Jacob Brown, the subject of the following memoir, was born in Bucks
county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1775, of a highly respectable
family of Quakers. His father inherited a valuable and flourishing
estate, but anxious still to increase it, he imprudently embarked in
some commercial transactions which proved unfortunate, and his whole
property was sacrificed. This happened when our hero was about sixteen
years of age, and, it is said, made a great change in his character and
conduct; he was determined to devote himself to something that might be
a support for himself, and enable him to retrieve the broken fortunes
of his family.
At the age of eighteen he took charge of a large and respectable
school at Crosswicks, New Jersey; at the same time endeavoring, by
close study, to improve his own mind for future labors. At the age of
twenty-two, he was employed in surveying and laying out lands, in that
section of country now the state of Ohio. He also became agent for M.
Le Roy de Chaumont, a distinguished Frenchman, who owned a large tract
of that country, and was industrious in obtaining settlers. In 1798 he
removed to the city of New York, where, by the urgent solicitations of
his friends, he was induced again to take charge of a school; this,
after a time, became irksome, and he commenced the study of law, but
soon abandoned it as uncongenial with his active and adventurous
pursuits. Having acquired a small property by his exertions in Ohio,
he made a purchase of some land on the borders of Lake Ontario and the
river St. Lawrence, now Jefferson county, in the state of New York.
Here he built the first human dwelling within thirty miles of the lake,
and after effecting some necessary improvements, he removed his parents
to his new abode; and to the close of his life devoted himself to their
happiness and comfort.
Brown, through his early life, had much to contend with. Thrown upon
his own resources for subsistence and education, and the poverty of
his beloved parents on his mind, he was repeatedly discouraged; but
his energy never forsook him; his firmness and perseverance seemed to
overcome every obstacle that surrounded him. In 1809, he was appointed
a colonel of militia; and in the year following, he was promoted to
the rank of brigadier-general. At the commencement of the war in 1812,
he was appointed to defend the frontier of Lake Ontario and the river
St. Lawrence, from Oswego to Lake St. Francis, an extent of coast
reaching two hundred miles. He fixed his head-quarters at Ogdensburg,
where he was attacked by a British force much superior to his own in
numbers; but in this affair no one received the least injury, while the
enemy lost several men in killed and wounded. In 1813, General Brown
joined Colonel Backus, of the dragoons, stationed at Sacket’s Harbor,
a demonstration against the post having been made by a British force
from Kingston, under the command of Sir George Prevost and Sir James
Yeo. General Brown had hardly time to arrive and dispose his brigade,
before the enemy commenced the attack, which for a time was fierce and
successful; but after a series of skillful and spirited movements, the
British forces were completely vanquished, and retreated precipitately
in their boats. The loss of the enemy was four hundred and fifty, while
that of the Americans was one hundred and fifty-six. Among the slain
was the gallant Backus, who fell while exciting his men by his own
bravery. The same year General Brown was appointed a brigadier-general
in the regular army of the United States, and soon after planned the
expedition against Montreal, which, by a want of concert between the
generals of the northern army, was entirely frustrated.
Early in 1814, General Brown was placed in command of the northern
division of the army at French Mills, with the rank of major-general.
The reputation of the military was at this time rather low; many
enterprises had proved abortive, and a feeling of disappointment was
fast spreading through the country, and unfavorable impressions against
the military capacity of the generals, were gaining ground. General
Brown was determined, with the aid of able coadjutors, to endeavor to
retrieve the reputation of the army; to these arduous exertions are to
be ascribed the brilliant triumphs which were subsequently achieved.
In the Spring of 1814, he crossed the Niagara river and carried Fort
Erie, which surrendered without any resistance.
On the 5th of July, 1814, was fought the battle of Chippewa, the first
in that series of battles by which the American army so eminently
distinguished itself. The British commander made a rapid advance,
supposing the American forces not prepared for the attack he was about
to make. In this he found himself mistaken, for hardly had he formed
his line, when the gallant Scott made an attack. The conflict was
severe on both sides, and for some time seemed about even, when, on the
approach of a second brigade, under General Ripley, the British made a
precipitate retreat under cover of their works on the Chippewa creek.
News having reached General Brown that the British were intending to
cross the Strait at Niagara, for the purpose of seizing the depot
of the American army, and cutting off supplies of ammunition and
subsistence, he accordingly advanced General Scott, with his brigade,
to divert the enemy from his purpose, and on the 25th instant General
Scott came in sight of the enemy, and shortly after made an attack.
General Brown was also on the field in a few minutes, and immediately
after General Ripley with his brigade. The combat now became obstinate
and bloody beyond all parallel: like the battle of Chippewa it was
fought on an open field; but here, as at Chippewa, the American army
was completely victorious.
Although the enemy had chosen his own ground, on a commanding
position, sheltered by heights, superior in numbers, and flanked by
numerous artillery, he was driven from his position at the point
of the bayonet, his cannon captured, and completely routed. Being
reinforced by additional troops, the enemy made three unsuccessful
attempts to regain his former position, by charges on the American
line; the two last of which are described as the most desperate in the
whole history of the war, being decided entirely at the point of the
bayonet. General Brown, although he had received two severe wounds,
and was so much exhausted by loss of blood, that at one time he was
obliged to be supported on his horse by members of his staff, evinced
through the whole, coolness and intrepidity, seemingly determined to
maintain his position with his last drop of blood, till the victory was
complete. General Brown was born to excel in his military profession.
A stranger to surprise or intimidation, he met every emergency with a
moral courage, his safeguard on the most trying occasions. When dangers
were greatest, his coolness and resolution shone most conspicuous.
His plans, which were never rash or imprudent, were distinguished for
energy and vigor.
History informs us, that no enterprise undertaken by General Brown
ever failed, or which he caused to be executed under the direction of
others. It was not until the beginning of September, that General Brown
was sufficiently convalescent from his wounds to resume his command.
Our hero then commenced making secret preparations, and on the 17th of
September, made a sortie, drove the besiegers from their entrenchments,
and either destroyed or rendered their works wholly unserviceable; the
loss of the enemy was one thousand, that of the American army five
hundred. On the 21st, the enemy abandoned his position, and retreated
beyond the Chippewa.
The American army heretofore had been looked upon by the British as
vacillating and dilatory, and therefore such firmness and vigor,
accompanied by such offensive movements, were entirely unexpected,
and may in some measure account for such signal success. It had been
said that the “British bayonet was irresistible;” but on the Niagara,
the tide of victory was turned by that very weapon on which lay their
invincibility. At the close of the war, General Brown was retained
in the army, and took up his residence at Washington; but he never
recovered from the severe wounds received at Fort Erie. His health
gradually declining, he died at his residence at Washington, 24th
February, 1828.
By a resolve of Congress, November 3, 1814, a gold medal was struck
and presented to General Brown, for his brilliant achievements in the
battles of Chippewa, Niagara and Erie.