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Major-General Sir Isaac Brock (6 October 1769 – 13 October 1812) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator who served in the French Revolutionary Wars and War of 1812. Born in the Guernsey town of Saint Peter Port, Brock joined the British army as an ensign in the 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot in 1785. He purchased a lieutenant's commission in 1790 and became a captain in the next year by raising a regimental company. Brock transferred to the 49th (Hertfordshire) Regiment of Foot in 1791 and travelled to Barbados to join his regiment. Contracting yellow fever in Jamaica in 1793, he returned to England to recuperate and oversaw recruitment efforts, being promoted to major in 1795 and lieutenant colonel in 1797.

Brock served with his regiment in the Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland in 1799 and the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801. He was sent with the rest of the regiment to Upper Canada as garrison troops in 1802. Despite facing desertions and near-mutinies Brock successfully commanded his regiment in Canada for several years. He was promoted to colonel in 1805 and again to brigadier general in 1808. In 1811 Brock was promoted again to major general and given responsibility for defending Upper Canada against the threat of an American invasion. While many in Canada and Britain believed war could be averted, Brock began to ready the British Army and Canadian Militia for the threatened invasion.

When the War of 1812 with the United States broke out in June of that year the British and Canadians were prepared and Brock joined forces with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh and captured Fort Detroit in August. Following the capture of Fort Detroit Brock moved to guard against a possible American invasion carried out by crossing the Niagara River. An American army invaded Canada near Queenston in October using the river, and Brock led a force of British and Canadian troops bolstered by Mohawk warriors to oppose the invasion. In the ensuing battle Brock's force defeated the Americans though he was killed while leading a counterattack. Brock's victories and collaboration with Tecumseh led him to be commemorated as "The Hero of Upper Canada".

Early life

Brock was born at Saint Peter Port on the Channel Island of Guernsey. He was the eighth son of John Brock (1729–1777), a former midshipman in the Royal Navy. His mother was Elizabeth de Lisle, the daughter of Daniel de Lisle, the lieutenant-bailiff of Guernsey. The Brocks were an English family who had been established in Guernsey since the sixteenth century. Brock earned a reputation during his early education on Guernsey as an assiduous student, as well as an exceptional swimmer and boxer. At age eleven, he was sent to school in Southampton, and afterwards to Rotterdam where he became fluent in French.

Although his formal education ended when he was a teenager, Brock appreciated its importance. As an adult, he spent much time reading in order to broaden his knowledge. He read many works on military tactics and science, but also read ancient history and other less practical topics. At the time of his death, he owned a modest library of books, including classic works by Shakespeare, Voltaire, and Samuel Johnson.

Brock kept his reputation as an "unusually tall, robust" man throughout his life, with an adult height of about 6 ft 2 in (188 cm). Measurements taken from his uniform show that at his death he had a waist size of 47 inches (120 cm), while the inside brim of his hat measured 24 inches (61 cm) in circumference. Although Brock was noted as a handsome man who enjoyed the company of women, he never married.

Military service

Brock had a successful pre-war military career and a quick rise through the ranks, which many commented on at the time. Some credited luck, and others skill, in his rapid promotions. Brock had substantial portions of both on his way to prominence. Lacking special political connections, his ability to gain promotions even when Britain was at peace attests to his ambition, and his skills in recruiting men and organizing finances.

Early career

Brock joined the British Army's 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot on 8 March 1785 at the rank of ensign. As was common at the time, Brock's commission was purchased for him by his family. When Brock joined the 8th Foot the regiment's commanding officer was Lieutenant-colonel Arent De Peyster, who had served in North America during the American War of Independence as commandant of Fort Detroit and had substantial experience negotiating with Britain's Native American allies. On 16 January 1790 Brock purchased the rank of lieutenant and later that year raised his own company. As a result, he obtained a commission as captain of an independent company on 27 January 1791, and transferred to the 49th (Hertfordshire) Regiment of Foot on 15 June 1791.

At the time of Brock's transfer, the 49th Foot was stationed in Barbados in the British West Indies. His nephew and biographer, Ferdinand Brock Tupper, asserts that shortly after Brock arrived in Barbados, a "professional dueller" forced a match on him. As the one being challenged Brock had his choice of terms, and he insisted that they use pistols. His friends were shocked as Brock was a large target and his opponent an expert shot. Brock, however, refused to change his mind. When the duellist arrived at the field, he asked Brock to decide how many paces they would take. Brock insisted that the duel would take place not at the usual range, but at handkerchief distance (i.e., close range). The duellist declined and was subsequently forced out of the regiment. This contributed to Brock's popularity and reputation among his fellow officers, as this duellist had a formidable reputation and was regarded as a bully.

Several months after Brock's arrival, the regiment was ordered to the British colony of Jamaica. In 1793, Brock fell victim to yellow fever and became seriously ill. He did not fully recover until he returned home to Guernsey on leave. After regaining his strength, he became involved in recruiting efforts and the training of volunteer companies raised for home defence. Brock purchased a promotion to major on 27 June 1795. He rejoined the 49th Foot in the summer of 1796 when the regiment returned from the West Indies.

First command

Brock purchased the rank of lieutenant colonel for £3,000 in October 1797. He served as the acting commanding officer of the 49th Foot for several months, and officially assumed command of the regiment on 22 March 1798 with the retirement of Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Keppel.

In 1799, during the War of the Second Coalition, the 49th Foot was assigned to the Anglo-Russian expedition against the Batavian Republic. The 49th Foot were attached to Major General John Moore's 4th Brigade, part of the division commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Abercromby. The expedition faced minimal opposition when they landed at Callantsoog, south of Den Helder on 27 August. Brock first saw combat when the 49th Foot helped fend off a French attack on 10 September. On 19 September, the 4th Brigade captured Hoorn without a shot but withdrew from the city shortly thereafter.

On 2 October, the 49th Foot was actively involved in heavy combat at the Battle of Alkmaar. During the battle, the 4th Brigade served as the vanguard of a column that steadily proceeded south along the beach from Petten towards Egmond aan Zee. As it advanced, the column was increasing harassed by French sharpshooters hiding in patches of thick scrub. Eventually, the French blocked the advance by taking up a strong position in the sand dunes overlooking the beach. Moore's brigade was ordered to dislodge the French from their position with a bayonet charge. In a letter to his brother Brock wrote that he "ordered a charge, which I assure you was executed with the greatest gallantry, though not in the greatest order, as the nature of the ground admitted of none."

The engagement continued for several…