Brock Centenary 1812-1912 Part 10

"Some of us fought on the same field on which the gallant general fell. We then felt the same sorrow in our hearts that our loyal brothers in arms, the White Men, felt, and we still unite with them in the deepest regret at our common loss. These feelings urge us readily to contribute our share to the expense of re-building that Monument which was designed to perpetuate the fame of such n.o.ble deeds.

"Father: "We, who are thus ready to a.s.sist in the present exigency, will never be backward in testifying our loyal principles by still more substantial proofs, whenever our Great Mother, the Queen, shall lay her commands upon us. We will never refuse to hear her words. Our Great Fathers, her Royal predecessors, have been very kind to her people. We are not unthankful. We do not wish to be idle; but whenever we may be called upon to defend the honour and rights of the British Crown, we will most heartily strain every nerve, and do all the service in our power.

"Father: "We authorize you to subscribe from our monies the sum of Fifteen Pounds, in aid of the praiseworthy work about to be performed; and may the blessing of the Great Spirit make it prosper.

"Dated at Rice Lake Mission, Otonabee, January 7, 1841.

"GEORGE PAUDASH, Princ.i.p.al Chief.

"JOHN CROW, Chief.

"JOHN COPOWAY, Chief.

"JOHN TAUNCHEY, Chief.

"Read over to the Chiefs and signed by them in presence of--

HENRY BALDWIN, Jun."

The generous action of the Indians was much appreciated by the British Government and the following acknowledgment was made by Lord John Russell, on its behalf:--

"Downing Street, "6th May, 1841.

"No. 372.

"My Lord:

"I received by the last mail from Canada a pamphlet, containing the correspondence, addresses, etc., connected with the subscription of various Indian Tribes in Upper Canada, in aid of the funds for the reconstruction of Sir Isaac Brock's Monument on Queenston Heights.

"The feelings evinced by the Indians on this occasion are much to their credit. I have to request that your Lords.h.i.+p will convey to them the thanks of the British Government and nation for their zealous co-operation, and renew to them the a.s.surances of the Queen's regard for their welfare.

"I have, etc., "(Signed) J. RUSSELL.

"The Right Honourable Lord Sydenham."

[Ill.u.s.tration: GROUP OF INDIANS (GRAND RIVER RESERVE) CELEBRATING BROCK'S CENTENARY AT QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. CHIEF ALEXANDER HILL, IN COSTUME.]

APPENDIX IV.

MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Brock Centenary was held on the 16th October, 1912, there being present: Col. Ryerson, Dr. James L.

Hughes, Dr. Alexander Fraser, Mr. C. E. Macdonald, Mr. F. D. L. Smith, and Miss Helen M. Merrill, Secretary.

It was resolved:--

That the thanks of the Committee be conveyed to the Right Honourable R. L. Borden, Prime Minister of Canada, and his Government for the military arrangements that had been made in connection with the celebration of the Centenary; and to the Honourable Dr. Pyne, Minister of Education of Ontario, for so cheerfully complying with all the suggestions made by the Committee with respect to the holding of patriotic exercises in the public schools.

That the publication of the Account of the Centenary celebration be proceeded with; and that Dr. Alexander Fraser (Chairman), Col.

Ryerson, Mr. F. D. L. Smith, and Miss Helen M. Merrill be the Publication Committee in this matter.

That all the correspondence and papers in connection with the Centenary be deposited in the Ontario Archives, Toronto.

That the proposal to place a bronze tablet, commemorative of the Centenary, on Brock's monument at Queenston Heights be brought before the co-operating societies, and that action be taken in accordance with their opinion.

That the striking of a Centennial medal be left in abeyance in the meantime.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee held on the 25th of October, 1912, Col. Ryerson presiding, the subject of publication of the Centenary volume was minutely discussed. It was agreed that Dr.

Alexander Fraser should edit the MS. for the press and that the work be proceeded with.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CAPTAIN JOSEPH BIRNEY.]

APPENDIX V.

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BIRNEY

Contributed by J. L. Birney, Toronto, Son of Captain Joseph Birney, from whose Narrative these Statements have been Compiled.

Captain Birney was born in Orange County, in the State of New York, on the 1st of February, 1777.

In 1779 his father, William Birney, was killed at the battle of Lackawack, New York, in suppressing an Indian uprising, and upon their bereavement his mother, with his sister, a child in arms, and himself a child two years old, made her way through the forest, sixty miles, to New York City. In the year 1783 or 1784 he was baptized in Trinity Church, New York City. When the British evacuated New York, Captain Birney, with his family and friends, went with the British to where now is situated St. John, New Brunswick, and resided there until 1801, when he came to Upper Canada, and settled where Hamilton is to-day. While in New Brunswick he taught the Duke of Kent to skate, both of them often practising together on St. John's River.

In Upper Canada Captain Birney entered into the military life of the time. He was over six feet in height, powerfully built, and was well fitted for the stirring life then before him.

In 1812 he was Ensign in Captain Hatt's company, which accompanied Sir Isaac Brock to Detroit, and his commission as Ensign, signed by Sir Isaac Brock, is now in possession of his son, John L. Birney, of Toronto. Captain Birney was present when General Brock first met Tec.u.mseh, and he often related how the General was impressed with the wonderful personality of the great chief.

As Lieutenant he served in Captain Durand's company of 5th Lincoln Militia at the Battle of Queenston Heights. He was attached to Brock's staff as a special aide, to supervise the laying of the batteries.

Shortly before the Canadians were driven from the heights, General Brock found that in firing at the Americans who were coming across the river the bullets were flying short, and he gave the order to Colonel Williams to cease firing, but Colonel Williams, mistaking the order to mean "retire," began to retire by Niagara. Sir Isaac remarked, "That's effective," but Captain Birney, noticing Colonel Williams' movement, remarked, "But, General, you did not mean to retire!" "By no means,"

answered Sir Isaac. "Oh, for one to bring them back!" "May I go?"

offered Birney. "By all means go, Birney," ordered the General, whereupon Captain Birney ran down the steep slope of the heights as fast as he could. On the way down he noticed the mullein stalks being cut off, and stepping on a slippery spot he fell violently on the broad of his back.

At this he heard a great cheer, and looking up saw the cause of it all.

The Americans were in possession of a portion of the heights, and their sharpshooters, thinking they had succeeded in intercepting him in his errand, had set up a cheer, but Birney was soon afoot, and came up with Colonel Williams, who upon seeing Birney, called his men to halt, and enquired, "What's the matter, Birney? Orders from the General?" Birney, being entirely out of breath, from his efforts and fall, could not answer, and Colonel Williams further enquired, "Did the General not order us to retire?" Birney shook his head. "What, then?" asked Colonel Williams. "To cease firing," Birney managed to whisper. At this the Colonel uttered an oath and smote himself a terrific blow on the forehead with his fist. They had not returned far when they heard a voice say "Halt!" and looking up they saw the General and his men, they having been driven from the summit. There was a short conference, when the General decided to go around by St. David's and there attack the enemy. But they had not gone far when Birney, who was immediately behind the General, heard a groan, and looking up saw the General falling from his horse, and, rus.h.i.+ng forward, he a.s.sisted him to the ground. With a few parting orders the General was dead.

After this Birney had to take command of his own company, and with the rest they fell in order and marched around the mountain by St. David's and there surprised the Americans eating their (the Canadians') breakfast, as the Americans had surprised them earlier in the morning.

And then commenced the real fighting of the day. The Americans after a hand-to-hand fight were charged and driven out, many of them being forced over heights into Niagara River. Captain Birney used to remark that with his sword in one hand and a broken gunbarrel in the other he led his men in this charge, and it was a sorry day for any American who came within his reach. Among the many prisoners Captain Birney a.s.sisted in capturing that day was his cousin, Captain Winfield Scott, afterwards General Scott, who, after being taken to York, was exchanged for prisoners.

Captain Birney led his company, the 5th Lincoln, in the battle of Lundy's Lane in 1814, coming out of it, as he did in all his engagements, without a scratch.

He used to take pleasure in relating how, after the Americans had been badly beaten and had made a hasty retreat, leaving their men to be buried, there was left behind a lone gunner who stuck to his cannon.

Birney and a number of his men marched down upon this man for the purpose of capturing the gun, and as they approached him, three times did this gunner swing his torch with the purpose of firing his gun, but each time he drew back from the fuse and finally threw his torch upon the ground. Birney said it was well he did, as he and many of his men would not have lived to tell the tale, as they were walking directly in the face of the cannon. He also took pride in telling how one Canadian cannon was taken and retaken many times that night, while lying in heaps around it were Canadians and Americans who had fought and died bravely.