British Guns Opened On Detroit

Source

The same day that Major Denny evacuated Sandwich the ground he left was occupied by a British detachment, and the erection of batteries was commenced under the direction of Capt. [M.C.] Dixon of the Royal Engineers. The work was prosecuted with such diligence that on the 15th, five guns were in position all of which commanded the fort at Detroit. At noon that day, Lieut. Col. Macdonell and Captain Glegg were sent by General Brock to Hull under a flag of truce to demand the immediate surrender of Detroit. Hull returned a bold answer stating that he was ready to meet any force the British might send against him, and refusing to comply with the demand. The same afternoon the British guns...opened on Detroit with shot and shell and were replied to...from the other side of the river which, however, failed to do the British batteries the slightest injury, although the cannonade continued for several hours. During the night Tecumseh with Colonel Elliot, Capt. McKee and 600 Indians landed on the American shore two miles below Spring Wells, and five from Detroit. There they remained in concealment until the following morning, when General Brock and his white troops crossed over at Spring Wells.

Apparent Even To The Enemy

Unknown Source

The New Nation Grows... included a section entitled, "A Cowardly Commander Surrenders Detroit."

"The day after the Fort Dearborn massacre General William Hull surrendered Detroit to General Brock, the British commander. Hull's incompetence and cowardice were apparent even to the enemy."

"...[an] account was written by Thomas Vercheres de Boucherville, a French Canadian serving in the British army."

Foremost Defender Of Canada's Flag

Source - Brock's Cocked Hat

That Isaac Brock is entitled to rank as the foremost defender of the flag Western Canada has ever seen, is a statement which no one familiar with history can deny. Brock fought and won out when the odds were all against him. [Source]

Couche Should Be Hanged

"Edward Couche, deputy commissary general.  The "means" was a local currency to pay 4,000 militia ordered out by Brock.  He needed 1,500 pounds and couldn't get the funds.  Hence we find, December 12, 1813, Col. Nichol writing to Talbot, remarking: "Couche should be hanged."  He made good in many other ways later on." [Source]

Source

"On the sixth of August the deputy-commissary at Amherstburg wrote as follows to Edward Couche, the commissary-general for the province of Upper Canada: 'If the Indians remain and continue their wanton and extensive depredations on cattle, a short period will put an end to our supplies.'"
"'I could easily have supplied provisions for 2,000 troops in conformity with your letter of the 18th of July. Since then I have been feeding 15,000 troops Indians &c I find such difficulty in procuring flour corn etc to feed such hordes...'" [Source]

 

Brock Centenary

Brock Centenary 1812-1912

"The desire to commemorate the centenary of Brock's death-day—October 13th, 1912—took form at a meeting of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada, held at Toronto on April 11th, 1912...".

PANORAMIC PICTURE OF THE GATHERING

 AT QUEENSTON HEIGHTS.

A Fearless And Defiant Brock

Source

From Soldiering in Canada: Recollections and Experiences, by George Taylor Denison:
"The clearest impression...[about] discussions to which I [Denison] delighted to listen, was the remarkable respect and esteem felt by all the old veterans of the War of 1812 for their favorite leader, General Brock."

"What especially endeared him to the memory of these old loyalists was the fearless and defiant way in which he maintained his confidence in the face of enormous odds, and what was worst of all, internal intrigue and treachery. The action that particularly pleased them was his bold move in proroguing the House of Assembly, and declaring martial law, in order to arrest and banish the traitors who were spreading doubt and hesitation among the people."

Brock's Glorious Words

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'"We are engaged in an awful and eventful contest. By unanimity and despatch in our councils and by vigour in our iterations, we will teach the enemy this lesson; that a country defended by free men, enthusiastically devoted to the cause of their King and constitution, can never be conquered."'

"It was with these glorious and inspiring words that Major-General Brock, then Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of  Upper Canada, concluded the speech with which on the 27th July, 1812, he opened the extra session of the Legislature of the Province, which he had summoned immediately following the declaration of war by the United States on the 18th of June."

Major-General Sir Isaac Brock was born 6th October, 1769; died 13th October, 1812, by J. A. Macdonell, K.C., Glengarry. 

One Of The Select Few

From the Life of Sir John Beverly Robinson: BART., C.B., D.C.L., chief-justice of .., by Charles Walker Robinson:

Young Isaac Brock

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The Ryersons

Life and times of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, K. B.:


On the 6th August, Brock left York for Burlington Bay on his way to Detroit to meet the enemy, accompanied by the York Volunteers... not then knowing that the grand army had decamped.  Brock had depended on picking up the militia by the way and appointed a rendezvous at Long Point in the county of Norfolk. Not far from this place was the residence of Colonel Ryerson of the Norfolk militia.

Among the band of the United Empire Loyalists who took part in the war of 1812, there is no name more deserving of remembrance than that of George Ryerson (some time after the war the Rev. George Ryerson)....... .  The reverend gentleman and soldier was of the loyal family of Ryersons, of New Jersey, who performed eminent service to the British cause during the struggle of the American colonies for independence .  George was the son of Joseph Ryerson, and brother of the Rev. Egerton Ryerson...  .

Preparing For The Game Of Conquest

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From the History of the settlement of upper Canada (Ontario): with special reference ...:

In 1801 there was still further legislation, and again in 1808, when there was "an act to explain, amend, and reduce to one act of Parliament the several laws now in being for the raising and training of the militia." And a suitable salary was to be allowed to the Adjutant-General.  Legislation at this time was deemed necessary because of the aggressive spirit manifested by the United States. The game of conquest was already begun by the selfish statesmen of America, and even foul means were being adopted to subvert British power on the continent. The year prior, Lower Canada had taken steps under Mr. Dunn to protect themselves against a wily enemy. General Brock was earnestly engaged in perfecting the defences of Quebec. In 1809 an act was passed respecting billeting Her Majesty's troops. and the Provincial Militia. and furnishing them on the march. and impressing horses. carriages. oxen. boats. &c. 

The Conflict And John Askin's Family

From The American Revolution:

Askin was in his seventies when the War of 1812 broke out, and retired from the militia. Four of his sons, two sons-in-law, and ten grandchildren, however, served the British army. But with so many cross-border connections, the war pit family members against each other: to the great distress of John and Marie-Archange, one of their sons-in-law fought in the American army.

Source Of Birdseye View Of Detroit/Windsor

"When on August 16, 1812, General Brock crossed his army from Sandwich to Spring Wells ... Askin and his wife, from their vantage point on the opposite shore, viewed the entire spectacle, gully anticipating that their sons would presently be locked in deadly combat with their son-in-law, and that in the event of a British triumph, their daughter and grandchildren within the fort would be exposed to ... Brock's red allies."  Their fears, thankfully, were put to rest when General Hull surrendered.

MacDonnell, Brock's Fallen Aide

John Macdonell according to Wikipedia:

"Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell of Greenfield (19 April 1785 – 14 October 1812) was an aide-de-camp to British Major General Sir Isaac Brock during the War of 1812, dying in the Battle of Queenston Heights."

Source - Lt. Col. John Macdonnell

From The Documentary History of the Campaign Upon the Niagara Frontier ..:

A song was written about Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell entitled Macdonell on the Heights (also on YouTube).

The Man Who Would Be Quartermaster For Canada

The life of Robert Nichol (1774 - 1824) from the Ontario [Canada] Historical Society:

"The first record I have found of his life in Canada, is contained in a certificate over his signature, dated at Amherstburg on January 21, 1798, in which he states that he had been employed by Mr. Askin, a British merchant of Detroit and had transacted all his mercantile 'business at Amherstburg...".  

Was it his business acumen learned from working with Mr. Askin and elsewhere that proved invaluable in the eyes of Sir Isaac Brock?

"He [Brock] sent for Nichol...and offered him the important and responsible office of Quartermaster-General of the Militia. This would involve the entire organization of a new department, charged with all the duties of supply and transport for a considerable body of men suddenly called into service, for whose equipment, subsistence, quarters, and movements, no previous arrangements of any kind had yet been made. Everything must be improvised. Nichol said that at first he refused to accept this appointment on the ground that his private business would be neglected and ruined... . Brock insisted on his acceptance, saying that Nichol was the only person in the province whom he considered fit for the office... ."

Canadian Colonel Titus Williams

"...Titus was born in Long Island in 1790, and came over with his father [Jonathan Williams]. Four years before the war of 1812, Titus received an ensign's commission in the 2nd Regiment of Norfolk militia, and as soon as war was declared, he was made lieutenant... . He was second in command of the 100 volunteers from this county who accompanied Brock to Detroit...his rank was then raised to that of captain."

"Shortly afterwards he was ordered to the defence of Fort Erie... . When the attack came, the Canadians were forced to retire for their numbers were far inferior to those of the American force. However on his way back to Chippawa, Capt. Williams succeeded in surprising and taking prisoners thirty Americans under Capt. King." From Papers and Records, Volumes 2-4.

Source

Source

"The captives were forwarded from one place to another, Schlosser, Fort Niagara, Batavia, Geneva, Albany, Pittsfield, Mass., and, finally, Philadelphia."

"...they were liberated on the 18th of May 1814, and arrived in Upper Canada July 25th, 1814. On his return he was appointed adjutant and fought at Lundy's Lane."

His eyesight was restored in Buffalo, New York, in 1855, according to a testimonial.

Brock Leading The Way

Source of Portrait Of Sir Isaac Brocki

When in our national gallery of the future, miles of canvas attest the progress of Canadian art, no picture will compel more attention than Brock erect in his canoe leading the way to battle at Detroit, or the same gallant captain, shouting while the fatal lead whizzes to his heart: "Push on the brave York Volunteers." 

Samuel Clements, Of Crook's Company, Who Saw Brock Fall

From The Irishman in Canada:

"Samuel Clements, eighty years of age, formerly of Crook's Flank Company, who was present at Queenston Heights, who fought under the solemn stars at Lundy's Lane would have made a good central figure for a historical picture as he told, with uplifted finger, how he saw Brock fall." 

Captain J. Crook's flank Co., 1st Lincoln Militia, listed below:

Source

Was he the Samuel Clement(s) who married Martha Porter?  Probably.  

By license, Samuel Clement and Martha Porter, both of ye Township of Niagara, married in Township of Niagara, the 23rd December, 1824. 

If he was the son of James and Catherine (Crysler) Clement, he was also a distant relative of Hugh Clement, who married a member of my Cameron family, and was also related to this family.

Captain LeBreton

From Robert Randall and the Le Breton flats...:

In 1811 [Captain John LeBreton] was stationed as a Lieutenant in the QuarterMaster Generals Department at Quebec. In this office he seems to have been active and zealous in the performance of his duties. On the outbreak of the war in 1812, between Great Britain and the United States, he was attached to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry, a regiment which earned an enviable record during the war. He accompanied the regiment on General Brock's expedition to Detroit in 1812 and was present at the capture of the city.

See John LeBreton's biography here.

Richard Pierpoint Of Captain Runchey's Troops

The blog, Little Red Umbrella, featured a post about Richard Pierpoint (including a film clip):

"When the Americans invaded in 1812, Pierpoint petitioned Isaac Brock, the British commander: he wanted to be allowed to form a "Corps of Men of Colour" to fight on the Niagara border. (That's what's shown in the Heritage Minute.)"

 That blog post dovetailed quite nicely with my post, A Canadian Company Of Blacks.

General Proctor's Efforts To Secure Detroit

Correspondence between Colonel Proctor and Major General Sheaffe:

Source

A partial transcription:

Sandwich Jany 13th 1813
Nothing can be more gratifying to me than to find effectual measures taken to ensure the [British] superiority on the Lakes, so requisite to the security of the Country.  Every exertion is making and shall be preserved in, as far as depends on me, to attain that object.
The Gun Boats are to be built on the Thames.....

After General Hull's surrender of Detroit, [British] General Isaac Brock, from his Headquarter's in Detroit, wrote to Sir George Prevost on August 17, 1812.   Brock left Proctor in charge of Detroit.

All through the winter of 1812-13 General Proctor, with his division of the 41st Regiment at Amherstburgh, the militia of Essex, and the Indians under Tecumseh had been kept busily employed in devices for preventing or retarding the American forces on the other side of the river from crossing into Canada. [Source]

General Brock* left to Colonel Proctor the task of carrying out his promises [to the people of Michigan that their lives, propery, and religious observances would be respected].  In his perplexity, Proctor turned to Judge Woodward, the sole remaining representative of the American Government for advice and aid. The request was made with great hesitation on Proctor's part, and was accepted with equal reluctance on the part of Woodward. [Source]

*General Brock was killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights in October of 1812.