Clan Donald Magazine No 12 (1991) Online
Lieutenant-Colonel John
MacDonell 1785 - 1812 By Emerson L. MacDonald
John MacDonell was born on the 19th of April, 1785 in Scotland and
came to Canada with his family when he was seven years of age. They
came to join relatives and friends who had settled in Glengarry
County, that part of eastern Ontario named after their ancestral
home in the Scottish Highlands. He was descended from Angus
MacDonell of Greenfield, a grandson of Ranald, the 10th Chief of
Glengarry, in Gaelic styled "Raonall MacDhomhaill Ghuirm". Angus
MacDonell of Greenfield had one son named Alexander who brought his
family to Canada in 1792. He was married to the daughter of Alasdair
MacDonell of Aberchalder and the children of this marriage were
Duncan. John (the subject of this article) and Donald. John did very
well at school and in order to further his education he was sent to
York (later called Toronto). He studied to become a lawyer and at
the age of twenty-three he was called to the bar. He began to
practice his new profession by opening a law office. An interest in
politics earned him a seat in the legislature as the member for
Glengarry and he was appointed attorney-general. He was a colonel of
Militia and on the outbreak of the war in 1812 acted as military
secretary and provincial aide-de-camp to General (later Sir) Isaac
Brock. As attorney-general Lieutenant-Colonel John MacDonell filled
the next highest civil position to Brock in Upper Canada and as
military secretary and P.A.D.C. was next highest in importance, if
not in rank to his Chief, in the field. At the time of his death he
was engaged to be married to Miss Powell, daughter of the Chief
Justice William Powell.
The Duel
Chief Justice William Powell had considerable influence and power
and when he appointed MacDonell attorney-general he stated openly
that "this gallant youth has been called to the high office of
attorney-general at my special intercession with a view to relief
from the doubtful characters sent from England." The appointment was
made in November. 1811 and followed closely the announcement of
MacDonell's engagement to marry the Chief Justice's daughter. When
all of this became known a loud outcry of resentment by many of the
town's leading lawyers was raised. In the spring assizes, one of the
most prominent lawyers named William Warren Baldwin, of Spadina
House which later gave its name to Spadina Avenue had a bitter
exchange with MacDonell bringing to light the anger and envy felt
regarding the appointment. MacDonell responded in such a way that
Baldwin strongly objected to his remarks and considered himself
insulted and offended. Baldwin demanded a public apology but
MacDonell refused to apologize and Baldwin then challenged MacDonell
to a duel, (which was the custom of the day). Friends of both men
tried to calm and quell the situation without success. At 6 a.m. on
the morning of April 3rd 1812 the two men met. with their seconds
near Gibraltar Point on the Toronto Islands. After choosing the
pistols and receiving instructions they stood back to back and on
command proceeded to walk apart. On the second command they were to
turn, take aim and fire. - however. MacDonell turned and stood
facing Baldwin with both arms at his side. It is reported that
MacDonell said that he had come to receive Baldwin's fire and was
prepared to die but would not himself fire or shed blood over a
senseless private quarrel. Hearing this. Baldwin, confused and
somewhat chagrined aimed his pistol away from MacDonell and fired it
high and wide in the air. This honorable way out without bloodshed
was enough for Baldwin and he walked forward to shake MacDonell's
hand. Thus ended a very tense moment, but not without lingering hard
feelings over the incident.
The War
The United States of America declared war on Great Britain on the
18th June. 1812 at a time when Great Britain was at war with France
and the united power of Europe under Napoleon. The President of the
United States. James Madison's reason for declaring war was namely,
that Britain exercised on the high seas the right to examine neutral
vessels for deserters and contraband of war. Thinking it an
opportune time for conquest he concentrated the invading forces on
the Detroit. Niagara. St. Lawrence and Richelieu Rivers. The only
regular force in Canada consisted of the 41st Regiment of Infantry
and a few companies of veterans and artillery, about one thousand
men above Montreal. There were some volunteer troops of cavalry, the
York Militia and a party of Indian Warriors. General Brock
proclaimed martial law and on 6th August. 1812 he left for the war's
first major engagement at Detroit accompanied by two aides-de-camp.
Lieut.-Col. John MacDonell and Major J.B. Glegg. The Canadian
Artillery bombarded the fort for three days until the American
General Hull capitulated on the 16th of August. Because of the
successful defeat of the Americans at Detroit. General Brock was
appointed to become a Knight of The Bath and MacDonell was to
receive a special medal struck in his honor. Neither man lived long
enough to receive these honors while still alive.
The Battle
The second major engagement of the war occurred on the 13th October.
1812 when the invading forces crossed the Niagara River landing at
Queenston. by means of thirteen boats. General Brock. who was at
nearby Fort George with his Aide-de-camp. Lieut.-Col. John MacDonell
was informed of the enemy landing and immediately mounted and rode
unattended to join the detachment of about 90 soldiers defending the
heights at the scene of the action. General Brock was followed by
MacDonell with two flank companies of York Militia volunteers. When
MacDonell arrived on the scene General Brock lay mortally wounded
having received a musket-ball in the breast. MacDonell led the
charge up the hill against the enemy who had discovered a pathway up
to the heights. He and Captain Williams fell wounded and the company
fell back to await the arrival of reinforcements from Fort George
commanded by General Sheaffe. Subsequently the enemy line was
broken, some were driven over the precipice and 900 surrendered. It
is reported that MacDonell was struck by a musket-ball and when he
fell wounded was trampled into the ground by his horse. He suffered
in pain another 24 hours and died the next day. The bodies of
General Brock and MacDonell were later buried together at the site
of the battle. An unknown author wrote these words of recognition:
"The muse that gives her Brock to deathless fame Shall, in the
wreath, entwine MacDonell's name."
The Monument
After the war. in 1824 a tall, plain column. 135 feet high was
erected at Queenston Heights over the graves of Brock and MacDonell.
Their coffins had been placed side by side. Then. sixteen years
later after the rebellion in Upper Canada in 1837 a follower of
William Lyon Mackenzie named Benjamin Lett, an Irish rebel protested
against the government by blowing-up the column with gunpowder on
Good Friday. April 17th 1840. There was an enormous public outcry in
disgust over this happening and it was resolved to build a new
monument with funds provided by the militia veterans and Indian
warriors of the Province. The new monument was formally dedicated on
13th October 1859. standing 190 feet in height from the ground to
the top of the statue of General Brock surmounting the column.
Today, very few people know the name of that 7 year old boy who came
from the Highlands of Scotland and was destined to make the supreme
sacrifice in defence of Canada. There is no mention of him on the
outside of the monument at Queenston. but when you visit ask to go
inside and you will find a 9" x 20" brass plaque in a vault on the
left hand side of the Tomb which reads:
"Beneath are deposited the mortal
remains of Lieut. Colonel John MacDonell P.A. D.C. and
Aide-de-camp to the lamented Major General Sir Isaac Brock. K.B.
Who fell mortally wounded at the Battle of Queenston on the 13th
October 1812 and died on the following day. His remains were
removed and reinterred with due solemnity, on the 13th October
1853"
Sources:
The Mail and Empire. Toronto. Oct. 12. 1912
The Life of Lieut-Col. John MacDonell. by Dr Alexander Fraser.
Report to the Legislature, by William H. Merritt.
The Clan Ranald of Knoydart & Glengarry by Norman H. MacDonald. FSA
Scot.
Queenston : 1X12. b> Donald Jones. Dictionary of Canadian Biography,
Vol. V. 1811 to 1820.
Niagara National Historic Parks Canada. - Mr B. Andres. General
Works Manager.
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