The Life and Correspondence of Sir Isaac Brock by Ferdinand Brock Tupper

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The force at my disposal being collected in the course of the
15th, in the neighbourhood of Sandwich, the embarkation took
place a little after daylight on the following morning; and by
the able arrangements of Lieutenant Dewar, of the
quartermaster-general's department, the whole was in a short
time landed without the smallest confusion at Spring Well, a
good position, three miles west of Detroit. The Indians, who
had in the mean time effected their landing two miles below,
moved forward and occupied the woods, about a mile and a half
on our left.

The force, which I instantly directed to march against the
enemy, consisted of 30 artillery, 250 41st regiment, 50 royal
Newfoundland regiment, 400 militia, and about 600 Indians, to
which were attached three 6-pounders and two 3-pounders. The
services of Lieutenant Troughton, commanding the royal
artillery, an active and intelligent officer, being required
in the field, the direction of the batteries was entrusted to
Captain Hall and the marine department, and I cannot withhold
my entire approbation of their conduct on this occasion.

I crossed the river, with an intention of waiting in a strong
position the effect of our force upon the enemy's camp, and in
the hope of compelling him to meet us in the field; but
receiving information upon landing, that Colonel M'Arthur, an
officer of high reputation, had left the garrison three days
before with a detachment of 500 men, and hearing, soon
afterwards, that his cavalry had been seen that morning three
miles in our rear, I decided on an immediate attack.
Accordingly, the troops advanced to within one mile of the
fort, and having ascertained that the enemy had taken little
or no precaution towards the land side, I resolved on an
assault, whilst the Indians penetrated his camp.
Brigadier-General Hull, however, prevented this movement, by
proposing a cessation of hostilities, for the purpose of
preparing terms of capitulation. Lieut.-Colonel J. M'cDonell
and Captain Glegg were accordingly deputed by me on this
mission, and returned within an hour with the conditions,
which I have the honor herewith to transmit. Certain
considerations afterwards induced me to agree to the two
supplementary articles.

The force thus surrendered to his majesty's arms cannot be
estimated at less than 2,500 men. In this estimate, Colonel
M'cArthur's detachment is included, as he surrendered,
agreeably to the terms of capitulation, in the course of the
evening, with the exception of 200 men, whom he left escorting
a valuable convoy at some little distance in his rear; but
there can be no doubt the officer commanding will consider
himself equally bound by the capitulation.

The enemy's aggregate force was divided into two troops of
cavalry; one company of artillery, regulars; the 4th United
States' regiment; detachments of the 1st and 3d United States'
regiments, volunteers; three regiments of the Ohio militia;
one regiment of the Michigan territory.

Thirty-three pieces of brass and iron ordnance have already
been secured.

When this contest commenced, many of the Indian nations were
engaged in active warfare with the United States,
notwithstanding the constant endeavours of this government to
dissuade them from it. Some of the principal chiefs happened
to be at Amherstburg, trying to procure a supply of arms and
ammunition, which for years had been withheld, agreeably to
the instructions received from Sir James Craig, and since
repeated by your excellency.

From that moment they took a most active part, and appeared
foremost on every occasion; they were led yesterday by Colonel
Elliott and Captain M'Kee, and nothing could exceed their
order and steadiness. A few prisoners were taken by them
during the advance, whom they treated with every humanity; and
it affords me much pleasure in assuring your excellency, that
such was their forbearance and attention to what was required
of them, that the enemy sustained no other loss in men than
what was occasioned by the fire of our batteries.

The high sense I entertain of the abilities and judgment of
Lieut-Colonel Myers, induced me to appoint him to the
important command at Niagara; it was with reluctance I
deprived myself of his assistance, but I had no other
expedient; his duties, as head of the quartermaster-general's
department, were performed to my satisfaction by
Lieut.-Colonel Nichol, quartermaster-general of the militia.

Captain Glegg, my aide-de-camp, will have the honor of
delivering this dispatch to your excellency; he is charged
with the colours taken at the capture of Fort Detroit, and
those of the 4th United States' regiment.

Captain Glegg is capable of giving your excellency every
information respecting the state of this province, and I shall
esteem myself highly indebted to your excellency, to afford
him that protection to which his merit and length of service
give him a powerful claim.[81] I have the honor to be, &c.

P.S.--I have the honor to enclose a copy of a proclamation
which I issued immediately on taking possession of this
country.

I should have mentioned in the body of my dispatch, the
capture of the Adams; she is a fine vessel, and recently
repaired, but without arms.

_Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock._

Head Quarters, Montreal, Aug. 30, 1812.

I received on the 25th, whilst at St. John's, your dispatch,
by express from Detroit, of the 16th instant. I do most
sincerely congratulate you upon the complete success which has
attended your measures for the preservation of Amherstburg.
The surrender of Detroit, the capture of General Hull's army
with so large a proportion of ordnance, are circumstances of
high importance to our country, and which have evinced your
talents as an officer in command, and reflect honor upon you,
and upon Lieut.-Colonel St. George and Colonel Proctor.

I propose sending an aide-de-camp to England with your short
dispatch, together with such details as I am in possession of,
respecting Brigadier-General Hull's previous invasion of Upper
Canada and of his foiled attempts to invest Amherstburg; but I
shall delay his departure from hence until the 1st of
September, in hopes of obtaining from you before that time
further particulars of the operations which led to General
Hull's disgrace.

Well aware of the difficulties you have surmounted Tor the
preservation of your government entire, I shall endeavour to
do justice to your merit in my report to his majesty's
minister upon the success which has crowned your energy and
zeal.

A warrant, giving to you more extensive power over the
sentence of such general courts martial as you may be called
on to assemble, was signed by me ten days since, and has I
hope reached you.

I am in hourly expectation of receiving from General Dearborn
intelligence respecting the reception of the proposed
suspension of hostilities, in consequence of the revocation of
the orders in council, which are the plea for war in the
American cabinet; and also whether Mr. Baker has been allowed
to assume, _pro tempore_, the character of a charge d'affaires
at Washington, where Mr. Foster had left him in a
demi-official capacity. I consider the arrangement entered
into by General Dearborn with Colonel Baynes, requiring the
confirmation of the president, to establish its sacredness.

The king's government having most unequivocally expressed to
me their desire to preserve peace with the United States, that
they might, uninterrupted, pursue, with the whole disposable
force of the country, the great interest committed in Europe,
I have endeavoured to be instrumental in the accomplishment of
their views; but I consider it most fortunate to have been
enabled to do so without interfering with your operations on
the Detroit.

I have sent you men, money, and stores of every kind.

_Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock._

Head Quarters, Montreal, Aug. 31, 1812.

I had scarcely closed the letters I addressed to you
yesterday, when an aide-de-camp from Major-General Dearborn
made his appearance, and delivered to me the dispatch herewith
transmitted. It will expose to your view the disposition of
the president of the United States on the provisional measure
temporarily agreed upon between the American
commander-in-chief and myself, in consequence of an earnest
desire not to widen the breach existing between the two
countries, the revocation of the orders in council having
removed the plea used in congress for a declaration of war
against Great Britain.

I am much disappointed that the particulars of the surrender
of Detroit have not as yet reached me, particularly as my
aide-de-camp, Captain Coore, is to leave Montreal this evening
for Quebec, where a ship of war is on the point of sailing for
Halifax, from whence I expect the admiral will give him a
conveyance for England.

Being unacquainted with the conditions attached to the
surrender of Brigadier-General Hull's army, and giving scope
to your expression of prisoners of war, I have made
arrangements for increasing their security against any attempt
to rescue them, by ordering Captain Gray to proceed with two
flank companies to Prescot.

[The dispatch from General Dearborn, dated Greenbush, August 26, was to
announce the discontinuance of the temporary armistice agreed to between
him and Colonel Baynes, in four days after the receipt of the
communication at the frontier posts in Canada. The American general
added: "If a suspension of offensive operations shall have been mutually
consented to between General Hull and the commanding officer of the
British forces at and near Detroit, as proposed, they will respectively
be authorized, at the expiration of four days subsequent to their
receiving copies of this communication, to consider themselves released
from any agreement thus entered into."]

* * * * *

As we have already commented on Sir George Prevost's management of the
war, and shall have occasionally to do so again, we gladly give him
credit for the very handsome manner in which he spoke of Major-General
Brock, in his dispatch to Earl Bathurst, one of his majesty's principal
secretaries of state, announcing the surrender of Detroit, and dated
Montreal, 26th August, 1812.

"It was under these circumstances at this critical period, and
when the enemy were beginning to consult their security by
entrenching themselves, that General Brock entered
Amherstburg with a reinforcement, which he was fortunately
enabled to do on the 13th instant, without the smallest
molestation, in consequence of our decided naval superiority
on the lakes. To his active and intelligent mind, the
advantages which his enemy's situation afforded him over them,
even with his very inferior force, became immediately
apparent; and that he has not failed most effectually to avail
himself of those favorable circumstances, your lordship will,
I trust, be satisfied, from the letter which I have the honor
of transmitting.

"Having thus brought to your lordship's view the different
circumstances which have led to the successful termination of
the campaign on the western frontier of Upper Canada, I cannot
withhold from Major-General Brock the tribute of applause so
justly due to him for his distinguished conduct on this
occasion; or omit to recommend him, through your lordship, to
the favorable consideration of his royal highness the prince
regent, for the great ability and judgment with which he
planned, and the promptitude, energy, and fortitude with which
he has effected, the preservation of Upper Canada, with the
sacrifice of so little British blood in accomplishing so
important a service.

"My aide-de-camp, Captain Coore, will have the honor of
delivering to your lordship this dispatch; and as he is well
qualified to give your lordship information respecting the
military resources of this command, I shall beg leave to
refer your lordship to him for farther particulars."

At the same time, truth compels us to add, that Sir George Prevost took
credit to himself, to which he was not entitled, when he wrote to Lord
Bathurst: "General Brock, relying upon the strong assurances I had given
him of a reinforcement as prompt and as effectual as the circumstances
by which I was placed by this new war would permit me to send, adopted
the most vigorous measures for the safety of that part of the frontier
which had been attacked." And again: "The certainty of the expected
reinforcements, and the weakness of the enemy on the Niagara frontier,
had in the mean time induced General Brock," &c. The last dispatch
which, we believe, Major-General Brock had received from Sir George
Prevost, when on the 6th of August he left York for Detroit, was dated
the 10th and received on the 29th July; and in that dispatch (see page
178) no reinforcements were promised, and indeed offensive operations
were deprecated. The first reinforcement which left Lower for Upper
Canada, appears to have consisted of about 100 men of the Newfoundland
regiment and 50 of the Veterans, which left Quebec on the 30th of July
for Kingston, to strengthen that post; and the adjutant-general, on the
1st of August, (page 211), wrote that Sir George Prevost regretted
extremely his inability to render Major-General Brock more efficient
aid. It was only on the 2d of August that Sir George Prevost promised
an additional reinforcement of four companies of the 49th regiment,
(page 215,) and on the 12th of the same month the remainder of the
regiment (page 218). Mr. Powell confirms this view of the subject in his
admirable letter, page 261. It will be seen in the sequel that, on the
13th of August, the adjutant-general wrote that he had strongly urged
Sir George Prevost to send further reinforcements, as he was sure they
could be spared. As to the remark relative to the weakness of the enemy
on the Niagara frontier, we shall only mention that Major-General Brock
states, in a MS. before us, that it was the strong American force on
that frontier which compelled him to take with him to Detroit only half
of the militia, who volunteered.

_Sir George Prevost to Earl Bathurst._

Head Quarters, Montreal, Sept. 1, 1812.

Since I had the honor of transmitting to your lordship my
letter of the 26th ultimo, in charge of my aide-de-camp,
Captain Coore, I have received from Major-General Brock a
dispatch, of which the enclosed is a copy, containing the
particulars of Brigadier-General Hull's invasion of Upper
Canada, which has terminated most gloriously to his majesty's
arms, in that officer's defeat and surrender, as a prisoner of
war, with the whole of the north-western army, together with
the fort Detroit, and thirty-three pieces of ordnance.

I forward this dispatch express, in the expectation of its
reaching Captain Coore previously to his leaving Canada,
which, with the colours of the 4th United States' regiment
accompanying it, I trust that officer will have the honor of
delivering to your lordship.

_Earl Bathurst to Sir George Prevost._

DOWNING STREET, October 10, 1812.

I have had the honor of receiving your dispatch, dated the
26th August, together with its enclosures, from Major-General
Brock, and I lost no time in laying intelligence so important
and satisfactory before his royal highness the prince regent.

I am commanded by his royal highness to desire you to take the
earliest opportunity of conveying his royal highness'
approbation of the able, judicious, and decisive conduct of
Major-General Brock, of the zeal and spirit manifested by
Colonel Proctor and the other officers, as well as of the
intrepidity of the troops under the command of Major-General
Brock.

By the united exertions of this little army, the enterprize of
the American army has been defeated; the territories of his
majesty in Upper Canada have been secured; and on the enemy's
fort of Detroit, important to that security, the British
standard has been happily placed.

You will inform Major-General Brock that his royal highness,
taking into consideration all the difficulties by which
Major-General Brock was surrounded from the time of the
invasion of the province by the American army, under the
command of General Hull, and the singular judgment, firmness,
skill, and courage, with which he was enabled to surmount them
so effectually--has been pleased to appoint him an extra
knight of the most honorable order of the bath.

* * * * *

The following letter strikes us as singularly appropriate and pleasing,
and as creditable to him who wrote it as it must have been gratifying to
him who received it. Mr. Powell, who, we believe, was then one of the
puisne judges, was chief justice of Upper Canada in the year 1817.

_William Dummer Powell, Esq., to Major-General Brock_.

KINGSTON, August 27, 1812.

I cannot persuade myself to offer my hearty congratulations
through the medium of a third person, and hope you will
believe that no one sympathizes more cordially than myself in
your feelings on the late happy event. I shall never again
regret little disappointments, when I consider to what they
may lead: had your early representations been attended to and
produced their proper effect, you would probably not have to
boast of the most brilliant success, with the most inadequate
means, which history records. There is something so fabulous
in the report of a handful of troops, supported by a few raw
militia, leaving their strong post to invade an enemy of
double numbers in his own fortress, and making them all
prisoners without the loss of a man, that, although your
report may be sanctioned by Sir George Prevost, it seems to me
that the people of England will be incredulous until they see
the exterminating boaster a prisoner in London. We find in a
cover by General Sheaffe, that the first report of the cannon
taken was one-third short of the real number. I shall hardly
sleep until I have the satisfaction of hearing particulars of
the wonderful excursion, for it must not be called a campaign.
The _veni, vidi, vici_, is again the faithful report. Your
good fortune in one instance is singular, for if your zeal had
been thwarted by such adverse winds as frequently occur on the
lake, the armistice might have intercepted your career. That
it did not I heartily thank God, and pray that nothing may
occur to damp the entire satisfaction of yourself and family
in the glory so well earned. I am impatient to hear from
Colonel M'Donell, but have no doubt that he justified your
warmest expectations in every trial. May I beg to be presented
to Glegg, and that you, Sir, will believe me, &c.

_Chief Justice of Lower Canada, Sewell, to Major-General Brock._

QUEBEC, Sept. 3, 1812.

In your present situation, I am perfectly sensible of your
occupations, and know that your time is precious. Yet I take
the liberty to intrude upon you with my congratulations upon
the brilliant success which has attended the measures which
you have pursued with so much judgment in Upper Canada, and
the thanks of an individual who feels the benefits which he,
in common with every other subject of his majesty in British
America, derives from your exertions.

* * * * *

The next letter is from General Maitland,[82] who was colonel of the
49th foot from the 25th May, 1768, to the period of his death, in
February, 1820, or nearly fifty-two years! Major-General Brock held this
gallant veteran in high estimation, having received from him much
attention and kindness, which were continued to some of his relatives
after his fall, and it will be seen that the feeling was mutual.
Although General Maitland was so many years colonel of the 49th, yet we
find that the Marquis of Drogheda held a similar appointment for a
longer period, being colonel of the 18th Hussars from the 3d August,
1762, to October, 1821, when that regiment was disbanded, or above
fifty-nine years!

_General the Honorable Alexander Maitland to Major-General Brock_.

TOTTERIDGE, October 8, 1812.

Yesterday being mail day for America, I dispatched my usual
monthly letter to the regiment, and in which, as I always do,
I desired to be remembered to you with my best and warmest
wishes for your health, happiness, and success. I had not then
heard, but did a few hours after, of your _glorious victory_
over our most unnatural enemies, (such an one as can hardly be
equalled in the annals of history,) that of not only beating,
but taking prisoners, more than double your numbers; and now
that you have conquered them in the field, I trust that their
wrong-headed government will be brought to reason and peace,
for it will prove to them, if they persevere, that they will
be forced to it, and terms dictated to them. Therefore allow
me, Sir, with the warmest feelings of an old friend to
congratulate you, as I do the public, on the essential service
you have done the country on the present occasion; as I do my
friend, your aide-de-camp, Captain Glegg, as far as the sphere
of his duty could assist in the great work; and _I glory to
say you are both 49-thers_. I could write sheets on the
subject, but, not to take up your valuable time longer than I
have done to express my pleasure and feelings, I will stop by
adding the sincere congratulations of all related to me here
as well as elsewhere. But I cannot help now observing how
prophetic I was in what I wrote to Colonel Vincent yesterday
concerning you, which was, _that if you mere properly
supported, I thought the enemy would never cross the line of
your command_, a proof of which I had a few hours afterwards.

When you see any of our friends of the 49th, pray remember me
in the kindest manner to them, and I am sure they will thank
you that they are safe and warm in their quarters in place of
having a winter campaign in so severe a climate. And now I
will only add my warmest wishes for your health and happiness,
and that the same good fortune that has hitherto attended you
may continue; and I beg that you will be so good as to convey
the same to my friend, your aide-de-camp. Believe me to be, my
dear general, &c.

P.S.--I send this after the mail, which left London last
night, in hope it may overtake it at Falmouth, as I know the
packet seldom sails for some days after her time.

_Major-General John Burnet to Sir Isaac Brock, K.B._[83]

STRABERRY, Ireland, Oct. 11, 1812.

There has existed too long and too sincere a friendship
between us for me not to feel the most lively interest in the
event which has added such _eclat_ to your achievement at my
old quarter, Detroit.

To evince to you how much I regard you, and how much I have
talked of you, a friend of mine at the Horse Guards enclosed
me the Extraordinary Gazette, saying he knew how much I should
be gratified: judge then, my friend, of my feelings that you
had acquitted yourself with such address; and I feel some
degree of pride that my opinion was so justly formed of your
conduct, whenever you should have an opportunity to display
your talents. Accept, then, the very sincere congratulations
of an old friend on this occasion, and be assured of the
happiness it gives me, as well as Mrs. Burnet, who is with me,
and sends her love to you.

With respect to my situation, I offered my services to go to
the Peninsula as soon as our promotion took place, and at one
time flattered myself I should have gone there; but superior
interest prevailed, and I was placed on the staff of Ireland.
I first went to Londonderry, but have been here six months, as
more central to the brigade under my command.

I have my hands full of business, and little time for private
correspondence; but I could not resist the impulse on an
occasion so highly to the honor of an old friend. Believe me,
my dear Brock, &c.

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