The Battle of Queenston Heights
A Dusk to Dawn Battle Preventing the Invasion of Canada
Mar 29, 2009
In August, 1812, Major General Isaac Brock, and his Shawnee ally Tecumseh, had captured Fort Detroit, pushing an occupying American army out of Canada. With the Windsor frontier back in Canadian and British hands, Brock returns to Niagara, where he believes the next American attack will be launched.
Van Rensselaer Prepares His Invasion
Brock's prediction is correct. In the pre-dawn hours of October 13, in Lewiston, New York, an army under the command of militia Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer has assembled. His force numbers almost six thousand men, consisting of regulars from the U.S. Infantry and Artillery, reinforced by five regiments of militia. Two cannons, mounted at Fort Gray, provide additional support.
At 4am, Van Rensselaer's army begins crossing the Niagara River, battling raging currents and driving rain. As the first of the American boats come ashore, a sentry notices them, and immediately races to advise his superior officer, Captain James Dennis.
Although the American troops outnumber Queenston's defenders, they have lost the element of surprise. Captain Dennis forms firing lines, spraying the attackers with musket shot. Van Rensselaer is struck as he steps ashore, and seriously wounded. Captain John Wool, a regular army officer, assumes command of the invasion.
American Troops Capture the Redan Battery
Fortunately, the defenders have two artillery batteries which begin shelling the boats on the river. On the heights, overlooking the village, the British had mounted an 18 pound gun. Although lightly guarded, this redan had the advantage of high ground, and inflicted heavy casualties on the Americans.
A second emplacement, known as Vrooman's Battery, was located a mile north of the village. From here, a 25 pound gun was shelling the boats as they attempted the crossing.
Using an overgrown footpath, U.S. soldiers are able to scale the heights, and capture the redan. The gunners attempt to spike the gun to render it inoperable before it falls into American hands, but the attackers soon have the cannon back in action.
The Death of General Isaac Brock
General Brock, asleep at Fort George, is awakened by the sound of gunfire coming from the village. He races to Queenston, ordering his officers to follow with reinforcements. Upon his arrival, Brock rallies some soldiers of the 49th Regiment of Foot, and leads them in an attack on the heights. His objective is to recapture the redan battery.
Easily identified by his uniform as an officer, Brock is shot in the chest and killed almost instantly. A second charge on the redan is led by Brock's aide de camp, Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonnell, who also falls dead. Captain Dennis is wounded, but able to retreat with the men, falling back to Vrooman's Battery.
A Victory for the British
By noon, U.S. engineers were attempting to build fortifications. American units were falling into disorganization, and lacking leadership. Confusion reigned, as they continued to come under fire from Vrooman's Battery. Adding to their problems, British reinforcements from the Royal Artillery had arrived. Then, an attack came from several hundred Mohawk warriors.
Terrified of the Indians, the Americans scramble to get back to their boats and retreat. In Lewiston, the New York State militia, paralyzed with fear upon hearing the Mohawk war cries, refuse to cross and support them. They claimed that, as militia, they were not obligated to fight on foreign soil.
By 2 pm, Major General Roger Hale Sheaffe arrives with 800 additional men. Facing a bayonet charge by British regulars, and fearing another assault by the Mohawks, the U.S. soldiers on the Canadian side of the river surrender.
Twelve hours after the Americans launched their attack, the battle was over. Three hundred U.S. troops had been killed or wounded, including Captain John Wool (injured). Almost a thousand were taken prisoner, including a Brigadier General, and over seventy other officers.
The British and Canadian militia suffer 14 killed, and 77 wounded, including James Secord, the husband of Laura Secord. Mohawks casualties are 5 killed, with 9 wounded.
Sources:
The Invasion of Canada, 1812-1813, by Pierre Berton, McClelland and Stewart Publishing, 1980
The Fighting Canadians: Our Regimental History from New France to Afghanistan, by David Bercuson, Harper-Collins, 2008
The War of 1812, Land Operations, by Charles Stanley, MacMillan Publishing, 1983
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