cluded to call on General Brock,[1] the Commander-in-chief of the Province of Upper Canada, and solicit his aid. His head-quarters were at Fort George,[2] forty-seven miles below, near the head of Lake Ontario. The second day of July I started with a horse and gig, went to Chippewa and stayed over night. Next morning, wishing to know my fate, I proceeded on till within about one mile of the Fort, when ascending a hill, I fell in the rear of five hundred Indians, who were marching in Indian file, painted, and in their war dress. Not wishing to interrupt them at this critical time, I moved slowly after them until I had an opportunity of passing them without molestation to either party. They walked with their faces down, and paid no attention to any one. On coming on to the plain near the Fort, I discovered warlike preparations; flying artillery, cavalry and foot, not in great numbers, but exercising and preparing for an attack. The American Fort Niagara,[3] and the English Fort George, lie nearly opposite, one mile distant from each other, and on the
- ↑ General Isaac Brock, born in Guernsey in 1760, entered the English army, and after serving in Jamaica and Barbados, came to Canada in 1802. He was placed in command at Fort Niagara, and in 1811 was appointed lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada. Immediately upon the outbreak of the War of 1812-15, he ordered an attack upon Mackinac, and marched with the main body of his troops to Detroit, receiving Hull's surrender in August, 1812. Brock planned a most efficient defense of Upper Canada, but was killed in the American attack on Queenstown (October, 1812). Perhaps no English officer has been more beloved by the people of Upper Canada; several towns have been named in his honor, and a monument was erected to him on Queenstown Heights.—Ed.
- ↑ When the English withdrew from Fort Niagara, in accordance with the provisions of Jay's Treaty, they constructed this fort directly across the river. It was captured by the Americans (May 27, 1813), but abandoned at the end of the year. After the War of 1812-15 it was dismantled and allowed to fall into decay.—Ed.
- ↑ For the early history of Fort Niagara, see Long's Voyages, volume ii of our series, note 19.—Ed.
