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Burying
General
Brock
A history of Brock's
Monuments
By Robert Malcomson
First published in 1996
Printed by Peninsula Press
ISBN: 0-9699298-1-1
Robert Malcomson's look at the history of
Brock's Monuments is, quite simply,
brilliant. It's a fascinating account of the
remarkable history of the monuments
that have graced the heights above
Queenston.
Malcomson has done his homework with
this book, which was funded by Parks
Canada and the Friends of Fort George.
The proceeds from the sale of this book
go entirely to support employment
opportunities managed by the Friends at
Parks Canada sites in Niagara. So, not
only is it a great read, but the money is
going towards some really worthwhile
purposes. So hats off to Malcomson on
two fronts.
What makes this book so fantastic is
Malcomson's research. He went back to
original sources and documents
whenever possible and uncovered some
fascinating information, offering new
insights into the life and death of Brock
and the bizarre chain of events
General
Brock
A history of Brock's
Monuments
By Robert Malcomson
First published in 1996
Printed by Peninsula Press
ISBN: 0-9699298-1-1
Robert Malcomson's look at the history of
Brock's Monuments is, quite simply,
brilliant. It's a fascinating account of the
remarkable history of the monuments
that have graced the heights above
Queenston.
Malcomson has done his homework with
this book, which was funded by Parks
Canada and the Friends of Fort George.
The proceeds from the sale of this book
go entirely to support employment
opportunities managed by the Friends at
Parks Canada sites in Niagara. So, not
only is it a great read, but the money is
going towards some really worthwhile
purposes. So hats off to Malcomson on
two fronts.
What makes this book so fantastic is
Malcomson's research. He went back to
original sources and documents
whenever possible and uncovered some
fascinating information, offering new
insights into the life and death of Brock
and the bizarre chain of events
surrounding the building of the two monuments. (The first was destroyed
by a deliberately set explosion.)
For the amateur historian, there's a lot of great stuff in this work that
you've probably never read about before. For the learned 1812 buff, it'd
be a safe bet that there's something in here that you hadn't heard
elsewhere. For example, there is a great section on Brock's estate and
how his posessions were divided up. It's absolutely fascinating reading.
The book is currently, unfortunately, not available through Amazon.ca.
But it is available at the gift shop at Fort George outside of Niagara-on-
the-lake, Ont. and at Brock's Monument in Queenston, Ont. I'm sure
there are other places it's available, but those are the two locations I've
seen it for sale. The retail price at the gift shop at Fort George was $8.95
in the summer of 2003, which is an incredible bargain for the wealth of
information offered inside. The book isn't lengthy by any means —
weighing in at a total of 54 pages — but what is there is gold.
Excerpt
What follows below is an excerpt from Malcomson's work describing the
first funeral and burial for General Brock.
16 October 1812
The First Burial
Major General Sheaffe and his staff officers decided that Macdonell
would be buried with his chief and that Captain Glegg would manage the
funeral arrangements. Glegg went to work on the lavish preparations. His
formal order, issued on 16 October, the day of the funeral, specified the
roles to be played by each of the numerous groups and individuals
involved. Detachments from the regular army and the militia and Indian
corps were to line each side of the route that stretched from Government
House to Fort George. The Royal Artillery Regiment was directed to fire
the traditional minute guns with a pair of nine-pounders. All officers were
required to wear black arm bands and black crepe on their sword knots
during the funeral; the arm bands continued to be worn for the next
month.
Glegg also arranged for a local silversmith to inscribe plates that could
be fixed to the caskets. It was later reported that Brock's inscription read:
Here le the earthly remains of a brave and virtuous Hero, Major General
Sir Isaac Brock, Commanding the British Forces, and President
Administering the Government of Upper Canada, who fell when gloriously
engaging the enemies of his Country at the head of the Flank
Companies of the 49th Regiment in the Town of Queenston, on the
morning of the 13th Oct. 1812. Aged 42 yrs. J.B. Glegg A.D.C.
At 10:00 a.m. on Friday, 16 October the funeral procession got underway
when Fort Major Campbell led the slow march from Government House,
followed by a company from the 41st Regiment and a company of
militiamen. Next came the band of the 41st Regiment playing a dirge, its
drum muffled and draped in black cloth. Brock's horse, decorated with
ornamental coverings, was led by four grooms, after which game three
groups: the general's personal servants, four surgeons and the chaplain
at Fort George, the Reverend Mr. Robert Addison.
A team of horses drew the first caisson with the casket containing the
body of Lieutenant Colonel Macdonell, attended by six pall bearers and
three mourners, the foremost of whom was Alexander Macdonell, brother
to the slain officer. Brock's caisson followed, accompanied by nine pall
bearers: Major Evans, Captain Glegg, Dennis, Holcroft and Vigoreaux
and militia officers Claus, Butler, Powell and Merritt. Major General
Sheaffe was among the general's official mourners, who were followed by
staff from the provincial government, Brock's civilian friends and the
general public.
A single grave had been dug in the newly constructed bastion in the
northeast corner of Fort George. When the caskets were placed at the
graveside and the notables had gathered in and around the bastion,
Reverend Addison read the service and the two caskets were lowered
into the grave. At that point a twenty-one-gun salute was fired in three
salvoes of seven guns each. It was echoed at sunset by a similar salute
offered by the Americans at Fort Niagara.
"No pen can describe the real scenes of that mournful day," wrote
Captain Glegg. "A more solemn and affecting spectacle was, perhaps,
never witnessed." The funeral of Isaac Brock and John Macdonnell was
attended by thousands, which indicated the regard in which the general
had been held. Among those deeply affected by his shocking and heroic
death was Ann Bruyeres, the daughter of a prominent lieutenant colonel
in the corps of Royal Engineers. The young woman put a quill to paper to
express her sorrow in a poem that ended with: "Glory threw on his grave
a laurel wreath, and Fame proclaims, "A hero sleeps beneath.'"
Within weeks another symbol was laid on Brock's grave. On 6 November
members from the Six Nations, Huron, Chippewa and Potawatomie tribes
met at the Council House at Fort George. William Claus, Deputy
Superintendent of the Indian Department, was present, as was Captain
John Norton, who had played a significant role in frustrating the American
invasion at Queenston. Chief Kodeaneyonte made a speech and gave
Major General Sheaffe and his staff the gift of eight strings of white
wampum "to wipe away your tears." He also presented to the British a
large, white wampum belt to cover Brock's grave so that his remains
"would receive no injury."
There was foresight in the Indian gift. In May 1813 Fort George fell into
American hands where it remained until the following December. When
he finally arrived at the recaptured garrison, John Glegg was relieved to
discover that Brock and Macdonnel's grave had been left undisturbed by
the invaders.
by a deliberately set explosion.)
For the amateur historian, there's a lot of great stuff in this work that
you've probably never read about before. For the learned 1812 buff, it'd
be a safe bet that there's something in here that you hadn't heard
elsewhere. For example, there is a great section on Brock's estate and
how his posessions were divided up. It's absolutely fascinating reading.
The book is currently, unfortunately, not available through Amazon.ca.
But it is available at the gift shop at Fort George outside of Niagara-on-
the-lake, Ont. and at Brock's Monument in Queenston, Ont. I'm sure
there are other places it's available, but those are the two locations I've
seen it for sale. The retail price at the gift shop at Fort George was $8.95
in the summer of 2003, which is an incredible bargain for the wealth of
information offered inside. The book isn't lengthy by any means —
weighing in at a total of 54 pages — but what is there is gold.
Excerpt
What follows below is an excerpt from Malcomson's work describing the
first funeral and burial for General Brock.
16 October 1812
The First Burial
Major General Sheaffe and his staff officers decided that Macdonell
would be buried with his chief and that Captain Glegg would manage the
funeral arrangements. Glegg went to work on the lavish preparations. His
formal order, issued on 16 October, the day of the funeral, specified the
roles to be played by each of the numerous groups and individuals
involved. Detachments from the regular army and the militia and Indian
corps were to line each side of the route that stretched from Government
House to Fort George. The Royal Artillery Regiment was directed to fire
the traditional minute guns with a pair of nine-pounders. All officers were
required to wear black arm bands and black crepe on their sword knots
during the funeral; the arm bands continued to be worn for the next
month.
Glegg also arranged for a local silversmith to inscribe plates that could
be fixed to the caskets. It was later reported that Brock's inscription read:
Here le the earthly remains of a brave and virtuous Hero, Major General
Sir Isaac Brock, Commanding the British Forces, and President
Administering the Government of Upper Canada, who fell when gloriously
engaging the enemies of his Country at the head of the Flank
Companies of the 49th Regiment in the Town of Queenston, on the
morning of the 13th Oct. 1812. Aged 42 yrs. J.B. Glegg A.D.C.
At 10:00 a.m. on Friday, 16 October the funeral procession got underway
when Fort Major Campbell led the slow march from Government House,
followed by a company from the 41st Regiment and a company of
militiamen. Next came the band of the 41st Regiment playing a dirge, its
drum muffled and draped in black cloth. Brock's horse, decorated with
ornamental coverings, was led by four grooms, after which game three
groups: the general's personal servants, four surgeons and the chaplain
at Fort George, the Reverend Mr. Robert Addison.
A team of horses drew the first caisson with the casket containing the
body of Lieutenant Colonel Macdonell, attended by six pall bearers and
three mourners, the foremost of whom was Alexander Macdonell, brother
to the slain officer. Brock's caisson followed, accompanied by nine pall
bearers: Major Evans, Captain Glegg, Dennis, Holcroft and Vigoreaux
and militia officers Claus, Butler, Powell and Merritt. Major General
Sheaffe was among the general's official mourners, who were followed by
staff from the provincial government, Brock's civilian friends and the
general public.
A single grave had been dug in the newly constructed bastion in the
northeast corner of Fort George. When the caskets were placed at the
graveside and the notables had gathered in and around the bastion,
Reverend Addison read the service and the two caskets were lowered
into the grave. At that point a twenty-one-gun salute was fired in three
salvoes of seven guns each. It was echoed at sunset by a similar salute
offered by the Americans at Fort Niagara.
"No pen can describe the real scenes of that mournful day," wrote
Captain Glegg. "A more solemn and affecting spectacle was, perhaps,
never witnessed." The funeral of Isaac Brock and John Macdonnell was
attended by thousands, which indicated the regard in which the general
had been held. Among those deeply affected by his shocking and heroic
death was Ann Bruyeres, the daughter of a prominent lieutenant colonel
in the corps of Royal Engineers. The young woman put a quill to paper to
express her sorrow in a poem that ended with: "Glory threw on his grave
a laurel wreath, and Fame proclaims, "A hero sleeps beneath.'"
Within weeks another symbol was laid on Brock's grave. On 6 November
members from the Six Nations, Huron, Chippewa and Potawatomie tribes
met at the Council House at Fort George. William Claus, Deputy
Superintendent of the Indian Department, was present, as was Captain
John Norton, who had played a significant role in frustrating the American
invasion at Queenston. Chief Kodeaneyonte made a speech and gave
Major General Sheaffe and his staff the gift of eight strings of white
wampum "to wipe away your tears." He also presented to the British a
large, white wampum belt to cover Brock's grave so that his remains
"would receive no injury."
There was foresight in the Indian gift. In May 1813 Fort George fell into
American hands where it remained until the following December. When
he finally arrived at the recaptured garrison, John Glegg was relieved to
discover that Brock and Macdonnel's grave had been left undisturbed by
the invaders.