Brock : the hero of Upper Canada

Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I. Early Life . i

II. First Experience in Battle .... 13

Chapter I Early Life

In 1816 a coin intended for circulation in British North America was issued from the Royal Mint. On one side were the words, “ Sir Isaac Brock, the Hero of Upper Canada.” This was the way the people of Canada had spoken of the great soldier since the capture of Detroit, and the issue of this coin shows in what esteem he was held by the Home Government. It would be more fitting had the words been, “ the Hero of Canada.” That Brock truly was. His influence was felt not in one province alone, but throughout the whole of British North America. A careful study of the war of 1812 will show that, although he was slain in less than four months after war was declared, he saved Canada to the British Empire. Without his wisdom and daring and untiring energy it would have fallen into the hands of the troops from the United States. But for his foresight even Quebec, notwithstanding its natural strength, might have been an easy prey to the enemy.

In the public mind General James Wolfe is usually thought of as peculiarly the hero of Canada. But that brave warrior spent only a few months in the country, and during his stay thought merely of driving the French from North America. He took no interest in the country for itself and never dreamt of making Canada his home. Brock, on the other hand, made Canada his country by adoption. For ten years, with but one short holiday to the home land, he had lived within its borders. For a time he had almost complete control of its military affairs, and was latterly in Upper Canada both the political and the military leader. As an inspiring force for Canadians his memory has greater influence than that of either Wolfe, the conqueror of the French, or Guy Carleton, who saved Canada from the American invaders in 1775 and 1776. He was in many ways the greatest maker of the Canadian nation.

EARLY LIFE

On the reverse side of the memorial coin referred to are the words, “ Success to Commerce and Peace to the World.” These are noteworthy words and truly show for what Brock, Nelson, Wellington, Roberts, and all Britain’s distinguished soldiers have fought. They were not “ vulgar conquerors ” like Napoleon, but drew their swords to help establish the rule of the Prince of Peace on earth. Brock occupies a high place among the world’s greatest peacemakers. As a soldier and statesman his life story is worthy of the closest study.

Isaac Brock was born in the little island of Guernsey, October 6th, 1769. In this same year were bom likewise two of the most renowned military leaders the world has ever seen, — Napoleon, who with his conquering armies was to sweep Europe from end to end, and Wellington, who was to check the career of the ambitious, selfish Corsican, and finally cause him to be sent a prisoner to the lonely island of St. Helena. All men have not the same chances, and, had Brock been employed in the European wars of his time, he might have risen to be another Wellington. But it is doubtful if he would have been long spared in battle. He was almost foolhardy in his courage, and ever felt that he must expose himself where the fight was fiercest in order to inspire his followers to noble deeds.

Brock was descended from an ancient family, just how ancient it is hard to tell. The name is so old that it is quite possible that there were Brocks in England at the time of William the Conqueror. A Sir Hugh Brock fought valiantly in Brittany in the days of Edward HI; and when the English armies were forced to withdraw from France, it may be that some of Sir Hugh’s family settled in the fertile island of Guernsey in the group known as the Channel Islands.

Isaac Brock was the eighth son of John Brock, who had been a midshipman in the navy and had made a journey to distant India. His mother was Elizabeth de Lisle, whose father was lieutenant-bailiff of Guernsey. Brock was also related to the great English admiral, Lord de Saumarez. Many

EARLY LIFE 5

of his relatives distinguished themselves in Britain’s battles both by land and by sea.

Guernsey was a fitting spot to be the birthplace of a military hero. St. Peter’s Port, the town in which Brock was bom, was a quaint old place with many memories that could not but inspire a lad to valiant deeds. In ancient days the island had been a home of the Druids, and their cromlechs and sepulchral caves remained to thrill the imagination of the Guernsey boys. It had been the birthplace of many heroes. Valiantly the men of Guernsey had defended their homes from French invasion on many occasions, and in the days of the Commonwealth had nobly played their part. The island is rugged, storm-beaten; its very situation and character give its inhabitants strength and courage. Placed as it is in the English Channel, the hundreds of vessels, warships and merchantmen, constantly going forth to win great battles or to bring the riches of the East and the West to England, could not but impress young Brock with the feeling that he was a citizen of the greatest empire on earth. He was a robust boy, who delighted in manly sports, and was long remembered by his comrades as the best boxer and swimmer amongst them. The ancient stronghold called Castle Comet is situated a half mile from the mainland of Guernsey; through the passage between runs a swift, treacherous tide. It was a favourite feat of Brock’s when a lad to swim to the castle and back to the mainland. While indulging in sports he was not neglectful of his studies, and very early in life learned to like serious books, and spent much of his spare time reading about the deeds of mighty men of the past.

When eleven years old Brock was sent to school at Southampton, and later went to Rotterdam, where he studied for a time under a Protestant clergyman, becoming well acquainted with the French language, a thing that was to be of the greatest service to him in after years in the province of Lower Canada.

Brock had early in life to choose a profession. He had no hesitation in making a choice. The aim of every sturdy Guernsey lad of good family was to enter either the British army or navy. Two of Brock’s brothers had al-

EARLY LIFE ready joined the army. John Brock had entered the 8th Regiment, the King’s, as an ensign, and at this time held captain’s rank; Ferdinand Brock had joined the 6oth, and, in 1779, had died gallantly fighting against the American Revolutionists at the defence of Baton Rouge on the Mississippi.

Isaac Brock had just completed his fifteenth year when he obtained by purchase a commission as ensign in the 8th Regiment, no doubt wishing to be near his brother John, who had had ten years active service in America. Although a mere lad, and as fond as any boy could be of sports and pastimes, Brock was ambitious to be a distinguished soldier. With this end in view he set himself serious tasks, and studied military affairs and general history with eagerness. To prevent being interrupted in his studies he spent a part of every day with his hooks behind locked doors. These student habits he kept up till the end of his career. He left school at the very early age of fifteen, but his letters to his friends and his official letters were written in a manner which shows him to have made good use of his leisure hours in barrack and camp. In 1790, after serving five years, he obtained his lieutenancy; and a year later he raised an independent company, and was given command of it, with captain’s rank. By this time he was tired of the monotony of a soldier’s life in the home land, and exchanged into the 49th Regiment, with which he was to be connected until the time of his death. He joined the 49th in Barbados, and served with it in that island and in Jamaica.

Shortly after joining the 49th Brock was annoyed by the bullying attitude of a brother officer, who, priding himself on being a dead shot, delighted in picking quarrels with other men. Brock, by treating this bully with contempt, roused his enmity and was soon challenged to fight a duel. Without any hesitation he accepted the challenge. Brock was now a young giant, six feet two inches in height, broad-shouldered and athletic, an easy mark for an enemy at twelve paces. His opponent was diminutive in size. Brock, as the challenged party, had the right to name the conditions of the duel. A contest at twelve

EARLY LIFE ii lious spirits, but Brock was able to cope with the situation. He was ever on his guard and took little rest day or night. He visited the men in barrack at frequent intervals, and with his own hand tore down notices that had been posted with the hope of inflaming the soldiers to rebellion. When he went to rest, it was with loaded pistols under his pillow. During this trying time he was kind to his men. He saw that they had grievances. They had been harshly treated by former commanders. He reasoned with them and was tender towards them, but at the same time maintained the strictest discipline. He soon won their respect and esteem, and the mutinous spirit quickly died down. A few months after Brock had taken charge of the 49th, the commander-in-chief of the British army, the Duke of York, inspected the regiment. After the inspection he declared that, under Brock’s management, from one of the worst it had become one of the best regiments in the service.

For a brief period in 1798 the 49th was quartered in Jersey. War clouds were gathering thick and fast. The French Republic was making disastrous headway in Europe. Among other places, Holland was occupied by the French forces. An invasion of Holland by Britain was decided on, and, in the spring of 1799, Brock’s regiment was ordered to England, to become a part of the army of invasion. Brock was soon to have his first experience in battle.

CHAPTER n

The French, with able men at the head of their armies, were slowly but surely bringing all Europe under their sway. Holland was one of the first countries to yield to the armies of the new-formed republic. The stadtholder had fled to England. The ancient constitution had been swept away, and, under the name of the Batavian Republic, the country had formed a close alliance with France. By a treaty between Russia and Britain, in 1798, it was agreed that an army should be sent to Holland to drive the French troops from the land, to reestablish the former rule, and to form an army on the northern frontier of France, that would check the growing power of the French. Britain agreed to send 25,000 men to help rescue Holland from French rule. During the early part of 1799 the harbours of England were busy with preparations that were being made for the greatest expedition which, up to that time, had left English shores.

All was ready early in August, and an army of 12,000 men under Sir Ralph Abercromby sailed from the harbour of Southampton between the eighth and the thirteenth of the month. This was the first instalment. More troops were to be sent under the British commander-in-chief, the Duke of York, as soon as it was learned that Sir Ralph’s force had gained a footing on the shores of Holland. Brock, as senior lieutenant-colonel of the 49th, accompanied the expedition. The 49th was in the 4th brigade, which was under the immediate command of Sir John Moore, who was afterwards slain at Corunna in Spain, and who was immortalized by the famous poem, The Burial of Sir John Moore.

The departure of this fleet bearing the army to Holland was a fine sight. It was composed of fifteen ships of the line, from forty-five to fifty frigates, sloops, and smaller war vessels, and about 130 transports. From the outset the expedition was unfortunate. Adverse

FIRST EXPERIENCE IN BATTLE is winds and stormy seas buffeted the vessels, and for over two weeks they tossed about, unable to make a landing. It was not until the twenty-sixth of the month that they anchored along the low-lying shores of North Holland. Preparations were at once made to land the troops, and, to cover the landing, the fleet opened fire on the enemy’s position. The 49th met with but little opposition. The sand-hills were lined with the enemy, and a volley was fired on the boats as they touched the shore; but the British soldiers quickly formed on the beach, and a sharp bayonet charge drove back the foe. On the right the fighting was more severe, and a battle lasting nearly ten hours was waged, costing the British about 1,000 men. The enemy were in the end beaten and the strong batteries at the Helder were occupied by the British troops.

For two days after the landing the British soldiers suffered great hardships, and Brock and his men were without shelter on the sand-hills, exposed to a biting wind and pelting rain. There were several sharp fights during the early part of September, but it was only x6

when the Duke of York arrived with the remainder of the British troops and 16,000 Russians, making in all a force of 33,000 men, that the real campaign began. The elements were still opposing; drenching rain delayed the forward movement, and enabled the enemy to strengthen their forces and positions. Although several important engagements took place in September, it was not until October and that Brock had his baptism of fire.

The populous city of Horn had been occupied, but through a blunder on the part of the Russians, who were badly disciplined, it had to be vacated. The enemy daily grew stronger, and a decisive action could not long be delayed. This took place on October 2nd on the coast near Egmont-op-Zee. The 4th Brigade moved along the coast as the advance guard of a column of 10,000 men. The enemy were drawn up on the sand-hills, and were for the most part concealed from view. Fighting began almost at the commencement of the march, the reserves under Colonel McDonald being subjected to a heavy fire that changed their line of advance. Nothing daunted, the 4th Brigade under Sir

John Moore valiantly moved forward with a stormy sea on their left and rolling sand-hills on their right. They had gone five or six miles before they were molested. Suddenly they were compelled to halt on account of a sharp fire from the sand-hills, which Brock in a letter to his brother John, then lieutenant-colonel of the 81 st Regiment at the Cape of Good Hope, compared to a sea in a storm. The 25th Regiment was then ordered to charge, but, as they failed to dislodge the foe, the 79th was likewise sent forward. The 49th was ordered to form up on the left of the 79th, and to hold itself in readiness for a charge. Brock was eager to view the ground over which the men might be sent, and fearlessly rode over the hills to get, if possible, a sight of the enemy. On his return to his regiment, placing himself at the head of six companies, and leaving Lieutenant- Colonel Sheaffe — who many years after was to finish the battle Brock began at Queenston Heights — in command of the remaining four to cover his left, he ordered a charge.

With a ringing cheer Brock’s soldiers followed him over the rolling sand-hills. It was a disi8 orderly charge, as the broken ground prevented the men from keeping their formation; but it was done with such dash and courage that the enemy took to their heels and left the British in possession of the field. It was a gallant victory, but it cost the 49th dearly — eight officers and 100 non-commissioned officers and privates were killed or wounded. This was a heavy list of casualties, — over a sixth of the men engaged, — but it shows how gallantly Brock’s men fought under his leadership in his first real battle.

On this occasion Brock almost lost his life. When the enemy began their retreat, he was viewing with satisfaction the work his men were doing, when a stray bullet struck him with such force that he was stunned and fell from his horse. It was a bitterly cold day, and for protection from the weather he wore round his neck a stout cotton handkerchief over a silk cravat. The bullet penetrated both the handkerchief and cravat, but did not wound him.

Fighting continued until October 6th, when both the British and the Russians were forced to retreat, although, strange to relate, the

French and their allies were retreating at the same time. The invading army was now in a perilous position. It could obtain supplies only from the vessels. The British commanders had expected that the inhabitants of Holland would welcome them with open arms, but they either held aloof or were actively engaged against them. Winter was drawing on and a winter campaign was out of the question. Defeat and disaster stared the British and Russians in the face, and, after a council of war, it was decided to return to England. Holland was left to the mercy of the French, who for fourteen years continued to overrun and plunder the country.

The costly expedition had been a failure, but it was of much benefit to Brock. He learned lessons of the greatest value from his experience under two such able soldiers as Sir Ralph Abercromby and Sir John Moore.

Brock’s younger brother Savery was with him during this campaign in the capacity of paymaster to the 49th. He had the fighting blood of the Brocks in his veins, and, during the whole of the battle of October and, was to be found where the bullets fell thickest. He was acting as aide-de-camp to Sir John Moore. His brother became alarmed at his reckless courage, and, fearing for his life, summoned him to his side and exclaimed with pretended anger: “By the Lord Harry [a favourite expression of Brock’s], Master Savery, did not I order you, unless you remained with the general, to stay with your iron chest? Go back to it, Sir, immediately! ” But Savery merely replied with an affectionate laugh : “ Mind your regiment, Master Isaac ; you would not have me quit the field now.” Savery remained in the field and managed to escape without a wound, although he had a horse shot under him. When the campaign was over, Isaac Brock, in writing to his brother John, spoke in most enthusiastic terms of Savery’s “ activity and gallantry,” and declared that “ he has become the astonishment of all who saw him.” Evidently he was not in very great anger when he ordered him from the field of glory back to his iron chest.

The 49th Regiment, shortly after its return to England, was sent to Jersey, where it remained until the spring of 1801. Brock was for a brief time absent from the regiment, and Lieutenant-Colonel Sheaffe was left in command. The latter was a fine soldier, but a disciplinarian of the old school, who was apt to make mountains out of molehills, and treated the men under him with unnecessary harshness. They longed for the return of their senior lieutenant-colonel, and when he did appear on the parade ground he was greeted with three hearty cheers. It was an outburst of genuine regard, but it was a serious breach of discipline, and, for this unauthorized welcome, Brock ordered the men to be confined to barrack for a week. He no doubt issued this order with an unwilling heart, for he greatly appreciated the love of his men.

Great Britain’s foes were now threatening her on all sides. Russia, Denmark, Sweden, and Prussia were in alliance with France against her. It was necessary to teach them a lesson. Strong Russian and Danish fleets were in the Baltic. Great Britain decided to make a mighty effort to destroy or capture these fleets, and to humble the Danes. Unless she remained mistress of the seas she would surely fall a victim to the ambitious designs of Napoleon. A powerful fleet of fifty-three vessels was fitted out for the Baltic expedition. Sir Hyde Parker and Lord Nelson were in command, and Brock went with the fleet as second in command of the land forces. His superior officer was Colonel William Stewart. Brock was fortunate in having a chance to serve under such a commander. Colonel Stewart was a wide-awake soldier. He was not bound by red tape, was even then introducing new methods, and did more than probably any other man of his time to improve the condition of the army. From Stewart, Brock undoubtedly learned much that was to be of great service to him in future years.

The 49th Regiment, 760 strong, embarked on Nelson’s squadron. When Nelson attacked Copenhagen, Brock, who was on the Ganges , was given the important task of leading the 49th in storming the principal of the Trekroner batteries. In this undertaking he was to be supported by Captain Fremantle of the Ganges with 500 seamen. But the

Danes offered such a fierce resistance that the landing had to be abandoned, and during the entire battle the British infantry were to remain unemployed.

The vessels on which were the 49th were subjected to a hot fire from the shore batteries, the floating batteries, and the line of Danish battleships. The infantry, although out of musketry range, apparently remained on the decks of the vessels, and suffered from one of the severest fusilades ever experienced by the British in battle. Brock, on this occasion, was exposed to a heavy fire and had many narrow escapes. His brother Savery was with him, and that irrepressible soldier was once more in the thick of the fight. He was given charge of a gun, and, while in the act of pointing it, a grape-shot whizzed by him with such force as to knock off his cocked hat and cause him to fall to the deck, momentarily stunned. With a cry of anguish, his brother Isaac, who was standing near by, exclaimed: “Ah; poor Savery is dead.” But Savery leaped to his feet, rubbed his head, assured his brother that he was still very much alive, and proved it by firing the gun with the coolness of a Nelson.

Shortly before the fight terminated, Brock went with Captain Fremantle to the Elephant and was close to Nelson when he wrote his famous message to the crown prince of Denmark. The message was as follows:

“ Lord Nelson has directions to spare Denmark when no longer resisting ; but if the firing is continued on the part of Denmark, Lord Nelson will be obliged to set on fire all the floating batteries he has taken, without having the power to save the brave Danes who have defended them.”

Brock may have taken a hint from this famous message. At any rate it closely resembles the message he sent eleven years later to General Hull in Detroit.

Denmark yielded; the courage and skill of Nelson had won the day. Napoleon, by the defeat of his allies at Copenhagen, had his influence greatly weakened in Europe, and Britain was saved from immediate danger of attack. Brock had been a witness of what was in many respects the greatest naval battie up to that time. He was a personal witness of the audacious courage of Nelson. He saw him practically disobey his commander-in-chief and risk all to win a great victory. It is quite possible that, when later in life Sir George Prevost, his own commander-in-chief, was warning him to refrain from attacking the enemy, he remembered Nelson and Copenhagen and dared all to save his country from the invading army of the United States.

Chapter III

During the attack on Copenhagen the 49th Regiment had been scattered throughout the fleet; detachments were on the Monarch , the St. George , the Ganges , and the Elephant. It was not until August that the entire force was back in England. When the regiment assembled at Colchester, Brock inspected it, and addressed his soldiers in affectionate terms. He praised both officers and men for the courage they had shown while exposed to the fierce fire from the Danish batteries. He told them, too, that he had learned from the various captains on whose ships they had been stationed, that all had behaved themselves like true British soldiers. By his thoughtful care he had made a new 49th; and the men of the regiment could be trusted to do their duty, even when not under his immediate command.

FIRST YEARS IN CANADA Vj

The winter was spent in England, but with the opening of spring the 49th Regiment was ordered to make ready to go to Canada. This could hardly have been pleasant news to either Erock or his men. Canada was not the rich, prosperous country that the world now knows. It was considered a land of ice and snow; of uncultivated wilderness, for the most part inhabited by savage beasts and more savage men. The voyage there was a long, tedious, and dangerous one, and many soldiers had lost their lives on the stormy Atlantic in journeying to Canada. War, the soldier’s hope, seemed far away in North America. To be stationed in Canada was like being buried alive; but Brock uttered no complaint. His duty was clear. If his country had ordered him to go to Greenland, he would uncomplainingly have obeyed the command.

The vessels bearing Brock and his regiment set sail from England in June, and after weeks of unusually stormy weather for the summer season arrived at Quebec. The vast river St. Lawrence, opening into the heart of the continent; the miles and miles of forest growing thick to the shores; the strong natural fortress at Quebec, crowned by defences that had experienced four protracted sieges, — must have impressed Brock with the vastness of the country to which this was but the gateway. For a brief period he remained at the capital of Canada, enjoying the gay society of the place; but the 49th was destined for Upper Canada, and to that wilderness, as he thought it, it was necessary he should go.

Canada was at this time very thinly populated. There were some 160,000 inhabitants in Lower Canada, and but little more than half that number in the Upper Province. In all, there were fewer than 300,000 people in the vast region under British rule stretching from the Atlantic to the great plains of the West, a population a good deal less than that of the present city of Toronto. A mere handful of soldiers was stationed in the country, barely enough to police the region. The fortified posts, too, were very weak. York, the capital of Upper Canada, was without fortifications; Amherstburg was rudely fortified, but the fortifications were in a ruined condition; Kingston was in somewhat better shape to resist attack; and Montreal, although the wealthiest point of trade, was feebly defended and without walls. Quebec was really the only point that could have resisted an enemy coming against it with proper siege material.

Brock began his journey to his post at York, as Toronto was then called, in either August or September, 1802. The journey was a slow one. Steamboats and railways had not yet been invented, and the journey had to be made either over rough roads through the forests, or by the water route. Brock chose the latter. The first stage to Montreal was made in a fast-sailing schooner. At Montreal he rested for a time, and no doubt enjoyed the hospitality of the great fur lords who lived there and sent into the far North armies of men who brought back rich stores of furs. From Montreal the journey was made in boats up the St. Lawrence. Past some of the turbulent rapids the crews found it necessary to portage their clumsy vessels; up others they dragged or poled them. With paddle and oar they swept smoothly up such broad lakes as St. Louis and St. Francis. Through the fairy maze of the Thousand Islands they crept, admiring the beauty of the scene. At last Kingston was reached, and in that fortified place, founded in the days of Frontenac, they once more halted.

By this time Brock’s eyes must have been opened to the wonderful possibilities of the great British colony to which he had been sent. Forests alive with game; rivers teeming with fish, fertile soil, and an abundant wealth of timber met him at every turn. From Kingston the journey to York was made in a schooner. How surprised he must have been by Lake Ontario ! His idea of lakes was small bodies of water; but here was a vast freshwater sea, and he learned that above it were other lakes immensely larger. What an empire might yet be built along their fertile shores! He must have suffered disappointment, however, when he reached the capital of Upper Canada. “ Muddy York,” it was called, and it deserved the name. In his wildest dreams he could not have imagined that, in but little over one hundred years, a large and beautiful city, one of the finest on the continent of America, with about 400,000 inhabitants, would raise its proud buildings on the site of the tiny village that was struggling into existence on the shore of the bay. His headquarters were to be at York, but the greater part of the 49th was sent on to Fort George, at the mouth of the Niagara River, fronting the United States fort on the opposite shore.