Isaac Brock

:This article refers to the British general. For the musician, see Isaac Brock (musician).

Legacy

On British leadership

British military leadership, which had been decisive up to Brock's death, suffered a crushing blow with his loss. His direct successor, Major-General Sheaffe, although successful in his approach at Queenston Heights, was never able to live up to Brock's reputation. He was criticized by many, including John Strachan, for his retreat at the Battle of York, and was shortly after recalled to England, where he went on to have a successful, if not brilliant, military career.

Related Topics:
John Strachan - Battle of York

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Brock's successor at Detroit, however, fared much worse. Colonel Henry Procter faced an attack from a resurrected American Army of the Northwest under future President William Henry Harrison. Harrison set out to retake Detroit, but a detachment of his army was defeated at Frenchtown on January 22, 1813. Procter, displaying poor judgement, left the prisoners in the custody of his native allies, who proceeded to execute 60 of them. Subsequent American victories allowed Harrison to attempt another invasion of Canada, which led to the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813. After a successful American charge, Procter's forces turned and fled, leaving Tecumseh and his American Indian troops to fight alone. They fought on, eventually being defeated. Perhaps of more importance to the British, at this battle Tecumseh died, and their alliance with the American Indians was effectively over.

Related Topics:
Colonel - Henry Procter - President - William Henry Harrison - Frenchtown - January 22 - 1813 - Battle of the Thames - October 5

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As for Governor General Prevost, who often clashed with Brock, he remained in command of all British forces until after the Battle of Plattsburgh, in 1814. The battle was intended to be a joint naval/infantry attack, but Prevost didn't commit his forces until after the naval battle had nearly ended. When he finally did attack, his forces proved unable to cross the Saranac River bridge, which was held by a small group of American regulars under the command of the recently promoted John E. Wool. Despite a heavy advantage in manpower, Prevost finally retreated upon hearing of the failure of the naval attack. For his failure at Plattsburgh, Prevost was recalled to England to face an inquiry. Prevost's health failed him, and he died in early 1815.

Related Topics:
Battle of Plattsburgh - Saranac River - Plattsburgh

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Canada

Canadians regard Brock as one of their greatest military heroes, since he helped save the Canadian colonies when all seemed hopeless. He was even voted #28 on The Greatest Canadian, despite not actually being a Canadian. A web-based survey{{ref|survey}} by Angus Reid polling group placed him as the greatest of Canadian military heroes. A small cairn at the foot of the escarpment marks the spot where Brock fell while an impressive monument, built by public subscription, overlooks the Heights as a lasting tribute. The monument was bombed and heavily damaged in 1840 by Irish-Canadian terrorist Benjamin Lett, but it was later repaired, although the bodies inside had to be temporarily moved so as not to damage them. Inscribed on the monument are the words: "He fell in action the 13th day of October 1812, in the 43rd year of his age. Honoured and beloved by the people whom he governed, and deplored by his Sovereign to whose service his life had been devoted. His remains are deposited in this vault, as also those of his aide de camp, Lieutenant-colonel John Macdonell, who died of his wounds, the 14th of October 1812, received the day before in action." There is a monument to General Brock's horse Alfred {{ref|Alfred}} located at the south end of the village of Queenston nearby the cairn marking the spot where Brock fell.

Related Topics:
The Greatest Canadian - Heights - Benjamin Lett - Queenston

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1816, a series of private half-penny tokens were issued by an unknown company bearing Brock's name and the title "The Hero of Upper Canada". This was somewhat ironic, as private copper tokens had become common in Canada due to initial distrust of "army bills", which were paper notes issued by Brock{{ref|money}}.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Also in tribute to him are named the City of Brockville {{ref|rename}}, the Township of Brock, and a university at St. Catharines, Brock University. Other schools named in his honour include the Isaac Brock School in Winnipeg (built in 1913), and the Sir Isaac Brock Public schools in Guelph, Hamilton, London and Windsor, Ontario. Various roads throughout Ontario are also named after him. There is also at least one vessel named after him, the SS Isaac Brock{{ref|ship}}.

Related Topics:
Brockville - University - St. Catharines - Brock University - Winnipeg - Guelph - Hamilton - London - Windsor, Ontario

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Bruce Trail has its southern terminus about 200 metres from Brock's Monument on the easterly side of the Monument park grounds.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In England

Although Brock's achievements were overshadowed by larger-scale fighting in Europe, his death was still widely noted, particularly in Guernsey. Subsequent failures by other British commanders in Canada helped to cement Brock's outstanding reputation.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In London, he is remembered at a moderate memorial in St. Paul's Cathedral, and in Guernsey he has been commemorated by a series of stamps. He was given the title 'Knight of the Bath (KCB)' for his victory at the Battle of Detroit, although word did not reach Canada until after his death, so he never knew he had been knighted. The depot of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, created in 1881, is named "Brock's Barracks", in his honour.

Related Topics:
St. Paul's Cathedral - Guernsey - Battle of Detroit

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A British naval vessel, the HMS Isaac Brock, was destroyed while under construction at the Battle of York.

Related Topics:
HMS ''Isaac Brock'' - Battle of York

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~