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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. errata i to e pelure. ion 6 n 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 i V'ffl ] f^' ■7 " ■on \S Bracks monument S Jnter/rnn /irif ns drawn up in ntt^rnfion j -i British hfie di> dv \ . ^chn£UisI.itk u"-, litr TIIK liATTLK OF UUKE\ST()i\ IIKKIIITS. Oil (lie l;;tli Oclubor, ]Sl2, wa.s luuirlit tlio JJiittli! i)f (>uccu.s|i )ii llciglil.'^. Wo desire to ticud liuhtly upon the i^round of the <|iiiirr(l between (iroat lirittiin iiiid the I 'nitcd States. Wc Imd boon ulnust di.'^po.sod to jtaf^s over entirely this dark era in tlie liistory of the two nations, jcasst an alhision to it nii;j;ht, in the remotest degree, di.stur]) that friendly feeliui,' which now hapi)ily exists between them, but our history would not be complete if wc did so ; we shall, however, only place on reeord, a few gene- ral nofiecs of the events which preceded and accompanied this war: landmarks, which may guide the reader to the clear ccjinprehension of the subject which is the immediate object of these pages. We shall en- deavour to be truthful and exact in every statement, drawing our informa- tion from official documents, and historical volunins, and in not a few in- stances from parties themselves who were present on the lield of action. And if the reilections which our subject may occasionally suggest do not (sury conviction to the minds of some, we hope for that forbearance which we should ourselves be inclined to show, Avere this little work compiled by tiiie whose vsympathies were opposite to our own. It was manifest from the temper shewn by the J'resideiit and Congress of the United (States, towards the close of the }oar LSll, that nothing could prevent a war between that country and Great JJritain, but either a ihange in the system puisued by the latter, or a dread in the former to (Utile to the point of actual hostilities, under the prospect of much suHcr- iiig from abroad and much discontent at home. When it was seen that tlu! resolutions of the Committee of Foreign Kel.-itions were all carried by great majorities, of whic'i the lowest was lOil to 22 and the liighest llU to 11, and when a motion in the House of llepresentatives for the indeli- nite postponement of a bill for raising -i5,0U0 additional troops was rejected by a majority of 1>8 to 21i, it was evident that hostile proceedings were A i] 'iMii; t,.\'i"i'i,i; (IF iiriirly uii.Tii,iiii(l (III. At llii- tiii'.v tlu' :i(iv('(;itr,> (,;' ^v;lr. ]«:^\di s the hiri- ol' ri'-li |ii'i/."s ju l)c iiiiid*' liv ill .\i:iO)i«-;iii ).riv;i((.'(!V, tlii'-'W oil! contidi'iit O.xr)0ct;Uiiins nC ill-' cniHiUCrt nf (';ili:i(l;>. 3Ir. (Jalhitiirsi biul-ct wjis laid i^'lnro C(;iii:ro;--s on J,'uni:iry l-lli, ls]i'. It iTcr!!nii(!i)d('(l !i Idiiii of .^;<),('0f!,< :m)s. I'ut wlici; the particulars ()f rai.-- •luv: tlicso necessary sup|dics Cor tlic ^var :)iul of|ulppinj.v an adcfjuato Vuili- larv Ibrec came to I'O discnssod in Concrvess, tlic ureat uiajorific-; in tavcr of the niousures nroposed. by (luvcninieui, no lon^'<:r appjai'od, and ;-cvcral ijucstion.s wove barely carried. It would be snperfluou> io idw a. skcteli of tlie ar^uuicnts used on each yidc in tliis discussion ; arp.unients referrinj:; to the beaten topic of tlie Frcneli decrees and ]"]na;lisli orders in Council rccrardinp; neutral conuiierce and the riglit of scareli, and wliich proved totrdly int^Iacaeiou-; to produce conviction on the inir.ds of the uinVrehC paities. In this niiliappy (juarrcl botli parties 1:5 Enirland a.nd the L'nitcJ States boa.stcd of tbcir moderation and forbearance, botli alleged ll'.e reason suid jii-"tice of their cause, yet ])oth were, in fact, determined by uK.tives of state j)oli(y npcratinu- exclusively upo:; themselves. 'J'lie temper of the House of riepresentativos with respect to a war with Eno'land, was rendered manifest by the result of a niotion jiy I\Ir. Randolph, on May 20th. That ,a:cntleman, at'tcr a lonp- speech, condemning;' ijie present relations of the United States v/ith (ireat Britain and France, submitted to the ITousc the following resolution: '-That under the pre- sent circumstances it is inexpedient to resoit to a v^-jv with CJreat Britain." The question being' ]iUt th.at ilm House do proceed to tlie (onsideratiou of tiio said resolution, it was negatived I'v {':2 votes a.j^a.inst ;;7. All hopes of paciiic nuasures now, therefore, rested ii]ion the determination of tb.e .'■'enate, ()ii June -Ith. the President la.id before Congres.-; copies of a cor- respond-nce which liad lately taken phice between }dr. Foster and Mr. ^Tonroe. It chieliv consisted or a long argumentative letter from the former relative to the old subject of the orders in Council and the Frencli decrees, of which it is sufficient to remark that not the least expectation is held forth of any further relaxation on the part of Croat Ihltain. On the contrary, 3ir. V. says expressively, " Aui<'rica, as the case now stands. 1 ci; " '-li!' S (lie liip' V Oil! cMifidi'iit, ■.'•■nl'll;;it ;;(';fV, 'Vcnil ycar.s io filly incTC'isinu' i(ul;ir.-: iirr;ii>-- ulcfjunto iiiili- ivific-; in i\\\oY i, ;i!i(J ;-cv(.i';il ieiit.'< uj^ci] on - b Wit on topic "(ling ncutiiil y in(■^^lc;u•iou,^; (ie.^. In tliis ^tntcs bo;ust(jtl m ;i!!(l ju-ticc hIvos of stntc >ect to a ^xin- notion I'.y ^Mr. . condemn in a' 1 .'nid Fir,nc.(;, t'dl'l' tllr |)]T:- ivat Ijvitain.'"-' uidJonition of . All liopcs nnlion of the ipics of a cor- 3tcr and Mr. tcr fi'oin the 1 tlio Froncli I expretation ^I'itain. On now stands, QUEENf-iTON IIETOTTTS. 7 lias not a pretence for claiming from Groat Britain a ropciil of lior orders in Council." Proviou;dy, however, to this communication, tlio I'rcsident l;ad sent a long message to loth Houses, dated June 1st, in \vln\di ho sets forth all the injuries and hostilo mensuves (as l:c considered them) practiced by the Government of Grent .Britain and still persisted in to- wards the United States, and recommended the subject to their early delib- erations. In eotisequcnce, discussions with closed doors took place in the two house?, the final result of which was, an act passed on June lyth, dc- eiju'ing fJte dctudl. cxisieiice of ryu' between the Tnitcd Kingdom of Great iiritain and Ireland and the T'^nitcd Htatcs of America. The majority in the House of JkCpresentatives on this momentous occasion for declaring war was 70 against 49. The supporters of v/ar were chiefly the southern and western states to Pennsylvania inclusive; tlu; votes for peace were ch.iefly in the eastern and northern states, New York taking the lead. As commercial grievances constituted a great part of the complaints against Great Britain adduced to justify llie resort to arms, it is highly probably i-hat if the orders in Council had been repealed early enough for intelli- gCMce of the event to have readied Ameriua b^'Iore the final decision, tlie advocates for peace would have acjuircd so much additional strength as at least to have deferred the declaration of liostilities till time had been given for negotiating on the other points in dispute. In hhigland littlo doubt seemed to be entertained that llie news of tiie repeal of the orders in Council would arrive time enough (o prevent actual war.'' Slie luu! but roiicntly stated tliat America had no pretence for claiming the repeal of these orders, yet lor the saice of peace she repealed tiiem. That wris not fiie time for Iier to engage in another w:ir, and hast of :ill in a w.-ir wilii iier own child, Ik'sides England had many obvious retisons for (.ndoiiVovinir to avert the calamities of :;n Ae.iericau war ai (hat period. She was engaged in a very arduous eoJitc^t in Europe, slio had the most numerous and formida- ble eneniies to contend with, s!ie had tiic interest of her commereo to maintain, Wiiich is a!v.'a\s douendent in some decree on a fViendlv eonn«.e- ; .1 ~ t^ tiiin with America; and she htul, moieover, a mituval and generous aver- . ion to eon([Uer before she coidd bring hersolf to diavv the sword auain.-t a a people connccteil with hr.r by a resend)hu!ee of language, hays and ii,,ii- 'Tlie I'idled Statc.-i d(>clar(d war on \fi\h Juno, tlio' n-'vucatioii oi' tlio Oidois ill Cuuiioil loo', jilace nu ITlh .liiuc Had tln' Al'.uitic Trlr-uip!! Iirca tlicn in i>:wr;i!ioii a i!i-;i -Irdu-. war mi .'111 lia\<' lici ii ;i\(iii!id. T[IE JiATTLE (»l tuLious. Tiicso were luotivcs sullicioutly i)oworful t.u liiivc rostniint' J JMiirli.sli Ministers cvcu if they liad not bcou otherwise remarkable lor mildness and forbearaDC(>. Jiut unfortunately the news of the repeal of these orders in ('ouncil came too late, and having hastily rushed into war it was dithcult fur America to recede; indeed subsequent events rendered it highly prooable that the American (Government of that day had anticipated credit from the commencement of the war, especially from the eoiKiuest of Canada, which seems to have been regarded as an easy task. Several acts of hostility occurred between the two powers, attended with various success, but we liasten to the ])cu;inuing of the campaign against Canada. The lirst exploits of the x\mcrican army, though such as might naturally have been expected, from the total want of preparation on the part of their government or people for a war, were, nevertheless very difterent from what thi democratic party who had driven the nation into it, had anticipated. Early in July, General Hull invaded I'ppcr (.'anada with a Ibrce of five thousand eight hundred men, having crossed the 8t. Law- rence at Detroit, and marched to Sandwich ; he there issued a Procla- mation in which he expressed entire confidence of success. " I come prepared'' he said, " for every contingency. I have a force which will look down all oi">position, and that force is but the vanguard of a much greater." lie then directed his operations against Fort Amhorstburg, but he was repulsed in three different attempts to cross tlie llivcr Canard, on which it stands, and General Brock having collected a force of seven hundred British regulars and militia, and six hundred auxiliary Indians, not only relieved that Fort, but compelled Hull to retire to Fort Detroit, where he was soon after invested by General Brock. Batteries having been constructed and a fire opened, preparations were nuide for an assault, and after the town had been cannonaded for two or three hours, on the 15th and IGth of August, the American Commander surrendered himself and his Army of two thousand live hundred men, and thirty-throe pieces of cannon ; a proud trophy to have been taken with the Fort of Detroit by a British force of no more than seven hundred men, includinir militia and six hiuidred auxiliary Indians. At the same time a small I5ritish force had summoned and takrn the American Fort at .Mackinac. These successes had the most powerful I (^ULENSTOX IIKIOIITS. I J*^nirli.sli Incss .-ind (Council icult (or proiiabKi tJit from Canadii, ittondnd aDipniun latnrally a part of diflVnMif ) it, ]iad I witli a U,, Jjaw- Procla- T coiuo lich will a iiiiudi rstburg, Canard, »f seven Indians, Detroit, ng b(!('n ult, and he 15 til elf and ieces of lit by a itia and :nKHNST()\ KKKillTS 11 ns eight 41.st aud hundred nt posts, uber was division and four- nding at lid made •,st detcr- ;ut, coiii- e militia 11 Dennis and was litia who ) eu'ect a )at;i were c heights ral boats )cloAV tlie t and ro- 1 etrcctcd imiiiit of ing fioi)!. e behr.v, I coiisid- -tays sus- his stair y to his L^, awoke raig had 3 to tlie 1 at full h:'ry and I I musketry IVmn (In' Aniciic.in sliorc ( )n leadiing llic lS|M»nniii'r batti'iv at tlic top of the liill, they dismounted and tnolc ;i view of passing events, wliich at that uionient appeared higldy favorable. Uut in a few minutes a tiring was heard, which proceeded from a strong detaeliment nf Ameri- can regulars under Captain \\\}u], wlio, as just stated, had succeeded in gaining the ])row of the heights in rear of the battery, })y a lisherman's path up the rocks, which being rrporteonu' lusiiig tLeir hold 14 TIIK r.ATTLE OF I were (laslieJ fri<:;htfully ou the rucks beneath ; while others who reached the river, perished in their attempts to swim ucroHS it. The event of tlio day no longer appeared doubtful. jMajor-General Van llcnssclaer, commanding the American army, per- ceiving his reinforcements embarking very slowly, re-crossed the river to accelerate their movements; but to hia utter astonishment he found that at tlic very moment when their services were most required, the ardor of the unengaged troops had entirely subsided, (leneral Van Rensselaer rode in all directions through the camp urging his men by every consideration to pass over. Lieutenant-Colonel Bloome, who had been wounded in the action and re-crossed the river, together with Judge Peck who happened to be in Lewiston at the time, mounted their horses and rode through the camp, exhorting the eouipauies to proceed but all in vain.'-' Crowds of the United iStates militia rehiained on the American bank of the river to which they had not been marched in any order, but ran as a mob : not one of them would cross. They hud seen the wounded re-crossing; they liad seen the Indians; and tliey had seen the "green tigers," as they culled the 4i)th from their green facings, and were panic struck. There were those to be found in the American ranks who, at this critical junc- ture could talk of the Constitution and the right of the militia to refuse crossing the imaginary line which separates the two countries.f General Van llcnssclaer having found that it was impossible to urge a a single man to cross the river to reinforce the army on the heights, and that army having nearly expended its ammunition, boats were immediately sent to cover their retreat ; but a desultory fire which was maintained up- on the ferry from a battery on the bank at the lower end of Queenston, completely dispertjcd the boats, and many of the boatmen re-landed and fled in dismay. Brigadier- General Wadsworth was, therefore, compelled, after a vigorous conflict had been maintained for some time upon both sides, to surrender himself and all his officers and nine hundred men, be- tween three and four o'clock in the afternoon. The loss of the British army was sixteen killed and sixty-nine wounded; while that on thQ side of the Americans was not less than nine hundred men made prisoners and one gun and two colors taken, and ninety killed and about one hundred wounded. But amongst the *Major-(jeueral Van Rensselaer's letter to Major-(Jcii!?ral M. Dear))orii, dated Head Quartci's, Lowiston, 11th October, 1812. tAmerican Report of the Battle of Queenston. 10 readied voiit of tlio arujy, pcr- le rivor to build that 10 ardor of f^olacr rodo isidoration led in tlie happened irough the (•rowds of ic river to mub : not ing; they " as they :. There cal junc- to refuse to urge a ghts, and ncdiately lined up- neenston, uded and )nipel]ed, pen both men, bo- xty-nine CHS than ceu, and igst tlic ni, d.'iteil QlfEKNHTON TIEKIIITS. II I 1 killed of the Uritiwh army the fiovcrnmcnt and tlie country had to dr]>l()re the 1(»SH of one of their bravest and most zealous gencralH i:i Sir Isaac iJroclc, and one whose memory will long live in the warmest afTections of every Canadian and British subject, and the country had also to deplore the loss of the eminent services and talents of Tjieutenant-Coloncl 3Ic- Poiicll, Provincial Aid-de-Camp and Attorney rjeneral of the Province, whoso gallantry and merit rendered him worthy of his chief. Cajilains Dennis and Williams, commanding the Hank companifs of tlic 49tli regiment which wore stationed at Quecnston were wounded, bravely contending at the head of their men against superior uumbers. Captain Dennis, ihougli with great pain and diiricuhy, kept the field to the lairt. Great praise was due to Captain Ilolcrot't of the royal artil- lery, for his judicious and skilful co-op<-ration with the guns and how- itzers under his immediate superintendence, the well-directed fire from which contributed materially to the fortunate result of the day. Ca])tain Derenzy of the 41st regiment brought up the reinforcement of that corps from Fort George, and Captain Bullock led that of the same regiment from Chippawa, and under their command those dctachmenls acquitted themselves in such a manner as to sustain the reputation wliicli the list regiment had already acquired in the vicinity of Detroit. Major-General Brock, soon after bis arrival at Queenston, hud sent down orders for battering the American Fort Niagara. Brigadier-Major Evans who was left in charge of Fort Georgo, directed the operations against it with so much ellect as to silence its fire, and to force the troops to abandon it, and by his prudent precautions he prevented mischief of a most serious nature which otherwise might have been cil'ectcd, the enemy having used healed shot in firing at Fort George. In these ser- vices he was most offectually aided by Colonel Claus, (who remained in the Fort at the desire of Major-Goneral Sheafle,) and by Cajtlain \'ig- oureux of the Royal Engineers. The guns on Fort George were und(;r the immediate direction of Captains Powell and Cameron of the militia artillery. Lieutenant Crowther of tlio list regiment iiad charge of two tlirec- pounders which had accompanied the littie corps, and they were em. jiloyed with very good cfll'ct. Captain Glcgg of the 4i)th regiment, Aid-de-camp to General Brock, afforded most essential assistance, and the services of Lieutenant Fowler IG THK IIATTI.K OF of tlir 41st i<\t;iin('iit, Assi.staiiL Dcpiiiy Cinartcr MnstcM' (Jonriiil, were v(!iy usoful. Much nid was derivtitl too from llio activity and intelligence of Liculonanl Kcir <'f lln' Cilon^'any FenciblcH, wlio wan employed in ioiiiniunications with tlio Indians and other ilankiug parties. Lieutenant Colonrls Bullor and Clark of the militia, and Captains Halt, Durand, Howe, Apj)legarth, James Crooks, CJnoper, Robt. Ham- ilton, ^IcEwan, and Duncan Cameron, and Lieutenants Robinson and Thomas Butler, eommatiding flank companies of the Lincoln and York militia, led their men into action with great spirit. Major JMcrritt, com- mandinir the Niagara Dragoons, gave great osf-istance with part of his corps ; Captain A. Hamilton, belonging to it, was disabled from riding, and attached himself to the guns under Captain Flolcroft, and his activity and usefulness weie highly spoken of. Volunteers Shaw, Thomson, and Jarvis, attached to the flank companies of the 49th regiment, con- riucted themselves with great spirit; the first was wounded, and tl'.c la.st taken prisoner. Norton was wounded, but not badly ; he and the In- dians particularly distinguislied themselves, and they behaved with the same bravery and humanity as they displayed at the taking of Detroit, when General Brock in the despatch to Sir George Provos?, ot the 17th August, 1812, says :— -" They were led yesterday by Colonel Elliot and Captain McKee, and nothing could exceed their order and steadiness. A few i)risoners were taken by these during the advance, whom they treated with every humanity, and it aflbrds mo much pleasure in assuring your Excellency, that such was their forbearance and attention to what was required of them, that the enemy sustained no other loss in men than wa.*! occasioned by the fire of our batteries." In Major-Gcneral Sheafle's despatch, which has mainly furnished the Ibnigoing details, particular mention is made of the spirit and good con- duct of His jMajesty's troops of the militia, and of the other provincial corps. They were eminently conspicuous on this occasion, and this arm of the service was subsequently complimented by the Duke of Wellino-- Ion, who in his protest against the third reading of the Bill to re-unite Upper and Lower Canada, stated that " The operations of the war were carried on with but little assistance from the mother country in regular troops, and had thus demonstrated that the Provinces were capable of defending themselves against all the eflbrts of tlieir powerful neighbours, the United States." i QUEKNHTON IlKJUllTtJ. 17 liil, \vero Iclligrncp ployed iji Captains bt. Ifam- iii.son and ind York ritt, com- art of his ni ridinn^, is activity riionison, lent, cnn- d tl-.e last I the In- with the Detroit, the 17lli Elliot and tincss. A 7 treated ■ing your tvliat was than was ished the cod con- rovincial this arm VVelHno:- re-unite 'ar were I regular ipable of a^hbours, Notliing could [lo.ssibly exoord the hfrnic bravery manifrsted on })olh sides during this Hanguinury contest, Colonel Van ifcnssolacr, Aid-de- camp to (Jeneral Van Kenssolacr, who led the van of the invading ainiv, displayed much real courage in the gallant and intrepid nianiu-r in which ho formed the division under his command, on tlu! niaigin of the liver, and led them on to the attack. He even after receiviiig linir wnnnds continued to issue his orders. Captain Wool, an oflicer only twenty-six years of age, Hke\vise dis- played great courage and self-devotcdness to iiis country's service. The na.Ties also of Brigadicr-CJeneral Wadswrxih, Colonel Scoll, Lieutenant-Colonels (Uiristie and Fenwick, and Captain Clibson, and several others of an inferior rank, are honorably s])oken of in (Jeneral \'aii Rensselaer's despatches fo General Dear])orn on the subject. And as a tribute to the magnanimity of tiie enemy it is recorded, that (luring the movement of the funeral procession of the brave JJrock I'rcua (Juecnston to Fort George, a distance of seven niilep, minute guns were fired at every American post on that j);irt of the lines, and even the appearance of hostilities was suspended. ^lajor-Gcncral Van llcnssolacr also in a letter of condolence informed 3Iajor-Gcncral HhcalTo that innnodiatcly after the funeral solemnities were over on the British side, a coinpliuient of minute guns would bo paid to the hero's memory on theirs I Accordingly the cannons at Fort Niagara were fired " as a mark of respect duo to a brave enemy." How much is it then to be regretted that we should over come into collision with those who possess the same origin and the same language as ourselves, and who by their generous feelings and conduct proved that they arc a liberal as they undoubtedly arc a gallant people ; and may the future rividry of both powers be, not for the unnatural destruction of each other, but for the bene- fit of mankind. Major-Gencral Shcallb, on the* morning subse(iucnt to the battle, hu- manely consented to a cessation of offensive hostilities on the solicitation of Major-Gcneral Van llensselaer, for the purpose of allowing the Americans to remove the slain and wounded. It would be beyond the purpose of the present work to continue the history of the war. If we did so, wo should liave to recount how the Americans, though unsuccessful with their army in the various attacks 18 Tin: iiattm; of tliry iindc on (\m;i(lii, iiu't with oxtrfionliiKiry atnl iinloolcod for Irluiiiplis at HCiv, whicli in Kiiropo cxditcd tlio greater 8»;rj,Mation, tliat tlioy nliook the f:;oncnil boiler tlint at tluit time prrvailiMl of Mritisli invinei- hilify at Hcn. \i\it it must be rcmoinborcd, tliat tbo threat contest in thn Tenin.snla was yet doubtful and undecided, and every sabre and bayonet that couhl be spared was sent to feed the army of V\%'lIinfrton, wliieh rendered it a matter of impossi})iIity to de.^^pateli any adecniate foree to the (Canadian frontier. Whilst, therefore, we admit the irallantry whieli won for the Americans their laurels at sea und(>r these peculiar and exceptional eircunistanee.s, wo would at tho same time express our f(!rvent hope, not only that they may lontj wear them, but that two countries like (ireat Britain and tlic United States, allied by so many natural ties and secular and religious interests, may forever, as they do now, dwell together in unit} and in the ])ond8 of peace. In sad and solemn silence were the rcnuiins of our hero conveyed from Quccnston to Government House, Niatrara. The body Avas bedewed with the tears of many affectionate friends, and after lying in state, was interred on tlie null October, witli his Aid-de-Camp, at Fort Ccorge; JMajor Cjlcgg, his surviving Aid-de-Camp, recollecting the decided aversion of the General to every thing that bore the appearaucc of ostentatious dis- j>lay, endeavoured to clothe the distressing ceremony with all his '^ native simplicity." But at the same ti»uc, there were military honors that could not be avoided, and the following was tho order of the mournful procession, "of which," writes Major (ilegg, ''I ouclosc a plan; but no pen can describe the real scenes of that mournful day. A more solemn and affect- ing spectacle was, perhaps, never witnessed. As every arrangement con- nected with that affecting ceremony fell to my lot, a second attack being hourly expected, and the minds of all being fully occupied with the duties of their respective stations, I anxiously endeavoured to perform this last tribute of affection in a manner corresponding with the elevated virtues of my departed patron. Considering that an interment, in every respect military, would be the most appropriate to the character of our dear friend, I made choice of a cavalier bastion in Fort George, which his aspiring genius had lately suggested, and which had been just finished under his daily supcrintcndance." (iUELNHTON II KK HITS. 19 okcd for til at thoy I invinci- ost in tho I bayonet 'II, which rcc to tho liich won :ccptional lopi', not ko Great id secular tether in yod from wed with i interred ; Major er«ion of iouH dis- '* native lat could ocession, pen can d aHcct- cut con- k being ic duties this last virtues respect ur dear lich his finished Foiit-Ma.jou ('ami'Ih;i,i,. Sixty men of the list Ki.';:iiiionl, cuniimiiidcd by a .subultorn. kSixtv of the Militia, coniniandcd by a Captain. Two .six-pounders— filing' minute ^un.s. HcmaininiJ!; corps and ditaclimenlHof the (larrison, with about 200 Indiami in reverse order, t'(ini;iii<; a street through which tlu' proee.vsion passed, extendiu:^ from the (jovernment lIou.«)c to the (jarrifiou. Band of tho list llegiment. Drums covered with black cloth, and mutlled. Late Oenerars horse, fully caparisoned, led by four grooms. Servants of tho (acneral. The General's Itody Servant. Sii'"con Muirhead, Doctor Kerr, Do.Lor Moore, Staff Surgeon Thorn. lleverend i^Ir. Addison. The body of Jiieut. Colonel M( Donkli,, P.AD.C. Ciipt. A. Cameron, Lieut. Ikobinson, J. Edwards, EfH{., SL-mMMlTCK. Mr. Dickson, Lieut. Jarvi.i, Lieut, liidout, Capt. Crooks, SlI'l'URTKK. Capt. Cameron, rniEP MOl-RNKIi. Mr. McDonell. THE BODY OF MAJOll-GENEKAl. BROCK. surronTERS. Mr. James Collin, D.A.C.C, Capt. Vigoreaiix, B. E., Capt. Dereuzy, 41st Be,^t., Cai)t. Dcnuis, I'Jtli Begt., Capt. Iloleraft, It. A. SL'l'l'OIiTiai. Brigade Major Evans. Sri'l'OUTERS, Capt. Williams, lOth Begt., Major Merritt, L.ll. Lin. Mil., Lieut. CoL Chirk, Lin. Mil., Lieut. Col. Butler., Colonel Clans. SIl'l'OKTKU. Capt. C.Icgg, A.D.C. CIITEr MOURNERS. JNIajor General Shealfe, Lieut. Colonel Myers, D.Q.M.G. Ensign Coffin, A.D.C, Lieut. Fowler, A.D.C^.M.G. The Civil Staff. Friends of the deceased, luhabitauts.* •Extracted from the York Gazette, October 2 Ith, LS12. 20 THE IJATTLE OF il m The fuucral solemnities on the British side being over, the touching conipliuieut of minute guns was paid to the liero's memory on the Ameri- ean, to which we have already alluded. The death of Brock occasioned universal sorrow, not only throughout (Janadabut in the mother country also. At the time when he assumed the government of the Province, he found a divided, disaffected, and weak peo- ple, but possessing in an eminent degree those virtues which add lustre to bravery and those talents which shine alike in the cabinet and in the field, he succeeded in gaining the full confidence of every political party, and iu forming a united and strong people, capable, in their country's need, of pro- tecting her against all the attempts of her powerful neighbour.-. "His man- ners and disposition were so conciliating," says a writer of that period, "as to gain the affection of all whom he commanded, while his innate nobleness and dignity of mind secured him a respect almost amounting to veneration." Nature had been very bountiful to Sir Isaac '^Brock in those personal gifts which appear to such peculiar advantage in the army, and at the first glance the soldier and the gentleman were seen. In stature he was tall, his fine and benevolent countenance was a perfect index of his mind, and his manners were courteous, frank and engaging. Brave, liberal and hu- mane, devoted to his sovereign and loving his country with romantic fond- ness ; in command so gentle and persuasive, yet so firm that he pos- sessed the rare faculty of acquiring both the respect and the attachment of all who served under him. When urged by some friends shortly be- fore his death to be more careful of his person, he replied, " how can I expect my men to go where 1 am afraid to lead them ;" and although perhaps his anxiety ever to show a good example by being foremost in danger, induced him to expose himself more than strict prudence or for- mality warranted, yet if he erred on this point his error was that of a soldier. Elevated to the government of Upper Canada, he reclaimed many of the disaffected by mildness, and fixed the wavering by the argument of success, and having no national partialities to gratify, he meted equal favor and justice to all. British born subjects soon felt convinced that neither their religion or their birth-place was an obstacle to their advance- ment. Even over the minds of the Indians Sir Isaac Brock gained, at and after the capture of Detroit, an ascendancy altogether unexampled, and which he judiciously exercised for purposes conducive equally to the cause of humanity and to the interests of the country. lie engaged them to throw i c touching- the Ameri- throughout ssunied the d weak peo- Id lustre to n the field, irty, and iu eed, of pro- ''Ilis man- period, "as 3 nobleness jneration." je personal at the first e was tall, mind, and al and hu- mtic fond- it he pos- ttachment ihortly be- how can I although remost in ice or for- that of a aied many argument ted equal Qced that advance- jained, at pled, and e cause of to throw QUEENSTON nEIOIITS. •Jl aside the scalping knife, implanted in their breasts the virtues of clemency and forbearance, and taught them to feel pleasure and pride in the compas- sion extended to a varquished enemy ; in return they loved him as their common father, and while under his command were guilty of no excesses.'*' In a despatch from Earl Bathurst, Secretary of State for the Colonies to Sir George Prevost, the following tribute of ^ospe^;t is paid by iha British Government, to the memory of General ]}rock : — '' His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, is fully aware of the severe loss which His Majesty's service has experienced in the death of Major- (Jeueral Sir Isaac Brock. That would have been sufficient to have cloud- ed a victory of much greater importance. His Majesty has lost iu him, not only an able and meritorious officer, but one who, in the exercise of liis functions of Provincial Lieutenant-Governor of the Province, displayed mI tlic lawless net, the etle,t the softened sounds of martial music — lowered down into their respt^etive vaults, and deposited in the stone shells prepared for tlicni. The foundation stone was then laid by Lieut. (!ol. McDoni.'ll, bnitlierul' the gallant man who shared the fate and the honors of his Commander-in- Chief, and addresses were then delivered by the Hon. ^V. 11. Merritt, M. P., David Thorburn, Esq., Col. Taelu-, Col. E. W. Thomson, c^e. 82 THE IJATTLt: OF The column was couiplcted in IHf)!). 'J'hc .surroumHn<2; j^rounJs, con- tuininj^ about lort}- acicM, have now been Icncod in, a Ktono lodgo erected witli hand.sonic wrouj:;ht iron ornamental jj^atcs and cut stone piers, sur- mounted with the arms ol" the hero at the eastern entrance. From the entrance a carriapje road, of easy ascent, winds up the steep, and is con- tinued to the hcij^hts by an avenue 100 feet wide, planted with chesnuts, maples, A:e., terminating at the monument in a circle 180 feet diameter. The monument, as already stated, was designed by and completed under the superintendence of W. Thomas, Esq., architect of Toronto, who had also under his manat^ement and superintendence the erection of the lod^i^e, laying out of the grounds, formation of roads, and all necessary works ; and the manner in which ho di.'^chargod these dutic,-! gave the committee great satisfaction. Upon the .solid rock is built a foundation 40 feet square and 10 feet thick of massive stone; upon this the structure stands in a grooved plinth or sub-basement 38 feet square and 27 feet in height, and has an eastern entrance by a massive oak door and bronze pateras, forming two galleries to the interior 114 feet in extent, round the inner pedestal, on the north and south sides of which, in vaults under the ground floor, are deposited the remains of (Jcneral Brock, and those of his Aidc-dc-Camp, Colonel Mc- Donell, in massive stone .sarcophagi. On the exterior angles of the sub- basement arc placed lions rampant seven feet in height, sujiporting .shields with the armorial bearings of the hero — on the north side is the following inscription : IJPPEU CANADA Has dedicated this monument to the memory of l.ic late MAJOR-CENEKAL Sill ISAAC BROCK, K. 13., Provincial Lieut. Governor and Commander of the Forces in this Province, whose remains are deposited in the vault beneath. Opposing the invading enemy, he fell in action near these heights, On the 18th of October, 1812, In the 43rd year of his age. Revered and lamented by the people whom he governed, and deplored by the Sovereign to whose service his life had been devoted. UUEKNMTON IIKKIIITS. 8B On brnss platen, within the column, are the rollovvinL; inHcriptions : In II vault uudornijath arc dopo.sitod the mortal rcmaiua of the lamented Ma.joiMJunkual Sir Isaac IJuock, K.IJ., Who fell in action near these heights on loth October, IS 12, And was entombed on the IGth October at the bastion of Fort (Jeorgo, Niagara, removed from thence and rc-interrod under a monument to the eastward of this site on the llJth Octol)cr, 1824, and in consequence of that monumcBt havinj^ received irreparable injury by a lawless act on 17th of April, 18; J, it was found re(|ui.sitc to takedown the former structure and erect thia monument — the foundation stone beini]; laid, and the remains again re-intcrred with duo solemnity on loth October, ISfio. In a vault beneath arc deposited the mortal remains of Lieut. Col. John McDoNELTi, P.A.D.O., And Aidc-dc-Camp to the lamented Major-Oeneral Sir Isaac IIrock, K. Ti., Who fell mortally wounded in the battle of (^ucenston. on the loth Oct., 1812, and died on tlio following day. His remains were removed and re-interred with due solemnity On lath October, 1853. The column is placed on a platform slightly elevated, within a dwarf wall enclosure 75.0 ^([uare, with a fosse around the interior. At each angle arc placed mas;-iive military trophic.^, in pedestals, in carved stone, 20.0 in height. Standing upon the sub-basement is the pedestal of the order, 10. 9 s-((uarc, and 88.0 in height, the die having on three of its enriched pan- nelled sides, emblematic baso relievos, and on the north side, fronting Qucenston, the battle scene in alto relievo. The plinth of, the order is enriched with lion's heads, and wreaths in bold relief. The column is of the lioman composite order, 95.0 in height, a fluted shaft, 10.0 diameter at the base ; the loftiest column known of this style ; the lower tones enriched with laurel leaves, and the flutes terminating on the base with palms. 1f 84 THE 73ATTLE OF The capital of the column is IG.O square, and 12. G high. On each face i.s sculptured a figure of victory, 10. G high, with extended arms, grasping militaiy shields as volutes j the acanthus leaves being wreathed with puhns, the whole after the manner of the antique. From the ground to to the gallery at the top of the column, i.s continued a staircase of cut stone, worked with a solid nurel of 235 steps, and sufficiently lighted by loop- holes in the fluting of the column, and other circular wreathed openings. Upon the abacus stands the cippas, supporting the statue of the hero, sculptured in military costume, 17.0 high, the left hand resting on the sword, the right arm extended, with baton. The height from the ground to the top of the statue is 190, exceeding that of any mouumcatal column, ancient or modern, known, with the exception of that on Fish Street Hill, London, England, by Sir Christopher Wren, architect, in commemoration of the great fire of IGGG, 202 feet high, which exceeds it in height by 12 feet. Great praise is due to the contractor, Mr. J. Worthington, for the skilful manner in which the work was executed ; some of the pieces of stone in the formation of the capital of the column, being nearly three tons in weight, and elevated about IGO feet from the ground, and not the slightest accident occurring to any of the workmen during the period of its erection. The comparative heights of some of the principal monuments of the kind, ancient and modern, are as follows : — EXTIRR iiEionr. Poinpoy's Pilliir DO.O Trojan's Pilkr 11"). Antonia Column 1 23.0 Monument on Fish Street Hill 202.0 York Column. 137.0 Napoleon Column, Paris 132.0 J uly Column, Paris IGG.O Alexander Column, St. PotPrsburuli 1 To.G Melville Column, Edinburgli 152.7 Nelson Column, Dublin 131.0 N'lson Colunni, Yarmoutli 110. Nelson Column, Ijondon, from the k'vcl of llu; pavement in Traral<;;ar Squarn 171 .0 Thus, then, there is only one column, either ancient or modern, in Europe, that exceeds the entire height of the Brock Monument, which is QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 35 that erected in London by Sir Chvit-toplicr ^Vrcn, in coniuienioration of the gretit fire in 10r«(>. From the top of tlic column, a ma;i;niliccnt view of the surrounding country can be obtained. To the north, and immediately below, is the Town of Quecnston. It is ut the head of the navij^able waters of the Niaf^ara. Queenston had used to be the place of depot for all public stores and merchandise which were brought from Kingston and Lower Canada. Public stores for Forts Erie and Maiden, and merchandise for all the country above, as well as the returns of furs and produce by that route downwards, were all stored for a time at Quecnston. They were then transported over the carrying place, or portage, by waggons, a dis- tance of nine miles to and from Chippawa, above the Falls. Hallways have altered all this, and trade has been diverted into other channels. The principal buildings were burnt during the war. In the distance, about seven miles, is the Town of Niagara, a place of much business and resort. It is situate at the mouth of the Niagara Jlivcr. As you cuter the town from Quecnston, is the old Fort George ; about a mile north of the town is Fort IMissessaga. On the American side, opposite, is Fort Niagara. On the cast of the monument, is Lcwiston, and the beautiful Suspen- sion Bridge. From the sudden change in the face of the country at this spot, and the c(|ually sudden change in the river, with respect to its breadth, depth, and current, it has been conjectured that the Falls, some- where about thirty thousand years ago, must have been at this place where the waves are so abruptly contracted between the hills; and the con- jecture is strengthened by the fact well ascertained, that the Falls have receded very considerably since they were first visited by Europeans, and that they are still receding every year. To the south arc the beautiful villages of Stamford, Drummondvillc, and the battle field of Lundy's Lane, and a little to the left is the terrific whirlpool, almost as tremendous as the 3Lv;lstrom of Norway. The view from this monument of the surrounding country, is perhaps unsurpassed for magnificence by any on the American continent, and the spot has been appropriately chosen as the fittest to blazon forth the achieve- ments of the virtuous and the brave. ^ '^1 lllil! 86 TIIK BATTLE 01' As Fame alif^litod on the moiinUiiii'.s crc't, SIio loudly blow her trumpet's miylity blusl, Ere she repeated victory's notes, she cast A look around and stopijcd : of power bereft, Iler V>osoin heaved, her Ijreath she drew with pain. Her ftivorite BROCK lay slau;^'htercd on the plain ! (J lory threw on his grave a laurel wreath. And Fame proclaims, " A hero sleeps beneath." William Brock, the grandfather of our hero, was connected by marriago with one of the piincipal and most eminent families of the island of Gueinsey. lie had three sous and a daughter. John Brock, Esq., his second son, had by liis wife Elizabeth De Lesle, a very numerous family often sous and four daughters, of whom eight sons and two daughters reached maturity. lie died in June, 1777, at Dinan, in Brittany, where he had gone for the benefit of the waters, at the early age of 48 years. In his youth he was a midshipman in the navy, and in that capacity had made a voyage to India, which was then cousidered a great undertaking. The family was left in independent if not in affluent circumstances. Isaac Brock, the eighth son, was born in the parish of St. Pctcr-Port, Guernsey, on the Gth October, 17G9, the year which gave birth to Napo- leon and AA^ellington. In his boj-hood he was like his brothers, unusually tall, robust and precocious, and with an appearance much beyond his age, remarkable chiefly for his extreme gentleness. In his eleventh year he was sent to school at Southampton, and his education was concluded by his being placed for a twelve month under a French protestant clergyman at llottcrdam, for the purpof'^ of learning the French language. The eldest brother John, a lieutenant in the 8th (the King's Regiment) being promoted to a company by purchase, Isaac succeeded, also by purchase, to the ensigncy which consequently became vacant in that regiment, and to which he was appointed on 2nd March, 1785, soon after he had completed his l5th year. In 1700 he was promoted to a lieutenancy and was quartered in Guernsey and Jersey. At the close of that year he obtained an independent company. He exchanged soon after into the 49th, which regiment he joined at Barbadoes in 1701, and 1 o remained doing duty there and afterwards in Jamaica until 1793, when he was compelled to return very suddenly to England on sick leave. On his return from Ja- maica Captain Brock was employed on the recruiting service in England QUEENSTON HETQHTS. 87 marriage Island of Dc Lcslc, iiglit sons at Dinan, the early 'y, ami in isidercd a n affluent ctcr-Port, to Napo- unusually d his age, year he eluded by Icrgyman go. The nt) being rchasc, to Qt, and to completed and was J obtained th, which l)ing duty pelled to from Ja- England I and afterwards in charge of u number of recruits in Jersey. On 24th of June, 1795, he purchased liis majority. On 27ih of October, 1707, just alter he had completed his twenty-eighth year, Major Brock purchased his lieutenant-colonelcy, and soon after became senior lioutenant-colonel of the 49th. In 1709 his regiment embarked on an expedition under Sir Ralph Abercrombie to Holland, then in alliance with the French republic. On its landing an engagement took place which cost the British about 1000 men. During this campaign Lieutenant-Colonel Brock distinguished himself in command of his regiment, and on the 2nd October, in the bat- tle of Egmont-op-Z^j, was slightly wounded. The 49th, on the return of the expedition from Holland, was again quartered in Jersey, and early in 1801 was embarked in the lieet destined for the Bailie under Sir Hyde Parker, and Lieutenant-Colonel Brock was the second in command of the land forces at the memorable attack of Copenhagen by Lord Nelson, on the 2ud of April. On the return of the 49th to England it was collected at Colchester, and in the Spring follow- ing, 1802, the regiment s ;iled for Cannd'i. the scene of the fame and death of its commanding ofiicer. In less than eighteen months after the arrival of the 49th in Canada, a serious conspiracy was on the point of breaking out in that part of the regiment which was in garrison at Fort George. The officer in command, had, it seems, more by useless annoyance than actual severity, exaspe- rated the men to that degree, that they n)rmcd a plot to murder all the officers present Vi'itli the exception of a young man who had recently joined; and then to cross over to the United States. Tiieutenant-Colouel Brock, by promptitude of action, secured the ringleaders; and four, on being tried by Court Martial, were cotidemned to suffer death, and were shota^ Quebec in the presence of the garrison, early in March, 1804. The unfortunate sufferers declared publicly that had they continued under the command of Colonel Brock, they would have escaped their melancholy end, and as may be easily conceived, he felt no little anguish that they who had so recently and so bravely fought under him in Holland and at I'openhagen, were thus doomed to end their lives the victims of unruly passions, inflamed by vexatious authority. Ho was now directed to aa- j^ume tho command at Fort George, and all complaint and desertion instantly ceased. The Duke of York was heard to declare that Lieut- Colonel Brock, from one of the worst, had made the 49th one of the best regiments in the service. S8 THE BATTLE OF . In tlic foil of 1805 — in October (»f wlii(;h jenr lie was luriJc full Colonel — Colonel IJrock ntmiicd to Europe on lonve; and early in the following; jear he laid before liis Eoyal Highness the (.\>uitnandor-in-Cliief the out- lines of a plan for the forniatiou of a veteran battalion to serve in the Canadas, ami for wliieh he received the s-peeial thanks of the Duke of York. While oil a visit to his family and friends in CJuernsey, (.'olonel Brock deemed the intelligence from the United States to be of so warlike a fdjaractcr that he resolved on returuinj^ to Canada. He left liondon on the 2Gr]i Jane. 180G, and hurried away from Europe, never to return. Soon after his anival in Canada, Colonel iJroek succeeded on the 27th September, 180G, to the command of the troop? in the two Provinces, inakintr Quebec his residence; Colonel Bowes — afterwards slain on the liTth June, 1812, while leading the tr^-^ps to the assault of the forts of Sala- manca — having resigned that command on his departure for England. On the 2d July, 1808, Colonel Brock was appointed to act as a Brigadier: }i distinguished mark of approval of his conduct. fhigndier Jivuck, in 1810, proceeded to the l.'pper Province, having been replaced at Quebec by l^aron do llottenburg, and he continued in command of the troops there till his death ; Lieutonaut-Governor Gore at that time administering the civil Government. On the 4th June, 1811, Brigadier Brock was promoted and appointed by the Prince Begent, to serve as a Major-General on the staff of ?'rortli America. Sir Janics Craig, wiio had been in chief command of the Briti.->h North American Pj•oviuce^:, embarked for England in dune, ISII, in ill health, and died sever;:! rionths after his arrival there. He was .succeeded by Sir George P. ^vo.>it, w-ho arrived at Quebec in .September ; and on tlie Oth of October M; jor-Gcneral Brock, in audition to tliC command of the troop.>, was t.ppointed President and Administrator of the Government in Upper Canada, ii' place of Lieutenant-Governor Gore, who returned to England, on leave, Ai tlie eiose of the year, His Boyai Highness the Puke of Vork e.\pre?:.sed at length every inclination to gratify Major-Cxen- eral Brock's wishes for more active employment in Europe, and Sir Geo. Prevost was authoiisod to replace him by another olllcer; but when the permission reached Canada early in 1812, a war with the U^uited State.< was evidently near at hand, and Major-General Brock, with such a pros- 1 Colonel Following: ' the out- ;c iu tlio 1 Duke of icl Brook warlike a (jii(li>n on return. the 27 111 'rovinces, ;a on the tsof Sala- England. Brigadier ; L-c, having itinucd in vnov Goro appointed of Nortli tWii North ill health, jceded by on the 0th id of the rnnient in eturned to hnes.s the ajor-Gcn- 1 Sir Geo. when the ted States ch a pros- QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 30 pect, was retained both by honor and inelinatiou in the country, and he employed himself vigorously to the adoption of such precautionary mea- sures as ho deemed necessary to meet all future contingencies. From the first moment of being placed at the head of the Government, he appears to have boon convinced that war was inevitable, and in consc- (juence used every exertion to place the Province in as respectable a state of defence as his very limited means would admit. Immediately after war was declared, he made Fort George his head (juartcrs, and superintended the various defences on the river. He then went to Vork, (now Toronto ) where the Legislature was assembled, and having despatched the public business, set out for Amherstburg on the 0th of August, with 250 militia, who cheerfully came forward to accompany him. The taking of Detroit soon followed, an achievement which his energy and decision crowned with such unqualified success, that the Gov- ernment at homo appointed him an extra Knight of tlie most Hono- rable Order of the Bath, and he was gazetted to this mark of his country's aj)probation, so gratifying to the feelings of a soldier, on the 10th October, but he lived not long enough to learn that he had obtained so honora])Ic a distinction, the knowledge of which would have cheered him in his last moments. On the 6th October when his despatches, accompanied by the colors of the U. S. 4tli regiment, reached London, the Park and Tower guns fired a salute, and in one short week afterwards Brock died. }.uw bending o'er the nigged Ijicr. The soldier drops the mournful tear, For life departed, valour driven. Fresh from the field of death to heaven. Ihit time Khali fondly trace the nani(? Of Brock upon the scrolls of fame, And those bright Laurels, which should r'sivB Upon the brow of one so brave. Shall flourish vcrual o'er his grave.