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Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell John Macdonell was a senior partner in a York legal firm, and by all accounts, a brilliant lawyer. He began prosecuting criminal cases at the age of sixteen and rose to become acting attorney-general in 1811 at the remarkable age of nineteen. Though not an experienced soldier, Brock considered him a great asset in preparing Upper Canada for the approaching war. At Detroit, it was Macdonell, along with Major Glegg, who negotiated the surrender terms with Hull's aides. On the fateful day in October of 1812, Macdonell would figure prominently. Immediately after Brock's death on the battlefield, Macdonell led a charge to avenge his dead commander and rout the Americans from the earthworks at the top of the hill. It was a rash attempt on the part of Macdonell who had no experience with commanding troops in the heat of a battle. Macdonell was struck in the back by a musket ball and mortally wounded, dying later that night. He was buried along with General Brock amid hundreds of sincere mourners. He was only twenty-one years old.
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