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
The period thus ended had been a momentous one. Brilliant reputations
had been made and lost. The blood of many patriots had flowed freely,
but, as regarded Canada, not in vain, for, in the words of the American
historian, Schouler, "the war had impressed upon the people of the
Republic the fact that Canada could not be carried by dash, nor pierced
by an army officered by political generals and the invincibles of
peace."
THE CAMPAIGN OF 1813.
Though it would be quite natural to suppose that the story of Isaac
Brock would end with his death and the victory of Queenston Heights, it
is well to remember that the _influence of his triumphs only ceased with
the close of the war_ and the Treaty of Ghent, in December, 1814. Hence
a _resume_ of the events that occurred during 1813 and 1814 is
necessary, if a just valuation of our hero's achievements is desired.
Between July, 1812 and November 5th, 1814, "twelve distinct invasions of
Canada by superior forces of the enemy were defeated." Out of fifty-six
military and naval engagements between the British and U.S. forces,
thirty-six were won by the British. Though the victories of 1812 were
the direct factors that brought about a change in the national destiny
of Canada, "Queenston Heights was not the culminating feat of arms." As
a result of brooding over these disasters that had befallen the "Grand
Army of the West," and the "national disgrace" of overwhelming defeat,
the people of the United States, as a whole, independent of politics,
"were now"--so write American chroniclers--"compelled to become
belligerents."
In consequence of this national thirst for revenge, Generals Harrison
and Winchester started to look for trouble in January, 1813, and--were
rewarded. Strongly stockaded at Frenchtown, on the Raisin River, with a
seasoned army, they invited attack. Colonel Procter, with 500 soldiers
and 800 Indians under Roundhead, accepted the challenge, and making a
furious attack upon Winchester before daybreak, took the General and 405
of his "Grand Army" prisoners. Brockville was then raided, and fifty-two
citizens kidnapped by the U.S. soldiers. During the next two years raids
of this nature were of frequent occurrence, first by one belligerent,
then by the other, and with varying success. Major Macdonald's capture
of Ogdensburg, when he took eleven guns and 500 U.S. soldiers, was the
next big win for Canada.
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