SIR ISAAC BROCK
Sir Isaac Brock ( aslo knowed as Hickey) was born in the year 1769 in the Channel Islands, England. He came to Upper Canada in 1802, after he chose a military career. Sir Isaac Brock’s assignment in Canada was to improve the colonies ability’s to defend its self in case the United States invades Canada. To defend Canada from America he helped train militia units in Canada.
He then became the head of the British forces in Canada. Sir Isaac Brock was rather not that excited about his job in Canada. He wrote to his brother once in 1811; in his letter it said, "You can hardly imagine the uninteresting and boring life I am doomed to lead”. However, the following year his life would not be so boring and dull anymore.
When the war of 1812 started he had to fight in the war. After General Hull’s invasion in July, Hull retreated from Sandwich to Detroit because his army had supply problems. Sir Isaac Brock then joined forces with a Shawnee warrior, Tecumseh, to make plans to attack an American fort [which was fort Detroit]. On the 16th of August both Brock and Tecumseh and their men approached Detroit from across the river. The force of 1300 men included about 600 first nations, which were led by Tecumseh. While hearing the war cries of the First Nations people, General Hull grew anxious. He then surrendered almost immediately, even though his army had 200 men at his disposal.
The early victory at Fort Detroit helped built support for Britain. The mood also improved in Upper Canada. More people then began to think that they could beat the Americans. The victory also gave Brock a reputation as a strong military leader in Canada.
Isaac Brock was not a leader for a long time. Brock died in October 1812 when he got shot while he was leading a charge, early in the battle of Queenston Heights, which is not that far form Niagara Falls. Even though he died, Brock’s troops went on to win the battle. After his death, Sir Isaac Brock was made a Knight of Bath for his victory at Fort Detroit, but he was killed before he could learn about his honour. Sir Isaac Brock was buried beneath a monument near the place where he was killed.
TECUMSEH
Tecumseh was born in the year 1768 and was a member of the Shawnee first nation. Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa built an alliance of First Nations to resist settlement, which was being built by colonies in what today is the western United States. Both brothers encouraged First Nations to protect their traditions. Tecumseh joined with the British forces to fight against the United States in the war of 1812. If he joined, Britain would promise to support Tecumseh’s claim to the western territory.
Chief Tecumseh first met Sir Isaac Brock near Detroit on August 13, 1812. The battle of Detroit was the first battle that they fought in together. After they met, both Brock and Tecumseh immediately admired each other. Sir Isaac Brock wrote about Tecumseh. It said, “A more sagacious or more gallant warrior does not, I believe exist. He was the admiration of every one who conserved with him”. Brock and Tecumseh together planned the invasion of Fort Detroit.Many historians all over the world also argue that if the First Nations did not participate the battle would not have been won easily.
On the 15th of October, 1813, Major General Henry Proctor was in charge of both British and Canadian forces, west of Burlington. Proctor’s forces and Tecumseh’s forces were fighting the American troops near Lake Erie. When Major General Henry Proctor’s supplies ran short he decided to retreat to Moraviantown, leaving the First Nations and Tecumseh to fight the Americans alone.
In the battle of Thames, [Moraviantown] they were outnumbered. During this battle the First Nations lost their chief, Tecumseh. He was shot and died. Major General Henry Proctor was court-martialed and suspended for six months. Proctor’s decision to retreat and leave behind the First Nations made the First Nations believe that the British would lose the war. Chief Tecumseh helped his Canadian and British allies win several battles during the war of 1812. Chief Tecumseh’s death marked the end of his alliance with the British. It also was the end of the major First Nations resistance to American settlement in the west. Today, there is a town named after Tecumseh in southwestern Ontario.
Chief Tecumseh first met Sir Isaac Brock near Detroit on August 13, 1812. The battle of Detroit was the first battle that they fought in together. After they met, both Brock and Tecumseh immediately admired each other. Sir Isaac Brock wrote about Tecumseh. It said, “A more sagacious or more gallant warrior does not, I believe exist. He was the admiration of every one who conserved with him”. Brock and Tecumseh together planned the invasion of Fort Detroit.Many historians all over the world also argue that if the First Nations did not participate the battle would not have been won easily.
On the 15th of October, 1813, Major General Henry Proctor was in charge of both British and Canadian forces, west of Burlington. Proctor’s forces and Tecumseh’s forces were fighting the American troops near Lake Erie. When Major General Henry Proctor’s supplies ran short he decided to retreat to Moraviantown, leaving the First Nations and Tecumseh to fight the Americans alone.
In the battle of Thames, [Moraviantown] they were outnumbered. During this battle the First Nations lost their chief, Tecumseh. He was shot and died. Major General Henry Proctor was court-martialed and suspended for six months. Proctor’s decision to retreat and leave behind the First Nations made the First Nations believe that the British would lose the war. Chief Tecumseh helped his Canadian and British allies win several battles during the war of 1812. Chief Tecumseh’s death marked the end of his alliance with the British. It also was the end of the major First Nations resistance to American settlement in the west. Today, there is a town named after Tecumseh in southwestern Ontario.
LAURA SECORD
Laura Secord was born in the year 1775 in Massachusetts. She later moved to Queenston Heights Upper Canada with her husband and family in 1795. During the war of 1812, her family was forced to house American soldiers. One day she overheard the men in her house discussing plans of an attack on the British at beaver dams, in what is known today as Thorold, Ontario. Laura Secord knew that if the Americans won at beaver dams, then the Americans would gain control of the Niagara Peninsula. This was a key region in the war of 1812.
Laura Secord went off to warn the British about the American’s plans of attack. On June 13th, 1813, she had to walk 32 kilometers through heavy forest until she met a group of Haudenosaunee First Nations, who were allies with the British. They brought Laura Secord to General Fitzgibbon. He was the leader of the British in the area. Thanks to Laura Secord, the British and their allies fought off the Americans taking all but six as prisoners. In the year 1860, Laura Secord received a 100 pound reward from the Prince of Wales. Then, in the year 1868, Laura Secord died at Niagara Falls at the age of ninety-three.
Laura Secord went off to warn the British about the American’s plans of attack. On June 13th, 1813, she had to walk 32 kilometers through heavy forest until she met a group of Haudenosaunee First Nations, who were allies with the British. They brought Laura Secord to General Fitzgibbon. He was the leader of the British in the area. Thanks to Laura Secord, the British and their allies fought off the Americans taking all but six as prisoners. In the year 1860, Laura Secord received a 100 pound reward from the Prince of Wales. Then, in the year 1868, Laura Secord died at Niagara Falls at the age of ninety-three.
RICHARD PIERPOINT
Richard Pierpoint was born in Bondu, Africa in the year 1746. When he was a teenager, he was taken into slavery. During the American Revolution Richard Pierpoint joined the butler’s rangers. This was a regiment based at Fort Niagara. With a couple of other black soldiers he became an expert with First Nations style warfare. Richard Pierpoint settled in the Niagara area when the American Revolution ended.
After the American Revolution, the Americans would raid Canada. They did this so they could bring back some former slaves to the United States. Richard Pierpoint petitioned the Canadian government to allow all black people in the region to settle together.
Pierpoint thought that this might help them defend themselves against raids. When the war of 1812 broke out Richard Pierpoint organized a military company with only black men. He called it ‘the coloured corps’. Richard Pierpoint was sixty-eight years old at that time. The coloured corps fought in the battles of Queenston Heights and Fort George.
After the American Revolution, the Americans would raid Canada. They did this so they could bring back some former slaves to the United States. Richard Pierpoint petitioned the Canadian government to allow all black people in the region to settle together.
Pierpoint thought that this might help them defend themselves against raids. When the war of 1812 broke out Richard Pierpoint organized a military company with only black men. He called it ‘the coloured corps’. Richard Pierpoint was sixty-eight years old at that time. The coloured corps fought in the battles of Queenston Heights and Fort George.
JOHN STRACHAN
John Strachan was born in the year 1778 in Scotland. He then immigrated to Canada in 1799. He became a teacher and then became an Anglican Priest. During the war of 1812, John Strachan was a Chaplain for the British and Canadian troops. On the 27th of April 1813, the British retreated from York, Ontario.
The American troops were looting and burning the town. John Strachan was the only leader to step forward to the Americans at the time, so he went to meet with American General Henry Dearborn. When they met, Strachan negotiated the surrender of York with better terms for its Canadian citizens. After the war of 1812, John Strachan helped to find and also lead the loyal and patriotic society. It helped raise funds to help disabled militia and their families.
The American troops were looting and burning the town. John Strachan was the only leader to step forward to the Americans at the time, so he went to meet with American General Henry Dearborn. When they met, Strachan negotiated the surrender of York with better terms for its Canadian citizens. After the war of 1812, John Strachan helped to find and also lead the loyal and patriotic society. It helped raise funds to help disabled militia and their families.