and bush, and were shortly joined by a few more
regulars and by two flank companies of the 2nd regiment of militia from
Chippewa. Indeed, many persons of all ranks of life, even veterans
exempt by age, seized their muskets and joined the column to repel the
invaders, "unappalled" by Dearborn's threats of conquest or by the death
of their "beloved hero, Isaac Brock." By this movement the British
escaped the enfilading fire of the Lewiston batteries, the steep ascent
of the heights in the teeth of the enemy's field-works, and compelled
him to change front. The British of all ranks numbered less than one
thousand.

[Illustration: PLAN OF BATTLE OF QUEENSTON]

The United States troops, which had been heavily reinforced, consisted
at this time of about one thousand fighting men, on and about the
mountain. This number was slowly supplemented by fresh arrivals from
Lewiston, encouraged when they saw the American flag planted on the
redan. The wounded were sent across the river. Nearly all of the new
arrivals were regulars. Colonel Winfield Scott, of Mexican fame, a tried
soldier, six feet four in his stockings, was now in command, supported
by a second field-piece and many sharp-shooters. Van Rensselaer,
narrowly escaping capture, had retreated by boat to Lewiston, ostensibly
to bring over more troops. Finding the conditions unfavourable, he did
not do so, but sent over General Wadsworth, as a vicarious sacrifice, to
take command. The gun in the redan had been unspiked, and the summit
strongly entrenched, but as Scott's men betrayed strange lukewarmness,
orders were given "to shoot any man leaving his post."

Sheaffe's men having rested after their forced tramp, a few spherical
case-shot by Holcroft drove out the American riflemen. His gunners had
at last silenced the Lewiston batteries, and finding the river range,
sunk almost every boat that attempted to cross. The Indians were now
ordered to drive in the enemy's pickets slowly. Scouting the woods, they
routed his outposts.

About four p.m. Captain Bullock, with two flank companies of militia and
150 men of the 41st, advanced, and after firing a volley in the face of
a dense smoke, charged the enemy's right, which broke in great
confusion. A general advance was ordered, and, with wild warwhoops by
the Indians and white men, the heights were rushed, Wadsworth's
veterans were stampeded, the redan retaken at the point of the bayonet,
and Scott's command forced to the scarp