BROCK'S VICTORY.
Reaching a ravine, Brock ordered up his artillery and prepared to
assault. A shell from the British battery at Sandwich roared over the
river and crashed through an embrasure of Fort Shelby, killing four
American officers. The Savoyard river was reached and the outlying
tan-yard crossed. Brock's troops, keyed up, with nerves tense under the
strain of suspense, and every moment expecting a raking discharge of
shot and shell from the enemy's big guns, heard with grim satisfaction
the General's orders to "prepare for assault."
The field-pieces were trained upon the fort, to cover the rush of the
besiegers. The gunners, with bated breath and burning fuses, awaited the
final command, when lo! an officer bearing a white flag emerged from the
fort, while a boat with another flag of truce was seen crossing the
river to the Sandwich battery. Macdonell and Glegg galloped out to meet
the messenger. They returned with a despatch from the American general,
Hull, to the British general, Brock. This was the message:
"The object of the flag which crossed the river was to propose a
cessation of hostilities for an hour, for the purpose of entering into
negotiations for the surrender of Detroit."
* * * * *
An hour later the British troops, with General Isaac Brock at their
head, marched through the smiling fields and orchards, passed over the
fort draw-bridge, and, surrounded by a host of fierce-looking and
indignant militia of Ohio and "the heroes of Tippecanoe," hauled down
the Stars and Stripes--which had waved undisturbed over Fort Lernoult
since its voluntary evacuation by the British in 1796--and, in default
of a British ensign, hoisted a Union Jack--which a sailor had worn as a
body-belt--over the surrendered fortress. British sentinels now guarded
the ramparts. The bells of old St. Anne's saluted the colors. The "Grand
Army of the West," by which pretentious title Hull had seen fit to
describe his invading force, melted like mist before the rising sun.
Several unattached Canadians, costumed as redmen, followed Brock inside
the fort, and, baring their white arms for Hull's especial edification,
declared they had so disguised themselves in order to show their
contempt for his cruel threat respecting instant death to "Indians found
fighting."
The terms of capitulation included not only one general officer and
2,500 men of all ranks--the would-be conquerors of Canada--2,500 stand
of arms, 33 pieces of cannon, the _Adams_ brig of war, and immense
quantities of stores and munitions, valued at £40,000--but Fort Shelby
and the town of Detroit and 59,700 square miles of United States
territory. Nor were these all, for the fort standard--to the wild
delight of Tecumseh's warriors--a highly-prized trophy, it being the
"colours" of the 4th United States regiment, the vaunted "heroes of
Tippecanoe," passed into the keeping of the British.
Canada was saved!
It was then that those officers who strongly opposed Brock's
determination to attack became suddenly wise after the event and eager
to share the honour. The temptation to improve the opportunity, to any
man less strong than our hero, would have been irresistible, but there
was no display of vainglory, no cheap boasting. The sword of the
conquered American general was accepted with manly deference and the
consideration due to his rank, and he was told, without solicitation on
his part, he could return to the United States on parole. Then Brock
hurriedly dictated a brief and modest despatch apprising Sir George
Prevost of the "capture of this very important post," and quite
realizing that he was merely an instrument in the hands of Providence,
and gratitude and the happiness of those he held most dear being
uppermost in his mind, the captor of Detroit wrote this characteristic
letter.
"Headquarters, Detroit,
"August 16, 1812.
"My dear Brothers and Friends,--Rejoice at my good fortune and join
me in prayers to heaven. I send you a copy of my hasty note to Sir
George. Let me know that you are all united and happy.
"ISAAC."
And so it came about that in this strange and noble fashion General
Brock--"Master Isaac of St. Peter's Port"--overcame the enemy in the
wilds of Michigan and passed his _fourth_ milestone.