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98-462: The Round Island Channel has been in active use since before the arrival of European explorers. With the construction of Fort Mackinac in 1780–1781, the channel became a link in the logistics chain operated by the British Army to supply the fort. With the discovery of significant hematite mines in northern Minnesota in the late 1800s, and the construction of steel mills shortly after 1900 along

196-726: A knighthood in the Order of the Bath and the sobriquet "The Hero of Upper Canada". His name is often linked with that of the Native American leader Tecumseh , although the two men collaborated in person only for a few days. Brock died at the Battle of Queenston Heights , which the British won. Brock was born at St Peter Port on the Channel Island of Guernsey , the eighth son of John Brock (1729–1777),

294-990: A midshipman in the Royal Navy , and Elizabeth de Lisle, daughter of Daniel de Lisle, then Lieutenant- Bailiff of Guernsey . The Brocks were an English family who had been established in Guernsey since the sixteenth century. Brock earned a reputation during his early education on Guernsey as an assiduous student, as well as an exceptional swimmer and boxer. At age ten, he was sent to school in Southampton . He also studied for one year in Rotterdam , learning French. Despite his lack of an extensive formal education, Brock appreciated its importance. As an adult, he spent much time reading in an attempt to improve his education. He read many works on military tactics and science , but he also read ancient history and other less immediately practical topics. At

392-441: A group of the militia Brock favoured) or "Push on, don't mind me" or Surgite! ( Latin for "rise" or "push on"  – now used as a motto by Brock University ), and even "a request that his fall might not be noticed or prevent the advance of his brave troops, adding a wish, which could not be distinctly understood, that some token of remembrance should be transmitted to his sister." These accounts are considered unlikely, since he

490-418: A gun accidentally discharged just inches from him, blowing a hole in his abdomen. The post surgeon, Doctor William Beaumont , attended to him. Dr. Beaumont cared for the presumably doomed St. Martin the best he could. To his surprise, the man appeared to make a recovery. Beaumont took St. Martin into his home, caring for him for several years. St. Martin healed although his stomach had a hole. Beaumont seized

588-502: A loan entered into the bank's books by his brother, and the Brocks faced a demand for payment. Isaac could not meet the £3000 debt, but made over the whole of his salary to his brother Irving, to be used for whatever was considered most critical: his commission debt or the family's other bills. The United States declared war on Britain on 18 June 1812. Despite his preparations, Brock was worried about Canadian security. In Upper Canada, besides

686-484: A musket ball but continued to press home the attack. His height and energetic gestures, together with his officer's uniform and a gaudy sash given to him eight weeks earlier by Tecumseh after the siege of Detroit, made him a conspicuous target. An unknown American stepped forward from a thicket and fired at a range of barely fifty yards. The musketball struck Brock in the chest and he fell. His last words have been reported as "Push on, brave York Volunteers" (in reference to

784-592: A naval force capable of holding the Great Lakes . This was to be pivotal during the war. But Brock's appropriation of civilian lands and labour for military use brought him into conflict with the civilian authorities led by Thomas Dunn . In 1807 Brock was appointed brigadier general by Governor General Sir James Henry Craig , the new commander of Canadian forces. He was to take command of all forces in Upper Canada in 1810. During this time Brock continued to ask for

882-734: A new way of financing its park, based on the system that financed the Mackinac Bridge . Michigan financed construction of Mackinac Bridge through revenue bonds repaid from the cash flow of toll fees from the bridge after it opened in 1957. Mackinac Island State Park Commission modified this idea for park restoration purposes, with Fort Mackinac admission fees serving as the cash flow. More than three-fourths of budget of Mackinac Island State Park Commission now comes from admission fees and other self-generated cash flow. Most United States parks-and-recreation agencies instead depend upon public subsidies. Mackinac Island State Park Commission operates one of

980-554: A number of commitments to the Shawnee. He promised to negotiate no peace treaty without addressing the Shawnee's vision of an independent homeland. There is no evidence Brock negotiated in bad faith. Brock's personal integrity and respect for First Nations peoples has been well documented, and suggest that if he had lived he would have kept his word to the Shawnee. The capture of Detroit led to British domination over most of Michigan Territory . Brock had planned to continue his campaign into

1078-475: A party across the border in pursuit and the men were captured. A short time later Brock received a report from Fort George that some of the garrison were planning to imprison the officers and flee to the U.S. Immediately he boarded the schooner that had brought the message and proceeded to Fort George, under the command of then-Lieutenant-Colonel Roger Hale Sheaffe . A hastily assembled honour guard formed to greet Brock's unexpected arrival. Alone on entering

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1176-636: A posting in Europe. In June 1811 he was promoted to major general and in October of that year Lieutenant Governor Francis Gore left for England. Brock was sent to Upper Canada as senior officer commander of the troops and senior member of the [executive] council, putting him fully in charge of both the military and civil authority. He was usually referred to as president of the council or administrator of Upper Canada (never as lieutenant governor). When permission to leave for Europe finally came in early 1812, Brock declined

1274-591: A round robin against their being subjected to the practice of mast-heading." He was "recommended privately to retire from the service." After a period of leave in England over winter 1805–1806 and promotion to colonel on 29 October 1805, Brock returned to Canada temporarily in command of the entire British army there. By 1806 the United States was becoming increasingly hostile to the British Empire ; relations between

1372-476: A state of war existed. This party returned with an order to attack Fort Mackinac, then known as Fort Michilimackinac. A minimal United States garrison of approximately sixty men under the command of Lieutenant Porter Hanks then manned Fort Mackinac. Although a diligent officer, Hanks had received no communication from his superiors for months. On the morning of July 17, 1812, a combined British and Native American force of seventy war canoes and ten bateaux under

1470-597: A volunteer militia. When faced with the prospect of enduring a long, harsh winter on the island, two of the prisoners signed loyalty oaths and obtained release. The third Confederate refused, and the Army ultimately transferred him to another post. Seth Eastman , an officer and artist in the United States Army, in 1872 made an oil painting of Fort Mackinac, as a commission by the US Congress of paintings of military forts. It

1568-615: A willingness to take action. Tecumseh evidently trusted and respected Brock, reportedly saying, "This is a man " after meeting him for the first time. Although Brock's correspondence indicates a certain amount of paternal condescension for the First Nations, he seems to have regarded Tecumseh very highly, calling him "the Wellington of the Indians", and saying "a more sagacious or a more gallant warrior does not I believe exist". Brock made

1666-408: Is far from my inclination to join in a war of extermination, but you must be aware that the numerous body of Indians who have attached themselves to my troops will be beyond my control the moment the contest commences." Brock hammered the fort with cannon fire. On 16 August, the day after receiving Brock's letter, Hull surrendered. Hull, elderly and without recent military experience, was terrified by

1764-429: Is most critical, not from anything the enemy can do, but from the disposition of the people – The Population, believe me is essentially bad – A full belief possesses them that this Province must inevitably succumb – This Prepossession is fatal to every exertion – Legislators, Magistrates, Militia Officers, all, have imbibed the idea, and are so sluggish and indifferent in all their respective offices that

1862-544: Is now part of the collection of the United States Senate . His more important work was to illustrate Henry Rowe Schoolcraft's six-volume history of the American Indians, commissioned by Congress in the 1850s. From 1875 to 1895, Mackinac National Park , the second national park in the United States after Yellowstone National Park , included Fort Mackinac and much of Mackinac Island. During the national park years,

1960-574: The Caribbean , where he fell ill with fever and nearly died. He did not fully recover until after returning to England in 1793. Once back in Britain he spent much of his time recruiting, and he was placed in charge of recruits on Jersey . He purchased his majority on 27 June 1795, and rejoined his regiment in 1796, when the rest of his men returned from the West Indies. On 28 October 1797 Brock purchased

2058-672: The Royal Newfoundland Regiment built Fort George, a stockade and blockhouse on the highest point of the island, to prevent the Americans from re-capturing the island using the same strategy. Lieutenant Hanks made his way to Detroit and the American military post there. Upon his arrival, superiors charged him with cowardice in the surrender of Fort Mackinac. Before the court martial of Lieutenant Hanks could begin, British forces attacked Fort Detroit. A British cannonball ripped through

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2156-509: The Shawnee chief Tecumseh , to build alliances with him against the Americans in the event of war. Although the conventional wisdom of the day was that Canada would fall quickly in the event of an invasion, Brock pursued these strategies to give the colony a fighting chance. Meanwhile, back in England, Brock's brother William faced financial difficulties, as the bank in which he was a senior partner failed. Isaac's commissions had been purchased with

2254-436: The beachhead . Finally on 2 October the 49th was actively involved in heavy combat at the Battle of Alkmaar , where they acquitted themselves well, sustaining only 33 deaths. The 49th had been ordered to proceed up the beaches of Egmont-op-Zee, a steep climb through sand dunes and poor terrain. The risks were exacerbated by harassment from French sharpshooters , who had excellent cover. After about six hours of heavy fighting,

2352-588: The blockade of French ports , and a belief that the British were inciting American Indians to attack U.S. settlements on the western frontier. War hawks in the U.S. called for an invasion of Canada to punish the British Empire and to lessen the threat to American interests represented by the Native Americans. At the same time, the US leaders believed that the growing population needed new territory; some imagined that

2450-477: The fortifications of Quebec by building walls and an elevated battery . Brock succeeded in creating a formidable defensive position due largely to his military reading, which included several volumes on the science of running and setting up artillery . He also rearranged and strengthened the Provincial Marine (responsible for transport on the lakes and rivers). He ordered warships to be built and developed

2548-407: The regiment , a professional dueller forced a match on him. As the one being challenged Brock had his choice of terms, and he insisted that they use pistols. His friends were shocked as Brock was a large target and his opponent an expert shot. Brock, however, refused to change his mind. When the duellist arrived at the field, he asked Brock to decide how many paces they would take. Brock insisted that

2646-621: The 49th was assigned to the Helder Expedition against the Batavian Republic (now known as the Netherlands), to be led by Sir Ralph Abercromby . During the troop landings, Brock saw his first combat on 10 September 1799 under the command of then-Major-General John Moore . Given that the 49th was in poor shape when Brock took command, they saw little actual combat. Likely Moore was sparing them and using more experienced troops to establish

2744-469: The 74-gun HMS  Ganges (commanded by Captain Thomas Fremantle , a personal friend), Brock was present at the Battle of Copenhagen . His troops were supposed to lead an assault on the forts at Copenhagen . The outcome of the sea battle made such an assault unnecessary, and Brock was able to observe first-hand the tactical brilliance of Lord Nelson . After the battle, Fremantle and Brock celebrated

2842-464: The American garrison was taken by surprise (not being aware that war had been declared) and surrendered. This victory immediately encouraged many First Nations tribes, who had hitherto been neutral or undecided, to give their active support to the British. They hoped to expel the American settlers from their territories west of the Appalachian Mountains. Brock felt he needed to go further. He

2940-399: The British Army, the colonial militia, and First Nations warriors on either side of the route. The caskets were lowered into a freshly dug grave at the northeast corner of Fort George. The British fired a twenty-one gun salute in three salvos, in a gesture of respect. Later that day, the American garrison at Fort Niagara respectfully fired a similar salute. Over five thousand people attended

3038-532: The British forces. In sharp contrast to his predecessors' direct attacks, Sheaffe took a more cautious approach. This ultimately proved successful, leading to a total victory over the Americans. After the battle, Sheaffe and his staff decided to entrust the funeral arrangements to Captain John Glegg , who had served with Brock for many years. On 16 October, a funeral procession for Brock and Colonel Macdonell went from Government House to Fort George, with soldiers from

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3136-461: The General was gone, and evident despondency prevailed throughout. I have succeeded beyond expectation. I crossed the river contrary to the opinion of Cols. Procter, St. George etc.; it is therefore no wonder that envy should attribute to good fortune what in justice to my own discernment, I must say, proceeded from a cool calculation of the pours and contres . Even with his First Nations allies, Brock

3234-541: The Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and Mackinac Island State Park. The Governor of Michigan appoints members of the commission, who meet many times during the course of a year to govern Mackinac State Historic Parks. The commission and historic parks preserve, protect, and present the rich and natural history of Mackinac Island and the Straits area. In the 1950s, Mackinac Island State Park Commission developed

3332-403: The U.S., but he was thwarted by negotiation of an armistice by Prevost with American Major General Henry Dearborn . This stalled Brock's momentum, and gave the Americans time to regroup and prepare to invade Canada. Unable to predict the point of invasion, Brock frantically worked to prepare defences throughout Upper Canada. The Prince Regent decreed a silver medal be struck for presentation to

3430-514: The United States was destined to control all of the North American continent. (This philosophy was later known as Manifest Destiny .) American hawks assumed that Canadian colonists would rise up and support the invading U.S. armies as liberators and that, as Thomas Jefferson famously wrote, conquering Canada would be "a mere matter of marching". In response to this emerging threat, Brock moved quickly to bolster Canadian defences. He strengthened

3528-564: The War of 1812 and settlement of the northern border and tensions with Britain, Fort Mackinac gradually declined in military significance. No longer needed as a front line border defense against the British in Canada, the fort was used as a strategic troop reserve. The Army essentially could deploy troops to Fort Mackinac until a need arose to transfer them to other locations of military importance. The Army nearly abandoned Fort Mackinac between such uses. It

3626-566: The advice of his officers, Brock immediately prepared to launch an attack on Detroit. He later (3 September) wrote to his brothers, Some say that nothing could be more desperate than the measure, but I answer that the state of the Province admitted of nothing but desperate remedies. I got possession of the letters my antagonist addressed to the Secretary at War, and also of the sentiments which hundreds of his army uttered to their friends. Confidence in

3724-717: The area. After the Treaty of Paris (1763) , the British occupied the French fort but considered the wooden structure too difficult to defend. In 1780/1781, its lieutenant governor Patrick Sinclair constructed a new limestone fort on the 150-foot (46 m) limestone bluffs of Mackinac Island above the Straits of Mackinac . The British held the outpost throughout the American Revolutionary War. Captain Daniel Robertson commanded

3822-462: The artful and active scoundrel is allowed to parade the Country without interruption, and commit all imaginable mischief... What a change an additional regiment would make in this part of the Province! Most of the people have lost all confidence – I however speak loud and look big. On 12 July, an American army under William Hull had invaded Canada at Sandwich (later known as Windsor ). The invasion

3920-418: The artillery battery to gain a better view only minutes before Wool attacked. He, his aides, and the gunners were forced to beat a hasty retreat, leading their horses down the steep slope. Fearing that the Americans would move the rest of their troops across the river, Brock ordered an immediate attack on their position. True to his philosophy of never ordering men where he would not lead them, he personally led

4018-461: The attack was stopped about a mile (1.6 km) short of the British objective. After an hour of close combat, the French began to withdraw. Brock was injured in the fighting when hit in the throat by a spent musket ball. His neck cloth prevented a possibly fatal injury. In his own words, "I got knocked down shortly after the enemy began to retreat, but never quitted the field, and returned to my duty in less than half an hour." In 1801 while aboard

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4116-513: The charge on foot. Brock's charge was made by Dennis' and Williams' two companies of the 49th and two companies of militia. The assault was halted by heavy fire and as he noticed unwounded men dropping to the rear, Brock shouted angrily that "This is the first time I have ever seen the 49th turn their backs! Surely the heroes of Egmont will not tarnish their record!" At this rebuke, the ranks promptly closed up and were joined by two more companies of militia, those of Cameron and Heward. Brock saw that

4214-483: The city of Mackinac Island, Michigan , on Mackinac Island . The British built the fort during the American Revolutionary War to control the strategic Straits of Mackinac between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron , and by extension the fur trade on the Great Lakes . The British did not relinquish the fort until thirteen years after the end of the American Revolutionary War . Fort Mackinac later became

4312-464: The command of British Captain Charles Roberts attacked Fort Mackinac. Roberts came from Fort St. Joseph and landed on the north end of Mackinac Island, 2 miles (3.2 km) from the fort. The British removed the village inhabitants from their homes and trained their two 6-pounder iron cannons at the fort. The Americans, under Lieutenant Hanks, were taken by surprise and Hanks perceived his garrison

4410-425: The country. In 2015, Fort Mackinac celebrated 235 years standing guard over Mackinac Island. During the main tourism summer months (June through August), visitors ascend into a bustle of activity within the old British-built stone walls of old Fort Mackinac after entering its weathered gates. Costumed interpreters greet visitors, portray life in the 1880s, answer questions, pose for pictures, and lead tours throughout

4508-457: The day. Some of the "soldiers" carry original 45-70 Springfield Model 1873 , the type used at the fort during the 1880s. Others play music or greet and mingle with the crowds of visitors. The 1841 model six-pounder is fired many times daily. It is the second-largest cannon regularly demonstrated on the Great Lakes. Activities also include rifle firings, court martial re-enactments, and dances of

4606-413: The death of Brock, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonell became the senior officer. A lawyer by trade and having little military experience, Macdonell led a second attempt to retake the redan. With Williams' men of the 49th starting from brush to the right of the line near the escarpment and Macdonell's anchoring the left, the force of between 70 and 80 men (more than half of whom were militia) advanced toward

4704-406: The duel would take place not at the usual range, but at handkerchief distance (i.e., close range). The duellist declined and subsequently was forced to leave the regiment. This contributed to Brock's popularity and reputation among his fellow officers, as this duellist had a formidable reputation and was reportedly regarded as a bully in the regiment. During his time with this regiment, Brock served in

4802-417: The edge of the gorge on which the redan was situated, and seemed on the verge of success before the Americans were able to regroup and stand firm. The momentum of the battle turned when a musket ball hit Macdonell's mount (causing it to rear and twist around) and another shot hit him in the small of the back, causing him to fall from the horse. He was removed from the battlefield and died from his injuries early

4900-578: The elite of the region. During the Mexican–American War and for long periods during the Civil War, the Army left the care and upkeep of Fort Mackinac to an ordnance sergeant. Despite these periods of relative inactivity, the fort played a small role in the Civil War, briefly used as a prison for three Confederate political prisoners. Brought to Mackinac Island and the fort during the summer months, these three men enjoyed relative freedom, guarded only by

4998-607: The expedition in 1820 under the command of Lewis Cass to explore the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Henry Rowe Schoolcraft held the post of United States Indian agent at Fort Mackinac for a time in the 1830s. He did extensive study of the Native American languages and culture of the region, aided by his marriage to Jane Johnston , the Ojibwe-British daughter of John Johnston, a wealthy British fur trader at Sault Ste. Marie. Both her parents' families were prominent among

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5096-578: The fort through dense woods, which Native American allies of the British protected, finally emerging into a clearing below Fort George. Colonel McDouall had placed a small force bearing muskets, rifles, and two field guns behind low breastworks at the opposite end of the clearing. When the Americans emerged from the woods into the clearing, the British guns targeted them easily. British forces killed 13 Americans, including Major Holmes and two other officers, and wounded 51 others. The heavy losses compelled Colonel Croghan to order his men to retreat back through

5194-463: The fort, Brock ordered the sergeant of the guard to disarm and had him confined. As it was the dinner hour, all the soldiers were in barracks . Brock ordered the drummers to call out the men. He ordered the first officer on the scene, Lieutenant Williams, to bring him a soldier suspected of being one of the mutiny's ringleaders. Pinning the man with a sabre, Williams took him into custody. The other suspected mutineers were also captured. Brock sent

5292-419: The garrison on Mackinac Island from 1782 to his replacement in 1784 by Lieutenant George Clowes. Despite the terms of the Treaty of Paris (1783) , the British did not officially relinquish the fort to the United States until 1796. In June 1812, British Major-General Isaac Brock heard that America had declared war and sent a canoe party 1,200 miles (1,900 km) to Fort St. Joseph , Ontario to confirm that

5390-406: The ill-equipped militia. Under prize regulations , a substantial part of the value of the captured military stores would accrue to him. (If he had lived longer, he could have settled his debts.) Brock valued the captured ordnance supplies at £30,000. Finally, the victory secured the support of Tecumseh and the other chiefs in his confederation, who took Brock's actions as both a sign of competence and

5488-400: The largest parks in United States that generates a significant majority of its own operating budget. The current museum at the park includes 14 historic buildings. Today, Fort Mackinac is a popular heritage tourist destination. Situated on 150-foot bluffs above the Straits of Mackinac, it is one of the few surviving American Revolutionary War forts and one of the most complete early forts in

5586-565: The majority of regular army troops. In the early morning of 13 October 1812, he attempted to cross the Niagara River , leading to the Battle of Queenston Heights . Despite heavy fire from British artillery, the first wave of Americans (under Captain John E. Wool ) managed to land, and then follow a fishermen's path up to the heights. From this point, they attacked and routed the British artillery. Brock had arrived from nearby Fort George and moved up to

5684-401: The men could read current magazines, play pool, and buy beer and wine). They wanted Fort Mackinac to be a "desirable station." Soldiers also had regular military duties, drilling on the parade ground and taking target practice at least once a week on either a 600- or 1000-yard rifle range. The skills learned at the fort later proved important for many troops who were posted at other locations in

5782-463: The militia supports were lagging behind at the foot of the hill and ordered one of his Provincial aides-de-camp , Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell , to "Push on the York Volunteers," while he led his own party to the right, presumably intending to join his party with that of Williams' detachment, who were beginning to make progress on that flank. Brock was struck in the wrist of his sword arm by

5880-512: The militia, there was only one British regular infantry regiment, a detachment of retired veterans, and a company of artillery. These had to be dispersed among several widely separated posts. Brock's advantage was that the armed vessels of the Provincial Marine controlled the lakes, and allowed him to move his reserves rapidly between threatened points. Brock continually kept the commanders of his posts informed of all developments. When news of

5978-405: The nation was at peace attests to his skills in recruiting men and organizing finances, and ambition. At the age of fifteen, Brock joined the 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot on 8 March 1785 with the rank of ensign , and was likely given responsibility for the regimental colours . His elder brother John was already an officer in the same regiment. As was usual at the time, Brock's commission

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6076-463: The next day. Captain Williams was laid low by a wound to the head, and Dennis by a severe wound to the thigh (although he continued to lead his detachment throughout the action). Carrying Macdonnell and the body of Brock, the British fell back through Queenston to Durham's Farm, a mile north near Vrooman's Point. In the afternoon, Sheaffe arrived on the battlefield with reinforcements and took command of

6174-462: The offer, believing he had a duty to defend Canada in war against the United States. As Upper Canada's administrator, Brock made a series of changes to prepare for war. He amended the militia act to allow use of all available volunteers and ordered enhanced training of these raw recruits, despite opposition from the provincial legislature . He continued strengthening and reinforcing defences. Brock also began seeking out First Nations leaders, such as

6272-545: The operation of Great Lakes navigable waterways and the St. Lawrence Seaway . This depth is sufficient to provide safe water for lake freighters as massive as 1,000 feet (300 m) long. Buoys and the lights delineate the channel today. The Round Island Channel forms the ending points of the annual Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac and its counterpart, the Port Huron to Mackinac Race . In both races, sail-powered yachts race from

6370-405: The opportunity and began observing and conducting experiments on the man. Through these experiments, Beaumont described the process of digestion in detail, unlocking its mysteries. Beaumont wrote a book about his experiments and later became known as "The Father of Gastric Physiology." The fort developed as an important staging area for US exploration of the northern Michigan Territory , including

6468-535: The outbreak of war reached him, he sent a canoe party under the noted trader and voyager William McKay to the British outpost at St. Joseph Island on Lake Huron . His orders to commander (Captain Charles Roberts) allowed him to stand on the defensive or attack the nearby American outpost at Fort Mackinac at his discretion. Roberts immediately launched an attack on Fort Mackinac with a scratch force of regulars, fur traders, and First Nations warriors. On 17 July,

6566-407: The rank of lieutenant-colonel for £3,000, and became acting commanding officer of the regiment, assuming substantive command on 22 March 1798 with the retirement of Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Keppel. The rank was apparently bought cheaply; his predecessor from whom he purchased the rank was advised to sell up and leave the army rather than face a court martial and probable dismissal. In 1799

6664-457: The redan. Wool had been reinforced by more troops who had just made their way up the path to the top of the Heights, and Macdonell faced some four hundred troops. During the charge, it is reported that the 49th used "Revenge the General" as a battle cry . Despite the disadvantage in numbers as well as attacking a fixed position, Williams' and Macdonell's small force was driving the opposing force to

6762-435: The risk of losing the battle. He later wrote that the surrender had saved 2,500 troops and 700 civilians from "the horrors of an Indian massacre". The capture of Detroit and Hull's army wounded American morale, and eliminated the main American force in the area as a threat, while at the same time boosting morale among his own forces. Brock took the American supplies at Detroit and used them for his own forces, particularly

6860-468: The river in Sandwich. Through a carefully crafted series of marches, he gave the appearance of having much more numerous forces. He had Tecumseh's forces cross in front of the fort several times (doubling back under cover), intimidating Hull with the show of a large, raucous, barely controlled group of First Nations warriors. Finally, he sent Hull a letter demanding his surrender, in which he stated, in part, "It

6958-565: The room where Hanks was standing, cutting him in half and killing the officer next to him as well. United States Army Colonel George Croghan and his superior General William Henry Harrison designed a campaign to take control of the Great Lakes and sever the fur trade alliance between the British and the tribes of the region; as part of this campaign, the Americans attempted to retake Mackinac Island in July 1814. The two-pronged campaign also included an assault on Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin , located on

7056-554: The scene of two strategic battles for control of the Great Lakes during the War of 1812 . During most of the 19th century, it served as an outpost of the United States Army . Closed in 1895, the fort has been adapted as a museum on the grounds of Mackinac Island State Park . Before 1763, the French used Fort Michilimackinac on the mainland south shore of the Straits of Mackinac to control

7154-407: The senior officers to commemorate the event. Meanwhile, American general Stephen Van Rensselaer III , a Federalist political appointee, in command of a sizable army near Lewiston , was pressured by the American president to invade. Although Van Rensselaer had severe doubts about the quality of his troops, he had no choice but to attack. He was an inexperienced militia general, and not trusted by

7252-532: The shores of southern Lake Michigan in and around Gary, Indiana , the Round Island Channel became an essential element in one of the most significant commodity supply pipelines of the Great Lakes. The Round Island Channel is lit by Round Island Light , an 1895 lighthouse , and by Round Island Passage Light , a 1948 light which has a Racon . The channel is maintained to a project depth of 30 feet (9.1 meters) in line with U.S.-Canadian agreements governing

7350-418: The southern ends of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron , respectively, to the Round Island Channel. 45°50′27″N 84°36′55″W  /  45.8409°N 84.6154°W  / 45.8409; -84.6154 Fort Mackinac Fort Mackinac ( / ˈ m æ k ə n ɔː / MAK -ə-naw ) is a former British and American military outpost garrisoned from the late 18th century to the late 19th century in

7448-551: The still-dangerous American West. In 1895, Congress closed Fort Mackinac and Mackinac National Park. It transferred the fort and park to the State of Michigan, which created Mackinac Island State Park, the first state park in Michigan. The semi-autonomous Mackinac Island State Park Commission in 1895 began governing Fort Mackinac and the other surrounding historic sites on or near Mackinac Island : Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek,

7546-481: The time of his death, he owned a modest library of books, including classic works by Shakespeare , Voltaire , and Samuel Johnson . He kept a reputation as an "unusually tall, robust" man throughout his life, with an adult height of about 6 ft 2 in (188 cm). Measurements taken from his uniform show that at his death he had a waist size of 47 inches (120 cm) and the inside brim of his hat measured 24 inches (61 cm) in circumference. Though Brock

7644-418: The troops stationed at Mackinac acted as park rangers. The Army tasked these men with maintaining the park, so they spent much time cutting new roads and footpaths through the park. To improve conditions and boost morale, the Army constructed a bathhouse at the fort (in which every man at the fort was required to bathe at least once a week), a post toilet (complete with flush toilets), and a post canteen (where

7742-488: The twelve mutineers and the seven deserters to Quebec for court martial . The mutineers had planned to jail all the officers (save Sheaffe, who was to be killed) and to cross the Niagara River into the U.S. at Queenston. Seven soldiers were subsequently executed by firing squad. The mutineers testified that they were forced to such measures by the severity of Sheaffe's command. They said if they had continued under Brock's command, they would never have taken such action. Brock

7840-528: The two sloops as prizes of war . The ships were Erie (Captain Norton) and Friends Good Will (Captain Lee), the latter being taken by the British into service as HMS  Little Belt . The schooners Mary and Salina , anchored at port, were sent by the British to Detroit as cartels carrying the prisoners they had taken. After capturing the island, the British under the command of Colonel Robert McDouall of

7938-408: The two nations continued to deteriorate until war finally broke out in 1812. The United States had grievances at British violations of American sovereignty, restriction of American trade by Britain, and an American desire to gain territory by invading and annexing the poorly defended British North American colonies. American grievances included the impressment of American sailors by the Royal Navy ,

8036-518: The type done during the early days of Fort Mackinac with live musicians. There are 14 original buildings as part of the fort museum: Isaac Brock Major-General Sir Isaac Brock KB (6 October 1769 – 13 October 1812) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator from Guernsey . Brock was assigned to Lower Canada in 1802. Despite facing desertions and near-mutinies, he commanded his regiment in Upper Canada (part of present-day Ontario ) successfully for many years. He

8134-401: The upper Mississippi River . On July 26, 1814, a squadron of five United States ships arrived off Mackinac Island, carrying a landing force of 700 soldiers under the command of Colonel Croghan. This landing began the Battle of Mackinac Island . To his dismay, Colonel Croghan discovered that the new British blockhouse stood too high for the naval guns to reach, forcing an unprotected assault on

8232-466: The victory with Nelson. In 1802, Brock and the 49th were ordered to Canada. Brock arrived in Canada with the rest of the 49th and was initially assigned to Montreal. Almost immediately, in 1804 he was faced with one of the primary problems in Canada: desertion. Seven soldiers stole a boat and fled across the river (and border) into the United States. Despite having no jurisdiction on American soil, Brock sent

8330-405: The wall of Fort George. The Americans shelled Fort George for two days with most shells falling harmlessly in vegetable gardens around the fort. A dense fog forced the Americans back from Mackinac Island for a week. Major Andrew Holmes led the American forces in returning; they landed at the north end of the island near the location of the British assault in 1812. The Americans worked their way to

8428-459: The war again. They made the island inhabitants swear an oath of allegiance as subjects of the United Kingdom. Shortly after the British captured the fort, two American vessels arrived from Fort Dearborn (Chicago), unaware of the start of the War of 1812 , or the fort's capture by British forces. The British raised the American flag and when the vessels tied up at the pier, the British captured

8526-428: The western end of Lake Erie , facing Hull's position at Detroit . Travelling mainly by water in bad weather, Brock reached Amherstburg on 13 August. Here, Brock met Tecumseh, and was immediately impressed. Brock also read American dispatches captured from Hull's army. He quickly judged Hull to be timid and afraid of the First Nations in particular, and the American force to be demoralised and short of rations. Against

8624-466: The woods to the beach. The Americans rowed back to their ships and retreated. The American defeat in the Battle of Mackinac Island left the island and its forts in the hands of the British through the end of the War of 1812. Following the Treaty of Ghent , American forces reoccupied Fort Mackinac in July 1815. They renamed Fort George as Fort Holmes, in honor of Major Holmes, killed in the 1814 attack. After

8722-404: Was purchased . On 16 January 1790 he bought the rank of lieutenant and later that year he raised his own company of men. As a result, he was promoted to captain (of an Independent Company of foot) on 27 January 1791 and transferred to the 49th (Hertfordshire) Regiment of Foot on 15 June 1791. His nephew and biographer ( Ferdinand Brock Tupper ) asserts that shortly after Brock joined

8820-509: Was also used as a fur trading post, as Mackinac Island was an important fur post. From 1816 to 1821 the post was commanded by Benjamin Kendrick Pierce , the older brother of President Franklin Pierce . He married the daughter of Magdelaine Laframboise , a prominent fur trader of Ojibwe and French descent. On June 6, 1822, a fur trader named Alexis St. Martin waited to trade in his furs when

8918-458: Was badly outnumbered. The officers and men under Roberts numbered about two hundred (including 180 Canadians); a few hundred Native Americans of various tribes supported him. Fearing that the Native Americans on the British side would massacre his men and allies, Lieutenant Hanks accepted the British offer of surrender without a fight. The British paroled the American forces, essentially allowing them to go free after swearing to not take up arms in

9016-419: Was evidently upset by the news that the conspirators had been shot. In a botched execution, the firing squad discharged their weapons at too long a distance, so that the condemned men were not killed instantly. Brock's younger brother John Savery Brock was compelled to retire from the Royal Navy after his involvement in a mutinous incident; he induced "his brother midshipmen of the fleet at Spithead to sign

9114-518: Was hampered by Governor General George Prevost , who had replaced Craig in late 1811. Prevost's orders from the government, and his own inclinations, were to emphasise defence. Prevost kept the bulk of his forces in Lower Canada to protect Quebec , and opposed any attack into United States. Brock also believed that he was handicapped by inertia and defeatism among the legislature and other officials. He wrote to Prevost's adjutant general, My situation

9212-403: Was not in the company of the York Volunteers but regular soldiers at the time and it is also reported that Brock died almost immediately without speaking, and the hole in his uniform suggests that the bullet entered his heart. His body was carried from the field and secreted in a nearby house at the corner of Queenston and Partition streets, diagonally opposite that of Laura Secord . Following

9310-416: Was noted as a handsome man who enjoyed the company of women, he never married. Brock had a successful pre-war military career and a quick rise through the ranks, which many commented on at the time. Some credited luck and others skill in his rapid promotions, and Brock had substantial portions of both on his way to prominence. Lacking special political connections, Brock's ability to gain promotions even when

9408-470: Was outnumbered. His force included 600 "Indians" and 1300 soldiers, as well as two battleships, according to his later report. Hull had 2,500 soldiers under his command. He decided to use tricks to intimidate Hull. He dressed his militia contingent in uniforms discarded by his regulars, making it appear (at a distance) as if his force consisted entirely of British regular infantry. Brock laid siege to Fort Detroit , from established artillery positions across

9506-535: Was promoted to major general , and became responsible for defending Upper Canada against the United States . While many in Canada and Britain believed war could be averted, Brock began to ready the army and militia for what was to come. When the War of 1812 broke out, the populace was prepared, and quick victories at Fort Mackinac and Detroit defeated American invasion efforts. Brock's actions, particularly his success at Detroit , earned him accolades including

9604-528: Was quickly halted, and Hull withdrew, but this gave Brock the excuse he needed to abandon Prevost's orders. Having finally obtained limited support from the legislature for his measures to defend the Province, Brock prorogued the Assembly and set out on 6 August with a small body of regulars and some volunteers from the York Militia (the "York Volunteers") to reinforce the garrison at Fort Malden – Amherstburg at

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