Roger Hale Sheaffe
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General Roger Sheaffe (15 July 1763 – 17 July 1851) was a British General in the first part of the 19th century. He is best known for commanding British and Canadian forces in the War of 1812, particularly during the Battle of Queenston Heights. During the battle, American troops captured the heights, overlooking the Niagara River. When General Isaac Brock attempted to push them back, he was shot dead. Sheaffe assumed command and switched tactics, pushing his troops up the heights from the back. They trapped the American soldiers at the cliff and captured 1,000 of them, compared with losses of less than 50 for Sheaffe's force. As a result, the entire American army was put out of action.
Despite his achievement, Sheaffe was unpopular with the people he was to defend, and often with his own soldiers. This only worsened when he made the strategic decision to abandon the town of York to the Americans. He was recalled to England shortly afterwards and enjoyed a successful military career.
Despite his own notable achievements, Sheaffe was often compared unfavourably with the popular and charismatic Brock. Sheaffe had been Brock's second in command prior to their time in Canada, and continued in that role upon their arrival. Shortly after arriving at their new station, a mutiny was attempted by some of Sheaffe's men. Brock hurriedly came to the aid of his subordinate, ended the mutiny without conflict, and arrested the perpetrators. They claimed they took their actions directly as a result of Sheaffe's beligerence, but were subsequently executed after a court-martial.
External links
- Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online (http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=38304)
| Preceded by: Sir Isaac Brock | Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada | Succeeded by: Francis de Rottenburg |