This article or section is missing citations or needs footnotes. Using inline citations helps guard against copyright violations and factual inaccuracies. (April 2008)

Battle of Queenston Heights
Part of the War of 1812
"Push on, brave York Volunteers!" A mortally wounded Brock urges the Canadian militia forward. Apocryphal reconstruction, oil on canvas.
Date October 13, 1812 Location Queenston, Ontario Result Decisive British Victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom Canada	United States
Commanders
Isaac Brock † Roger Sheaffe	Stephen Van Rensselaer
Strength
1,300	6,000 (roughly 1,500 engaged)
Casualties and losses
14 dead, 77 wounded Total: 91	100 dead, 300 wounded, 925 captured Total: 1,325

The Battle of Queenston Heights was a British victory during the War of 1812 which took place on October 13, 1812, near Queenston, Ontario. It was fought between United States regulars and New York militia forces led by Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer, and British forces led by Major General Sir Isaac Brock and Major General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe. The battle, the largest in the war to that point, was fought as the result of an American attempt to establish a foothold on the Canadian side of the Niagara River before campaigning ended with the onset of winter. This decisive battle was the result of a poorly managed American campaign, and is most historically significant for the fact that in it, the British lost their commander, General Brock, who was killed by an unknown shooter. This article is about the U.S.–U.K. war. ... Image File history File links Push_on,_brave_York_volunteers. ... is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the overture by Tchaikovsky, see 1812 Overture; For the wars, see War of 1812 (USA - United Kingdom) or Patriotic War of 1812 (France - Russia) For the Siberia Airlines plane crashed over the Black Sea on October 4, 2001, see Siberia Airlines Flight 1812 1812 was a leap year starting... The Village of Queenston (Latitude 43°10N Longitude 79°03W) is located 5km north of Niagara Falls, Ontario in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links US_flag_15_stars. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... This article refers to the British general. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... General Roger Sheaffe was a British General in the first part of the 19th century. ... Image File history File links US_flag_15_stars. ... Stephen Van Rensselaer III (November 1, 1764–January 26, 1839) was an American statesman, soldier, and land-owner, the heir to one of the greatest estates in the New York region at the time. ... The Niagara campaign was the final campaign to invade Canada during the War of 1812. ... The Battle of Fort George was a battle fought during the War of 1812, in which the Americans captured the British fort on western Lake Ontario. ... Combatants United Kingdom United States Commanders John Vincent John Chandler, William Winder Strength 700 3,400 Casualties 22 dead, 134 wounded 55 dead or wounded, 113 captured The Battle of Stoney Creek was fought on June 6, 1813, during the War of 1812 near Stoney Creek, Ontario. ... Belligerents Britain United States Commanders James FitzGibbon Charles G. Boerstler Strength 400 natives, 50 regulars 575 regulars Casualties and losses 25 killed and wounded 80 dead or wounded, 462 captured The Battle of Beaver Dams was a small battle on June 24, 1813, during the War of 1812. ... After the successful bayonet charge of the British the Fort of Niagara was quickly captured and along with it a large number of American prisoners. ... A new invasion of Canada was planned under the command of General Jacob Brown, aimed at the Niagara Peninsula. ... The Battle of Chippawa (sometimes spelled Chippewa) was a decisive victory for the American army which allowed for the invasion of Canada along the Niagara River. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Gordon Drummond Phineas Riall Jacob Brown Winfield Scott Strength At start: 2,200, 5 guns Reinforcements: 1,800, 3 guns At start: 2,000, 3 guns Reinforcements: 1,000, 6 guns Casualties 84 dead 559 wounded 193 missing 42 captured 171 dead 572 wounded 110... The Battle of Cooks Mills was the last engagement between U.S. and British/Canadian armies fought on Canadian soil during the War of 1812. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Gordon Drummond Edmund P. Gaines Jacob Brown Strength 2,200 3,000 Casualties 966 dead, wounded, or captured 540 missing 630 dead or wounded The Siege of Fort Erie was one of the last engagements between British and American forces during the Niagara campaign of... This article is about the U.S.–U.K. war. ... is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the overture by Tchaikovsky, see 1812 Overture; For the wars, see War of 1812 (USA - United Kingdom) or Patriotic War of 1812 (France - Russia) For the Siberia Airlines plane crashed over the Black Sea on October 4, 2001, see Siberia Airlines Flight 1812 1812 was a leap year starting... The Village of Queenston (Latitude 43°10N Longitude 79°03W) is located 5km north of Niagara Falls, Ontario in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. ... Stephen Van Rensselaer III (November 1, 1764–January 26, 1839) was an American statesman, soldier, and land-owner, the heir to one of the greatest estates in the New York region at the time. ... This article refers to the British general. ... General Roger Sheaffe was a British General in the first part of the 19th century. ... Satellite image of the Niagara River. ...

Despite their theoretical numerical advantage and the wide dispersal of British forces against an invasion attempt, the Americans, who were stationed in Lewiston, New York, were unable to get the bulk of their invasion force across the Niagara River due to the work of British artillery and reluctance on the part of the undertrained and inexperienced American militia. As a result, British reinforcements were able to arrive and force those Americans on the Canadian side to surrender. Lewiston is a village in Niagara County, New York, USA. The population was 2,781 at the 2000 census. ...

[edit] Background

The United States invasion across the Niagara River was originally intended to be part of a three-pronged attack on Upper Canada's border strongpoints. General William Hull would attack Amherstburg through Detroit, General Henry Dearborn would cross the St. Lawrence River to take Kingston, and General Van Rensselaer would attack Queenston. The attacks, coupled with a fourth assault on Montreal in Lower Canada, would theoretically bring the colony to its knees and ensure a quick peace. Flag Map of Upper Canada (orange) Capital Newark 1792 - 1797 York(later renamed Toronto in 1834) 1797 - 1841 Language(s) English Religion Anglican Government Constitutional monarchy Sovereign  - 1791-1820 George III  - 1837-1841 Victoria Lieutenant-Governor See list of Lieutenant-Governors Legislature Parliament of Upper Canada  - Upper house Legislative Council... Portrait of William Hull William Hull (June 24, 1753–November 29, 1825) was an American soldier and politician. ... Country Province County Essex Government  - Mayor Wayne Hurst  - Governing body Amherstburg Town Council  - Member of Parliament Jeff Watson (CONS)  - Member of Provincial Parliament Bruce Crozier (LIB) Area  - Town 185. ... Detroit redirects here. ... Henry Dearborn (February 23, 1751 – June 6, 1829) was an American physician, statesman and veteran of both the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. ... The Saint Lawrence River (French fleuve Saint-Laurent) is a large west-to-east flowing river in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. ... Murney Tower, Kingston The Fort Henry Guard performing an historical demonstration The Prince George Hotel Kingston, Ontario, the first capital[1] of Canada, is located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Map of Lower Canada (green) Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence (1791-1841). ...

However, the three attacks on Upper Canada failed, or could not be launched. Hull was besieged in Detroit and, faced with the threat of a massacre by Britain's Native American allies, surrendered the city and his entire army at the Battle of Detroit. Dearborn and his army were remaining, relatively inactive, at Albany, and seemed to be in no hurry to attempt an invasion. (Dearborn would be replaced in 1813 with only minor successes to his credit). Van Rensselaer, meanwhile, was under considerable pressure to attempt his part of the invasion, both from his own men eager for battle and from an American public chafing under the disgrace of Hull's surrender. First Nations is a term of ethnicity that refers to the indigenous peoples in what is now Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis people. ... The Battle of Detroit, also known as the Battle of Fort Detroit or the Surrender of Fort Detroit, was a humiliating loss for the Americans early in the War of 1812. ... For other uses, see Albany. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Although he held the rank of Major General in the New York state militia, Van Rensselaer had never commanded troops in battle, and was in fact considered the leading Federalist candidate for the governorship of New York. Possibly hoping to get Van Rensselaer out of the way, New York governor Daniel Tompkins put Van Rensselaer's name forward to command the American army, and he officially took command July 13, 1812. Stephen Van Rensselaer did secure the appointment of experienced soldier Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer (the General's second cousin) as his aide-de-camp, giving the General a valuable source of experienced advice. The label Federalist refers to two major groups in the history of the United States of America: (1. ... This is a list of the Governors of New York. ... Portrait of U.S. Vice President Daniel D Tompkins Daniel D[ecius?] Tompkins (June 21, 1774–June 11, 1825) was entrepreneur, jurist, Congressman, Governor of New York, and the sixth Vice President of the United States. ... is the 194th day of the year (195th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the overture by Tchaikovsky, see 1812 Overture; For the wars, see War of 1812 (USA - United Kingdom) or Patriotic War of 1812 (France - Russia) For the Siberia Airlines plane crashed over the Black Sea on October 4, 2001, see Siberia Airlines Flight 1812 1812 was a leap year starting... Solomon Van Vechten Van Rensselaer (August 6, 1774 – April 23, 1852) was an American politician who served in the Congress of the United States as a Representative from the state of New York, a lieutenant colonel during the War of 1812, and a postmaster. ... An aide-de-camp (French: camp assistant) is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state. ...

[edit] American internal quarrels

Even with Hull's failure and Dearborn's inaction, Van Rensselaer's position appeared strong. While on September 1 he had only 691 unpaid men fit for duty, the arrival of reinforcements soon boosted his force considerably. In addition to his own force of around six thousand regulars, volunteers, and militia, Van Rensselaer had Brigadier General Alexander Smyth's force of 1,700 regular soldiers under his command. However, Smyth, a regular officer himself (although originally a lawyer by trade), steadfastly refused to obey Van Rensselaer's orders or respond to his summons. As soon as his force reached the frontier, Smyth took it upon himself to deploy his force near Buffalo. is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Alexander Smyth (1765 – April 17, 1830) was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician from Virginia, who served in the United States House of Representatives and as a general during the War of 1812. ... Nickname: Location of Buffalo in New York State Coordinates: , Country State County Erie First Settled 1789 Founded 1801 Incorporated (City) 1832 Government  - Mayor Byron Brown (D) Area  - City 52. ...

Van Rensselaer laid a plan for the main force to cross the Niagara and take the heights near Queenston while Smyth attacked Fort George from the rear. However, Smyth made no reply to Van Rensselaer's plan. When summoned to a council of officers to plan the attack, Smyth did not respond, nor did he reply to a letter sent soon after. A direct order to arrive "with all possible dispatch" was also met with silence. Van Rensselaer, an amiable politician in a hurry to launch his attack, simply chose to proceed without Smyth rather than court-martial him and possibly delay the start of the battle. Fort George is a historic military structure at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, that was the scene of several battles during the War of 1812. ... A court-martial (plural courts-martial) is a military court that determines punishments for members of the military subject to military law. ...

On October 10, Van Rensselaer sent orders to Smyth to march his brigade to Lewiston in preparation for the attack "with every possible dispatch."^[1] The attack had been planned for Sunday, October 11 at 3 a.m., and Smyth set out upon receipt of the letter; however, he chose a bad route to Lewiston, in foul weather, on a road so bad that abandoned wagons could be seen "sticking in the road."^[2] At 10 a.m. on October 11, orders reached Smyth that the attack had been postponed. Smyth then turned back to his camp at Black Rock rather than press on to Lewiston, expressing in a letter to Van Rensselaer written on October 12 that his troops would be in condition to move out again on October 14, a day after the postponed attack was to be launched. is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Black Rock, once an independent community, is now part of the city of Buffalo, New York. ... is the 285th day of the year (286th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The October 11 attack was delayed because of a defection in Van Rensselaer's army. Over the previous few days, Colonel Van Rensselaer had been able to cross over to the British side under the escort of Brock's aide Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonell, and as such had a fairly good idea of the lay of the land. Although Colonel Van Rensselaer was stricken down with fever, General Van Rensselaer resolved to launch the attack on October 11. However, with the American army formed up to cross in the early morning, one of the lead boatmen, a Lieutenant Sim rowed his boat away and abandoned the army, taking with him most of the oars that were to be used for the crossing. By the time the oars could be replaced, the attack had to be set back. General Van Rensselaer set the second attempt for October 13.^[3] is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... John MacDonell is the name of two Nova Scotia politicians. ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

[edit] British preparation

Isaac Brock was the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada and commander of the forces there. He was an aggressive commander, and his successful capture of Detroit had won him praise, the reputation as the "saviour of Upper Canada", and a knighthood which would only reach Upper Canada after his death. However, his superior at Quebec, Sir George Prevost, was of a more cautious bent, and the two clashed over strategy. Motto: « Don de Dieu feray valoir Â» (I shall put Gods gift to good use) Site in the province of Québec Official logo Provincial region Province Country Capitale-Nationale Québec Canada Gentilé Québécois, Québécoise Mayor Jean-Paul LAllier 1989-Dec. ... George Prevost Sir George Prévost (Hackensack May 19, 1767 – January 5, 1816 London) was a British soldier and colonial administrator. ...

It was Brock's intention to attack the United States again, crossing the Niagara, defeating Van Rensselaer and Smyth before they could be reinforced, and occupying upper New York State for the British. Prevost vetoed this plan, ordering Brock to behave more defensively. (Prevost was aware that the British Government had revoked several Orders in Council which affected American merchant ships, and thus removed some of the stated causes of the war. He may have believed that peace negotiations might result, and would not wish to prejudice any talks by taking offensive action.) Brock's one aggressive action was to facilitate the siege of Fort Wayne on the Maumee River, which ended in a defeat of the Native attackers. State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki Official languages None Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... An Order-in-Council is a type of legislation in the United Kingdom and in the Commonwealth of Nations which is formally made in the name of the Queen by the Privy Council (Queen-in-Council), or the Governor-General in a Commonwealth realm or Governor by the Executive Council... The Siege of Fort Wayne took place during the War of 1812, between American and Indian forces in the wake of the successful British campaigns of 1812. ... Fort Wayne in current Fort Wayne, Indiana was established by Captain John Hamtramck under orders from General Mad Anthony Wayne as part of the campaign against the Indians of the area. ... The Maumee River at Grand Rapids, Ohio. ...

Particularly galling to Brock was an armistice concluded by Major General Roger Sheaffe, under Prevost's orders, with Colonel Van Rensselaer on August 20. The terms of the armistice permitted the use of the river by both powers as a common waterway, and Brock could only watch as American reinforcements and supplies were moved to Van Rensselaer's army without being able to take action. The armistice ended on September 8, by which time Van Rensselaer's army was considerably better supplied than it had been before. A white flag is traditionally used to represent a truce. ... is the 232nd day of the year (233rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

On October 12, the day before the battle, by Brock's orders, Major Thomas Evans crossed the Niagara River under a flag of truce to request an immediate exchange of prisoners taken in a successful American raid on two British ships near Fort Erie a few days before. Evans attempted to see Solomon Van Rensselaer, but was told that the Colonel was ill. Evans was met by a man who claimed to be General Stephen Van Rensselaer's secretary, Toock. Toock was probably Major John Lovett in disguise and repeatedly stated that no exchange could be arranged until "the day after tomorrow". Evans was struck by the repetition of this phrase and was able to spot several boats hidden by the shore under some brush. Evans deduced that an invasion was planned for October 13, and upon returning to the British lines he was met with laughter and mockery from a council of officers. However, Brock took Evans aside and after a meeting was convinced of the possibility. is the 285th day of the year (286th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Location of Fort Erie in the Niagara Region Fort Erie (2001 population 28,143) is a town on the Niagara River in the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. ... is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

[edit] Battle

[edit] First American landing

The Battle of Queenston Heights by James B. Dennis depicts the unsuccessful American landing on October 13, 1812.

On October 13, Brock was at Fort George with Sheaffe and his main force. There were other British detachments at Queenston, Chippawa, and Fort Erie. Image File history File linksMetadata Battle_of_Queenston_Heights. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Battle_of_Queenston_Heights. ... is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the overture by Tchaikovsky, see 1812 Overture; For the wars, see War of 1812 (USA - United Kingdom) or Patriotic War of 1812 (France - Russia) For the Siberia Airlines plane crashed over the Black Sea on October 4, 2001, see Siberia Airlines Flight 1812 1812 was a leap year starting... is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Fort George is a historic military structure at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, that was the scene of several battles during the War of 1812. ...

The village of Queenston lay at the mouth of the gorge of the River Niagara, which was fast-flowing and 200 yards wide. Immediately south of the village, the ground rose 300 feet (100 m) to Queenston Heights. Lewiston was on the other side of the river, with the ground to its south rising to Lewiston Heights. In time of peace, there was a regular boat service between Queenston and Lewiston.^[4]

The British detachment at Queenston consisted of the grenadier company of the 49th Regiment of Foot (formerly Brock's own) under Captain James Dennis, the light company of the 49th under Captain John Williams, two flank companies of the 2nd York Militia (the "York Volunteers") and a detachment of the 41st Foot with a 3-pounder Grasshopper cannon. An 18-pounder gun was mounted in a redan halfway up the Heights, and a 24-pounder gun and a carronade were sited in a barbette at Vrooman's Point, a mile north of the village. The local militia, companies from the 5th Lincoln Regiment, were not on duty but could assemble at very short notice.^[5] The Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Waless) was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 49th (Princess Charlotte of Waless) (Hertfordshire) Regiment of Foot and the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot. ... The Welch Regiment (or The Welch) was a British army regiment. ... The grasshopper cannon is a weapon designed by the British in the 1700s as a light gun to be carried around with infantry. ... Redan is a term from fortifications. ... Vroomans Point is a geographical feature in Ontario, Canada, near the border with the United States. ...

The American forces involved were the 6th, 13th and 23rd U.S. Infantry, with detachments of U.S. Artillery serving as infantry. There were also five regiments of New York Militia and a volunteer battalion of riflemen.^[6] Because the United States Army was being rapidly expanded, most of the regulars at Lewiston were recent recruits, and Van Rensselaer considered the Militiamens' drill and discipline was superior to that of the regulars. The Americans had twelve boats, each of which could carry thirty men, and two large boats which could carry eighty men and which were fitted with platforms on which field guns or wagons could be carried.

A last-minute squabble over seniority and precedence led to the command of the first landing party being split. Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer led the militia contingent, Lieutenant Colonel John Chrystie led the regulars. John Chrystie was an officer in the United States Army, who played a major although controversial part in the Battle of Queenston Heights, during the War of 1812. ...

The Americans began crossing the river at 3 a.m. on October 13. Ten minutes after they began crossing, ten boats under Colonel Solomon van Rensselaer began landing at the village. A sentry noticed them and, rather than fire his musket to raise the alarm and thus warn the American troops that they had been spotted, ran to Dennis's headquarters. A few minutes later, Dennis's troops fired a volley into the Americans as they were still coming ashore. Colonel Van Rensselaer was hit by a musketball as soon as he stepped out of his boat on the Canadian shore. As he tried to form up his troops, he was promptly hit five more times, and—though he survived—he spent most of the battle out of action, weak from loss of blood. Captain John E. Wool of the 13th U.S. Infantry took over and fought to retain the American foothold in Queenston. is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... John Ellis Wool (February 20, 1784 - November 10, 1869) was one of the four general officers of the United States Army in 1861, and was the one who saw the most Civil War service. ...

Meanwhile, the British guns opened fire in the direction of the American landing stage at Lewiston, and the American guns (two 18-pounders in an earthwork named "Fort Grey" on Lewiston Heights, two 6-pounder field guns and two 5.5-inch mortars near the landing stage) opened fire on Queenston village.^[6] Dennis's troops were driven back into the village but kept firing from the shelter of the houses.

As the light grew, the British guns became more accurate. Calamity for the Americans ensued as the crews of three of their boats, including their two largest—one of which was carrying Lieutenant-Colonel Chrystie—panicked as they came under fire. Chrystie's pilot turned the boat back for shore, despite the efforts of Chrystie to restrain him. This later caused controversy when Captain Lawrence, commanding the next boat following, asserted that Chrystie had ordered him to retreat, leading to accusations of cowardice.^[7]

Much of the second assault wave, led by Lieutenant-Colonel John Fenwick (formerly the commandant at Fort Niagara), was either shot out of the water by the British cannon or drifted downstream and was forced to land in a hollow where British troops quickly surrounded them and forced the survivors to surrender.^[8] For other uses, see Cannon (disambiguation). ...

[edit] Death of Isaac Brock

At Fort George, Brock had been awoken by the noise of the artillery at Queenston. As he considered this might only have been a diversion, he ordered only a few detachments to move to Queenston but galloped there himself, accompanied by only a few aides. He passed through the village as dawn broke and moved up to the redan to gain a better view.^[9]

Meanwhile, American Captain Wool, seeing that the British cannon in the redan was causing great carnage amongst the American boats but that it had very few troops guarding it (the Light Company of the 49th having descended from the heights to join the fighting in the village), suggested to Colonel Van Rensselaer that an attack be made using a fisherman's path that Wool had heard about from locals in the area. Van Rensselaer, about to be evacuated because of his wounds, assented, and Wool successfully moved along the river bank and then up to the summit of the heights. They attacked just as Brock arrived. Brock's small party and the artillerymen were forced to flee into the village, managing only to quickly spike the gun. Brock sent a message to Major General Sheaffe at Fort George, ordering him to bring as many troops as possible to Queenston. He then resolved to recapture the redan immediately rather than wait for reinforcements.^[10]

General Isaac Brock leading the charge.

Brock's first charge was made by Dennis' and Williams' two companies of the 49th and two companies of militia. They nearly managed to dislodge Captain Wool and his men, but a swift counter-strike pushed Brock back again. Brock, having been wounded in the hand during the first charge, ordered his aide to "Push on the York Volunteers". He then led a second assault on Wool. His bright red coat with its gold lace and epaulettes (and a gaudy scarf given him by Tecumseh)^[10] and his tall figure and energetic gestures made him a conspicuous target, and he was killed by a US sharpshooter. Brock's aide, Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell, led another charge despite being a lawyer by trade with little military experience. Wool had been reinforced with more troops which had just made their way up the path to the top of the Heights, and Macdonell was now outnumbered. His attack failed, and he was mortally wounded, Captain Williams was badly injured, and Dennis was slightly injured. Carrying the bodies of Brock and Macdonell, the British fell back through Queenston to Durham's Farm a mile north.^[11] Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... This article refers to the British general. ... For other uses, see Tecumseh (disambiguation). ...

According to legend, Brock's last words were "Push on, brave York Volunteers", but this is very unlikely, since Brock was not with them when he fell. According to historian J. Mackay Hitsman, Brock's earlier command to push on the York Volunteers, who had just arrived from Queenston, was transformed into the later legend.^[10]

[edit] Sheaffe's attack

By 10 a.m., the Americans were opposed only by the 24-pounder at Vrooman's Point which was firing at the American boats at very long range. The Americans were able to push several hundred fresh troops and a 6-pounder field gun across the river. They unspiked the 18-pounder in the Redan and used it to fire into Queenston village, but it had a limited field of fire away from the river. Colonel Chrystie briefly took charge of the troops on the Canadian side but returned to collect reinforcements and entrenching tools. At noon, General van Rensselaer crossed. He and Chrystie ordered the position on Queenston Heights to be fortified before they returned to the American side of the river.^[11]

Colonel Winfield Scott (who later became one of the most highly regarded generals in American history) now took command of the regulars on Queenston Heights, and Brigadier General William Wadsworth, who waived his right to overall command, took charge of the militia. There were few complete formed units; there was only a collection of unorganised detachments, some without their officers. Likewise some officers had crossed but their men had not followed them. Little more than a thousand of General Van Rensselaer's men had crossed the Niagara River, and the militia, which knew nothing of the death of Brock or the silencing of most of the large British cannon, refused to cross in the few boats that remained.^[12] For other uses of Winfield Scott, see Winfield Scott (disambiguation). ... William Wadsworth was an officer in the New York State militia, before and during the War of 1812. ...

Meanwhile, British reinforcements had begun to arrive from Fort George. A detachment of the Royal Artillery under Captain Holcroft with two 6-pounder guns moved into Queenston village, supported by a company of the 41st under Captain Derenzy. Militia Captain Archibald Hamilton guided them to a firing position in the courtyard of his own house. When they opened fire at 1 p.m., it once again became hazardous for the American boats to attempt to cross the river.^[13] RGA redirects here. ...

At the same time, Mohawks under Captains John Norton and John Brant climbed up to the top of the heights and suddenly fell on Scott's outposts. None were killed, and the Mohawks were driven back into some woods, but the Americans' spirits were badly affected by their fear of the natives. Warcries could be clearly heard in Lewiston. General Van Rensselaer was unable to cajole any more of the militia into crossing the river. He then tried to induce the civilian boatmen to cross the river and retrieve his soldiers from Canada, but they refused even that. The General reported the next day that, "...to my utter astonishment, I found that at the very moment when complete victory was in our hands, the ardor of the unengaged troops had entirely subsided. I rode in all directions -- urged men by every consideration to pass over -- but in vain." This article is about the people known as Mohawk. For other uses, see Mohawk. ... The Mohawk chief Major John Norton (Teyoninhokovrawen) played a prominent role in the War of 1812, leading Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) warriors from Grand River into battle against American invaders at Queenston Heights, Stoney Creek, and Chippawa. ... For other persons named John Brant, see John Brant (disambiguation). ...

Major General Roger Hale Sheaffe arrived at Queenston at 2 p.m. and took charge of the British troops. He ordered yet more reinforcements to join him, and when they had done so, he led his force on a three mile (5 km) detour to the Heights, shielding them from the American artillery. Here, he was joined by another column of reinforcements from Chippawa. In all, he commanded over 800 men. In addition to the remnants of the force which had been engaged under Brock in the morning, he had five companies of the 41st and seven of Militia (including Runchey's Company of Coloured Men), with two 3-pounder guns. Roger Hale Sheaffe General Roger Hale Sheaffe (15 July 1763 – 17 July 1851) was a British General in the first part of the 19th century. ... When the United States and Great Britain went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which was then divided for administrative purposes into Upper Canada (broadly the present day province of Ontario), Lower Canada (roughly present day Quebec) and the Atlantic Provinces...

Sheaffe took his time forming his men up and preparing them for battle and attacked at 4 p.m., thirteen hours after Van Rensselaer launched his assault. The American militia, hearing war-cries from the Mohawks and believing themselves doomed, retreated en masse and without orders, leaving Colonel Scott with only three hundred defenders to resist the British force. Scott tried to cover the American withdrawal against Sheaffe's larger force, but with no boats arriving to evacuate his men and with the Mohawks furious over the deaths of two chiefs, he feared a massacre and surrendered to the British. Even so, excited Indians continued to fire from the heights into the crowd of Americans on the river bank below for several minutes.^[14] Once the surrender was made, Scott was shocked to see five hundred U.S. militiamen, who had been hiding around the heights, coming out and surrendering as well.

[edit] Aftermath

Of General Van Rensselaer's 6,000 troops, about 100 were killed and 300 wounded and another 925 taken prisoner, including Brigadier General Wadsworth, Colonel Scott, four other lieutenant-colonels and sixty-seven other officers. The British also captured a 6-pounder gun and the colours of a New York Militia regiment. The British suffered fourteen men killed, with seventy-seven wounded including James Secord, husband of Laura Secord. Statue of Laura Secord at the Valiants Memorial in Ottawa Laura Secord (née Ingersoll) (September 13, 1775 – October 17, 1868) was a Canadian heroine of the War of 1812. ...

General Van Rensselaer, his attack a dismal failure, resigned immediately after the battle and was succeeded as senior officer on the Niagara by Alexander Smyth, the officer whose insolence had badly injured the invasion attempt. Smyth still had his regulars at Buffalo but refused to launch an attack until he had three thousand men under his command. He then bungled two attempts to cross the river near Fort Erie and drew the loathing of his soldiers. Universally castigated for his refusal to attack and with rumours of mutiny in the air, Smyth slipped away to his home in Virginia rather than remain at his post. This article is about the U.S. state. ...

At Albany, the defeat of Van Rensselaer only increased Henry Dearborn's reluctance to act. With two armies already defeated, Dearborn was not keen on leading the third. He led a half-hearted advance as far as Odelltown, where his militia refused to proceed further, and then he retired. As a result, Van Rensselaer's army was the only one to launch a significant assault on Upper Canada in 1812. Odelltown is former town in southern Quebec, Canada. ...

The question of who to blame for the defeat was one that was never resolved. Stephen Van Rensselaer's popularity remained high enough that he was able to launch an (unsuccessful) attempt to unseat Daniel Tompkins as Governor of New York, and he later went on to serve in the United States House of Representatives. General John Armstrong, Jr., the Secretary of War for much of the war, pinned the blame on General Van Rensselaer in his Notices of the War of 1812. This provoked an indignant response from Solomon Van Rensselaer, who compared Armstrong to Benedict Arnold and laid the blame squarely on Lieutenant-Colonel Chrystie, who he accused of cowardice and said "to his failure may mainly be attributed all our disasters."^[7] Type Bicameral Speaker of the House of Representatives House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Steny Hoyer, (D) since January 4, 2007 House Minority Leader John Boehner, (R) since January 4, 2007 Members 435 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party... John Armstrong, Jr. ... The Secretary of War was a member of the United States Presidents Cabinet, beginning with George Washingtons administration. ... For other persons named Benedict Arnold, see Benedict Arnold (disambiguation). ...

The loss of General Brock was nevertheless a major blow to the British. Brock had inspired his own troops and the militia and civilians by his confidence and activity. Sheaffe, his successor, received a baronetcy for his part in the victory but could not command the same respect. Although his retreat the next year from a numerically superior force at the Battle of York was militarily correct, it left the local militia, the Assembly and the population of York feeling abandoned and aggrieved. He was relieved of his appointments in Upper Canada. The Battle of York was a battle of the War of 1812 on April 27, 1813, at York, Upper Canada, which was later to become Toronto, Ontario. ...

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Berton, Pierre (1980). The Invasion of Canada, 1812-1813. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart. ISBN 0-7710-1235-7. 
• J. Mackay Hitsman (1999). The Incredible War of 1812. Toronto: Robin Brass Studio. ISBN 1-896941-13-3. 
• Jon Latimer, 1812: War with America, Harvard University Press, 2007, ISBN 0-67402-584-9
• Robert Malcomson (2003). A Very Brilliant Affair: The Battle of Queenston Heights, 1812. Toronto: Robin Brass Studio. ISBN 1-896941-33-8. 
• Van Rensselaer, Solomon (1836). A Narrative of the Affair of Queenstown in the War of 1812. New York: Leavitt, Lord & Co. ISBN 0-665-21524-X. 
• Morris Zaslow (1964). The Defended Border. Toronto: Macmillan of Canada. ISBN 0-7705-1242-9. 

Pierre Francis Berton, CC, O.Ont, BA, D.Litt (July 12, 1920 – November 30, 2004) was a noted Canadian author of non-fiction, especially Canadiana and Canadian history, and was a well-known television personality and journalist. ... Solomon Van Vechten Van Rensselaer (August 6, 1774 – April 23, 1852) was an American politician who served in the Congress of the United States as a Representative from the state of New York, a lieutenant colonel during the War of 1812, and a postmaster. ...

[edit] External links

• Van Rensselaer's explanation to Gen. Dearborn as to why the Americans lost the Battle of Queenston
• An Historic Account of the Battle of Queenston Heights
• Battle summary, map, photos of area
• Downloadable summary of Battle from Historic Lewiston, NY
• Art works in the collection of the Niagara Falls Public Library