MEMOIR OF SIR ISAAC BROCK. O
distance of at least fifty yards. The consequence was, that the unhappy wretches were only partially wounded, and dropped one after another. Nearly forty shots were tired before one poor fellow in the centre fell, although he was wounded through the abdomen at the first discharge. The men, who had reserved their fire, were at length ordered up, and, lodging the contents of their muskets in the breasts of the culprits, by that means put them out of torture. The unfortunate sufferers declared publicly that, had they continued under the command of Colonel Brock, they would have escaped their melancholy end ; and, as may be easily conceived, he felt no little anguish that those, who had so recently and so bravely fought under him, were thus doomed to end their lives, the victims of their unruly passions inflamed by vexatious authority. He was now directed to assume the com- mand at Fort George, or Niagara, and all complaint and desertion instantly ceased.
The following are extracts from tw r o of his private letters, beyond which few or none have unfortunately been preserved : —
"Quebec, September 5, 1808. — I have been here but a few days, having been superseded at Montreal by Major- General Drummond. I do not approve much of the change. Being separated from the 49th is a great annoyance to me. But soldiers must accustom themselves to frequent movements ; and as they have no choice, it often happens that they are placed in situations little agreeing with their inclina- tions. My nominal appointment has been confirmed at home, so that I am really a brigadier. Were the 49th ordered hence, the rank would not be a sufficient
- Appendix A, Section 1, No. 1.
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