Part 24 (2/2)

The General's Body Servant.

Surgeon Muirhead. Doctor Kerr.

Doctor Moore. Staff Surgeon Thom.

Reverend Mr. Addison.

(_The Body of Lieut.-Colonel M'Donell, P.A.D.C._)

Capt. A. Cameron. Lieut. Jarvis.

Lieut. Robinson. Lieut. Ridout.

J. Edwards, Esq. Capt. Crooks.

Supporter, Supporter, Mr. d.i.c.kson. Captain Cameron.

Chief Mourner, Mr. M'Donell.

(_The Body of Major-General Brock._)

Supporter, Supporter, Mr. James Coffin, D.A.C.G. Captain Williams, 49th Regt.

Capt. Vigoreaux, R.E. Major Merritt, L.H. Lin. Mil.

Capt. Derenzy, 41st Regt. Lieut.-Col. Clark, Lin. Mil.

Capt. Dennis, 49th Regt. Lieut.-Col. Butler.

Capt. Holcroft, R.A. Colonel Claus,

Supporter, Supporter, Brigade-Major Evans. Captain Glegg, A.D.C.

Chief Mourners.

Major-General Sheaffe. Lieut.-Colonel Myers, D.Q.M.G.

Ensign Coffin, A.D.C. Lieut. Fowler, A.D.Q.M.G.

The Civil Staff.

Friends of the Deceased.

Inhabitants.[103]

Such was the esteem in which Sir Isaac Brock was held by the enemies of his country, for he had or could have no personal enemies, that Major-General Van Rensselaer, in a letter of condolence, informed Major-General Sheaffe that immediately after the funeral solemnities were over on the British side, a compliment of minute guns would be paid to the hero's memory on theirs!!! Accordingly, the cannon at Fort Niagara were fired, ”as a mark of respect due to a brave enemy.” How much is it then to be regretted that we should ever come into collision with those who possess the same origin and the same language as ourselves, and who, by this generous feeling and conduct, proved that they are a liberal, as they undoubtedly are a gallant, people; and may the future rivalry of both powers be, not for the unnatural destruction of each other, but for the benefit of mankind. No words can better express the favorable opinion entertained by the Americans of the deceased than the language of their president, Madison, who, alluding to the battle of Queenstown in his annual message to congress, observed: ”Our loss has been considerable, and is deeply to be lamented. That of the enemy, less ascertained, will be the more felt, as it includes amongst the killed the commanding general, who was also the governor of the province.”

Ere we proceed to delineate the person and character of this able soldier and excellent man, we shall transcribe the sketches of two strangers,[104] lest the portrait of a relative should be deemed too highly coloured. That portrait has been drawn by them with a master hand, especially the first; and although feelingly alive to our incompetency for the task, we also must endeavour, with a trembling pen, to do justice to the memory of the hero.

”Thus ended in their total discomfiture,” says Christie in his Historical Memoirs, already cited, ”the second attempt of the Americans to invade Upper Canada. The loss of the British is said to have been about 20 killed, including Indians, and between 50 and 60 wounded. The fall of General Brock, the idol of the army and of the people of Upper Canada, was an irreparable loss, and cast a shade over the glory of this dear-bought victory. He was a native of Guernsey, of an ancient and reputable family, distinguished in the profession of arms. He had served for many years in Canada, and in some of the princ.i.p.al campaigns in Europe. He commanded a detachment of his favorite 49th regiment, on the expedition to Copenhagen with Lord Nelson, where he distinguished himself. He was one of those extraordinary men who seem born to influence mankind, and mark the age in which they live. Conscious of the ascendancy of his genius over those who surrounded him, he blended the mildest of manners with the severity and discipline of a camp; and though his deportment was somewhat grave and imposing, the n.o.ble frankness of his character imparted at once confidence and respect to those who had occasion to approach his person. As a soldier, he was brave to a fault, and not less judicious than decisive in his measures.

The energy of his character was strongly expressed in his countenance, and in the robust and manly symmetry of his frame. As a civil governor, he was firm, prudent, and equitable. In fine, whether we view him as a man, a statesman, or a soldier, he equally deserves the esteem and respect of his contemporaries and of posterity. The Indians who flocked to his standard were attached to him with almost enthusiastic affection, and the enemy even expressed an involuntary regret at his untimely fall.

His prodigality of life bereft the country of his services at the early age of forty-two years. The remains of this gallant officer were, during the funeral service, honored with a discharge of minute guns from the American, as well as the British, batteries, and with those of his faithful aide-de-camp, Lieut.-Colonel M'Donell, were interred in the same grave at Fort George, on the 16th October, amidst the tears of an affectionate soldiery and a grateful people, who will cherish his memory with veneration, and hand to their posterity the imperishable name of BROCK.”

”General Brock was killed at the battle of Queenstown heights,” observes Howison in his Sketches of Upper Canada, ”and the place where he fell was pointed out to me. The Canadians hold the memory of this brave and excellent man in great veneration, but have not yet attempted to testify their respect for his virtues in any way, except by shewing to strangers the spot on which he received his mortal wound. He was more popular, and more beloved by the inhabitants of Upper Canada, than any man they ever had among them, and with reason; for he possessed, in an eminent degree, those virtues which add l.u.s.tre to bravery, and those talents that s.h.i.+ne alike in the cabinet and in the field. His manners and dispositions were so conciliating as to gain the affection of all whom he commanded, while his innate n.o.bleness and dignity of mind secured him a respect almost amounting to veneration. He is now styled the Hero of Upper Canada, and, had he lived, there is no doubt but the war would have terminated very differently from what it did. The Canadian farmers are not over-burthened with sensibility, yet I have seen several of them shed tears when an eulogium was p.r.o.nounced upon the immortal and generous-minded deliverer of their country.

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