the recollec-
tions of those <lays, and of the 49th Regiment, will be
pleasing to you, especially of the family of the late
Dr. Robertson and Mrs. Robertson, who were intimate
friends of Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland.
" Do not take the trouble of acknowledging the
receipt of this letter. I write it in the hope that you
are yet at the head of the Department in Canada,
and that it may possibly be in your power to advance
this young man should his good conduct deserve your
patronage.
" Should Mrs. Stayner be yet alive to bless you,
pray offer my kind remembrances, for I well remem-
ber her while she was at school.
" Very truly, my dear Sir, yours,
" James FitzGibbon."
This kindly letter was never delivered. Mr. Stay-
ner had been succeeded by Mr. John Dewe, and he
being a more intimate friend, and the letter being
unsealed, its contents were conveyed to him verbally.
19
i!£l <
298
1 U \i
I 11
A VETERAN OF 1812.
In the postscript to the letter to his son, FitzGibbon
says :
" Since writing the foregoing I have looked over a
Canadian almanac, and see that Mr. Dewe is In-
spector of the Department in Toronto. He called on
me here a few days ago in company with Mr. Van-
koughnet, of Toronto. I knew I 'm in Kingston
formerly, and I feel confident he would willingly
oblige me. Show him my letter to Mr. Stayner, and
I think you had better follow his advice in regard to
young Douglas. He may be able to do more for him
than anyone else."
FitzGibbon's energetic service did not stop here. A
short time before his appointment a question had
been raised by the knights over the appropriation of
the revenues from which their pensions were paid.
Few among them had influential friends who cared
to exert themselves in their behalf. They could only
bemoan their wrongs and condole with each other
over the iniquity of those who had deprived them of
their just rights, the supineness of those who had
benefited by it, and the coldness of the Government
that could not be moved to take any action in the
matter. They were literally " poor knights," although
the march of manners had altered the title to " Military
and Naval Knights," and were proving the worldly
wise maxim that " those who cannot command friends
at Court, find it hard to obtain them by begging."
But FitzGibbon was not one to rest content under a
wrong without making an eflTort to right it, especially
RIGHTING A WRONG.
299
In-
when he could thereby benefit others. Though poor
in purse, he was rich in friends, in resource and al)ility.
Fortunately for the success of his efforts, one of the
next vacancies among the knights was filled by the
appointment of Sir John Millais Doyle. Sir John
was a man of family and position in the army. He
seconded FitzGibbon's efl^brts, and brought many
influential friends to bear upon the question. They
worked together, and succeeded in making such a stir,
both through the press and in Parliament, that the
knights' cause was taken up and carried into Court.
The correspondence the case entailed fell principally
on FitzGibbon. The business carried him frecpiently
to London to interview those whose interest could
further the settlement of the claim of the lawyers
who had taken it under their charge.
Sir John Doyle knew lit>le of business matters
other than military, and he was willing enough to
leave it to his more enthusiastically energetic friend.
Lord Albemarle took a great interest in it, and friendly
letters passed between him and FitzGibbon on the
subject. The latter's letters to Dublin from the years
1851 to 1859 are full of the hopes and fears to which
the various delays and law proceedings gave rise ;
regret at the delay and the consequent deprivation as
one or other of the knights, who had watched the
case in anxious anticipation of an increase of income,
passed away without receiving any benefit ; and of
indignation at the slow progress, dilatoriness and law
;!
.•^00
A VETERAN OP 1812.
quibbles resorted to in order to postpone the hearing.
(See Appendix XI.)
Sanguine expectations of obtaining rech'ess, antici-
pations of an increase of from two to three hundred
a year to tlie one shilling a day allowed, dwindled as
the years passed and their cause was deferred from
term to term ; and hope dying hard, they were thank-
ful to accept the sixty pounds a year derived from
the lapsed canonry finally allotted to them.
The sum varied according to the proceeds or revenue
derived from the " new canoiuy," as it was called by
the knights. In 1868, the amount they received only
reached the sum of thirty pounds fourteen .shillings.
In a letter dated January 19th, 1858, he says : " The
knights' case before the Chancellor does not appear
to make nuich progress. We are just told that the
Dean and CJanons are about to f lemur to the jurisdic-
tion of that Court. Should the demurrer be allowed,
I am told our case will be the stronger. But will it
be the sooner terminated ? Time will tell, but it may
be a long time. Procrastination is to these fat divines
rich living ; while to the lean old soldiers it is short
commons. However, with the fins of the Dogger
Bank codfish,* and the wings of the Windsor Park
pheasants,^ my larder can furnish more than one
* Sent FitzGibbon from Ramsgate by Major Plenderleath, a
brother of his old friend and brother officer of the 49th.
t A brace of pheasants sent annually as a New Year's gift to each
Military Knight by H. R. Highness the Prince Consort.
;N
SINNERS VS. SAINTS.
301
sporting dinner. Thanks to the sinners rather than
the saints — the cormorants."
On December 5th, 185(j, he writes: "I send you a
copy of a note from our solicitor, that you may see
the progress making in our suit against tlie Dean and
Canons here. I begin now to indulge hope a little ;
but even if not successful, I will not be disappointed.
Your father, who knows so nnich of ' the glorious
uncertainty of the law,' will approve of the resolution.
But if my income be increased, and I live to be out
of debt, I fear I shall not then know how to ' demean
myself ' in circumstances so entirely new to me."
The copy sent is but the usual lawyer's letter,
reporting proceedings, and there being " every pros-
pect of success attending our efforts."
This hopeful prospect was, however, not realized,
and the disappointment felt by his clients was pro-
portionately great. Sir John Doyle died without
receiving any benefit from the lapsed canonry finally
granted them, and FitzGibbon enjoyed it only for one
year and a half. Small though the addition was, the
knights owed it, certainly to some extent, to FitzGib-
bon's energy, perseverance and determination to do
his best to succeed.
Other friends who were most instrumental in aiding
him to force the case upon the attention of the author-
ities, were Colonel North, of Wroxham Abbey ; Sir
Francis Doyle and General Read, M.P. for Windsor.
Charles Grenfel, also M.P. for Windsor, was also one of
the most active supporters of the claim, and FitzGibbon
If; I
:;1
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f
i i '
802
A VETERAN OF 1812.
was able to repay him in kind. When the represen-
tation of Windsor was beinj^ hotly contested by Mr-
Grenfel and Lord Charles Wellesley in 1859, Fitz-
Gibbon brought up the knights in a body to vote, and
turned the poll in favor of the man who advocated
his cause.
This was almost the last flash of the old energy
and enterprise. The malady, a sort of epileptic or
apoplectic seizure, which eventually caused his death,
showed its first symptoms shortly after, and though
he recovered from the first attack, he never regained
the old strength. His grand constitution, a life of
steady abstemiousness and healthy exercise, his steady
perseverance and sanguine temperament, enabled him
to rally after each successive attack with surprising
vitality.
The knights' case ended, there was no longer any
incentive to exertion, but he kept up a lively corre-
spondence, his handwriting and diction showing few
signs of decaying powers. When reading the papers
now and then, the old fire flashed out in protest
against injustice or pusillanimous fears.
The following letter, written after reading the
report of a debate in the House of Commons, on the
question of the rumored threatened invasion by the
French, is an instance :
''August, 1860.
**SiR, — I have just read the communication ad-
dressed to you, signed " H," and published in the Star
of this morning. I am in the eightieth year of my
age, and too feeble to express at much length in writ-
^ 1
THE FRENCH INVASION SCARE.
303
ing the feelings excited in my mind by tlie perusal of
that paper. But I cann(jt refrain From expressing
m^'self as follows:
" I entered the army as a private soldier in the year
1798, and was placed on half pay as a captain on the
reduction of the army in l<Sl(j. I have met the
French repeatedly in action among the sand-hills of
Holland in 1709, and other enemies of England in
other countries for several years afterwards.
" I have ever looked with contempt upon batteries
and breastworks in almost every position. I look
upon fighting face to face as the true mode of trial
for the British soldier. Batteries and other works of
defence I have thought rather diminished the soldier's
bravery.
"I consider it impossible for the French to land
half a million of men in England, perhaps even half
that number could not be brought over at one time.
Have we not five millions capable of bearing arms ?
Could we not in a few days bring together half a
million of these to meet the French ? Would not
our men be filled w4th indignation against any enemy
who dared to insult us by such invasion ?
" I know that the French soldier advances to meet
the British bayonet with more hesitation, I will not
say trepidation, than he would advance to meet any
other enemy. The British soldier rejoices in his
bayonet. It does not require much skill or manoeuv-
ring to bring an enemy at once to close quarters. We
have only to rush upon an opposing line and decide
the issue at once by a hand-to-hand encounter. No
two lines have ever yet crossed bayonets in battle.
I was often assured that it was done at the battle of
Maida, but I did not believe it. Long after that battle,
Sir James Kempt, who commanded our battalion mak-
ing that charge, declared in my presence that the
n
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304
A VETERAN OF 1812.
i)ay()iu'ts (lid not cro.ss. 'Vho Fivnch, while a<lvaiicin^,
liesitatcd, and at la.st halted, turne<l round and ran
away; but they delayed too lon^ in doin^ so; the
British rushed in, and laid u})wardH of three hundi-e(l
of them on their faces with the bayonet. \'ory many
years after, I repeated this to Connnodore Sandham
of the navy, wlio said to me: 'I am ^lad you men-
tioned this matter to me, for I was that morning a
lieutenant in one of the ships which landed our foi-ce
in the Bay of St. Eupliemia, and witnessed the action
from our decks. After the battle was over the men
were re-embarked, toj^jether with many wounded
French soldiers, and it was curious to see the wounded
in the sick bay the following morning — all the French
on their faces, being stabbed in the back ; while all
the British lay on their backs, being shot in front by
the volley which the French fired as they advanced
to the charge.'
" Would that I could cry aloud in the ear of every
Briton, calling upon him to hold in contempt all
'jdefensive works. An enemy must land upon an open
• beach. We must know of his coming many days
t'i-' before he can possibly come. We may, therefore, be
'''i':>'>^o some extent prepared. Even though we be not
, at hand to meet him, telegraph and rail-cars can soon
bring us upon him ; and then if we do not kill and
capture his army, we deserve to be conquered and
enslaved. But of the issue I have no doubt.
" I do not now hesitate to declare that no army
fro^ France will ever invade England. For it is
m )t to me that no nation of 20,000,000 people
er be overcome by any force which can possibly
Drought from abroad. I am ashamed of the debates
in the House of Commons upon the question of the
projected defences. They fill me with indignation.
Is it that those members are chiefly of the feeble
CLOSING SCENES.
305
aristocracy, the plutocracy and dandyocracy, that
they seek to defend our country by means of spade
and pick- .xc, rather than by strong hands, stout
liearts and British liayonets ?
" It re(|(iires but little previous drill to (|ualify our
yeoniamy to tijjjht the l)attle of the bayonet, and
therefore I rejoice at the orpinization of our volun-
teers. Of these w(5 may organize a nund)er quite
ecjual to the destruction of any invading force. Upon
these our old men, our women and children, may
look with contidence, with pride and afiection, and
they will never be disappointed.
" I pray of you to publish this, which may be called
a rash effusion, but I write it with the fullest con-
viction.
" Your obedient servant,
" An Old Soldier, who despises all fear
" OF invasion."
FitzGibbon clung more closely to the fireside as the
end approached, and seldom quitted the precincts of
the Castle. He was always glad to see and chat with
his old friends from Dublin, London and Canada,
and many visited him. The old love for Canada
returned with redoubled force ; the burden of all the
latest letters is to be once more among the old scenes,
and to be to his grandchildren what his grandfather
had been to him. So strong was this longing that his
medical attendant was consulted on the possibility of
his being able to endure the voyage. But it was not
to be. The soldier who had fought for Canada was
not to find a grave within her borders.
-lii'!
i!'i
'\
306
A VETERAN OF 1812.
[til
III
During one of his many visits to the Castle, his
nephew, Gerald FitzGibbon, induced him to have a
photograph taken to send to the grandchildren he
wished so much to see. It was sent with a loving
message and apology for what he considered an "un-
soldierly beard," but his hand had grown " too infirm
to trust it with a razor." It is from this photograph
that the frontispiece is taken.
He died at Windsor, on December 10th, 1863, and
was laid '■■o rest in the catacombs of St. George's,
beside those he had loved and honored most among
his fellow-knights.
Thus ended the life of one whose enthusiastic tem-
perament and excitability led him often to run counter
to the world's opinion, or the more coldly calculating
worldly wisdom of his superiors, but whose fearless
integrity and honest singleness of purpose carried
him to the goal he sought ; one whose sole aim in
life was to be an honest man, a simple soldier, to do
his duty to his country, good to his neighbor, and
walk humbly with his God.
Finis.
un-
'., !!l:'^
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APPENDICES
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P
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,;,■;
APPENDICES.
ffl
'"!'!'!?
APPENDIX I.
When the policy of the French Directory, 1708, turned their ambi-
tion to still further conquest and aggression, Holland was the first
victim of the Republican ambition. They had revolutionized that
ancient connnonwealth, expelled the Stadtholder, and compelled its
rulers to enter into a costly and i-uinous war to support the interests
of France, and though their engagements had been performed with
fidelity, they detei-mined to subject them to a convulsion of the same
nature as that which had been terminated in France by the 18th
Fructidor.
The Dutch, having had an opportunity of contrasting the old
regime with the new, were now ripe for a return to the former.
The French Directory saw this leaning to old institutions with
disquietude. They recalled their ministei- from the Hague, and
replaced him by a man of known democratic ])rinciples, with in-
structions to overthrow the ancient Federal Constitution, overturn
the aristocracy and vest the (lovernment in a directory of democratic
principles entirely devoted to the interests of France.
Obedience to these instructions soon robbed the inhabitants of
Holland of all their ancient liberties. Antagonism to the directors
became so pronounced as to rouse the fears of France lest it shoidd
undermine their influence in Holland. To prevent this. General
Daendels was ordered to take military possession of the government.
While Napoleon's opei'ations and desperate conflicts had l)een
going on in the south of Europe, England had roused her.seit from
the state of inactivity in which she had been held through her own
want of confidence in her military powers, and an expedition was
il
a
310
APPENDICES.
prepared more in proportion to her station in the war as one of the
allied powers than any she had hitherto projected.
Holland was selected l)()th as l)eing the country nearest British
shores in the hand of the enemy, and as the one where the most
vigorous opposition might be expected from the inhabitants.
The treaty between Russia and England of June 22nd, 1798,
stipulated that the latter should provide 25, 000 men for the descent
on Holland. To re-estaldish the Stadtholiler, and terminate the
revolutionary tyranny imder which that opulent country groaned ;
to form the nucleus of an army which might threaten the northern
provinces of France, and restore the l)arrier which had been so
insanely destroyed by the Emperor Joseph ; to effect a diversion in
favor of the great armies then fighting on the Rhine, and destroy
the ascendancy of the Republicans in the Maritime Provinces and
naval arsenals of the Dutch, were the ol)jects proposed in this expe-
dition. The preparations were such as to extort the admiration of
French historians. The harbors of England resounded with the
noise and excitement of the embarkation. The first division sailed
on the 13th of August, but, delayed by contrary winds, only anchored
off the Helder, North Holland, on the 27tli ; disembarked under Sir
Ralph Abercrombie, and were met by (ieneral Daendels at the head
of 12,000 men, opposed to 2,500. A well-directed fire from the ships
carried disorder into the ranks of the Republicans, and drove them
back to the sand-hills, from which they were expelled by the British
by six in the evening. The Dutch evacuated the Fort at the Helder
during the night, and the British occupied it the following day.
The Russian troops not arriving, the English commander was
obliged to remain on the defensive, which gave the Republicans
time to collect their forces, 25,000 in all, of which 7,000 were French,
under General Brune, who had assumed the command-in-chief. He
determined to attack the British, and on September 10th, all the
columns were in motion.
Vandamme, who commanded the right, was directed to move
along the Langdyke, and make himself master of Ernnsginberg ;
Damonceau, with the centre, was to march by Schorldam upon
Krabbenham, and there force the key of the position ; while the left
was charged with the difficult task of chasing the British from the
Sand-dyke, and penetrating by Kampto Petten. Restricted to the
m
APPENDICES.
811
dykes and causeways intersecting in different directions a low,
swampy ground, the engagement consisted of detached conflicts at
isolated points, rather than any general movement; and, like the
struggle between Napoleon and the Austrians in the marshes of
Areola, was to be determined chiefly by the intrepidity of the heads of
columns. Repidsed at all points, the French resumed their position
at Alkmaar. On Septend)er the 12th and 13th, the Russians, 17,000
strong, and 700 Ui'itish ai-rived, and the Duke of York assumed the
command. On the 19th, the Russian advance was defeated, and
though the Diike of York advanced to their support, the Allies were
obliged to retire to their fortifled line and evaciate Schorl. In this
battle the Republicans lost 3,000 in killed, wounded and prisoners ;
the British, oOO killed and wounded, and as many prisoners ; the
Russians, 3,500, besides twenty-six pieces of cannon and seven stan-
dards.
The Duke of York, being reinforced by a fresh bi'igade of Rus-
sians and some English det;. ' inents, again assumed the offensive,
but the heavy rains prevented .«,n attack until October "ind. Alkmaar
was abandoned by the Republicans.
Despite this success, the prospect was not encouraging to the
British commander. The enemy's force was daily increasing, while
no reinforcements were coming to him. The heavy rains which
set in with unusual violence made the roads impassable for artillery.
The expected movements of the Batavian troops in favor of the
House of Orange had not taken place, the climate was affecting the
health of the British troops, and it was evident that, unless some
important place could be captured, it would be impossible to remain
in North Holland.
Haarlem was decided upon as the most likely to furnish the
necessary supplies. To this end an attack was made on the French
on the narrow isthmus between Beverick and the Zuyder Zee. The
battle was well contested, the loss being nearly equal on l)oth sides,
and though the honors remained with the Allies, they were obliged
to retreat and fall back upon the intrenchments at Zype. On the
7th, they retired to the position they had occupied before Bergen,
and the Republicans, on the Sth, resumed their position in fi-ont of
Alkmaar.
An armistice was signed on October 17tli, the principal terms
312
APPENDinKS.
I:
1
being that the Allies should evacuate Holland by the end of Novem-
ber ; that 8,(X)0 prisoners, whether French or Dutch, should be
restored, and that the works of the Helder should be given up
entii-e, wit'.i all their artillery.
Before December 1st, all three conditions were fulfilled, the
British troops had regained the shores of England, and the Russians
were (juartered in Jersey and Guernsey. (Condensed from "Ali-
son's Europe.")
APPENDIX II.
Extract from the Returns of the 49th, during the six months from
the I3th November to Slst May, 1811 :
Private Patrick Lallagan.
26th Jan., 1811.
13th Feby.
Edward Marraly.
loth Nov., 1810.
Deficient of frill, part of his regimental
necessaries.
Sentenced 100 ; inflicted —
Deflcient of a razor, part of his regi-
mental necessaries, and for produc-
ing at an inspection of his necessaries
a razor belonging to Private James
Rooney, thereby attempting to de-
ceive the inspecting officer.
Sentenced 200 ; inflicted 100.
Also to be put under stoppages of 1/
per week until the razor is replaced.
For being deficient of a shirt, part of
regimental necessaries.
Sentenced 200 ; inflicted TH.
if
John Turner.
4th April.
For having in his possession some pease
for which he cannot honestly account,
and for making an improper use of
the barrack bedding.
Sentenced 400 ; inflicted 250,
APPENDICES.
313
Corporal Francis Doran.
28th March,
An accusation made by sonic married
men of his having defrauded tlieir
wives of part of the breaci issued for
them, between the 2oth of Feb. and
24th March, is sentenced to 100
lashes, which, however, appear not
to have been inflicted, but a weekly
stoppage of 1/H until the (| iitity of
bread, valued at 2/7 currency, was
recovered, was deemed sutticient.
There are numerous entries of "Drunk
before dinner although confined to
barracks."
Sentenced loO; 100 inflicted
"Drank before morning parade al-
though confined to b racks," Sen-
tenced 200 ; ir)0 inrtiL d.
"Quitting the barracks without leave
after tattoo." Sentenced 300 ; 29")
inflicted.
[Is it anything to be wondered at that the men deserted ?]
APPENDIX III.
The lot of land referred to on page 59 was situated in the Town-
ship of Tecumseh, in the Home District, and Province of Upper
Canada.
APPENDIX IV.
In September, 1812, the Americans learned that anumber f)f bateaux
were coming up the river, laden with supplies, the party being
under the command of Adjutant FitzGibbon. A gunboat and also a
Durham boat were fitted out at Ogdensburg, and despatched to
intercept and capture the British expedition and stores.
20
111 iij'.
I
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314
APPENDICES.
Leaving Ogdensburg late at night, the enemy landed on Tons-
saint Island, neat- where the bateaux lay. The only family on the
i.slaiul was seized, with the exception of a man, who, being a staunch
defender of the liritish flag, made his escape, and by swimming
reached the Canadian shore. Tlie alaiin given, the militia rallied,
and when the Yankees made the attack they met witii such a hoi
reception that they abandoned the Durham boat, which di'ifted
down the river and fell into the hands of the Canadians. About
sunrise the gunboat came to anchor, and was innnediatelv tired
uj)on. At the second discharge five of the eighteen on board were
wounded, but bcfoie a third volley could be delivered, the remain-
der brought a cannon to liear on the (vanadian boats, which weie
compelled to move out of range, being ])rovided only with snuill
arms. The Americans then beat a hasty retreat for Ogdtnsburg.
(" History of Leeds and Gienville," p. 84.)
APPENDIX V.
Montreal d'a-jfte, Tuesday, July (ith, 181.3: "Intelligence of the
last week from the seat of war in Canada is not of a sanguinary
nature ; but, however, it is not the less interesting, and we have
much pleasure in cf)nnnunicating to the public the particulars of a
campaign, not of a general with his thousands or his hundreds, but
of a lieutenant with his tens only. The manner in which a bloodless
victory was obtained by a force so comparatively and almost in-
credibly small, with that of the enemy, the cool deteimination and
the happy presence of mind evinced by this highly mei'itorious
officer, in conducting the operations incident to the critical situation
in which he was placed, with his little band of heroes, and the
brilliant result which crowned these exertions, will, while they
make known to the world the name of Captain Fitz( iibbon, reflect
new lustre, if possible, on the well-earned reputation of the gallant
49th Regiment, and class this event with the most extraordinary
occurrences of the present accursed war.
" We shall at present make no further comment, but refer our
readers to the following details of Mr. FitzGibbon's operations, ar
B ' ■Jrr\ i
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APPENDICES.
315
communicaterl to us by a friend who had the particulars from the
hest autliority :
" ' Immediately after the gallant affair of our advanee on the Jith
idtimo, Lieut. FitzlJibbon made application to (teneial Vincent to
l)e employed separately with a snuill party of tlie 4!>th Regiment,
and in .sucli a manner as he might tliink most expedii'iit. Tlu' ofl'er
was acce))ted, and this little band lias since been constantly ranging
between the two arn)ies. Many events would naturally occur on
such a service which would be interesting, but are necessarily pre-
scribed in our limits of details, and we will confine ourselves to two
very extraordinary occurrences. About the '20th ultimo, Lieut.
Fitzdibbon went in pursuit of forty-six vagabonds, volunteer
cavalry, brought ovej- by a Dr. Cha})in fi'om Buffalo, and who had
been for some time plundering the inhabitants j'oun<l Fort Krie ami
(,'hi))pewa ; he came near to them at Lundy's Lane. al)out a mile
below the Falls, but discovered that they had been joined by loO
infantry. As his force was l)ut forty-foui- muskets, he did not
tliink it advisable to attack, and thei-efore his party was kept con-
cealed. He, however, rode into the village at the ending of the
Lane, dressed in grey, to reccmnoitre, but could not perceive the
enemy. Mrs. Kirby, who knew him, ran out, and begged him to
lide off, for that some of the enemy's troops were in a house at a
short distance. He saw a horse at a door, and sup})osing that theie
were none but his rider in the house, he dismounted and approached
it, when an infantr}' soldier advanced and j)resented his piece at
Jiim. He made a spi'ing at him, seized his musket, and desired him
to surrender, })ut the American i-esisted and held fast. At this
instant a rifleman jumped from the door with his riHe presented at
Kitz(iibl)on's shouldei', who was so near to him that Ik; seized the
riHe below the muzzle and ])ulled it under his arm, keeping its
muzzle befoi'e him and that of the other musket behind him. In
this situation, Lieut. Fitz(ri1i])on called upon two men who were
looking on, to assist him in disarming the two Americans, but they
would not interfere. Poor Mrs. Kirby, apparently distrat'ted, used
all her influence, but in vain. The rifleman, flnding he could not
disengage his piece, drew Fitz(iibbon's own sword out of its
scabl:)a.rd with his left hand, with the intention of striking at him,
when another woman, a Mrs. L>efield, seized the uplifted arm, and
f ]
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316
APPENDICES.
i
tm'
Mi't
wrested the sword from his gras]). At this Tnonient an ehlerly man
named .Johnston (;ame up and forced the American from lii.slioMof
the rifle, and Lieut. Fitz(«ihhon innnediately hiid the othei' solilier
j)i'ostrate. A young hoy of thirteen years, a son of l)i-. Fleming,
was very useful in the struggle, wiiich lasted some minutes, Lieut.
Kitz(iihhon, tints lelieved, lost not a moment in eai-rying off his
two prisoners and the horse, as the juemy's force were witiiin two
hundred yaids of him, searching a house round a turn in the road.
"'At seven o'clock on the moining of the "24111 ult., Lieut. F.
received a report that the enemy was advancing from St. David's,
with ahout a thousand men and foui- pieces of canium, to attack
the stone house in which he was ((uaitered at Heaver Dam. About
an liour afterwards he heard the re})ort of cannon and nuisketry.
He rode olf to reconnoitre, and found the enemy engaged with a
party of Indians, who hung upon his Hanks and rear, and galled him
severely.
" ' Lieut. V. despatched an officer foi- his men, and by the time of
their arrival the enemy had taken up a position on an eminence at
some distance from the woods in fi-ont. He estimated the enemy's
strength at ()()(► men and two field-pieces — a 12 and a (}-])oundei'.
To make the aj)pearance of cutting off' his retreat, Lieut. F. j)assed
at the charge-step across the fi-ont to gain the othei' flank xmder a
(juick Hre fi'om his guns, which however did not the slightest injury.
He took i)ost behind some woods, and saw the Indians were making
verj' little of the enemy, and it would have been madness in him,
with forty-four nniskets, to dash at them across open fields, where
every man he had could l)e so easily perceived.
" 'Many of the Indians were at this time taking themselves off,
and he began to think of his own retreat. He had a hope, however,
that Colonel De Haren would soon join him ; l)ut fearing the enemy
would drive him off, or make good his retreat, he determine*! to
play the old soldier, and summon the enemy to surrender. He tied
up his handkei'chief and advanced, with his bugles sounding "Cease
firing." A flag was sent to him by a Captain McDonald of the
Artillery. Lieut. F. stated that he was sent by Colonel De Haren
to demand their surrender, and tc offer them protection from the
Indians, adding that a number had just joined from the North-West
who could not be controlled, and he wished to prevent the effusion
APPENDICES.
817
(»f hlood. Tlu! tjiiplaiii went hack to lii.s »(»iiiiiiaii<liiig oIlictT, I^ieut.-
('<tl. liuTstler, and soon aftrr letiirneil saying tliat Colonel H. did
not consider himself defeated, and eonld not sui'i'ender. Lient. K.
jji'oposed that ('olonel IJuMstler should send an otHcer to see ('olonel
l)e llaien's force, when he would he hetter ahle to judge of the neces-
sity. He soon returned with a ])ro|)osal that ('(done! H. should him-
self l»e shown the British, and if he found the foice such as to justify
his surrender, lie wouhl do so. To this, Lieut. K. said he would
retuin to Colonel De Flaren with Colonel IJ.'s proposal.
'i'he real intention of showing the enemy our small force never
existed, hut appeai-ances must he kept up. Up«)n his leturn Lieut.
F. found that a C'aptain Hall with twelve Dragoons had just ariived.
He told him what had passed, and asked him to assume the rank of
Colonel f(tr the occasion. Lieut. V. then retuined and stated that
Colonel Hall, heing n(»\v the senior officer on the sj)ot, ilid not think
it regular to let the enemy see his force, hut that it was perfectly
ample to compel the surrender. From motives of hunuinity, live
minutes would he allowed foi' ac(iuiescence, an<l if refu.sed hostilities
would recommence at the expiration of this period. Colonel B. agreed
to suri'ender on condition that the ot}ic;ers should I'etain their horses,
aims and haggage, and that the militia and volunteers (among whom
were Dr. Chapin and his marauders) slwndd he permitted to return
to the States on parole.
" ' When the extent of our force is considered, it is no wonder that
these conditions M'ere immediately acceded to. Lieut. F. at this
nu)ment most opportunely met with Colonel Clarke, of Chipj.ewa, who
came galloping uji, and who ))roceeded to assist him in disarming
the enemy, as Colonel Hall could not appear, and his only officer (an
ensign) must remain with liis men.
" 'Colonel De Haren innnediately afterwards appeared with the
Hank companies of the 104th Regiment, and the whole atf'aii- was soon
settled, thus putting into our possession twenty-six ofHcers, one
1'2-pouiuler and one 6-pounder, two caissons and two wagons, and
ahove five hundred ])risoners, including about twenty Dragoons.
Had not Colonel De Haren arrived at that moment, this large num-
ber of the enemy would have yielded to forty-three soldiers of the
49th, for all the arrangements were made previous to the arrival ol
that officer. The Indians behaved well ; they killed and wounded
318
APPENDICES.
(luring tlicir skirniiHliing about fifty of the enemy. We are informed
tiiiit ill tlu! iiiomcnt of tlie MUJi-ender many of tin; Indians had gone
oH' the nundjoi' engaged ilid not exceed eighty. Thus terminated
a hhtodless victory on oui- part. If promotion and reward await
the oHicer selected to he tiie heai'er of despatches announcing an
enemy's defeat, we cannot doubt but that tiie hero of this achieve-
ment will receive that favor from his sovereign to which his ser-
vices have established .so just a claim, and wlio, we believe, lias no
othei' pati'onagi! but his own distinguished merit.'"
In anotiier column in tlu; same issue of the darjttt is tiie following:
"On Saturday last ari'ived in this city four otticei's and one hun-
dred and nineteen non-commissioned otlicers and privates, forming
part of the American prisoners captured on tlie '24th ult. by the
gallant Lieut. Kitz(Jibbon and his small party of the 4!>th [legiment,
in the advance of our army under (Jeneral V'incent. Tliey end)arked
yesterday evening on boanl the steamboat for (,>uebe(;, under the
guard of Capt. Renv(nsez, of the .Si'd Hattalion of tiie incorpoiateil
militia. The remainder arrived this morning in bateaux.""
'%
b
From the Report of the ("ourt-nuirtial held toencjuire into the cause
of B(erstlei'"s suri'ender, lield at Baltimore, I7th Febiiuiry, 181') :
"The detachment was oidered to lay at Queenston on the night
of the 'i.'ird, and to nuirch early the next moi'uing. It did so, lay-
ing upon its aims and in silence without lights, and having taken
precautions to avoid surprise and preventing the country people
from carrying intelligence to the enemy.
" Before eight and nine o'clock, morning of '24th, at a place
called ' Beaver Dams,' a mile and a half in advance of DeCou's. I)e
Cou's stone house seventeen and a iialf miles from Foi't (Jeoi'ge ria
Queen.ston, and sixteen cla St. Catharines.
" That the surrender was justified by existing circumstances, and
that the misfortune of the day is not to be ascribed to Lieut. -(Jol.
Bcerstler or the detachment under his command."
From Major-(ileneral Lewis' deposition:
" He had been frequently presseil to send a detachment to the
vicinity of the Beaver Dams during the latter days of his conniiand
APPENDICES.
319
at Fort (Jeorge, wliicfi he always resisted, because the posit ion and
means of the enemy enabled him to reinforee with far greater
faeility than the Anieriean army could."
APPENDIX VI.
HINTS TO A SON ON RECEFVINO HIS FIRST COM-
MISSION IN A REGIMENT SERVING IN THE
CANADAS.
BY AN OLD WOODSMAN.
The troops should be drilled in the woods, most frequently by com-
panies, and occasionally in greater nund>eivs. Without much prac-
tice the}' cannot have mucii confidence in themselves or in one
another, and must, thi-ough ignorance, greatly expose themselves to
the enemy's Hre.
In 1HI4, the (ith and S2nd llegiments joined Sir George Drum-
mond's division of the army before Foil Erie, and in the first affair
with the enemy in the woods they lost many more men than any
other corps pi-esent, because they knew not how to cover them-
selves. For several days aftei'wards the men of these regiments
were mixed with the tiles of the Glengarry Light Infantry, a pio-
vincial coips, until they acc^uiied some skill and experience in the
woods.
I will state here thus eai'ly that I consider the rifle in the woods,
as well as in the open groinid, a contemjjtible wea[)on. I do not
hesitate to say, " Let all my enemies be armed with I'ifles." With
the musket and l)ayonet, British troops have only to advance
instantly after the first fire, and they may hunt the enemy through
the woods without pause or rest.
The rifle I consider of peculiar value only when used in places
inaccessible ; but in the woods, where the men must I'un, either
after their enemy or from him, the blood must circidate freely, the
men must become excited, and then there is an end to perfect
steadiness in taking aim, and the least inaccuracy reduces the rifle
li
illi! i
i
320
APPENDICES.
'!:-
{i:;;
t
in this respect to the level of the musket, wliile it is in all other
respects far inferior to it.
The soldier should tire to the right of the tree ; thus a very small
section of his head and right arm and shoulder is exposed. I have
known an officer to tap his servant on the shoulder, and exclaim,
" Fire from the other side of the tree, you blockhead," but the
words were hardly spoken before the servant was shot dead.
'J'he soldier, when advancing, should not go straight forward, but
at an angle to some tree to the right or left of the one he quits ;
because it is much easier for his enemy to hit him coming directly
towards him than if he runs at a considerable angle. So also in
i-etreating, he should run to the right or left, having in each case
previously fixed his eye upon the tree to which he intends to run ;
and if lie can fire to advantage before he quits the tree that covers
him, so much the better, as the smoke may conceal his retreat, and
his enemy will not know where next to find him until he fires again.
An enemy is most readily discovered in the woods by looking for
him as low down as possible beneath the l>ranches of the tresis. The
reverse of this woidd, liowever, be the fact where much underwood
grew, or in a copse. The moving of a branch or young tree will
often show the place of an enemy.
The greatest attention and care are rec^uired from every man to
I>reserve his distance from his neighbor, and to keep in the general
line as much as circumstances will permit. It is impossible to do
so exactly, but much practice will give both experience and confi-
dence, and with the active aid of experienced officers and sergeants
the forest may lie scoured in fine style by well-[)ractised men with
musket and bayonet, acting against riflemen, or against any descrip-
tion of American troops, inexperienced as they all, officers as well
as men, must be for many years after the commencement of a war.
A company should be practised to close to the centre or any
other point, and to dash through the enemy's line, and then wheel
by subdivisions to the right or left, and rush along upon the Hanks
and rear of his position. Rout and confusion of the enemy may
be confidently expected as the result of such an onset, which should
be executed with the greatest possible rapidity.
After much practice, rapidity of evolution cannot be too strongly
recommended. It gives to the attacking party the highest degree
1
B-ir
M
APPENDICES.
321
of animation and confidence, while it creates surprise and panic
among inexperienced defenders.
The Indiana, when retreating and coining to a ravine, do not at
once cross the ravine and defend from the l>row of the side or hill
looking over the ravine to the pursuing enemy : they suchlenly
throw tliemselves down immediately behind the hank they first
come to, and thence fire on their pursueis, wlio must then he
entirely exposed, while the Indian exposes his head only, and when
pressed and compelled to abandon his i)ositi(m, he fires and retiies,
covered by the smoke and the bank, so that his pursuers cannot tell
the course of his retreat, whether to the right or the left, or directly
to the rear, which last the Indian may now do with comparative
safety, ])eing for a short time hid by the l)ank from the view of Ins
pursuer, until he, the pursuer, arrives at the brow of the ))ank, by
which time the Indian has, most probably, taken post in a new
position, where he can only be discovered by his next fire.
If an Indian be pursued from post to post, and obliged at length
to fly for his life, and if his pursuers stili press upon him until he
becomes exhausted, he then looks for some thick cover whc.^.n t«»
hide himself, and there takes shelter. 81iould the pursuers come
near to his place of conoeahnent and be likely to discover iiim, then,
as a last resource, he closes his eyes, not because he will not look at
the upraised tonuihawk, but because it is possible that the glisten"
ing of his eye may betray him, when, but for it, he nuiy lemain
undiscovered.
I recommend that an intelligent Indian be attached to each regi-
ment for a sufficient time to tea-jh all his lesst»ns — of which these
now stated are a few — to the otficeis and sergeants.
Before the termination of the late American war, which ended in
1815, I had a scheme in contemplati(m of which the following is an
outline :
I intended to have asKed for leave to raise a corps of three hun-
dred men, the officeis and men to be chosen or appiove<l by me
only ; to be clotlied in grey, not green (grey, being the nearest to
the color of the bark of the forest trees, is least <liscernible) ; the
caps to be of the same cloth as the dress ; the jackets and caps
to have loops sewn on them of the same cohered tape, and so placed
as when tilled with snuill sprigs of foliage or even single leaves,
!UI
\ i
322
APPENDICES.
that the wliole body from the waist upwards wouhl have the appear-
ance (A a bush. Men so disguised and well trained, and well posted
in the woods, could not be discovered until they woidd fire upon an
advancing enemy. This fire must be carefully withheld until an
enemy comes so near that almost every shot will tell. Under the
cover of the smoke, after firing, the rank in front might rapidly
Jet ire any given number of paces behind the rank already posted in
the real', and which rank in lear could not be discoveied until the
enemy was again fired upon.
Now, I hold that there is a certain (piantum of fire against which
no troops will stand, and a second discharge so destructive as I sup-
pose this fire must be woidd certainly drive back an enemy ; but if
disoi'der only, or even mere hesitation, were seen among the enemy,
and an instant sound of "advance " were given, and a prompt dash
made, the flight of an enemy must inevitably follow.
Under such circumstances, 1 repeat it, I hold the rifie in great
contempt ; and I would most sedulously inculcate and impress this
opinion on the minds of my own men. I would make them rejoice
in their own musket and bayonet, and laugh in dei-ision at the far-
praised x\merican rifleman, and all his boasted skill in shooting
scjuirrels and wild turkeys.
The greatest pains siiould be taken by ofiicei's and sergeants, to
ac(piire a thor )Ugh knowledge of their every duty down to the very
minutest particular, and every proper opportunity shoidd be seized
to let the men see that this knowledge was possessed in a higli
degree by them. The men rejoice in following such, knowing and
feeling how much their own success, and even safety, depends upon
a piopcr exercise of skill, discretion and cool courage by their
leadeis. The soldier, once convinced of his leader's good qualities,
promptly obeys him, l)ecause he feels that his own safety is best
secured by his doing so. I have sometimes spoken in the following
words to the young officers around me: "That ofHcei- is not ])er-
fectly qiuilified to connnand who could not make a soldier run his
head into an enem3'"s gi-eat gun, upon being commanded by him to
do so." Such an order firmly given 1)y a good and a beloved officer
to his well-trained soldiei's, would be, I have no doid)t, heroically
obeyed. Such officers only can make soldiers achieve brilliant
actions. One of the most efficient means of winning the highest
APPENDICES.
323
degree of the soldier's good-will and confidence is by carefidly keep-
ing him out of every unnecessary danger, and often going yourself to
reconnoitre, rather than to send anotlier to do so. A partisan
officer gains another great advantage by going himself: he sees with
his own eyes, and can therefore best decide what should next be
done, or he can report far more accurately to his general or otlier
oHiccr commanding, than from any statement made by another to
himself.
1 applied for and obtained leave to select fifty men from the
regiment to which 1 belonged, and was employed in advance of the
centre division of the army on the Niagara frontier in 18 13. Having
three sei-geants, I divided the party into three sections. For the
purpose of facilitating oui' movements in tlie vicinity of the enemy
in the woods at night, and ])erha])s even to enable me to pass thi'ough
his line of posts unobserved, I purchased three cow-bells of difi'ei'ent
sizes and tones, and placed one in charge of eacii sergeant. By the
tinkling of one or more of these ]>ells I pi-oposed to deceive an
enemy by leading him to believe that cows only were near him
(cows in the foiest usually have bells hung round their necks),
whereas the bugle, whistle or word of command might expose us.
Thus, too, by previously concerted sounds the several sections could
be kept together, and enabled to move in any direction in connec-
tion with each other at night througli the woods. This was not
reduced to practice, but I neveilheless hold it to be piacticable,
and may be useful.
At one time I asceitained that the enemy's cavalry horses were
picketed on tlie A'^iagaia conunon in front of Fort (leorge. I pro-
posed during the night to take twenty of the most active of my fifty
chosen men, and rush through the outer pickets and i-un dii'ectly
to the horses and stal) as many as possible ; and, lastly, each man
to spring upon a horse and gallo)) out by the road to Queenston.
The enemy's picket on that road could not suppose that we vveie
enemies luitil we had ali-eady passed through them, and beyond the
range of their fire. Before I could cai ly this plan into effect, I was
suddenly ordered off in another direction, and the o])portunity was
lost. Desperate, perhaps foolish, as this attempt nuiy appear, yet
I had very sanguine hopes of success. The locality was perfectly
known to us. We had an inexperienced enemy before us, who could
mmn
324
APPENDICKS.
not readily )>o lnou^lit back into gooil order from panic an<l confu-
sion, and especially at night ; and I had men w ho could appi'eciate
the work they had to do, anil who wei'e taught to rejoice in being
able to accomplish what other men w(ndd not think of even attempt-
ing. I was not insensible to the feeling of reluctance which arose
out of the consideiatioii of destioying the horses ; and I mention
this to avail myself of the oppoitunity it all'ords of recommending
to you, and through you to youi" men, the cultivation and exeicise
of iuunanity as one of the noblest attiibutes in the chaiacter of a
soldier.
One day, while in the vicinity of Fort ( Jeorge, which the enemy
occupied with (1,000 men, a thunder-storm (;ame on, with torrents
of rain. It fell in sheets, so that neither a gun noi- a musket could
be fired a second time. Had our division of the army, then ten
miles distant, been near, it could have marched in and swept the
whole of the Ameiican position at the point of the bayonet, for
the works wei-e then accessible at almost every point. The enemy
woidd not then have dreamt of l)eing attacked during the storm ;
they would have been taken by sur[)rise, while our men, lejoicing
in their advantage, would rapidly have cari'ied all before them.
For many weeks the division did not approach the enemy nearer
than three nules, and at such a distance no })rom])t advantage coidd
be taken of any erior on his })art, oi' of any fortuitous circum-
stance, and these should always be looked for with most untiling
watchfulness.
Therefore, if possible, always kee]) within striking distance of
your enemy, especially if he be inexpeiienced. If he press too
severely upon you, retire ; if he halt, do you halt also ; if he retire,
follow him ; if he blundei', smite him. He cannot surround you if
you take due precaution.
Knowing that the enemy had extensive barracks and stores at
Black Rock, 1 marched my party by night to whei'e the village of
Waterloo now .stands, near Fort Erie, and concealed them in barns
during daylight. While next day examining the enemy's nund)ei'
and condition with my glass, and carefully concealed, for they did
not yet expect us back to the frontier, the officer connnanding our
advance, with his Staff- Adjutant and a Colonel of Militia, quite
unexpected hy uie, walke<l up in full view of the Aniericuns, and,
tli(
an<
Hft,
of a
exci
!>'■'
anc
Foil
won
Anu
was
men
thei
was
APPENDICES.
325
much to my regret, ;is the succoss of my intt'Ji<l -d project juust, T
thought, mainly depenrl upon keeping them entirely in ignorance
of our having come back to the frontier. This conunander then told
me that he had proposed to the general otlicer connnanding, (Jeneral
De Rottenhurg, to attack lilack Kock, and asked for thiee hundied
men, hut the<ieneral would give only two hundi'ed, and he asked me
if I thought the j)lace could l»e taken, and the hai'i'acks and stores
destroyed hy so small a force. I had already, the evening hefoi-e,
ordered four bateaux to be brought down fioni their place of con-
eealment up the Chippewa creek, and I expected to have them the
following night, and in them I had determined to attack Hlack Rock
with my party, at tiiat time only forty-four rank and tile, and I
answered his (juestion by telling him so. He laughed, and said, "Oh,
then, I need ask you no moi-e (juestions ; but go and bring the two
hundi'ed men." He ordered me not to attack during his absence, but
to wait foi- him, and he canie up the following day. He consented
that my party should lead the advance, andcover theretreat on coming
away, should we be attacked. At two the following morning we
moved oti". My men, being select and good boatmen, soon gained
the opposite shoi-e, but, owing to the strength of the current and
the boats being tilled with men, furthei- down than we inteiMled. I
then saw that the other boats would be carried still fuither down,
and must be at least half an hour later in landing than my men.
Yet my orders were to advance immediately (m landing. I did so,
and in twenty minutes we drove tlie enemy f)Ut, one hundred and
fifty militiamen, who fled to Butl'alo. and we were in full possession
of all before the main body came ui) Everything was then buiiied
exce])t eight laige boats, which we filled with militar}' stores and
provisions and biought away.
After this affair, the American army being still in Fort (ieorge
and the town of Niagara, I had reason to l)elieve that the American
Koi-t, Niagara, was garrisone<l by a few men only, and these chiefly
wounded men and convalescents. J had ascertained, too, that the
American boats were kept on theii" own side of the river, and it
was said that the American gencial had them kept there lest his
men, on being attacked by us, should tly to them, and make off to
their own side. In this state of things it occurred to me that it
was possible to surprise that foi't, and that the capture of it would
326
APPENDICES.
lead to the inevitable surrender of the American army on our side.
With this view, I carefully examined the state of the water a short
distance ])elow the Kails of Niagaia, and felt satisfied that a boat
might cross in safety, which, I Ijelieve, was never before imagined
])y anyone. I then sketched a plan to the loUowing eftect : 1
projiosed to inci'ease my party to eigiity men : io have Lieutenant
Armstrong and twenty men of the artillei y attached to me ; to have
a l)oat built (piickly, and during the night to transport the men
acro.ss to the othei- side with tin'ee days" provisions in theii' haver-
sacks ; to hide them in the woods during the whole of the following
day ; after dai'k to march ([uickly thi-ough Lewist^m — then only a
few houses — to Foi't Niagara, and immediately assault and carry it ;
then, by firing a given nund)er of guns, oi' by some other signal, to
have l)oats start from the Four Mile ('reek on Lake Ontario, (m our
side, with "iOO or .SOO men already embarked, and pulled speedily
across the mouth of the Niagai'a River, and landed to reinforce my
|)arty in the Fort ; at <layliglit to attack the Americans in front
from the woods, and our men from Fort Niagara to cannonade them
in rear with their own guns, and tiius their destruction or sui-render
nuist, as I then thought, and have since been convinced, be inevi-
table.
Having com))leted this sketch, I showed it to one of the most
experienced captains in tlie regiment, who, on reading it, amcmg
other things, said : "I wain you now, that if you propose this
scheme to the genei-al, it will be the ruin of you. It will at once be
said that your success already this sunnner has turned your brain,
and you will be no more trusted." Wanting sufficient confidence in
myself, and having had little expei'iencie, 1 declined moving further
in it, an<l I have since luid the mortification of seeing that the then
dreatled part of the river has sin(!e become a comnu)n ferry ; for
upcm the supposed impossibility of crossing it by boat was founded
my friend's chief objection. In truth, tlie whole scheme was not
only j)racticable, but of comparatively easy achievement.
An American boarding-pike came into my possession on the
Niagara frontier, in 1818. I often carried it with me in the woods,
and practised with it in every possible way — in tin .iting at trees
with it without letting it out of my grasp, in darting it from me at
trees at every distance within the range of my strength, in leaping
APPENDICES.
327
over trenches and brooks supported by it, and also over fallen ti-ees
and other obstacles. After much practice with it, I thought most
favorably of it in many points of view. One dark an<l rainy night
an alarm was given, and the tioojjs weremarcheil to their respective
alarni [)osts. It occuned to me to carry this ])ike with me to help
in the darkness, and I did so. Almost evei-y man in my comj)any
fell down at least once, some of them many times, while we wei'c
mai'ching ; with the ai<l of the pike I went along with (lontidenca'
and :nifety. After much reflection, I considered it a weapon of
great value for ])articula) pui-poses. Foi- example, a small body of
men, say fifty, well selected, well trained, well led, with patrols ot-
counter-signs, or othei- signals carefully chosen, and particularly
adapted to the occasion, might rush thi'ougu an ericmy's outposts
and into his camp -I do not mean an entrenched or foitified camp,
but one taken u]) foi* the night only and traveise it in eveiy dii-ec-
tion, killing and routing all befoie them. The enemy would soon be
in utter confusion, especially if composed of inexperienced troo|)s.
Their fire would be (juite at random, and pi'()bal)ly be more destruc-
tive to fme anothei', while it lasted, than to the attackers. It
should ])e most sti'ongly impressed ujion the minds of your men that
fire at night does amazingly little execution. The exj)erience of the
night atlaii' at Stony Creek, in tJune, 1813, planned by, and executed
under, the direction of Sir John Harvey, would have l)een of great
value to me had the war continued and opportunities been afforded
me of making night attacks. I think fighting at night has never
l)een practised to cme-tenth of the extent to which it is possible to
carry it. ('hai'ging with the bayonet oi- pike by day, and with the
])ike only by night, may ])e canie<l, as 1 fiindy believe, to an extent
which has not yet been imagined, or vei'V lai'ely imagine<l. Here
is, I think, a splendid field to [)i'acti.se in. Become an adjutant if
you can ; drill your own men in ^our own way ; devise new exj)edi-
ents whereby you may teach men easily and ra})idly ; know them
well, and let them know you well, and if you arrive at the command
of a regiment so trained by yourself, and an opportunity offer for
trying your men, you may add a new chapter to the art of war.
Remember my opinion, often expressed in your hearing, that no two
corps have ever yet crossed bayonets in battle. Rush upon your
'111
328
APPENDICES.
enemy and ho will sui'i'ly My. Let your men never l)e permitted to
doul»t this great truth, for such I am eontident it is.
Should you obtain the command of a company, I i-ecommer.d you to
set apart a place in the comiiany's arm-chest for two or more pike.s,
l)road swords, small swoi-ds (foils, I mean), sticks and baskets, boxing-
gloves, ericket-bats, (juoits. Obtain leave fi'om your eonnnan<ling
officer to keep youi- comj)any off duty one day in a week, or even
one in a month. March them in fatigue dress to a neighboring field
or play-ground. Let theni run races, jumj), leap, wi-estle, use the
pike, sword, stick, cricket -bat, (juoits, as each nuiy desire or you
direct. Swiunning shoidd also be practised. Manage by some
means to have a stock purse from wiiich to give prizes to the victoi-s
in each exercise or play. All this I consider comi)atible with main-
taining the most perfect authoi'ity over youi" men, and, if -well
conducted and managed, will inci'case their respectful regard for
you. He kiiul and condescending, but never, no, not once, be
tli[)pant or familiar with them. Suppose a regiment so practised :
how (piickly could you select the best (lualitied men for any special
service. Lnagine the contideuce these men would have in them-
selves and in each other. Surelv, in service such men could often
j)e turned to good account.
Much of what I have stated in these sketches may be thought too
fanciful, and ])erha])s fi'ivolous, oi' even ridiculous ; but fi'(mi the
poi'tion of expei'ience which has fallen to my share, I have formed
the opinion that an olficei-, non-connnissioned officer, or even soldier,
is vahuible in proportion to the amount of and nund)ei' of his expe-
dients, his resources and his foresight, and, above all, in his know-
ledge of the comparative (jiuilities of those whom he commands (if
he is a conunander) and those to whom he is opposed. I have been
in the habit «)f imagining that there is in the posse.ssion of two
opposing aiunies a certain (|uantum of courage and confidence,
usually une([iuilly divided and always liable to Hr.ctuation. It is
for a commander to so play his game that he shall from day to day
and from one affair to another win from his adversary's scales more
or less of these qualities, and transfer the gain to his own scales ; and
no expedient, however trifling, which may raise him in his own
men's estimati(m, or may lead them to suppose themselves superior
Mon<
suddi
to rei
APPENDICES.
329
in skill and ta(!t to theii' enemien, ought to l»e considered beneath
his notice.
While suggesting so many things to l)e taught, I wouhl caution
you not to tease or fret your men l»y tt)o much diilling or teaching.
Much of what is here njentioned might he taught with little trouble
to the soldier by choosing the fittest moment for giving the lesson ;
and then, too, it will make the deepest impression.
One itenj moi-e of my pi-actice I must not withhold from you,
namely, that I alwa^'s carried a ])rayer-book in my pocket, and on
Sundays r-ead to tiie men the service, or part of it, and tlie psalms
of the daj' ; and on the day following an atlair witli the enemy I
read pai't of the service and such thanksgiving and psalms particu-
larly selected for the occasion as I thought most appropriate. And
I can assure you the men were the more orderly, the more brave,
and in eveiy respect the better for this practice ; and it added more
to mv aiithoritv and influence over them than anv othei' cimduct or
treatment of mine had ever done.
Be assured that the soldiei-, before his enemy especially, is by no
means insensible to his duty to his (iod, and to his great need of
repentance and pai-don through a merciful Redeemer. The devout
and earnest otlei'ing uj) of prayer in his ])resence affects him deeply,
and makes him grateful to his officer for thus leading him, as it
were, into the presence of his Saviour to sue for salvation, when he
knows not what a day or even an hour may bring forth.
! V
APPENDIX VII.
day
Extract from despatch to Lord (ilenelg. Colonial Secretary, taken
from Sir Francis Bond Head's " Narrative," etc. :
"Despatch No. 13.2.
"Toronto, \9ih Deremher, 1837.
" My Lord, — I have the honour to inform your Lordship that on
Monday, 4th inst., this city was, in a moment of profound peace,
suddenly invaded by a band of armed rebels, amounting, according
to report, to 3,000 men (but in actual fact to about 500), and com-
21
f
330
APPENDICES.
manded by Mr. M'Kcnzic, the editor of a republican newspaper;
Mr. Van Egmont, an officer who had served under Napoleon ; Mr.
(iibson, a land surveyor; Mr. Lount, a blacksmith ; Mi'. Loytl, and
some other notorious characters.
"Having, as I infoi-med yovir Lordship in my despatch, No. 1 H),
dated .Srd ultimo, purposely ett'ected tlu; withdrawal of her Majesty's
troops from this province, and having delivered over to the civil
authorities the w'hole of the arms and accoutrements I possessed, I
of course found my < u 'vithout any defence whatever, excepting
that which the loyalty and fidelity of the Province might think
proper to afford me. The crisis, impoitant as it was, was one I
had long earnestly anticipated, and accordingly J no sooner received
the intelligence that the rebels were within four miles of the city
than, abandoning the Government House, I at once pi-oceeded to
the City Hall, in which about 4,000 stand of arms and accoutre-
ments had been deposited.
"One of the first individuals I met there, with a musket on his
shoulder, was the Chief Justice of the Province, and in a few
minutes I found myself surrounded by a band of brave men, who
were of course unorganized, and, generally speaking, unarmed.
"As the foregoing statement is an unqualified admission on my
part that I was completely sui-prised by the rebels, I think it
proper to remind, rather than to explain to your Lordship, the
course of policy I have been [)ursuing.
"In my despatch, No. 124, dated IHth ultimo, I respectfully
stated to your Lordship, as my opinion, that a civil war must
hencefoi'wai'd everywhere be a moral one, and that in this hemi-
sphere in particular, victory must eventually declare itself in favour
of moral and not of physical preponderance.
" Knteitaining these sentiments, I observed with satisfaction that
Mr. M'Kenzie was pursuing a lawless course of conduct which I
felt it would be impolitic foi- me to arrest.
" For a long time he had endeavoured to force me to buoy him up
by a (Government prosecution, but he sunk in proportion as 1
neglected him, until, becoming desperate, he was eventually driven
to reckless behaviour, which I felt confident would very soon create
its own punishment.
"The traitorous arrangements he made were of that minute
a J
tl
cj
til
APPENDICES.
331
nature that it would havo l»e(!n diffiinilt, even if I im«l desiieil it, to
have suppreHsi'd them. For instani-e, he hegan hy estidtlishin^'
ITuion lists (in nunihef not exceeding' forty) of persons desii-ons of
])olilit'al reform, and wiio, hy an appointed secretary, were reeoin-
niended to eonmiunieate i-eguhirly with himself, for the purpose of
estahlishing a meeting of delegates.
"As soon as, l)y most wieked I'tiprescntations, he ha<l suec^eeded
in sediieing a inunher of well-meaning ])eople to join tiiese s(|uads,
his next step was to prevail upon a few of them to attend their
meetings armed, for the alleged purjxise of firing at a mark.
"While these meetings M'ere in coni iiniance, Mi'. M"Ken/.i(!, l)y
means of his |)aper, hecame more and more seditious, and in pro-
portion as these meetings cxeited more and more alarm, I was
strongly and repeatedly called upon hy the peaeeahle portion of the
conununity forcihly to su])[)ress hoth the one and the other. I
considei'ed it hetter, however, undei- all circumstances to await the
outhreak, which I was c«)nti(lent would he impotent, inversely as it
was previously op))osed ; in slutil, I considered that, if an attack
by the rebels was inevitable, the moie 1 encouraged them to con-
sider me defenceless the l»etter.
" Mr. M'Kenzie, under these favoui-able circumstances, having
been freely permitted by me to make every p»'e])aration in his
power, a concentration of his deluded a<lheients, and an atta(;k
upon the city of Toronto, was secretly settled to take place on the
night of the 19th instant. However, in conse({uence of a militia
general order which I issued, it was deemed advisable that these
ari'angements should be hastened, and accordingly, Mr. M'Kenzie's
deluded victims, travelling thi-ough the forests V)y cross roads,
found themselves assembled, at about foui- o'clock in the evening
of Monday, the 4th instant, as i-ebels, at Montgomery's Tavern,
which is on the Young Street ladamized road, about four miles
from the city,
• "As soon as they had attained that position, Mr. M'Ken/ie and
a few others, with pistols in their hands, arrested every person on
the road, in order to prevent information reaching the town.
Colonel Moody, a distinguished veteran officer, accompanied })y
three gentlemen on horseback, on passing Montgomery's Tavern,
was fired at by the rebels, and I deeply regret to say that th^
i'i
11
Hi' i;i ,
:^32
APPENDICES.
colonel, wounrletl in two placcH, was taken pi-isoner into the tavern,
wliere in three hours he died, leaving a widow and family unpio
vidcd for.
•' As soon lis this |,Mllant, inoritori<ius oflicci', who hitd honoiiiahly
fouj^ht in this province, fell, I am informed that Mr. M'Ken/ie
exnltin;^lv' ol>s(!rv(!d to his followers, 'T/inf, as lilnnil hail iioir hceii
Hinlhil, fhei/ irrrc in for if, nm/ liit'l iio/liin;/ hO Inil lit iiilrnin'i'.'
" Aeeordin<^ly, at ahoul ten ochick at night, tliey did advance,
and I was in bed and asleep when Mr. Alderman Powell awakened
me to state that, in riding out of the city towards .Montgomery's
Tavern, he had Itecn arrcfsted hy Mr. M'Kenzie and another prin-
cipal leader ; that the former had snappiid a pistol at his l)reast,
that his (Mr. PowelTs) pistol also snapped, l)Ut that he tiretl a
.second, which, t;ausing the death of Mr. MKen/.ie's companion, iiad
enabled him to e.seape.
"On arriving at the ('ity Hall I appointed Mr. dnstiee Jones,
Mr. Henry Sherwood, Captain Strachan, and Mr. .lolni Kohinson,
my aid-de-camps.
" I then ordered the arms to l)e un[)acked, and, manning all the
windows of the huihling, as well as those of o])posite houses which
flanked it, we awaiteil the i-ehels, who, as I have stated, did not
eonsidei' it advisable to advance. Beside these arrangements, I
despatched a message to the Speakei- of the House of Assembly,
Colonel the Honourable Allan M'Xab, of the (Jore District, and to
the Colonels of the Militia regiments in the Midland and Newcastle
districts ; an advanced jiicjuet of thirty volunteers, commanded by
my aid-de-camp, Mr. Justice Jones, was placed within a short
distance of the rebels.
"By the following moi-ning (Tuesday) we mustered about .300
men, and in the course of the day the nund)er increased to about
."lOO ; in the night, an advance<l picpiet connnanded by Mi'. Sheriff
Jarvis, was attacked within the pi-ecincts of the city by the reb ds,
wiio were driven back, one of their party being killed and several
wounded.
"On Wednesday morning we were sut!iciently strong to have
ventured on an attack, but, being sensible of the strength of our
position, being also aware how much depended upon the contest in
which we were about to be engaged, and feeling the greatest possible
APPENDICES.
:i;i3
rt'luctiiiiL'i' at llu' idea of ciiU'iiiig iipoii a i-ivil war, I ilL'spatclu'il
two gentluiiioii to the rel»cl leaiU'rs to tell tlieiii that, liefore any
contliet mIioiiM take place, 1 patently called upon tlieni, as tlieir
(iovurnor, to avoid tiie etliision ot liunian Mood.
" In the meanwhile, however, Mr. M'Ken/ie had loininitted
ever description of enormity ; he Iwul rohhed tiie mail with hin
own iiands, hail .set Hie to Dr. ll<»ine's house had plnndeied many
inofl'ensive individuals of their money — had stolen .s<'veral hctrses,
had made a niunher of respectahle peo))lu prisoners ; and haviiij^
thu8 Muccueded in eniharking his misguided adherents in guilt, he
replied to my admonition l»y a message, that he would cidy consent
that his demands should he settled hy a national convention, and
he insolently added that lu; would wait till two o'clock foi' my
answer, which in one word was, " Xt nr.'^
In the course of \Ve<lnesday the Speakei- of the House of Assem-
bly, Colonel the Honouiahle AHan M'Xah, arrived from the (Joi-e
J)i8triet at the head of about sixty men, whom he had assend)led at
half an lumi-'s notice, and, other brave men Mocking in to me from
various dii-ections, I was enabled by strong picpiets to ])revent Mi\
M'Ken/ie from cai'i'ving into eH'ect his <liabolocal intention to bui-n
the city of Toronto, in ordei' to plunder the banks ; and, having
ert'ected this object, I determined that on the foUowing day 1 would
make the attack.
"Accordingly, on Thursday morning I assembled our forces,
under the direction of the Adjutant-! Jeneral of Militia, Colonel
Fitz(!iblton, clerk of the Assembly.
" The principal body was hea<led by the Speaker, Colonel Allan
M'Nab, the right wing being connnanded by Colonel Sanuiel Jaivis,
the left by Colonel William Chisholm, assisted by the Honourable
Mr. Justice M'Lean, late Speaker of the House of Assembly ; the
two guna by Major Carfrae of the Militia Artillery.
" The connnand of the Militia left in the city remained under Mr.
Justice Macaulay, and tlie protection of the city with Mr. Gurnett,
the Mayor.
" I might also have most advantageously availed myself in the
field of the military services of Colonel Foster, the connnander of
the forces in Upper Canada, of Captain Baddeley of the corps of
:i
334
APPENDICES.
Royal Kiij^iiieer.s, nn«l of ii tlctficliiiiciil of <!i<,'lit aitillerynieTi, who
form tlif only roi^ular force in tliis province, hut, liaving <l(;lil)C'i'-
ately <U;lotniiiUMl that IIk; inipoitant content in wiiicli I vva.s al)ont
to he eui^aged .slioiild he deciderl solely hy the Upper Canada
Militia, oi', in other vvoril.s, hv the free inhahitants of thi.s nohle
pr<i\in<'e, I was resolved tlial no consi<U!ration whatever, .ihonld
induce rrie to avail myself oi any otli<;r' assistance tlian that upon
whicli, as tiie representative of our< Iracioirs Sovereign, I iiad lirridy
and irripli<;itly rcliecj.
" At twtdvi; oclock the Mihti.i force marched out of the town,
with an errthusiasrn it worrld he irnpossihU; to descrihe, and in ahout
an liour- we came i.; igiit of the r'ehels, who (»ccupied an elevate<l
posit iorr near- (fallows Hill, in front of MorrtgonierysTavei'n, whieh
iiad hec'i long the rerrilezvous of MKen/ie's men. They wore
principally arrruMl with rif!»!s, and for- a short tim<s favoured l»y
huildings, they endeavoirrcd to rrrairrtairr their' groujrd ; however-,
the hrave and loyal militia of Upper- Canada, steadily advaireing
witii a determination which was ir-r-esistil)le, drove them from their
positicii, completely r-oiited Mr-. .MKen/.ie, whf), in a state of the
greatest ajritation r-an away, and in a few rrrinutes Montgomery's
Taverir, which was "rst entered l»y Mr-. .Justice Jones, was l)rrr-nt to
the gr-oiirnl.
" lieirig on the spot mer-ely as a (.'ivil (Joverrior-, and in !io way in
(;ommarrfl of the troops, I was hapi)y to have an f)pportunity of
denionstiating to the rehels the; rrrildne.ss and henelicence of her
.Majesty's ( iover-nment, arrd well knowing that the laws of the
eourrtry would have ample opportirrrity of making examjjles of the
guilty, I deemed it advi.seal>Ie to save the prisorrers who were
taken, and to cxterrd to nrost of these rr;..;guided merr the royal
mer-cy, hy or-ih^ing their- irrrmcMiiate rehtase. I'liese rrreasures
havirrg heen ehected arrd the r-(!hels ha\ org Iteen deprived of their
Hag (oir whieh was inserihed in large letters,
'"IHDWKLL, AM) THK (ILOKIOUS MIXOIilTV ;
is:{7, AND A (JOOD I',K(iINXIX(;').
the Militia advanced in pursuit of the r-ehels ahout four miles till
they reached the house of one of the principal ringkadens, Mr,
n
APPENDICES.
385
(Jibsoii, which jusideiicc it would have lieoii iiiij)o.s.sil»U' to have
saved, and it was consecjueutly liiu'iied to the giound." *
■ " iJ.v my especial order."
Ill tlie oiif^iiial de.spateh as tir.st published and circulated in
1, .,vda, there was no foot-note attaciied to tliis paiagiapli. in tlie
second edition, as stated in tiie account given Ity Kitz( lililioii, whr>se
letter to J..ofd (Jlenelg had provoked that nohleinan to make Sir
Kiancis practically acknowledge the falseness of his first statement,
the foot-note is appended.
I have copied the despatch verbatim, spelling, grammar, and
])un(;tuation, exactly as I liiul it in a copy <tf the " Narrative,"'
second edition, now in the possession of the Kev. (.'anon liiill,
Rector of Luiuly's Lane (I)nimniondville).
I need add but one more extract from this specious production,
relative to tlie actual outbreak of rebellion and Sir Francis Head's
devious [lolicy :
"Ml'. M'Kenzie and tiis party, finding that at every i)oint they
were defeated in a moral attack wliich they had made upon the
British coiistituti<Mi, next determined to excite their dehule<l adhe-
rents to have recourse to physical strength. Heiiig as reaily to meet
tliem on that ground as I had been ready to meet them in a moral
struggle, I gave tliem every possible advantage. I in no way
availed myself of the immense resources of the British empire ; on
the contrary, I fuirjiosely dismissed from this province tlie whole
of our troops. 1 allowed Mr. M'Kenzie to irri/i what he choose,
sat/ what he chose, and «/,o what he chose ; an<l without taking any
notice of his traitorous proceedings I waite<l, with folded arms,
until he had collected his rebel foi-ces, and had actually commenced
his attacK," [The italics are his.]
" I then, as a solitary individual, called ujioii the militia of Upjier
('anada to defeid me, and the result has been as I have stated, viz.,
that the peojile of Upper (Janada, <!ame t<» me when 1 called them ;
that they completely defeated Mr. M'Kenzie's adherents, and drove
him and hia rebel ringleaders from the land.
{" When her Majesty's Ciovernment published thi.« despatch they
omitted the following paragraphs and words piinted in italics) :
33G
APPENDICES.
" These are hixtorical fwts irhlch it /s utipos.nhle to deny ; and the
plain inference is, that the iahahitants of Upper Canada, as I have
often pi(h/ic/i/ der/ared, ditc.st de/norra. >/, and re.rere the nohfe mon-
archical, institutions of the British Empire.''
I need (jiKjte no nioie, tlie concluding paragraphs of this remark-
able despatch being l)ut an attack upon the Under Secretary for the
Colonies, and also in italics. It is difficult, however, to refrain
from adding an extract froni another of the valiant Governor's
despatches, dated Toronto, Jan. 20th, 183S, and nund)ered II., as
bearing n})on the al)<)ve :
"Events have since pi-oved tliat tiie judgement I had formed of
the dangerous effects of conciliation was not incorrect. Treason,
which had long slumbered in tins province having l)een fanned by
conciliati(m sutldenly bnist into a flame. The details of the late
rebellion, as contained in my Despatch dated December 19th (No
11^2) have already explained to your Lordship tiiat on the 7th of
December las*^ Jie bi'ave militia of Upper Canada drove the rebels
from their position at Callows Hill ; that their place of rendezvous,
Montgomery's Tavein, innnediately fell into theii' possession, and
that, on a small party reaching it, they found,' brought out, and
unfurled in triumph before their comrades, the ti-aitors' flag, upon
which was inscribed in large letters,
'"BIDWELL AXl) THE (JLORIOUS MINORITY;
1837, AND A GOOD BEClNNIN(i.'
My Lord, if that flag had, as was expected by its followers, tii-
umphantly entered Toronto, I have no hesitation in saying it wouhl
have waved over the corpse of every loyal subject in the city ;
indeed, we have received evidence that a general massacie of the
Queen's loyal si'bjects would have l)een attempted.''
Might we not without prejudice endorse the remsirk attributed to
Judge Ridout by Sir Francis, who devotes sevei'al pages of the
volume to abuse of that gentleman for having "violated all political
decency by publicly declaring that I, the Lieutenant-Covernor of
Upper Canada, deserved to be tarred and feathered,"' and that he.
Judge Ridout, " would lend a hand to do ■ o."
APPENDICES.
337
i
APPENDIX VIII.
C(){)y of Fit/<!il»l)()irs letter Id l^ord (Jlenelg, written utter the
publieatiou of Sii' Francis Bond Head's despatch:
" TouoNTo, Ui'i'Kii Canada,
''Aiajnsf loth, I.S3S.
" My Lord, — In tlie month of April last 1 received in a Dnhlin
nevvspapei- an extract of a despatcii to yonr Lordsliip from Sii'
Francis Head, dated the l!)thof Decendter last. Some of the state-
ments in that extia(.'t weie at variance witli facts, and were likely
to injure my characiter with Her Majestys (loveinment, instea<l of
doing me that justice which was due to me from His Kxcellency, and
winch was an<l is well known here to he undoubtedly my due. I
therefore addressed a letter to your Lordship, dated tiie 17th of
Api'il, and having appended to it a statement of the events wliich
occuri'ed in this city under my own observation, previous to the
I'itli of Dei;ember last. I placed both in the han<ls of Sir (ieorge
Arthur, witii a letter to His Kxcellency, dated .")th of May, recjuest-
ing that they might be transmitted to your l^ordship.
" The reasons M'hich le<l me to proceed thus far weie stated in
the letter to your Lordship ; but on the 1 1th of May, 1 was induced
by repi-esentations made to me to apjdy to His Kxcellency not to
transmit the said documents, but to return them to me, and His
Excellency was pleased to comply with this re([uest, and they weie
returned to me accoi'dingly.
" Now, however, in reading in a ncwspapei' ' An explanatoiy
memorandum, a<ldressed by Sii- Fi'ancis Hea<l to Lord (Uenelg,
•lated 21st of May last,' I feel I cannot, in justice to myself, remain
any longer |)assive while Sii- Francis Head reiterates statements,
not only to Her Majestys colonial ministei-, Imt subse<piently in a
document wherein I am paiticularly named, and wliicli lias been
tiansmitted to the House of Commons ; in which statements I can-
not concur, and upon which I may hereaftei' be called upon to give
evidence.
" In this letter I will confine myself to three of these statements,
namely ;
!l!
338
APPENDICES.
" 1st. Tlie statenienl made relative to the luifiiing of the rebel
(}il)son's house, made in the despateh of the liKli of December last,
is not correct ; for Sir Francis himself ordeied me to have it burned,
and when I was abcjut to I'enionstrate against the order, he said :
'Stop; hear me -let (Jibson's house be burned forthwith, and let
the militia be ke[)t here until it be l)Uined;' and then, without a
momeJit's delay, he gallopc'd away from mc. In obedience to this
order, I took a ])arty of men with me to (ril)son"s house, thiee miles
beyond where we tiien were, and nine from this city, and had it
bui'ned.
" "ind. Tile paragraph in tiie des|)atch, where it is stated that
* In the course of Tuesday the Speaker of the House of Assend)ly
arrived and,' etc., is only so far coi-rect as that ' eleven o'clock at
night' may be said to be 'in tiie course of 'I'uesday.' For the
S[)eaker did not arrive at the City Hall until alxtut eleven o'clock
on Tuestlay night.
" Some hours before his arrival, about six p.m., being then <lark,
seeing me about to send a pi<!ket up Vonge Street (the gieat
northern road so called), lie positively forbade me to send a man
out. I said I could not endure to see the city left open to the
ruttians who threatened it ; to wiiich lie answered : ' We cannot
defend the city, we have not men enough; let us defend our posts;'
and fui'ther added : ' It is my positive order that you do not leave
this l)uilding yourself." I replied : ' I pray of your Excellency not
to lay those imperative ordcsrs upon me, for I ougiit to be in many
places, and 1 ought to be allowed to exerci.se a disci-etionary powei'
where you are not near to give me orders;' to which lie iei)lie<l :
' If you go through the city as you have heretofore done, you will
be taken [)risoner ;' and seizing me by the arm with both his hands,
he exclaimed, ' If we lose you, what shall we do?' Nevertheless I
soon after left the hall, and took the sheriff, W. B. .Jarvis, Ks([uire,
with a ])icket, up Vonge Stieet, above a mile distant from the
City Hall, and there posted and gave specific instructions foi' the
conduct of his picket, after which I returned to the City Hall, and
deeming it most eanditl to do so, reported to His Excellency what
I had done ; anti he rebuked me for it, not harshly certainly, but he
expresse("t his disappnibation of what I had done. In about an hour
afterwarils this very picket r-epulsed the rebels with some loss, and
APPENDICES.
339
saved the town, for tliey were tlieii eoiiiing for the express purpose
of setting it on Hie. It was prol)ahly nioie than an lioui- after they
(the rebels) were so repulsed that the Speaker arrived at the City
Hall with a reinforcement of about sixty umn from Hamilton.
" 3rd. In the ' K.\|)lanatory Menioi-anduni,' in his answer to the
second (juestion, Sir Francis Head states, in the second |)aragrapii,
' However, notwitiistanding the attitude wliicli I publicly deemed it
l)olitic to assume, I privately made all the arrangements in my
power to be I'eady to move whenever tiie pro{)er moment should
arrive.' Upon this statement I beg leave to observe that for sonu^
weeks befoie the .'>th of December I had, occasionally, opportunities
of eonvei'sing with His Excellency on the state of the Province, and
he uidforndy r<'sisted (with one exception only, see note at end)
every suggestion of nnne foi- defence. So far did lie carry his
resistance to my advice that he refused to a])poiiit twenty othcers to
fill vacancies in one of the city regiments which I then commanded,
and whicii was an ordinary duty to be at any time ])erforme<l, and
without which appointments the regiment could not be rendered
efficient for any service. Upon that occasion His Kxcellency said :
' 1 will make no alteration during tlie winter, liaving no ap))rehension
whatever of any movement on the part of Mr. Mackenzie or his
adherents.'
"The details which I could give on this subject are many and
remarkable, even down to so late as Saturday yvening previous to
the outbreak, which took jdace on Monday. It was only on Mon-
day morning that I was appointed to act as Adjutant-i leneral of
Militia, nor until then did I expect or know that His Kxcellency
intended to a})point me. I had during the preceding summer told
him that I would not accept the otKce, and tiiis I felt constrained to
tell His Kxcellency, because having then l)een sent for l)y him, and
(questioned on the state of the Adjutant-CJeneral's department, I
gave him a most unfavorable account of it, whereupon His Kxcel-
lency asked me why I had not before made the state of the depart-
ment known to him ; to which I replied, ' Had I done so, your
Kxcellency might have supposed that I desired to have the Adjutant-
(leneral dismissed and myself appointed in his stead. Jiut now that
I have made this statement to your Excellency, 1 never will accept
the office.'
340
APPENDICES.
"On Monday morning, the -ttli of l)eL'enil)ei', when Sir Francis
Head sent forme, I found His Excellency with a Militia (l-eneral
Ordei' in his hand a|)j)ointing me Acting Adjutant-(!eneral of
Militia ; and on my entering the room, he said, ' Von have already
said you did not desiie to he Adjutant-tieneral of Militia, never-
theless I have a]>i)ointed you, tiusting that you will not witidiold
your services from me in the pi'esent state of puhlic ati'aii's,' and 1
consented./-
" Aiui'liere I will briefly state, l)y v/ay of reca))itulation, that Sir
Francis Head unifoi-ndy i-esisted every advice to guard against
a|)[)roaching dangers ; and that had his course been pursued by all
others, 'I'oronto would inevital)ly have l>een taker, by the lebels,
witii the arms, bank, and all else in tiie city. Thousands of othei'
rel)els would soon liave joined them, and thousands of base Ameri-
cans would have overrun the; Province, at least so much of it as lies
westward of Toronto. The consequences wouM have been most
disasti'ous, and mucli of the evils whieli might have thus been
inHicted on the innocent and loyal would have been irreparable,
and the cost of i-ecovering the Province would have l)een inunense.
the injury' to the nation in(!alculable.
"On the other hand, I atHrm that were it not for tiie warnings I
gave, and the [irei^autions 1 took, and the personal ettbrts made by
me, this city would have been taken by the rel)els on Monday night,
that the saving of the city on Tuesday night was owing to my
having placed the sheiitr.s picket on Yonge Street, which 1 did
contiary to the positive orders of Sir Francis Head ; and yet for
tiie sending out of which picket he takes the merit to himself in
the despat(;h of the U)th of l)eceml)er last. The accuracy of these
facts and opinions I have no doubt I can prove before any impartial
triljunal.
"Of the facts not hereinbefore stated, I beg leave to offer the
following in corroboration : A volunteer corps under my connnand
ofiered to do duty ovei- the Oovernment House after the departuie
of the ti'oops, and His Kxcellency declined the otter. A number of
the citizens met in the City Hall in the evenings and mounted guard
during tiie night over the arms lodged thei-ein. The week before
the insurrection. His Excellency ordered me to go to the City Hall
in the evening of the day on which he spoke to me and dismiss
APPENDICES.
341
those guards, leaving only two oonstaUles to sleep in the buildings,
and I did so dismiss them. His Kxeellencv on that occasion said to
me, 'But that I do not like undoing what I have already done, I
wt)uld have the arms I'emoved fiom the City Hall and placed in the
(Jovernnient House under the care of my domestics, so confident am
T that no danger need be apprehended.' And on Satui'day, when I
sai<l to His Kxcellency, ' In short, sir, w hen I came here this morn-
ing I ex])ected you would permit me to go into the city and take
every half-])ay otlicer and discharged soldier 1 couhl Hnd and |)lace
them this very day in the fort,' His Kxcellency exclaime<l, ' What
w()uld tlie people of Kngland think if they saw us thus ai'm ".' " and,
in continuation, he added, ' Besides, the militia in the city would
feel themselves insidted if they were thus passeil ovei' and the
military called upon.' To which I could not help re])lying, 'Pardon
me, sii', if I say that T think they would rejoice to have tiie military
as a nucleus to rally lound.' At this time there were present the
(yhief Justice, Mt. Justice .lones, the Executive C^ouncilloi's, Messrs.
Allan and Sullivan, the Attorney and Solicitor-! lenei'al and the
Speaker of the House of Assembly.
"Mo;, might be here stated in su])i)f)rt and elucidation of the
fore;^'''''!"" l*"*^ I ])ur])osely make this statement as brief fis I can
cor- , ' iy with showing youi- Lordshij) that it is iiu;umbent on me
to express my dissent from nmch that has been stated l)y Sii- Ki-ancis
Head in the document above quoted from, inasmuch as it is there
made to appear that I had concurred in His FiXcellency's pro-
ceedings.
"Although T feel niyself deeply, perhaps irreparably, wronged
and injured by Sii' Kiuncis Head, yet T disavow any desire oi- wish
to bring re])roach or blame u])on him ; and I declaie that I would
not write this letter to your Lordship did I think I could, under
such exti'aordinary circumstances, without dishonor to my.self and
perhaps injury to Her Majesty's (xovernment, M'ithhold the know-
ledge I possess of those transactions, and the more especially as Sir
Francis has introduced my name as if I had concurred in his opinions
and approved of his proceedings.
" Tf) the paragraph in this ' Memoiandum ' in which my name
appears, ami to the two preceding paragraphs, I beg leave nu)st
respectfully to refei- your Lordship.
.S42
APPENDICES.
"On perusing carefully what I have written, it gives me pain to
see in what an extent this l)rief reeital disagrees with the statement
of Sir- Francis Head, yet in no instance can I in justice to myself,
with <lue regard to truth, abate or mitigate the force of any one of
the statements herein made hy me.
" I liave the h«)nor to be, etc., etc., etc.,
" .I.VMKS KiT/OlRBON."
[The note referred to on j)age '.i'.V.) I have not thought it necessary
to repeat, as it has already been given in substance in Chapter IX. ]
I H
APPENDIX IX.
Ar-n'KR the meeting of the last session (tf the last Parliament of
Upy)er Canada, the following address was voted by the Assembly
to the ( Jovernor-(Jeneral, the Right Honorable ('hai'les Poulett
Thomson :
" May it plkask vorii Excki.lkncy. -We, Her Majesty's dutiful
and loyal sul)jects, the (.onnnons of Upper Canada, in Provincial
Parliament asseml)led, hund)ly pray that your Excellency will be
pleased to inform this House if the royal assent has been given to
the bill passe<l last session, entitled ' An Act to enable Her
Majesty to make a grant of land to James Fitzri!i})l)on, Esquire"?
"(Signed) Allan X. Ma(,'Nab, Spcobr.
" Connnons House of Assembly,
" Eighth day of January, 1840."
"('harlks PoiM.KTT Thomson — In answei- to the addiess from
the House of Assend)ly, of the 8th instant, the Clovernor-Cieneral
desires to inform them that, after a full consideration of the sul)ject,
Her Majesty's (lovernment have come to the conclusion that they
could not advise Her Majesty to confirm the bill passed by the
Provincial Legislature during the last session, but reserved for Her
Majesty's confirmation, to enable Her Majesty to make a ^rant of
lan(J to James FitzCibbon, Esquire,
APPENDICES.
343
"Her Majesty's Government, sensihln of the long and valnalde
services of Mr. Fitz(iil)b()n, came to this decision with nuidi reluc-
tance ; hut tiiey felt that the confirmation of such an act woidd ho
inconsistent with the principles laid doMii for the disposal of the
waste lands of the Crown in the British colonies, and contiiined in
that provin(;c hy an Act of the Legislature, and that it would
establish a very inconvenient |)recedent.
" If, however, the Legishiture of Upper (Canada should desire to
mark their sense of Mr. Fitz( iihhon's service l>y a pecuniary grant,
the (xovernor-deneral would have nnich satisfaction in recommend-
ing such a grant for Hei- Majesty's approval."
APPENDIX X.
Extract. — "The Committee have taken the Memorial of Colonel
Fitz(}il)bon into theii' anxious considei-ation. They feel sensil)ly
the difficulties and embarrassments undei- which (Colonel Fit/,(;ibbon
has labored in conse(juence of the delays which have ai'isen in satis-
fying his acknowledgeil claims on the puldic ; and have carefully
examined into the history of his case, in order to place their view of
it fully before your Excellency.
"There can be no doubt that had the intenticmof the Legislature
of Upper Canada been carried into effect at the time it was Hi'st
expressed. Colonel FitzCJibbon would, while obtaining no more than
what the gratitude of that pi-ovince felt due to him, have also
gained the means of ])reventing those embarrassments which have
since so cruelly pressed U{)on him. Hav Majesty's (Jovernment,
howevei', felt objections which the ])iovincial authorities were
unable to remove, to the remunei'ation of Colonel Fitzdiibbon by
a grant of land, though they expressed their readiness to concur in
a pecuniary grant for the same purpose.
"This, however, the then .state of the finances of Upjier Canada
does not appear to have permitted, and the c()nse(]uence was a part
of that delay by which Colonel Fitz( iibbon appears to have ao deeply
suffered.
"The claims of the Memorialist have not, however, in the opinion
344
APPENDICES.
of the f'ommittce, been at all weakoiiod by the postponed satisfac-
tion of tlu-ni. Repeatedly lecognized, and never (so far as the
Coiiinil aie aware), douhteil or (|iu'stioned l»y any out;, the very
eiicmn.stance.s that tiiey ha\e iiilheito Iteen ineU'ectiially urged,
tends to give tiieni increased weight, and will in the opinion of the
('oininittee justify the most favoiahle re(;onunendati«)n and sup-
port wliieh their duty will permit them to ofl'er and ail'ord.
" It is on this aecount that the Connnittee have ai-rived at this
opinion, that an amount of land scrip, corresponding in nominal
value with tiie live thousand acti'es of land whicli the Legislature of
I'pper Canada, in IS.'W, thougiit Colonel Fitz( iihhon entitltMl to,
would not be an eipuil compensation to that which it was at first
pro])osed to grant. On the conti-ary, besides the injuiious conse-
<|Uences of delay, tiie course Wf)uld, in effect, deprive Colonel Fitz-
(libbon of nearly one-half in point of value of the remuneration
oiiginally ])roposed.
'' Tin; (!onnnittee, therefore, res])ectfidly advise your Kxcellency
to I'eeommend Colonel Fitz( Jibbons ease to favorable consideration
at the next session of the Legislature, for a grant of such sum of
money as shall be considered a fair ecpnvalent for the laud originally
proposed to be given to him.
" With regard to the application for an advance, the Committee
have felt deej) regret that they have not found it proper for them
to advise that it should be com])lie<l with. However strong their
opinion of the justice of Colonel Kitz(4ibbon's claim, or me pioba-
bility of its being favorably entertained by the Legislature, they are
not ])repared to advise yoiii- Excellency to make an advance of
public moneys in anticipation of the decision of the Parliament on
tlie subject."
APPENDIX XL
" Lower Ward, Windsor Castle,
''March, 1859.
" We, the undersigned Military Knights of the Chapel of St.
(ieorge within the Castle of Windsoi', beg leave to call yoiir atten-
tion to our case,
P
ai
h,
t
AFTENDICES.
lU.")
" A« you may have heard, in the year IS.V) mir caHc was l)rou|,'ht
befori! Pai'Iiament, which re.sulted in dii-ectioiis l)eiiig given l)y L<»i<l
Pahneiston to the Attorney-CJenei-al to tile an information on our
behalf. Our ease is, shortly, this: The Charity was founded l»y
King Kdwai'd III., who declared that the Knights would he ' ff)r-
cver oomff)rtahly maintained' out of the funds of St. (Jeorge's
Chapel. In the reign of King Kdward IV., the Dean and Canons
])rocui'ed an Act of Parliament, without the knowledge of the
Knights, and upon repiesentations which were untrue, whertihy tin;
Chaj)el was freed from the maintenance of the Knights ; hut it was
stated in the Act that the Knights had been otherwise pi'ovided foi-.
This statement was also untrue, and nf) provision was made
directly for the Knights until the reign of King Henry VIII.
" King Henry VIII., in a letter which he addressed to the Dean
and Canons, informed them that he would settle lands on the
college for our maintenance ; and by his last will he directed lands
to be made over by the (Jrown to the college f)f the value of t'HOd
per annum for oui* maintenance ; and his successor, King Kdward
VI., accordingly made over lands of that value, and the Dean a>id
Canons, on their part, covenanted to apply the same as the (Jrown
should tlirect.
"These documents form the foundation of the present Charity,
the rights of which we are seeking to establish.
" The account of the rents arising from the lands so settled on the
college was kept quite distinct by the Dean and Canons dui'ing the
reigns of Edward VI., Queen Mary, and part of the reign of Eliza-
beth, and the same were wholly applied for the benefit of the
Knights, excepting thereout the necessary repairs of the lan<l, and a
small sum to the Dean and Canons for preaching sermons in the
chapel.
" The whole of the documents show that the lands were settled
upon the college for us and for our benefit, and that no such lands
would ever have been settled except to make a provision and to
provide a retreat for military men. When we first employed our
present solicitors, Messrs. Turnley & Luscombe, they entjuired if
any declaration of the trust subsequent to the deeds of Edward VI.
had been executed, and we informed them of a book deposited in
tho Chapter House at Westminster, said to have been executed by
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346
APPENDICES.
Queen Elizabetli ; but upon those gentlemen attending at the
Chapter House to inspect this document, which throughout had
been set up as an original, they ascertained that it was not an
original. They discovered that this document was not signed,
sealed, nor authenticated in any way, l)ut merely consisted of
several leaves of parchment folded together and fastened within
covers, and that sevei-al of the most important parts appeared
altered and new leaves interpolated after the book had l)een origi-
nally made up. Our solicitors instituted most rigid enquiries, in
which they were assisted l)y an eminent antic^uary, in order to
ascertain whether any document similar to the one in the Chapter
House at Westminster had ever ))een executed, but the result of
tlie enquiry clearly proved that such document had never been
executed by Queen Elizabeth, or any other sovereign.
"If Queen Elizabeth had executed a Declaration of Trust, the
original ought to have been in the possession of the Dean an<l
Canons, but tiiey, by their answer, entirely repudiated the existence
of any such document, as also the authenticity of the document in
the Chapter House at Westminster.
" If this document had been genuine and free fi-om interpolations,
our solicitors informed us that they believed, as the law then stood,
we should have no chance of success, but feeling thoroughly satisfied
that the same was not genuine, and that in the absence of it we
had a perfect case, they begged the solicitors of the Attorney -
General to cause it to be struck out of the Information ; but, after
a long correspondence, our solicitors' requests were disregarded,
and the book was continued in the information as a genuine docu-
ment, against our wish and in opposition to the repudiation of the
Dean and Canons themselves.
" Prior to the case going into court, a consultation took place
between the Attorney-General and our counsel, and the result of
such consultation led us to believe that the Attorney-General would
frame his case as though the book was not genuine ; but, on the
hearing, to our surprise, the book was put forth as a genuine docix-
ment, and it was upon the interpolated parts of it, before referred
to, that the learned judge gave a decision unfavorable to us. Upon
all the documents in the case, with the exception of this book, the
Master of the Rolls was entirely in our favor, as his judgment
APPENDICES.
347
in
sliows, but he assumed, the Attorney-General having adopted the
l>ook, that it had l)een duly executed by Queen Klizabetli, and upon
the footing of it decided against us.
" After the decision of the Master of the Rolls, we had notice
that the Crown would not appeal, but upon representing the facts
above i-eferred to, to Mr. Reynolds, of the Treasury, and begging
that an appeal might be presented, leaving out the book, the Crown
rinally decided to appeal. We were, however, astonished to observe
that on the appeal this very book was again set uj), and our efforts
to get it struck out have proved of no avail. We are therefoi-e
anxious that a case shoidd l)e prepared, and the most eminent
counsel appear on the appeal on our behalf to urge the rights of this
important and, Ave may say, national institution, on behalf of the
army, as in the event of the appeal being decided against us, the
Itcnevolent object of this institution will be forever lost.
'• We should state that the present income of the Charity is now
upwards of t'la,0()0 per annum, yet we are only paid Is. per day, the
same as in the time of Queen Elizabeth, when the income was l)ut
£600 per annum. You will therefore at once ])ei'ceive that it is
impossible for us to furnish the necessary funds for the ])reparation
of our case, counsel's fees, and other expenses on the appeal, which
will l)e very considerable. We therefore take the liberty of troub-
ling you with the above statement, and if you will kindly assist us
in our efforts to assert the rights of this ancient national institution,
we shall feel extremely obliged.
" We have the honor to be
NOTES.
It has l)een suggested to me that the (question of wliat l)0('aiiic of
the five acres of land mentioned in Chapter X. as still retained liy
Fitz(Tibhon, may he asked, as I have not referied in any way to its
being sold or othei-wise disposed of.
FitzGibbon's many friends, both in Canada and in l"]ngland,
having faith in his integrity and confi<lence in the idtimate sanc-
tion of the Crovernment being obtained to the grant of land or its
eqnivalent, lent him money, either personally or l)y endorsing notes
for him, in order to relieve him from the annoyance of small debts,
dims 1 -om the actual l)utcher and ))aker of daily life. Upon the
failure of the grant, the remnant of his property, with the excep-
tion of a small lot, was sold to help to repay these generous loans.
This lot was claimed by his heirs, and sold to the city corporation.
Part of it extended across the roadway of Bi-ock Street, south-east
of Queen Street.
From an autograph letter of FitzGibbon's, now in the possession
of Dr. Coleman, of Belleville, Ontario, I learn that some of the
dragoons who appeared so opportunely under Captain Hall at Beaver
Dam, were men from a corps raised by Colonel Coleman soon after
the outbreak of the war. The letter is an instance of Fitz(Ubbon
recommending one who had just claims upon the Government, for
a position which might serve as a reward for services rendered to
his country.
ERRATA.
Page 95, line 23, for "Township of South," read "Louth."
Page 147, line 10, for " April 23rd, 1823," read " 1822."
Page 202, 203 and 220, for "Allen," read " Allan,"
bocanie of
otained liy
way to its
Knglaiul,
mate sanc-
laiul or its
rsiiig notes
mall debts,
Upon the
the excep-
rous loans,
orporation.
south-east
; possession
ome of the
11 at Beaver
1 soon after
FitzOihbon
rnment, for
'endered to
lUth."