Queenston Heights, Battle of, October 13, 1812, a British victory in the War of 1812. It marked the end of an attempted American invasion of Canada. Part of an American force of 6,000 under General Stephen Van Rensselaer crossed the Niagara River from Lewiston, New York, and attacked the Canadian village of Queenston (in what is now Ontario). A British counterattack was halted through the efforts of Captain John E. Wool, and the British commander, Sir Isaac Brock, was mortally wounded. Both sides then received reinforcements, but less than half the Americans reached the scene of battle and the New York militia refused to cross the river to aid their comrades. By evening the British had driven the Americans to the river's edge, capturing 900. Ninety Americans and 14 British were killed.