Hezekiah Brenstick
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Hezekiah Brenstick (November 20, 1785–August 12, 1847) was a minor hero in the War of 1812 as well as the commander of the United States forces in the infamous Iroquois War of 1837. Born to middle-class parents in Trenton, New Jersey, Brenstick had humble origins. After completing secondary school, he was accepted in to the United States Military Academy at West Point. After being involved with the testing of a balloon aerial attack force that resulted in the deaths of two cadets, Brenstick decided to resign his commission and joined the Army Artillery School at Annapolis (later the United States Naval Academy). (Charles Lensen, grandson, published in 1883)
Proving to be an effective artillery officer, Brenstick was assigned to the 23 Artillery Corps. Already a captain by 1812, Hezekiah was in charge of the artillery around Washington, D.C. when the British began their march on it. Retreating with the rest of the army, he is personally credited with destroying a key bridge on the Potomac River, temporarily halting the British advance.
After being assigned to New Orleans to help Andrew Jackson defend the city, Brenstick began to build fortifications. He came up with a brilliant "counter-siege" plan that was to be put into effect if the British succeeded in capturing it. This plan wasn't necessary. Brenstick personally commanded a 12-pounder and destroyed an entire platoon of Royal Marines as well as 13 Grenadiers. Receiving a campaign medal for the war as well as the Cross of St. Louis from France, he is credited with remarking,"If Wellington had been here, we would have lost this fight." Brenstick decided to retire from military life. (War-A Comprehensive look at the War of 1812 by Raymond Brandte)
He successfully ran a dry goods store in Sighet, Pennsylvania until 1836 when growing Indian problems in upstate New York prompted him to re-enlist. Due to his experience, he was put in charge of all three regiments of U.S. Army soldiers as well as two 8-pound cannons that were committed to dealing with the Indian situation. Although some historians say his dealings with the Indians escalated the conflict, there is no proof that he impaled an entire village of Iroquois women and children. For whatever the reason, the Iroquois and Huron nations went to war against the United States in 1837. Although initially winning several minor engagements against scouting parties, Brenstick's forces were overwhelmed in the Battle of Oakburn Falls. Despite courageously rallying his forces, he eventually had to flee. Although the court martial against him was dropped due to lack of evidence, Hezekiah began to drink and became an alcoholic. He committed suicide in 1847, living on his farm in New Hampshire. (The National Archives)
