Cecil Bisshopp

Biography

Cecil Bisshopp (Bishop, Bishoppe, Bishopp) was born in West Sussex, England in 1783 and joined the 1st Foot Guards as an Ensign in March 1799; the following year, he was promoted to lieutenant in his regiment, equivalent to captain in the Army. During 1802 and 1803, he was on half-pay and by 1811, he was a brevet major and served briefly with the 98th Foot. In 1802 he served as private secretary to Rear-Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren at St Petersburg and during 1809 participated in the expeditions to La Coruña, Spain, and Walcheren, Netherlands.

In April 1812, Bisshopp was appointed Inspecting Field Officer of Militia in British North America as a brevet lieutenant-colonel. During 1812, Bisshopp commanded the regular troops in the Niagara between Chippawa and Fort Erie. That November, he commanded the British troops at Frenchman’s Creek. Following the American capture of Fort George, Bisshopp withdrew his forces to Burlington Heights in accordance with Brigadier-General Vincent’s plan, where he commanded the reserve. Following the American withdrawal back to Fort George, Bisshopp played a nominal role in the British victory at Beaver Dam.

On 11 July 1813, Bisshopp led a large raid against Black Rock, New York, during which the regular and militia forces under his command stormed the fort, overran the batteries, and burned the blockhouses, barracks, naval yard and a large schooner. A considerable quantity of public stores and ordnance, including eight pieces of artillery, were taken. Bisshopp delayed returning to the Canadian shore in order to secure a large number of barrels of salt, a commodity that was scarce in Upper Canada at the time. This allowed the defenders time to regroup and they soon counterattacked, wounding Bisshopp in the left thigh, left wrist and upper right arm. Although expected to recover fully, the popular Lieutenant-Colonel Bisshopp died a lingering death on 15 or 16 (the sources are not clear on this) July 1813 at Stamford, Upper Canada. He was buried on 17 July 1813.