Lyr Add: The Battle of Queenston (War of 1812)

Subject: The Battle of Queenstown (War of 1812)
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 26 Aug 05 - 07:16 PM

Has anybody come across this, written by a William Banker Jr after the October 13, 1812 event? It starts as follows:

When brave Van Rensselaer cross'd the stream
Just at the break of day
Distressing thoughts, a restless dream
Disturb'd me where I lay

I came across a full version of the text while doing some research today, and have been unable to find any other reference to the song here, or elsewhere online.

Subject: RE: The Battle of Queenston (War of 1812)
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 26 Aug 05 - 07:24 PM

Oops....that should have been Queenston (without the "w").

Subject: RE: The Battle of Queenstown (War of 1812)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Aug 05 - 07:52 PM

There is a song sheet, "Battle of Queenstown," in American Memory, but it doesn't have the verse you quoted.
Would you please give the source of your text, and possibly post the words?
The general's name is Van Ransellaer.
The Canadians have a song called "The Battle of Queenston Heights," melody by Alan Mills, apparently never sung. The words supposedly were written in the 1820s. Again, not the same words.

Stan Rogers also wrote a song about the event.

Subject: RE: The Battle of Queenstown (War of 1812)
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 26 Aug 05 - 09:28 PM

Thanks Q. I just looked at the American Memory version, and it's completely different.

The version I found is typed out in a 1940's letter from the City Historian of Batavia NY to the Buffalo (NY) & Erie County Historical Society; sort of a "here's one for your files". The text is taken from Burton Stevenson's book "Poems of American History", page 292 according to this letter.   

What struck my fancy was that the writer of the 1940's letter pursued the song lyrics after his colleague mentioned hearing his paternal grandmother sing a doleful ditty, concerning "when brave Van Rensselaer cross'd the stream", lines of which the colleague could recite but not sing.

I'll post the full lyrics tomorrow.

Subject: RE: The Battle of Queenstown (War of 1812)
From: Midchuck
Date: 26 Aug 05 - 09:50 PM

Isn't this the same brawl which generated Stan's MacDonnell on the Heights? Great song.

Peter.

Subject: RE: The Battle of Queenstown (War of 1812)
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 05:29 PM

Here it is, Q:

THE BATTLE OF QUEENSTON

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BATTLE OF QUEENSTON
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 05:51 PM

Oops..I hit the wrong button.

THE BATTLE OF QUEENSTON

When brave Van Rensselaer cross'd the stream
Just at the break of day
Distressing thoughts, a restless dream
Disturb'd me where I lay

But all the terrors of the night
Did quickly flee away
My opening eyes beheld the light
And hail'd the new-born day

Soon the murdering cannon's roar
Put blood in all my veins
Columbia's sons have trod the shore
Where the proud Britain reigns

To expose their breast to cannon's ball
Their country's rights to save
O what a grief to see them fall!
True heroes, bold and brave

The musket's flash, the cannon's glow
Thunder'd and lighten'd round
Struck dread on all the tawny foe
And swept them to the ground

I thought what numbers must be slain
What weeping widows left!
And aged parents full of pain
Of every joy bereft

The naked savage yelling round
Our heroes where they stood
And every weapon to be found
Was bathed in human blood

But bold Van Rensselaer full of wounds
Was quickly carried back
Brave Colonel Bloom did next command
The bloody fierce attack

Where Brock, the proud insulter, rides
In pomp and splendor great
Our valiant heroes he derides
And dared the power of fate

Here is a mark for Yankee boys
So shoot me if you can
A Yankee ball soon closed his eyes
Death found him but a man

They slaughtered down the tawny foe
And Britons that were near
They dealt out death at every blow
The battle was severe

Five battles fought all in one day
Through four victories stood
But ah! the fifth swept all away
And spilt our heroes blood

The tomahawk and scalping knife
On them did try their skill
Sound wounded, struggling for their life
Did black barbarians kill

Brave Wadsworth boldly kept the field
Till their last bullets flew
Then all were prisoners forced to yield
What could the general do?

Militia men! O fie for shame!
Thus you your country flee
Tis you at last will bear the blame
For loss of victory

When mild Van Rensselaer did command
You would not him obey
But stood spectators on the strand
To see the bloody fray

The number kill'd was seventy-four
Prisoners, seven hundred sixty-nine
Wounded, two hundred or more
Who languished in great pain

Some have already lost their lives
And others like to go
But few, I fear, will tell their wives
The doleful tale of wo.

Burton Stevenson's note prefacing the poem: "the capture of the 'Guerriere' had greatly encouraged the Americans, and General Stephen Van Rensselaer, in command of the northern army, determined to try another strike, at Canada. On October 13, 1812, he started to cross the Niagara River, with 600 men, but the crossing was mismanaged, the militia refusing to obey orders, and, after a gallant fight, lasting all day, the Americans were forced to surrender, to an overwhelming force, of British and Indians."

Subject: RE: The Battle of Queenstown (War of 1812)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Aug 05 - 08:24 PM

Thanks for the poem. I wonder if it was ever printed elsewhere than in Burton Stevenson's book.
The others don't mention that Indians fought with the British.

Subject: RE: The Battle of Queenstown (War of 1812)
From: wildlone
Date: 28 Aug 05 - 02:54 AM

I am a re-enactor in the 41st foot.
We portray the life of a soldier in the war of 1812.
Both sides used native Americans during the war.

Battle of Queenston Heights

dave

Subject: RE: The Battle of Queenstown (War of 1812)
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 29 Aug 05 - 11:54 AM

Now, to put a tune to it......