16 MEMOIR OF SIR ISAAC BROCK.
dents in that war claimed the attention of the historian. The high-minded soldier could not brook a state of inaction with such promising prospects before him. His best feelings revolted at being compelled to lan- guish within the strict pale of military obedience, when so rich a field for doing good service presented itself; and in place of becoming the assailant, he was soon doomed, by awaiting the attacks of his oppo- nents, to sacrifice not only life, but, what is far dearer, the opening prospects of honorable ambition.
The Americans, burning to wipe away the stain of their recent discomfiture, and apparently determined to penetrate into Upper Canada at any risk, concen- trated with those views, along the Niagara river, an army, by their own account, of about six thousand men, partly militia, under the command of Major- General Van Renssalaer. To oppose this force Major- General Brock, whose head quarters were at Fort George, had under his immediate orders part of the 41st and 49th regiments, a few companies of militia, and from two to three hundred Indians, in all about fifteen hundred men, but so dispersed in different posts at and between Fort Erie and Fort George,* (thirty-four miles apart,) that only a small number was quickly available at any one point. Under these circumstances it was impossible to prevent the landing of the hostile troops when favored by the obscurity of the night ; they crossed over from Lewistown in a considerable body before daybreak, on the 13th of October, and after some loss, gained possession of the shore near Queenston, a pretty village, seven miles from Fort George. The cataract of Niagara is sup-
- On the opposite or American shore stands Fort Niagara, which, while in
the hands of the French, was the scene of so many conflicts. The 49th regi- ment assisted at the reduction of this fort, in July, 1759 !
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