APPENDIX v
- unl in- often related how the ( taneral was Impressed
with the \\ r onderful personalis "f the great chief.
As Lieutenant heserred In Captain Durand'a com* pany of r.iii Lincoln Militia at tin- Battle <»f Queen* Bton Heights. He was attached to Brock's staff as n special aide, to superviae the laying <>f the batteries. Shortly before 1 1 » « - t Sanadiana were driven from the heights, General Brock found that in firing at the Americana who were coming across
the river the bullets weiv flying short, ami he i:ave
the order to Colonel Williams to cease firing, but
Colonel Williams, mistaking the Order DO mean
" ret Ire," began i«» retire by Niagara, sir Isaac remarked, "Thai's effective," but Captain Birney, noticing Colonel Williams' movement, remarked, •■ But, General, yon <ii<l m>t mean bo retire!" " By no means," answered Sir Isaac "Oh, for one to bring theim back!" "May I go?" offered Birney. " By all means go, Birney," ordered the General, whereupon Captain Birney ran down tin- steep slope of the heights as fa si as he could. < >n the way down he noticed the mullein stalks being cut off,
and Stepping on B Blipperv >|><»t he fell violently on
the broad of his hack.
At this he heard s great cheer, and looking lift saw the cause of it all. The Americana were
in possessn i a portion <>f the heights, and their
aharpahootera, t hinking they had succeeded In Inter- cepting him in hi^ errand, had set up s cheer, but Birney was soon afoot, and came up with Colonel Williams, who upon seeing Birney, called his men to halt, and enquired, u What's the matter, Birney? Orders from the General?" Birney, being entirely out of breath, from his efforts and fall, could no! answer, and Colonel Williams further enquired, u Did the Genera] not order ns to retira? w Birney
Shook his head. " What, then.?" Baked Colonel Wil- liams. " To erase firing," Birney managed to whis- per. At this the ( 'oioiit-i uttered an oath and smote himself a terrific blow <>n the forehead wi*h his fist
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