The Story of Isaac Brock: Hero, Defender and Saviour of Upper Canada, 1812Nursey, Walter R.
History
The Story of Isaac Brock: Hero, Defender and Saviour of Upper Canada, 1812
Nursey, Walter R.
Brock, Isaac, Sir, 1769-1812; Canada -- History -- 1763-1867; United States -- History -- War of 1812
"When I returned heaven thanks," he wrote, "for my amazing success, I
thought of you all, your late sorrows forgotten, and I felt that the
many benefits which for a series of years I received from you were not
unworthily bestowed." But the hope that they were reunited was always
the dominant note. "Let me know, my dearest brothers," he pleaded, "that
you are all again united." Then, out of his own knowledge, wrought of
deep experience in the world's wide field, he proceeded: "The want of
union was nearly losing this province, without even a struggle; rest
assured, it operates in the same degree in regard to families."
Brock's despatches, with the story of the capture of Detroit and the
colours of the 4th Regiment, United States Army, the oriflamme of the
"heroes of Tippecanoe," reached London the morning of October 6th, the
anniversary of his birth. His brother William resided close to the city.
A tumultuous clangour of bells and booming of guns from St. James' Park
and the Tower of London rent the air. When asked by his wife the reason
for the jubilation he jokingly replied, "Why, for Isaac, of course. You
surely have not forgotten this is his birthday." But William, on
reaching the city, learned to his amazement that his jesting words were
true. The salvoes of artillery and peals of bells were indeed in honour
of General Brock's victory in far-off Michigan.
Neither King nor Imperial Government was slow to recognize our hero's
achievements. The Prince Regent, who expressed his appreciation of
Brock's "able, judicious and decisive conduct," bestowed upon him an
_extra_ knighthood of the Order of the Bath, in consideration, so ran
the document, "of all the difficulties with which he was surrounded
during the invasion of the Province, and the singular judgment,
firmness, skill and courage with which he surmounted them so
effectually."
When the glittering insignia of his new rank reached Canada, Sir Isaac
Brock's eyes were closed in death. His inanimate body, from which one of
the noblest souls of the century had fled, lay rigid in its
winding-sheet at Fort George.
To Major Glegg, who bore the General's despatches from Canada, the
Prince Regent remarked that "General Brock had done more in an hour than
could have been done in six months by negotiation." The fulfilment of
Isaac's favourite maxim, "Say and do," was being demonstrated in a most
remarkable manner.
[Illustration: "PORTRAIT OF MAJOR-GENERAL BROCK, 18 X 6"]
CHAPTER XXIII.
"HERO, DEFENDER, SAVIOUR."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account