I live in the beautiful Niagara Region, an area rich in history. There are two people of note among historical figures: Laura Secord and Isaac Brock. Laura Secord is known for her walk to warn FitzGibbons of an impending attack by the Americans. General Isaac Brock is known for his military savvy and often identified with the Battle of Queenston Heights.

Isaac Brock was a charismatic, popular leader among his men. He was especially known for the way he duped General Hull into surrendering Fort Detroit with very little loss of life. He probably would have conquered more if not held back by Governor Prevost. Yet he was not the hero of the Battle of Queenston Heights. The American forces had crossed the Niagara River at Lewiston, N.Y. at 3 a.m. By mid-morning Brock lay dead on the battlefield.

The actual leader, often forgotten, was General Roger Sheaffe. Sheaffe was not charismatic in personality. Nor was he liked by officers or soldiers. After the capture of Fort Detroit, Sheaffe worked under Brock to strengthen the defenses in the Niagara Region. Upon the death of Brock, he assumed command of the British forces.

Sheaffe was a tactician. If he had followed Brock’s approach, the outcome may have been very different. The American forces had aligned their troops on the heights of Queenston, with a field gun, waiting for the British to come over the hill and into their deadly fire.

A frontal attack was not the best way to defeat this invading army. Instead, Sheaffe brought his troops from Fort George, through St. Davids and up a path that led behind the Heights. There his troops joined with those from Fort Chippewa. The American forces were now out flanked by a tactic they were not expecting. Sheaffe’s troops, firing a volley and fixing bayonets, charged and threw the Americans into confusion. By 4 pm, the battle was over, as Winifred Scott raised the white flag, surrendering over 900 troops to Sheaffe’s forces.

Brock has been commemorated by a large monument (actually two – the first was damaged by the Fenians), parkway, university, streets and other notable mentions. Sheaffe has a small plaque placed on Queenston Heights, not far from Brock’s monument. He needed to return to England before he received any notable mentions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many unsung heroes who never make the history books. You may be one of them. There may never be ballads sung, monuments raised or candies dedicated to your name. But on that day, Derenzy, Williams, Holcroft, Glegg, Hamilton and many others were grateful for the leadership of Sheaffe.

May it be said of us that we have done our duty, regardless of the recognition.

You can read more in my new novel, “The Coming Storm”, a love story between an American sailor and a daughter of United Empire Loyalists. Available on Amazon Kindle.

PS. Laura Secord lived in poverty after the death of her husband. In 1860, the future King Edward VII took note of Secord’s plight with a cash donation.

Blessings!