Voyager

When asked to produce an article on Sir Isaac Brock, I initially sought to strongly criticize Brock’s reckless disregard for his life at the Battle of Queenston Heights. After deeper examination of his situation during the battle and after considering his legacy, I decided it better to look at how his death has provided a lasting and potent legacy for our Canadian identity.

            The Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812 was the culmination of the effort by the Americans under the overall command of Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer to subvert control of the Niagara Peninsula from British control. Having failed in their attempt on the 11th of October to make the crossing from the American side of the Niagara River, a second attempt was made on the morning of October 13th. After major bombardment from British emplacements, bateaux laden with American regulars and militia landed on the British shores. What followed was a bloody series of engagements where the British with the support of Canadian and Native forces managed to hold off American advances. While the main American force had stalled at the base of the river a number soldiers embarked on bateaux had drifted to Hamilton Cove to the north of Queenston and were taken prisoner; the general disarray in the American camp and the inability of the soldiers to steer the bateaux made reinforcement difficult and resupply impossible. It looked as if the Americans were utterly defeated until a large detachment of American soldiers under Captain John Ellis Wool managed to scale the bluffs to the south of Queenston and seized the heights from the British gunners emplaced there. Unable to spike the guns, the gunners fled the heights as the American forces seized this key location overlooking the town. Observing this and recognizing the threat that this position posed for engaged British forces, Major General Sir Isaac Brock decided to take the initiative and counter attack.