_Camp at Thorold in August and September, 1866. Meeting of the 13th
and Queen’s Own, first time after the action of 2nd June. Speech of
Adjutant General McDougal. Corrections. Additions. Varieties._
Fenian demonstrations on the U. S. frontier under name of picnic
festivals, with sham fights caricaturing the Limestone Ridge
affair—one near Buffalo on the 21st of August; together with openly
avowed, widely announced determination of Fenian leaders to invade
Canada soon, secretly, and with augmented numbers; and in addition to
those circumstances of threatened aggression, a sense of propriety
in Canada, of promoting the military education of the Volunteers
by service in the field, it was resolved that a camp should be
established at Thorold. The ground selected was on the high level
overlooking the town of St. Catharines, G. Western Railway, and
Welland Canal locks, to the westward of Thorold village. The first
troops posted were volunteers, 10th from Toronto, 7th from London;
a portion of the 16th regulars, and of Royal Artillery; also Major
Denison’s Toronto Troop of Volunteer Cavalry. They assembled on the
18th of August. On the 26th the Volunteers were relieved by Q. O.
from Toronto; the 13th, Hamilton; and 22nd Oxford Rifles, the latter
from Woodstock, Drumbo, and other places in Oxford County. On
arrival of the 13th and Q. O. on the ground the first under Lt.-Col.
Skinner, the latter under their Limestone Ridge commander Major
Gilmore; the Adjutant General brought them together in column, and
in the spirit of a soldier, and military philosopher, thus addressed
them:
“I am glad that I happened to be here to welcome to camp the two
battalions who fought at Lime-ridge. I know that foolish people
have done their best to create a feeling of jealousy between the
corps, by praising the performance of one at the expense of the
other. I say that all honor is due to both; and that there is not
the smallest foundation for the statement that one battalion was,
in any respect, behind the other in gallantry on that occasion. Up
to the moment when the unfortunate alarm of cavalry was given, I
say, and I declare I speak it without exaggeration, that no troops
of any army or nation could have behaved better than did the two
battalions of inexperienced volunteers who, at Lime-ridge, attacked
an enemy posted in a strong position of his own choosing, without
the support of a single regular officer or soldier. And what I said
at the time I repeat now—that the manner in which the volunteers
alone sought out the enemy and attacked him like bull dogs, before
he had been twenty-four hours on Canadian soil, produced both a
moral and physical effect which disconcerted his whole general plan
of operations. He had landed at a remote corner of our territory,
counting securely on being left unmolested for at least forty-eight
hours, during which period the attacks on other points were to be
matured; but thanks to the men I see before me, and to the York and
Caledonia Rifles, that time was not allowed him.
“The equal share taken by the Hamilton 13th in that day’s work was
not undervalued by the Governor-General; neither was it in any
manner the fault of the Queen’s Own, for that regiment is composed
of brave men, and brave men never depreciate the gallantry of
their comrades in the field. I have been told that the feeling
which exists between the two battalions is such that it would be
dangerous to bring them to this camp at the same time. I will not
believe that such is the case, and I have purposely brought them
here together to prove that such an apprehension is groundless
and that the only rivalry existing between them is the honorable
rivalry as to which regiment shall do the best service to the
country. I appeal to you all earnestly to show by your brotherly
demeanor while in camp that I have judged correctly. If it were
possible that by unseemly quarrels you should prove me mistaken, I
shall of course be severely blamed for my misplaced confidence.
“A few words now on another matter. Both newspapers and individuals
have asserted that the government has been and is neglecting its
duty in the matter of proper equipment for the volunteers. That
statement is untrue. There is no foundation for it whatever. I
would ask who is it that is responsible for the faulty equipment,
who is responsible for the starving of the militia expenditure
up to the last meeting of parliament? Why the people of Canada
through their representatives; and I declare positively that
from the moment of the passing of the last militia estimates, no
government could have done more than the present government has
done to render the volunteer force efficient. It is natural that
the people of Canada should be impatient in this matter, but they
should consider that the labor to be performed is enormous and
that the completion of it must take time. When it is considered
that new clothing had to be issued to the greater part of the old
existing force; that knapsacks, haversacks and water canteens had
to be provided; that the field batteries required new harness as
well as guns and stores, and that the cavalry required saddlery
and firearms, at the same time that about 150 new companies were
to be equipped throughout, it must be evident that the work could
not be done with that rapidity which all must so earnestly desire.
Even before the militia estimates were passed an urgent request
was forwarded to England that a complete equipment in knapsacks,
haversacks, tent equipage, &c., for 35,000 volunteers should be
sent to Canada, as well as for the necessary harness and armament
of four field batteries and for a supply of heavy guns for the
instruction of the garrison artillery. The Imperial stores in
Canada have been drawn upon to their utmost capacity for our
pressing wants, and to make up deficiencies contracts have been
entered into in Canada for haversacks, water canteens and boots,
and as a substitute for knapsacks, which can only be obtained from
England, great coat straps have been made or are making in Canada
sufficient to supply every man of the force. New rifles have been
sent to London, Hamilton and Toronto for the purpose of exchanging
damaged or unserviceable arms. I have entered into this explanation
in order that the country may know that the militia department is
doing its utmost to enable the volunteer force to take the field,
if required, with that full and proper equipment which its merits
so well deserve.”
CORRECTION.—On page 112, the name of Lt.-Col. Villiers is used where
it should be brigade Major Villiers. The name of the Lt.-Col. was
also associated with the subject. The passage relating to Booker’s
resignation at Colborne on 2nd June, and his telegrams to Col.
Lowry commanding in chief, soliciting to be re-instated in the 13th
Battalion should read thus: Lt.-Col. Booker on returning to Colborne,
from Hamilton, evening of June 4th, telegraphed to Col. Lowry saying,
“I am waiting for orders.” Brigade Major Villiers telegraphed on
his behalf to the same effect. Col. Lowry replied to the Brigade
Major: “What does Booker mean? He was relieved of his command at his
own request, and will not be re-instated by me; Major Skinner is in
command.” Booker then telegraphed to Col. Lowry: “I only asked to be
relieved of the command of the Brigade, not of the 13th Battalion.”
Col. Lowry replied referring him to Maj.-Gen. Napier. Booker then
telegraphed to Napier and remained in Colborne until Wednesday, June
6th. Lt.-Col. Villiers had not then arrived at Colborne, nor until
some time after, the date I cannot ascertain. This correction is
made to obviate the mistake of introducing that officer’s name in
that stage of the electric correspondence. But the main fact stands
as before, which is, that Lt.-Col. Booker, left the 13th battalion
early on the morning of Sunday, 3rd of June, without announcing his
departure to Major Skinner, next in seniority in the battalion. The
officers mentioned by Capt. Akers of “superior in rank to himself,”
who had, on the evening of the 2nd, urged Booker’s removal from
command, by reason of his manifest incompetence, saw him on morning
of the 3rd when the force was about to be led towards the supposed
position of the enemy; bear witness to his exhibition of imbecility,
or whatever his malady may have been, at the railway station, as
related by Mr. McGrath, manager of the Welland Railway, when he
pleaded to be sent away, in his flight from Colborne, by a special
train.
I have not in the proper place named it so explicitly as the
circumstance demands, that Booker had reported that the 13th
were demoralized, that is in a military sense unfit for duty,
untrustworthy before an enemy. That is the military signification of
a battalion being demoralized. The troops then at Colborne, June 3rd,
4 a. m., were about to march towards the scene of yesterday’s action;
and the 13th, whether because of Booker’s slanderous report or not,
yet with it resting on them, were left behind, in Colborne. There
lay the stigma from which the officers on their own behalf and that
of the gallant fellows of yesterday’s combat sought to be absolved
before the public, through Booker’s Court of Inquiry, which, however,
refused them a status in it as parties, or a place within its doors
as listeners to what others said involving their interests. True, it
has since been officially stated that the 13th was left there to do
garrison duty. But the invidious distinction was not removed by that
explanation, of the Toronto Q. O., Caledonia and York companies being
taken to the scene of yesterday’s fight where an enemy was expected
on the 3rd, and the 13th left out, apparently as unworthy. And there
was this other set of aggravations. The Q. O. notwithstanding what
Adj.-Gen. McDougal has so handsomely said at Thorold camp, (see
another page), that brave men never calumniate their fellow soldiers,
did set afloat stories at their new quarters in Fort Erie village,
and in their letter-writing to Toronto, slandering the 13th. The St.
Catharines Journal had a reporter at Fort Erie camp, and his ear was
filled, his paper supplied in turn, with calumnious lies about the
13th and unqualified praises of the Q. O. Other volunteer companies
such as Barrie and Scarboro took the story from the Q. O. and when
they came to do garrison duty at Colborne along side of the 13th,
about June 12th, were insolent almost beyond endurance. “If _we_ had
been in the fight,” said they, “_we_ would not have heeded Booker’s
bugle calls to retire; _we_ would have gone on with the battle, _we_
would.” That is each man would have taken the command upon himself.
It was about the 11th or 12th of June that Lt.-Col. Villiers met the
officers of the 13th at Colborne and stated that it was the desire
of Maj. Gen. Napier that Lt.-Col. Booker should resume command of
the battalion. He urged that “bygones should be bygones,” but they
all without exception said Lt.-Col. Booker could never command
the battalion again, while they remained its officers. They were
not, it seems, asked to write a letter of solicitation to have him
re-instated. At Colborne, I was informed that such a request had been
made. And so gave it in the Narrative written from my Notes.
The names of certain witnesses presented to Booker’s Court of Inquiry
may have been considered by the Court as withdrawn. The officers of
the 13th decided to have nothing to do with it when Major Skinner was
refused the privilege of being present as a party to the proceedings.
I have only briefly, for want of space, referred to the evidence
of the Rev. Mr. Inglis. It should have been added that when Booker
contradicted him about the horse, saying “No, not on horseback, I
returned to Ridgeway on foot,” or words to that effect; Mr. Inglis
addressing the Court said; “Well, gentlemen, if I were on my oath I
would only repeat what I have just said.”
The passage on page 110, second paragraph: “Had he surrendered to his
next in command of the 13th,, measures of precaution would have been
taken,” may be misunderstood. It means that Major Skinner would have
taken command of the 13th and posted its guards and night piquets.
There were superior officers present. See paragraph beginning ST.
CATHARINES HOME GUARD.
THAT FLAG. It was reported that but for the Q. O. the 13th would have
lost their colours. The colours were never out of the keeping of
Ensigns Armstrong and Baker and the guard told off to attend them.
When the whole of the 13th went into action, right wing in front,
left wing supporting, the colours took post with the reserve of the
brigade consisting entirely of the unengaged companies of Q. O. When
that reserve led the retreat the Ensigns of the 13th retreated with
it. The story which Toronto papers first started reached New York.
There the pictorial journalists added to the Toronto fiction, and
made pictures of a flag of the “Queen’s Own” captured by Fenians. The
Q. O. had no flag. And here, I repeat, that commanders of experience
will not take flags into a wooded country upon a desultory campaign
of bush-fighting. But an order to that effect should emanate from the
Commander-in-chief.
Page 98. “Major Skinner had partially succeeded in forming a red line
across the road with fixed bayonets directed against the retreat.”
The Major did not state this to me and he is too conscientious to
accept a statement made by others, which it seems is not strictly
correct. At that point, [near log house on the map] Major Skinner and
Lieut. Routh were together and endeavoured to form a party. Two lads
in red, with fixed bayonets had faced round as ordered, and others
seemed willing to stand by the officers, when a rush of men in green
uniforms [Highlanders or U. R.’s retreating from the extreme right]
pushed over them, trampling one of the lads, Parker by name, under
foot. He was found by the Fenians insensible and carried into an
adjoining house. In a few moments after that Major Skinner was told
that Lieut. Routh was killed. The wound however, was not mortal. The
Major like others who came last out of the field, expected that a
re-formation of the force would be made at Ridgeway; but on arriving
there he and they saw nothing of Lt.-Col. Booker, or Major Gilmore,
or of any one attempting to restore order. Under these circumstances
Major Skinner, and officers with him lent assistance to support some
disabled men along; they could do no more at that time.
O’NEIL AT NASHVILLE.—On pages 83, 84 a letter from the Fenian
General O’Neil is quoted. It was asked for in the following terms:
“Hamilton Canada West, July 23rd, 1866. Sir. I am a correspondent
of British newspapers resident in this city, and author of a small
work soon to be published bearing some such title as ‘Somerville’s
Narrative of the Fenian Invasion of Canada, June 1866.’ As such
I take the liberty of writing this note and soliciting a reply
to questions which to me as a truthful journalist and current
historian are important.
“Before stating the questions permit me to remark that while I as
a British subject deprecate and deplore your invasion of Canada,
I am constrained by force of truth to acknowledge, and will in
my forthcoming Narrative place the acknowledgement on permanent
record that you individually, as also some of your officers and men
performed acts of kindness to some of our wounded; and that you and
also some of your officers interfered with persons in your force to
prevent outrages on property and persons.
“It has been reported in American newspapers but the report varying
in its terms that in conversation at Buffalo and subsequently in a
public speech at Nashville, you paid a military compliment, which
coming from one in your position was a generous tribute to your
enemy, those Canada Volunteers who were in conflict with you on the
2nd of June at Limestone Ridge.
“You are reported to have called them the ‘Queen’s Own’ and to have
spoken of them as wearing red uniform. Some newspapers reprinting
the report in Canada have omitted the words red uniform. The only
troops in red which were in conflict with you, or in your sight
on June 2nd were the 13th battalion of Volunteer Militia from
Hamilton. The ‘Queen’s Own’ from Toronto wore dark green uniform;
as also two detached companies from Caledonia and York villages.
Did you speak of the whole force opposed to you as the ‘Queen’s
Own’? Did you speak of a part of the force before you as wearing
red uniform? Did you in your speech distinguish, which I presume
expressed any distinction observed by you on the field of action,
between that portion of the Canadian force wearing dark green and
that wearing red uniforms?
“If it be agreeable to you to repeat in writing any statement
which you made in Buffalo or at Nashville about the Canadian force
opposed to you on the 2nd of June 1866, your courtesy will be duly
appreciated.
“I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Alexander Somerville.”
“General John O’Neil, Nashville, Tennessee.”
The portion of the reply relating to red uniforms and affecting the
13th battalion is printed on page 84.
I quote a passage from O’Neil’s Nashville speech in which he
disclaims that the plunderers who followed him to Canada were
Fenians. It is small comfort to Canadians to be told that American
thieves coming over the line under cover of a Fenian invasion are not
of the brotherhood. He said “I wish to correct another false report,
that ninety of our men were taken prisoners by the enemy. Only a few
who did not remain with their command, and a few who were wounded and
could not be removed were captured. _The other prisoners were camp
followers who accompanied the expedition for plunder_, and some who
went out of curiosity. These robbers I hope will get a halter yet.
Had I known them I would have strung them up myself.”
In another passage O’Neil said of the action of the American
Government: “The reinforcement that would certainly have reached us
that night, and have enabled us to hold our ground, was stopped by
the vigilance and promptness of the United States government on the
way to us.”
The retreat of O’Neil’s army over the Niagara on June 3rd was in a
considerable part intercepted by the U. S. gun-boat Michigan. About
600 were detained as U. S. prisoners on a charge of a breach of the
neutrality treaty and law of nations, of whom were 18 officers. The
latter after proceedings in the N. Y. State courts, were held to
bail, but in August discharged. The rank and file of the Fenians were
set free at once. And some thousands were provided with conveyance to
their homes by the American government.
ST. CATHARINES.—Limited space compels to an apparent oversight and
injustice to the many gallant volunteers called out in all parts
of the country, and who hardly waited to be called in the fervor
of their patriotism, but I cannot omit the St. Catharine’s Home
Guard inasmuch as Lt.-Col. McGiverin, M. P. P., who took it to Port
Colborne, on 2nd June, was for a time the superior in command at
that strategically important place. This gentleman is Member of the
Legislative Assembly for the County of Lincoln, and has places of
business both in St. Catharines and Hamilton. Receiving intelligence
of the Fenian landing on Fort Erie shore, through Brigade Major
Villiers, he, with that officer, Colonel Peacocke, and Mr. Swinyard
of the G. W. Railway, proceeded to the station at Hamilton where
arrangements were made to transport the volunteers from Hamilton,
Paris, Brantford, Grimsby, Beamsville and St. Catharines to meet the
enemy.
On the morning of the 2nd of June, Lt.-Col. McGiverin procured 200
stand of arms, which were conveyed to St. Catharines. And there
he organized a Home Guard to aid in the defence of that town. The
greatest enthusiasm was manifested by all classes of persons in St.
Catharines. Young and old of the male population pressed forward,
praying to be admitted to the honor and privilege and duty of
defending the country. Ladies offered assistance in whatever manner
help could be available. And it became available in various ways, for
volunteers at the front, and for the sick and wounded brought from
the front to St. Catharines town hall, converted on the emergency
into a general military hospital.
On Saturday, June 2, about noon, intelligence was received of
the fight at Limestone Ridge, and the subsequent retreat of the
volunteers who had first defeated the enemy, to Port Colborne. Col.
McGiverin called for men of the Home Guard to volunteer to Colborne.
In less than an hour about one hundred and forty offered, were
accepted, and were on passage up the Welland railway to aid their
countrymen in driving the invaders out of the peaceful land they had
dishonored by their presence.
On arrival at Colborne Lt.-Col. Booker was met. He appeared
exhausted. Col. McGiverin offered him every assistance in his power.
A portion of the volunteers who had been in the fight being without
provisions, their wants were supplied from temporary stores brought
up from St. Catharines.
About 5 p. m. the steam tug Robb, under command of Capt. McCallum,
arrived in port from Niagara river with 59 prisoners. These were
placed under charge of Col. McGiverin, with instructions to have them
conveyed to Welland County prison. But from alarming rumors that a
Fenian army reinforced since morning, was marching on the Welland
canal, the Colonel judged that it would be unsafe to have them in a
position so much exposed. He therefore sent them to Brantford, under
a guard of thirty-five of his men, commanded by Capt. Rykert, having
previously telegraphed the Sheriff of Brantford to receive them.
Col. McGiverin believing it possible that the enemy might attack
Colborne during Saturday night felt it prudent to order the hotels
and drinking saloons to be closed, which was promptly and cheerfully
done. Finding a large portion of the force then in Colborne without
ammunition he telegraphed to Maj.-Gen. Napier for supplies. To that
requisition there was a prompt response. A large quantity arrived in
charge of an officer of the commissariat department at 3.30 a. m.,
Sunday 3rd June. The troops were immediately paraded and ammunition
served out. All expressed an impatient desire to advance upon the
enemy. The main body soon after left, and by a circuitous route of 22
miles reached Fort Erie before breakfast.
The noble manner in which the Militia of Lincoln (without uniforms
and without expectation of receiving pay), behaved on that occasion
is deserving of the highest praise. As evidence of the gallant spirit
which inspired all, youthful and aged, to seek the enemy, it may be
related that two veterans of the war of 1812 were present; Lewis
Clement a man of 80 years, who had been wounded at the battle of
Chippewa in that war, and Capt. John Gibson, aged 75. They made the
whole march over rough roads, rifles on shoulder, from Colborne to
Erie Village.
The 13th battalion as already stated were retained at Colborne on
that morning to do garrison duty. Farther evidence is not requisite
as to their efficiency, their earnest desire to share in the expected
combat with the enemy, and their well grounded mortification at being
left behind, in consequence of the misrepresentation of Lt.-Col.
Booker. But Col. McGiverin bears testimony that the 13th were in
every respect soldier-like and fit for any duty on that occasion.
Of the manner in which Col. Booker left them, left Colborne, that
morning and hurried to Hamilton, enough has been said in these pages.