Page:Tupper family records - 1835.djvu/35

 posed to have commenced on the adjacent heights, and to have gradually receded, or worn its way back- wards to its present site seven miles above, the banks of the river on both sides between the two spots being precipitous, chiefly of solid rock, and of the same height as the fall. For some days the British com- mander suspected that the enemy meditated an attack, and the evening previously he called his staff together, and gave to each the necessary instructions. Agree- ably to his usual custom he arose before daylight, and, hearing the report of cannon and musketry, directed Major- General Sheaffe to bring up the troops as soon as they were assembled. He then galloped eagerly from Fort George to the scene of action, and, on his arrival there at a quarter before seven, found the flank companies only of the 49th regiment, with a few of the militia, warmly engaged with the enemy. The light company, under Captain Williams, was on the road leading up the heights watching the enemy below, and the grenadiers, under Captain Dennis, the senior officer, were guarding the village and covering two three pounders, whose fire swept the banks of the river. The general rode up the hill in front of the light company under a tremendous fire of artillery and musketry from the American shore. Soon after the enemy gained possession, by a fisherman's path- way, of the summit of the heights, and the light company was compelled, by dint of numbers, to retreat slowly down the hill into the village of Queen- ston, where they formed across a street, while the grenadiers came up with the three pounders, and formed on the right of the enemy. Sir Isaac Brock, observing the Americans to waver, ordered a charge, which he personally accompanied, but, as they gave

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