General Brock was a great General who had experience in
several theatres of war in Europe including the Battle of Trafalgar
along side Horatio Nelson. He was a brave, decent officer who
personified the word
"gentleman". Brock is commemorated for his ride to
Queenston heights to drive the Americans back across the river.
His untimely death was the result of a musket ball fired by an American
sharpshooter.
Seldom are our school children taught about Brock's duel when he was
stationed in Bermuda. Here is the story of another lead ball that
could have ended Brock's life some years before he came to Canada.
Brock was present in the Garrison Officers Mess in Hamilton, Bermuda,
when a fellow Captain (and a renowned "Rake") insulted a lady.
Brock came to her defense and a challenge to a duel was given.
Brock was given the choice of weapons and chose pistols. His
Second was appalled with this choice and advised Brock that "the
Rake was an expert pistol shot and had already killed three others in
duels." Brock was a below averages shot with a pistol, but
refused to change to sabers in defense of the lady's honour.
On the morning of the duel, the adversaries met on the field of honour.
The Seconds loaded and primed two matching dueling pistols. The
first selection of pistol belonged to the Rake. His choice made
and the weapons checked, the Rake asked of Brock; "and sir how many
paces would you like to take before you die?" Brock reached
inside his tunic and drew out a handkerchief. Holding it by the
corner and towards the Rake, Brock said, "Hold the other
corner."
The Rake lost his nerve, and, as the coward he really was, left the
field of honor, and then the military, in disgrace. |
