On this day in 1812, the Battle of Queenston Heights was fought during the War of 1812 in Queenston, Upper Canada (present Ontario)
This battle was fought after Major General Sir Issac Brock and Chief Tecumseh defeated the American forces at Detroit. After capturing Detroit, there was a ceasefire between both the United States and British forces. Seizing the moment, the troops regrouped and the fighting resumed about 2 months later at Queenston Heights.
At Fort George was Sir Issac Brock, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. Brock had divided his forces of 1,500 troops, and 250 indigenous warriors and sent them to many different places around the area as he was unsure of as to where the invading Americans would attack next.
General Stephan Van Rensselaer, one of the wealthiest men in the entirety of the United States wished to prove himself as a field commander and crossed the Niagara River into Queenston.
During the night prior to the 13th, the New York militia initiated an invasion across the Niagara currents. This attack was terribly initiated, so Brock didn’t feel the need to send his men to meet the invading Americans.
Brock, awakened by the roaring gunfire at Vrooman’s Point, rushed to Queenston in order to prepare his men for battle. Brock bravely led his men in a charge to a clifftop gun where he was vulnerable to the lead being shot his way.
Brock was shot in the wrist of his arm he had his sword drawn, but determined, he pushed on towards the Americans. Brock was then struck above his heart, and it didn’t take long for him to die. The Hero of Upper Canada has fallen, and his last words were “Push on, brave York Volunteers! Hence the motto of Brock University; ‘Push on!”
Mohawk chief Teyoninhokarawen (John Norton) climbed the escarpment and pinned the American advance until Major-General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe’s (who would succeed Brock as Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada) troops arrived. Sheaffe would trap the Americans on the edge of the cliff.
A unit that played a major role in this battle was Captain Runchey’s Coloured Corps (or Black Corps). This corps was comprised of free black men, who were mostly veterans of the American Revolution. A request by Richard Pierpoint, a freed slave, to form a corps of all black men was denied by the government of Upper Canada. Later after the American occupation of Sandwich town in July of 1812, the request was reconsidered.
On the day of the Battle of Queenston Heights, the Coloured Corps fought next to John Norton’s Indigenous warriors, and later with Major-General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe’s line. The company “fired a single volley with considerable execution, and then charged with tremendous tumult” alongside the 41st and 49th Foot Regiments. At Queenston Heights, the company was commanded by Lieutenant James Cooper after Runchey resigned. This would force Captain John Wool to wave a white handkerchief to inform the British of the American surrender, ensuring victory for the British and Canadian forces
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