After this we were transferred to the _Galatea_ and sailed for
Halifax. The right wing left a few days before us on H.M.S. _Aurora_.
We had on board as prisoners the captain and two officers of the
_Bulldog_ en route for England, where they were to be tried by
court-martial for the loss of their ship. After a seven days' voyage
we arrived in Halifax a few days before Christmas and found the
temperature below zero, after leaving one 95 degrees above. However,
we had smiling faces to meet us, and the band was down to welcome us
back to our old quarters again. No casualties occurred while we were
absent except poor Jackson's drowning.
After handing over the books and papers in connection with the orderly
room, I resumed my duties at the brigade office. We intended to present
Dickens' Christmas Carol, Scrooge and Marley, but in consequence of our
trip to the West Indies it was postponed until the coming Easter. The
play was dramatized by Sergeant Smith; the characters had been cast and
rehearsed before we left. The general inspected the regiment and found
it in the very best condition; the drill was excellent, and the
interior economy all that could be desired. Sir Charles complimented
the battalion on their conduct and the manner in which the expedition
was carried out.
About this time Sergeant Roe, of "K" Company, a most intelligent
N.C.O., was calling the roll at tattoo. Pte. E. Welsh had answered his
name, and being under the influence of liquor, was creating a
disturbance. The sergeant ordered him to bed, but he did not obey.
Again he was ordered to do so. Instead he drew his bayonet and made a
dash for the sergeant, who escaped to the corridor, followed by Welsh.
He overtook the sergeant at the end of the passage and thrust the
bayonet into his side. Welsh was immediately overpowered and taken to
the cells. Sergeant Roe was taken to his room, and a surgeon was soon
on the spot, dressed the wound and had the patient removed to hospital.
The wound was not a serious one. The next day the prisoner Welsh was
arraigned before the commanding officer for wounding with intent to
kill. The colonel could not deal with the case, only to make
application for a general court-martial, which was immediately done.
I will describe in detail the court that tried this case. The
application, which was sent direct to the general, contained the
charge, evidence, and the prisoner's previous character, with any
remarks the commanding officer thought fit to make. A general
court-martial is the highest tribunal. The president and members of the
court are drawn from the several corps in garrison. The adjutant of the
prisoner's corps was the prosecuting officer, but for this, the highest
court, a judge advocate was appointed, who conducted the case for the
Crown. This was Colonel Ansell, of the general's staff. When the
general approved of the application the following orders issued from
the brigade office:
"A general court-martial will assemble for the trial of Pte. E.
Welsh, 2nd Battalion, 17th Regiment, and such other prisoners as
may be brought before it.
President, Colonel Gordon, R.A.
Members:
Royal Artillery 1 Captain, 2 Subalterns.
Royal Engineers 1 Captain, 2 Subalterns.
2-16 Regiment 2 Capt'ns, 2 Subalterns.
2-17 Regiment 2 Capt'ns, 2 Subalterns.
The prisoner to be warned and all evidence ordered to attend."
Pte. Welsh was tried before this court for stabbing Sergeant Roe, was
found guilty and sentenced to penal servitude for life. It was a long
time before Sergeant Roe recovered from the effects of the wound.
At Easter we presented to the public Dickens' Christmas Carol, Scrooge
and Marley, which had been postponed. Sergeant Smith had written a
musical libretto, of which I remember the following:
"When we were for this preparing
Late last fall,
Neither time nor trouble sparing
To please you all,
Zounds! these niggers raised the shindies,
Cracking crowns and court-house windies,
Sent us sharp to the West Indies,
Late last fall."
It was a decided success, and several hundreds of dollars were handed
over to the charitable institutions of the city.
The memorable year, 1866, dawned over Canada, and much trouble and
excitement was predicted. The Fenians were preparing for an invasion of
St. Andrews, N.B., and the general, for the better protection of the
citizens, had issued orders that a battery of artillery, a company of
engineers, with the 2nd Battalion, 17th Regiment, be held in readiness
to proceed to St. Andrews as soon as transport was available. We did
not expect anything but a fizzle. However, it was a change, and, I may
say, a picnic.