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

Abstract

First draft, 1851. The first draft contains a 34-page manuscript, as well as a smaller manuscript with 7 numbered pages, and a partially torn introductory page. The smaller mansucript is titled “Chapter 1” and the larger manuscript is titled “Chapter 2”. A summary is included at the beginning of each chapter. The summary for Chapter 1 is written in Wool’s handwriting and reads “Biographical sketch of the character and conduct of General Wool commencing with his leadership in a [?] in Troy and terminating with the Battle of Bueno Vista and his return to Troy from his campaign in Mexico, August 1848.” The summary for Chapter 2 is written by Wool and reads “The history of the Battle of Queenston by the Hon. Francis Baylies will be found corrected in the manuscript attached in several important particulars. In that General Brock and his two Aides de Camp were in the battle when Captain Wool first fired into it & that Brock was injured during the action.” Another summary on the cover of Chapter 2 is in different handwriting and reads “Captain Wool ordered to join the army on the Niagara Frontier & Military state of the frontier. Generals Van Rensellaer and Alexander Smythe. Projects against Queenston. Failure of the first. Again attempted. Captain Wool wounded but ascends Queenston Heights. Storms the battery and defeats General Brock. Disastrous termination of the day. General Van Rensellaer resigns. Gen. Smythe takes the command, his character and ridiculous conduct. Fury of the soldiers. Rage of the people. Smythe resigns. State of the war on the Frontier at the close of the year 1812”. Most of the draft is written in secretarial handwriting, but two other notes in Wool’s handwriting are included in separate parts of the draft. Pages 8 to 18 contain an account of the battle, including the Americans crossing the Niagara River in boats (p. 9); injuries to Captain Wool, Van Rensellaer and Lieut. Col. Chrystie, noting that in this situation Van Rensellear said “nothing can be done unless you ascend the height and storm the battery. Wool offered to make the attempt. Van Rensellaer hesitated: he was reluctant to entrust an enterprise so dangerous to a youthful officer who had never been in battle, or in service but a few months, and who, moreover, was wounded, yet the necessity of the case determined his decision; the exigency was too pressing to be dallied with, he gave the order and Wool commenced the ascent” (p. 10). Page 11 describes the capture of the heights by the Americans and the arrival of Isaac Brock. Page 12 of the draft contains a description of Isaac Brock’s death. It is written that “the exertions of Brock to rally his men were prodigious. His commanding voice was heard above the din of the fight ‘This’ said he, ‘is the first time I ever saw the 49th turn their backs!’ Scarcely had the words been uttered when a bullet struck his hand. He gazed for a moment on the blood which streamed from the wound, another bullet struck his body, and this accomplished, humane and gallant General who bore honours won on the banks of the Nile to Lake Huron, the conqueror of Hull and Michigan fell headlong from his horse for he was dead! Disheartened by the fall of Brock the British troops fled in every direction”. Page 18 contains a description of General Sheaffe and the British taking back the heights from the Americans. It is written that “…Sheaffe moved on as slow and certain as the tide, gathering to his column as he advanced all the scattered parties of light troops, Indians and militia. He approached the heights from the rear; surmounted them and made a furious attack on the Americans, for a few minutes they sustained it in a short and bloody contest, but being nearly surrounded, and despairing of all aid from the militia they broke and retreated to the bank of the Niagara where Scott surrendered 139 regulars and his only field piece and Wadsworth 157 militiamen”. Pages 20 and 21 contain a description of Isaac Brock and his character, noting that “he was rapid in deciding and equally rapid in carrying his decisions into effect. Sometimes he appeared rash and presumptuous, but these appearances were fallacious, for all his plans were matured with cool deliberation and exquisite judgement: he sometimes exposed his person to perils which very cautious Generals would have avoided, yet his indifference to danger was the result more of sound calculation than of impulse, pugnacity or vanity…Brock was an accomplished and sagacious soldier, zealous in duty, and energetic in action.” Pages 21 to 23 contain a description of General Van Rensellaer’s situation and his resignation. Pages 24 to 31 contain a description of General Alexander Smythe and his actions and conduct. Smythe issued a proclamation claiming that the invasion and capture of Upper Canada would take only a few days. But after numerous delays the troops and volunteers became restless and directed their anger at Smythe. It is written that “they hooted, hissed, and manifested their dissatisfaction in every mode of angry abuse; so general was the insubordination that Smythe for a time was apprehensive not only of receiving personal indignities but of losing his life…He resigned his command on the Niagara frontier to Colonel Porter of the Artillery and retired to his residence in Virginia…” The smaller “Chapter 1” draft is titled “Introduction. General Wool’s early life. Appointed a Captain in the army of the United States” and is seven pages. A partially torn introductory page is also included with the script “Contains a history of the early life of Major General John Wool, together with the War of 1812, including the battle of Queenston Heights, October 13, 1812. Arranged for publication”.