Canadian Historic Sites: Occasional Papers in Archaeology and History No. 11

The Battle of Queenston Heights

by Carol Whitfield

Appendix A

Fort George February 8th, 1804

Dear Sir,

The subject of your letter of the 3rd Instant, has, I freely confess, laid me under considerable embarrassment. I shall notwithstanding disclose, without reserve, my whole thoughts, and leave General Hunter to form his own conclusions. I shall premise what I have to say by acknowledging the high opinion I entertain of Lieut. Colonel Sheaffe's private character, and tho' I am sensible that in many instances he has been very indiscreet and injudicious, I conceive nevertheless that, taking the whole of his public conduct together, he has shown great zeal, judgment, and capacity. His manner of addressing the men on the least invitation, must be allowed to be unfortunate, and to that failing must be attributed, in a great measure, the ill will which some men have expressed towards him. There is also another cause which out not to be omitted. Whenever the Command of the Regiment devolved by any absence on Colonel Sheaffe, he, unquestionably, required more from the non commissioned officers, than I knew was useless to expect from them. He did not sufficiently study the character of the men, and his ardent zeal made him seek with eagerness, after perfection where it was not to be found — Serjeants, for trifling errors, were too often reduced, or for such faults, which, had he considered that, they could be replaced only by men who were not likely to act with greater discretion, he would, however, he might have lamented the necessity, have passed over, by giving them a suitable admonition. He likewise perhaps was frequently tiresome in the exercise in the field, by which the men became disgusted with what they should have taken delight to practice —

His Excellency will, I presume, be satisfied, after what I have said, that Colonel Sheaffe's imperfections proceed immediately from an error in judgment. No man understands the duties of his profession better than Colonel Sheaffe, and to his abilities I own myself greatly indebted, but unfortunately he possesses little knowledge of mankind. I am willing to admit, however reluctantly, that his conduct has had some influence in producing the disgraceful transactions that occurred here. He reduced too many non-commissioned officers to leave a doubt on the subject. At the same time I am decisively of opinion that the source of the mischief did not flow from him. It is to be found in the situation of the place, and in the temptations which are perpetually offered to the unwary soldier. The reduced serjeants assisted very much, I believe, to project the dreadful plan, which was meditated, but I cannot bring myself to think, that any occurrence, beyond that single fact, in Colonel Sheaffe's treatment of the men, could have promoted in the smallest degree, the disposition, which, all of a sudden manifested itself towards desertion — The lesson which he has received while conducting the prosecution, will, I make no doubt, prove of the utmost use in correcting his present rude manner of speaking, and cannot fail of opening his eyes to the necessity of regulating his conduct to the times and place in which he may hereafter be engaged. — Assailed, as we undoubtedly are, on every side, by all kinds of evil, it is absolutely necessary to relax considerably from that strict discipline which, in other situations, would be our aim and pride to attain — He will now be sensible of the prudence of making this sacrifice in order to avoid greater mischief. I cannot, after giving the subject full consideration, but recommend that the usual confidence be placed in Colonel Sheaffe, and that he should not undergo the mortification of being stationed where he necessarily must become second in command, as such an arrangement, under the existing circumstances, would be liable to be ascribed to motives which will rebound to his hurt, and his honour. —

Not having seen the General Court Martial, it is impossible that I should form a judgment in regard to any circumstance which has appeared in the proceedings, but as it is obvious that I cannot remain stationed forever with the Regiment, and as, in the natural course of events, he may, of a sudden, rise to the Command of the Regiment, it were to be desired that, if anything goes to impeach his character, he may without delay be brought to account. Lt. Colonel Sheaffe has, I regret exceedingly to be obliged to observe, many enemies, who have been in the habit of propagating reports highly injurious to his character as an officer — I have every reason to think that he remains to this day ignorant of the injustice which has been done him, unless indeed he has heard that, Corporal Carroll called upon three men with no other view than to accuse him of such infamy, they however, from honest motives, declined the office. It may be worthy remarking, that this Corporal never was on service with Colonel Sheaffe. I am aware that this unpleasing fact is already known to you. I need not here state whence it got its rise, and I allude to it only to show the necessity of acting in regard to Colonel Sheaffe with the utmost frankness. It is evident that through misrepresentation, and his disagreeable ways, he has greatly fallen in the estimation of the men. If therefore His Excellency withholds his countenance, and protection from him, or if I even appear to be sensible that he has given cause of dissatisfaction, he must inevitably fall to the ground, and become the scoff and ridicule of the whole Regiment — On the other hand if he is judged undeserving of support, no scruple should prevent his being told that the good of the Service calls for his removal.

Believe me, with great truth,
Your faithful and obedient Servant
Isaac Brock Lt. Col.
49 Regiment

Lt. Colonel Green¹