This article refers to the British general. For the musician, see Isaac Brock (musician).
Major-General Sir Isaac Brock (1769 – October 13, 1812) was the British major-general who was assigned to the Canadian colonies during the War of 1812 and played a key role in the colonies' successful defence in the early phase of the war.
Brock was born in the Channel Island of Guernsey. He and the Shawnee chief Tecumseh were responsible for many of the early victories for the British forces against the American invaders. His diplomatic efforts, combined with the relentless expansion of the United States into Native American lands, also ensured that most regional Native American nations stayed allied to the British; his relations with Tecumseh were especially close: he once referred to the native leader as the "Wellington of the Indians".
The Battle of Detroit, in August 1812, was Brock's and Tecumseh's most famous victory: with only a few hundred fighters, they were able to force the surrender of the entire Western U.S. Army of 2,500 soldiers under U.S. Brigadier-General William Hull, greatly reducing the threat to the western frontier and capturing much-needed weapons, as well as much of Michigan. Brock was later killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812, but his initial gains against the Americans largely stood, and Detroit and much of Michigan were still in British hands at the end of the war when the Treaty of Ghent restored the prewar borders.
Brock mistrusted the Canadian colonists, many of whom he suspected of being American sympathizers, and was reluctant to arm them to help defend the colonies; he was far happier fighting alongside British regulars and Tecumseh's native fighters. Nevertheless, Canadians regard him as one of their greatest military heroes, since he helped save the Canadian colonies when all seemed hopeless. 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. General Brock's horse was a large grey named Alfred. It was reputed to be a strong horse and steady under fire. There is a monument to Alfred located at the south end of the village of Queenston nearby the cairn marking the spot where Brock fell.
Also in tribute to him are named the City of Brockville, and a university at St. Catharines, Brock University.
The Bruce Trail has its southern terminus about 200 metres from Brock's Monument on the easterly side of the Monument park grounds.
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Last updated: 05-15-2005 21:45:14
