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Billy Green
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The Adventures of Billy Green, "the Scout"At the start of the War of 1812, Billy Green has just turned 18. His single claim to fame until now is that he's the first white child born in Stoney Creek, Upper Canada. But that's about to change. Early on the morning of June 5, 1813, Billy and his brother Levi are walking along a ridge overlooking Forty Mile creek when they spot a long column of American soldiers winding its way along the track from Fort George to Ancaster. The Americans are on their way to attack British General John Vincent's army at Burlington Heights. Levi is for warning the settlers at once to give them time to hide their valuables and drive their livestock into the comparative safety of the deep woods. Billy agrees, but first he can't resist "making a little mischief." For nearly an hour, the brothers terrorise the American advance guard by pretending to be Indian warriors and emitting blood-curdling whoops from the nearby forest. Meanwhile, their brother-in-law, Isaac Corman is arrested by the Americans for answering insolently when they ask for directions. When they stop to pitch camp at Stoney Creek, an officer questions Corman who "reveals" he's American general William Henry Harrison's cousin, a true enough statement, though Corman omits to mention that his own sympathies are entirely with the British. The effect is immediate: Corman is released and given the password of the day so he won't have any problems when challenged by the sentries. He gives his word of honour that he won't reveal it to the British. Billy, however, has made no such promise. As soon as he learns the password, he galumphs off towards the British camp on an old plow horse named Tip. At Burlington Heights, Billy tells his story to Colonel John Harvey, who promptly hands him an old parade sword and enlists him as temporary scout before mustering the two regiments under his command for what he wryly dubs a "cold steel exercise." To prevent accidental firing, Harvey orders the flints removed from the muskets' flintlocks, for only in a night-time surprise attack is there any hope of success since the Americans number nearly 4000 to their measly 700. The British, with Billy Green in the lead, are soon off into the dark night to be joined, some time later, by a small band of John Norton's Mohawk warriors. Billy leads straight to the American sentries, who are promptly dispatched with the bayonet by the veteran Redcoats. But at least one British soldier can no longer hold in the pent-up tension and emits a loud yell, spoiling the full surprise effect. Still, more than 300 American soldiers will be killed or seriously wounded, many of them still inside their bedrolls. Billy participates in the vicious hand to hand fighting, which rages for some minutes before the British sergeants signal the withdrawal. They take some prisoners, including the two American generals, back with them. Confused and demoralised, the Americans can't make up their minds whether to stand firm or counterattack. They finally opt for a hasty withdrawal, leaving wagons, baggage, tents and dozens of dead and wounded behind. The name of Billy Green will never be mentioned in any of the army's dispatches concerning the battle, but the story of his exploits will endure along the Niagara until they acquire the status of legend. Billy will ever after be known as "Billy Green, the Scout." It'll be a full sixty-two years after the battle before the Dominion government shows Billy its gratitude by granting the now 82-year-old a gratuity of $20. |
