RANGERS ROADS: Push On, Brave York Volunteers - Queenston Heights, 1812

On this day in 1812, the Battle of Queenston Heights took place on the banks of the Niagara River near Queenston, Ontario. The battle was fought between British forces (Regulars, Militia and Indigenous allies) led by Maj. Gen. Isaac Brock, and an American army under Maj.Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer.

The goal of the Americans was to capture and establish an area on the Canadian side of the river from where they could launch further attacks into Upper Canada. The Americans sought to make a move before the winter, so Van Rensselaer planned his attack originally for October 11th but due to extremely bad weather and a desertion by the Officer in charge of the boats, it was delayed. Brock heard about the plan and prepared his force, including the 49th Regiment of Foot, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd York Militia (perpetuated by The Queen's York Rangers), the Lincoln Militia and Indigenous allies led by John Norton.

On October 13th, the American army crossed the Niagara River with around 3500 soldiers. As they were arriving on the shore, British guards spotted them and opened fire, raising the alarm in the nearby village of Queenston. The Americans formed a column but were met by a detachment of the British army consisting of Militia and Regulars. During the firefight, Van Rensselaer was wounded several times and withdrew from the battle. He was replaced by Capt. Wool.

As a second wave of boats crossed the river, the British artillery fired on them. During this time, Brock moved to Queenston as the Americans had just taken the Heights. Brock sent a message to nearby Fort George for reinforcements and sought to take back the Heights before they arrived.

Brock gathered a force of York and Lincoln militia as well as the 49th and led them in an attack on the Americans. Brock was first wounded on the wrist but continued fighting until he was struck in the chest and killed. A popular legend suggests his last words were "Push on, Brave York volunteers".

The death of Brock forced the British to fall back and prepare for a second attempt. This attempt was led by Lt.Col. John Macdonell, Brock's aide de camp and Captain John Williams. They led the charge by the 49th and 3rd York against the Americans.  During the charge, Macdonell's horse was shot, and a second shot hit Macdonell in the back.  Williams was rendered unconscious by a musket ball, however, he later regained consciousness. 

This challenging battle forced a retreat to Queenston where reinforcements arrived under the command of Maj.Gen. Roger Sheaffe

Sheaffe led an attack on the Heights, advancing with stops to fire until they came upon the Americans and forced them to retreat. As the Americans retreated, some fell down the heights. When they arrived at the boats, they realized that most of them had been taken by deserting soldiers, this caused some to attempt to swim across under fire from both sides. Shortly after a truce was called.

The British had successfully thwarted the American incursion and captured nearly 1000 soldiers, including a Brigadier General, 5 Lt. Colonels, and the colours of the New York Militia that hang in the Great Hall of Royal Hospital Chelsea, in London, England.