Early in October, 1812, about three thousand five hundred men, under
command of General Van Rensselaer, were assembled on the Niagara
frontier. General Van Rensselaer resolved to make an attack on the
British position at Queenstown, eight miles below Niagara Falls. At
daybreak on the 13th of October, the troops began to embark to cross
the river. The British opened a fire upon them, which was returned by
the American batteries. Colonel Van Rensselaer, with about one hundred
men, reached the shore, and stormed the fort of the British, though
not without severe loss. The Americans drove the enemy from the field,
and the victory was supposed to be gained, when another reinforcement
arrived, and the conflict was renewed. At this critical moment, General
Van Rensselaer crossed the river to bring a reinforcement for his
gallant little band, and found that the militia would not obey his
orders. Colonel Christie maintained the fight on the opposite shore,
against overwhelming numbers, until seeing no hope of relief, he
surrendered the remnant of his force. The Americans lost one thousand
men in all, in this battle. The loss of the enemy was somewhat less,
but their noble commander, the gallant Brock, was slain.
[Illustration: DEFENCE OF FORT HARRISON.]