Second Draft Manuscript - John E. Wool and the Battle of Queenston Heights

Abstract

Second draft, n.d. Contains 40 numbered pages with an additional 21 unnumbered pages. The title page reads “A duplicate of the preceding Chapter First & Chapter Second”. A note in Wool’s handwriting on the cover reads “This chapter is incomplete. See the history of the battle of Queenston, No. 2”. The rest of the draft is written in secretarial handwriting. An account of the activities on the Niagara frontier during the War of 1812 begins on page 16, with details given of the communications between General Van Rensellaer and General Alexander Smythe concerning an invasion of Canada. Plans for an attack at Queenston begin on page 24. Pages 33 and 34 provide details about the American capture of the heights, noting that Van Rensellaer “gave the order and Wool commenced the ascent. Captain Ogilvie who had just arrived was placed in the advance, and Lieutenant Lush of the militia brought up the rear with orders to shoot the first man who faltered. The soldiers by taking the advantage of the inequalities which the face of the cliff presented, by pulling themselves up by bushes, and occasionally by inserting their muskets in places where the tenacity of the ground was sufficient to sustain them, raised themselves up and finally gained the eminence in the rear of the battery; attacked the party which defended it, and carried it. At the same time one company of the 49th Captain Williams’, with one company of militia, Captain Chisholm’s, retreated down the heights.” Pages 35 to 37 describes Isaac Brock’s arrival and the British attack on the Americans. It is written that “Sir Isaac and his aids had not even time to remount their horses but were obliged to retire precipitously down the heights. On arriving in the village he rallied the companies of the 49th and the two militia companies under Chisolm and Hatt, and again returned to the heights and attacked the Americans with such impetuosity that they were driven from their position and forced to the brow of the cliff. It was then a moment of dismay. Before these raw American recruits, commanded by young officers who had never before been in battle, stood a body of British veterans, commanded by the greatest, the bravest and the best of the British Generals in North America, fresh from the conquest of a territory, and the captain of an army—behind them was an almost perpendicular cliff—death in front— destruction in the rear. At this perilous moment there were some hearts that faltered—a dastard hand, Captain Ogilvie’s, raised a white flag in token of surrender. Captain Wool tore down the emblem of dishonor…the conflict was renewed, and the Americans became the assailants…the veterans of many hard fought battles gave way, and were again driven down the heights. The British General, like the American Captain, well knew the language which warriors could understand when pressed by dangers; in tones that rose above the din of the fight, he rallied his troops anew to the conflict. ‘This’, said he ‘is the first time that I have seen the 49th turn their backs’. The soldiers heard his words, and he again led them against the Americans—a bullet struck his wrist— he wrapped his handkerchief about the wound and continued to advance; another bullet struck his body and this accomplished, humane and gallant commander, who had borne the honors won on the banks of the Nile to the shores of Lake Huron—the conqueror of Hull—fell headlong from his horse, for he was dead. His last words were ‘Push on the York Volunteers’, who had just arrived from Brown’s Point. The death of Sir Isaac Brock placed Lieutenant Colonel McDonell in command. Whilst this officer was gallantly charging up the hill with the hereditary courage of his race, he also fell mortally wounded. At his fall the British soldiers fled down the heights leaving it in the possession of Captain Wool…” The description of the Battle of Queenston Heights ends on page 40. The following six numbered pages discuss Captain Wool’s promotion to General; orders to join the army at Burlington, Vermont; and an invitation from General Wilkinson to Major Wool to join him in Plattsburg. This is followed by a series of unnumbered pages that contain an account of the American attempt to cross the Niagara River to attack at Queenston; the refusal of the militia to cross the river and fight on foreign soil; and an attack by the British troops and Native allies while waiting for the arrival of General Sheaffe. There seems to be some leaves missing from the account. Other pages that follow discuss General Sheaffe’s advance and the retreat of the Americans.