William Wadsworth.

About William Wadsworth

Brigadier General William Wadsworth was an American militia officer and landowner who served in the War of 1812. He commanded the New York militia contingent of the American army which was defeated at the Battle of Queenston Heights. Wadsworth waived his right to command over Lieutenant Colonel Winfield Scott of the United States Army. During the battle, Wadsworth faced the British at all times so he would not be shot in the back and appear to be cowardly. Waving his sword and swearing at the troops back across the river, hoping to instill the fighting spirit in them, he made a genuine but vain attempt to get the militia to cross and reinforce their position. At the end of the battle, Wadsworth was taken prisoner when a portion of the American army, cut off on the Canadian side of the Niagara River, surrendered to the British.