The battles of the world : $b or, cyclopedia of battles, sieges, and important military eventsBorthwick, J. Douglas (John Douglas)
History
The battles of the world : $b or, cyclopedia of battles, sieges, and important military events
Borthwick, J. Douglas (John Douglas)
Battles; Military history
At this juncture Sir Isaac Brock arrived. He had for days suspected
this invasion, and on the preceding evening he called his staff
together and gave to each the necessary instructions. Agreeable
to his usual custom he rose before daylight, and hearing the
cannonade, awoke Major Glegg, and called for his horse Alfred,
which Sir James Craig had presented to him. He then galloped
eagerly from Fort George to the scene of action, and with two
Aides-de-Camp passed up the hill at full gallop in front of the
light company, under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry
from the American shore. On reaching the 18-pounder battery at
the top of the hill, they dismounted and took a view of passing
events, which at that moment appeared highly favourable. But in
a few minutes a firing was heard, which proceeded from a strong
detachment of American regulars under Captain Wool, who, as just
stated, had succeeded in gaining the brow of the heights in rear
of the battery, by a fisherman’s path up the rocks, which being
reported as impossible, was not guarded. Sir Isaac Brock and his
Aides-de-Camp had not even time to remount, but were obliged to
retire precipitately with the twelve men stationed in the battery,
which was quickly occupied by the enemy. Captain Wool having sent
forward about 150 regulars, Captain Williams’ detachment of about
100 men advanced to meet them, personally directed by the General,
who, observing the enemy waver, ordered a charge, which was
promptly executed; but as the Americans gave way, the result was
not equal to his expectations. Captain Wool sent a reinforcement
to his regulars, notwithstanding which, the whole was driven to
the edge of the bank. Here some of the American officers were on
the point of hoisting a white flag with an intention to surrender,
when Captain Wool tore it off and reanimated his dispirited troops.
They now opened a heavy fire of musketry, and, conspicuous from his
cross, his height, and the enthusiasm with which he animated his
little band, the British Commander was soon singled out, and he
fell about an hour after his arrival.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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