THE BATTLE OF RIDGEWAY--A BAPTISM OF FIRE AND BLOOD FOR THE CANADIAN
TROOPS--SPLENDID COOLNESS AND HEROIC COURAGE OF THE VOLUNTEERS AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE FIGHT ENDS IN DISASTER.
The second of June, 1866, was an eventful day for the Canadian troops
who were operating on the Niagara frontier. They had hurriedly left
their homes, the majority of them wholly unprovided with the means of
subsistence, and illy equipped for campaigning, to combat a band of
veteran troops who were bent on capturing Canada. A large proportion
of our volunteers were mere youths who had left their colleges, office
work, mercantile and other occupations, to go forth at their country's
call, and had never encountered the perils of war or seen a hostile
shot fired in their lives. But the high spirit of courage and patriotism
which animated the hearts of all, rendered them self-reliant and
determined to do their utmost in performing their sacred duty to their
Queen and country.
In the preceding chapter a general idea of Col. Peacock's plan of
campaign was given, and as Lieut.-Col. Booker's force was the first to
move in carrying out that plan, it will be necessary to describe the
operations of this command in detail, so that the reader may acquire
a comprehensive knowledge of the exciting events which succeeded each
other rapidly during the time this gallant force was in action.
A few minutes after 7 o'clock Lieut.-Col. Booker put his column in
motion from Ridgeway station. The troops had previously been instructed
to "load with ball cartridge," and all were keen to meet the enemy. Just
before leaving, Lieut.-Col. Booker had been informed by several farmers
of the neighborhood that the Fenians were only a short distance in his
front, but he could scarcely believe so many conflicting stories, as the
last official information he had received was that O'Neil was still at
his camp at Frenchman's Creek. Although he considered the information
unreliable, still he resolved to be prudent, and keep a sharp lookout
for "breakers ahead." The usual military precautions which govern an
advance into a hostile country were taken by him, and the advance guard
and commanding officers warned to be on the alert.
The Queen's Own Rifles, under command of Major Charles T. Gillmor,
led the van, followed by the York Rifle Company (Capt. Davis), the
Thirteenth Battalion, under command of Major Skinner, and the Caledonia
Rifle Company, under Capt. Jackson, in the order named. No. 5 Company
of the Queen's Own (who were armed with Spencer repeating rifles) formed
the advance guard, and the Caledonia Rifles the rear guard.
After proceeding about two miles along the Ridge Road the advance guard
signalled back the intelligence that there were indications of the enemy
in front. The column was then halted on the road, and flanking parties
were detailed to scour the woods to the right and left. Proceeding a
little further it became apparent that the Fenians were in position
about half a mile north of the Garrison Road.
As the Canadian troops carefully moved forward, the advance guard (No.
5 Co., Q.O.R.), extended from its centre, with No. 1 Company on its left
and No. 2 Company on its right as skirmishers. No. 3 Company acted
as centre supports, No. 4 Company left supports. No. 7 Company as
a flanking party to the left, supported by No. 8 Company, and No. 6
Company flanking to the right. Nos. 9 and 10 Companies were in reserve.
After an advance of about half a mile in this formation No. 6 Company
was sent as a support to No. 2 Company on the right.
The Canadians bravely advanced until they were met by a heavy fire from
the Fenians' sharpshooters, who were extended behind rail fences and
clumps of bushes, their main force being posted behind breastworks in a
wood some distance in their rear. The Queen's Own promptly returned the
fire and continued to advance steadily. The firing then became general,
being most galling on the right and centre of the Canadian line.
The first Canadian to fall by a Fenian bullet was Ensign Malcolm
McEachren, a brave officer of No. 5 Co., Q.O.R., who was mortally
wounded in the stomach and died on the field about twenty minutes later.
For over an hour the gallant Queen's Own continued to drive the enemy
before them, and one after another of their positions was carried, until
they had the Fenians forced back to their main breastworks in the woods.
By this time the Queen's Own had nearly exhausted their ammunition, and
No. 5 Company had fired every round of their Spencer rifle cartridges.
So that it became necessary for Major Gillmor to ask for relief.
The Thirteenth Battalion was the reserve force of the column, and it now
became their turn to go into action. Lieut.-Col. Booker at once ordered
the right wing of the reserve to deploy on the rear company to the
right and extend. Major Skinner commanded the Thirteenth, and acted very
courageously. He executed the movement with great skill and ability. No.
1 Company of the Thirteenth Battalion was on the right of the line
and the York Rifles on the left. The troops advanced with coolness and
bravery and were heartily cheered by the Queen's Own as they took their
place in the battle line. The left wing of the Thirteenth moved up as
the supports of their comrades of the same Battalion, and the Queen's
Own then became the reserve. The fighting line of the Thirteenth
continued the "drive" of the enemy into their entrenchments, and their
hearty cheers as they pushed on to the attack were answered by the yells
of the Fenians, who were preparing to make a charge.
Observing a movement on the part of O 'Neil which threatened his right
flank, Lieut.-Col. Booker requested Major Gillmor to keep a sharp
lookout for the cross-roads on which the reserve rested, and to send two
companies from the reserve to occupy and hold the woods on the hill to
the right of his line. Major Gillmor sent the Highland Company of the
Queen's Own to perform that duty.
Just at this time (about 9.30 a.m.) two telegrams were handed to
Lieut.-Col. Booker by a gentleman who had then arrived from Port
Colborne. Both messages were from Col. Peacocke, one stating that he
could not leave Chippawa until 7 o'clock, and the other advising him
to "be cautious in feeling his way for fear obstacles should prevent
a junction." This was disappointing news to Lieut.-Col. Booker. He had
already struck an "obstacle," and had to overcome it alone, as there was
now no chance of any succor from Col. Peacocke.
[Picture (page 49) 0057.gif, a map]
To make matters worse, a few moments later Major Gillmor reported that
the Highland Company had been compelled to leave the woods on the right
of his position, as they had found that point occupied by Fenians.
Almost simultaneously the cry of "Cavalry! Look out for cavalry!" came
down the road, and some of our men were observed doubling down the
hill. As the alarm was repeated when a few Fenian horsemen were observed
advancing from around the corner of a piece of bush, Lieut.-Col. Booker
ordered the reserve (which was composed of the Queen's Own) to "Prepare
for Cavalry," and Companies Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 promptly "formed
square" on the road. As soon as it was discovered that the alarm was
a false one, the order was given to "Reform Column," and for the two
leading companies (Nos. 1 and 2) to "extend." On reforming, the reserve,
being too close to the skirmish line, was ordered to retire. The left
wing of the Thirteenth, who were in rear, seeing the four companies of
the Queen's Own reserve retiring, and thinking a general retreat had
been ordered, broke and retired in a panic, on seeing which the Queen's
Own reserve also hurriedly retired. The bugles now having sounded the
"Retire." Nos. 1 and 2 Companies of the Queen's Own fell back and seeing
their comrades in disorder they too became demoralized. The Fenians,
who were about ready to quit the fight and flee from the field when this
unfortunate circumstance occurred, now saw their opportunity, and were
quick to avail themselves of it. Their rifle fire became hotter and more
incessant than ever, and as the Canadian troops were all huddled up in
a narrow road, their murderous volleys were very destructive. It was a
vain effort on the part of the officers to check the retreat and rally
the men for the first few hundred yards, but after a while they cooled
down and retired in an orderly manner, occasionally turning around to
take a parting shot at the Fenians, who were pursuing them. Occasionally
a squad or company would halt and deliver a well-directed volley, but no
general formation could be accomplished, as the troops were practically
demoralized.
[Picture (page 51) 0059.gif, a map]
The Fenians followed in pursuit as fur as Ridgeway Station, when they
turned east and retreated to Fort Erie, no doubt thinking that a fresh
column of Canadian troops would endeavor to effect their capture.
Lieut.-Col. Booker, seeing that it was impossible to get the troops in
good fighting condition again that day, decided to order a retreat to
Port Colborne, where they arrived during the afternoon, utterly worn out
from loss of sleep and their strenuous exertions during the day.
THE HONOR ROLL.
The following is a list of the Canadians killed and
wounded in the action at Ridgeway:
QUEEN'S OWN RIFLES.
_Killed._
Ensign Malcolm McEachren, No. 5 Company.
Lance-Corporal Mark Defries, No. 3 Company.
Private William Smith, No. 2 Company.
Private Christopher Alderson, No. 7 Company.
Private Malcolm McKenzie, No. 9 Company.
Private Wm. F. Tempest, No. 9 Company.
Private J. H. Mewburn, No. 9 Company.
Sergt. Hugh Matheson (died on June 9th), No. 2 Company.
Corporal F. Lackey (died on June 11th), No. 2 Company.
_Wounded._
Ensign Wm. Fahey (in knee), No. 1 Company.
Private Oulster (calf of leg), No. 1 Company.
Private Wm. Thompson (neck). No. 2 Company.
Capt. J. B. Boustead (contusion), No. 3 Company.
Lieut. J. H. Beaven (thigh), No. 3 Company.
Private Charles Winter (thigh), No. 3 Company.
Private Chas. Lugsdin (lung and arm). No. 4 Company.
Private Chas. Bell (knee), No. 5 Company.
Private Copp (wrist). No. 5 Company.
Lieut. W. C. Campbell (shoulder), No. 6 Company.
Corporal Paul Robbing (knee, leg amputated), No. 6 Company.
Private Rutherford (foot), No. 6 Company.
Sergt. W. Foster (side), No. 7 Company.
Private E. T. Paul (knee), No. 9 Company.
Private R. E. Kingsford (leg). No. 9 Company.
Private E. G. Paterson (arm). No. 9 Company.
Private W. H. Vandersmissen (groin), No. 9 Company.
Color-Sergt. P. McHardy (arm), No. 10 Company.
Private White (arm, amputated), No. 10 Company.
Private Alex. Muir (arm dislocated), No. 10 Company.
Sergt. Forbes (arm), No. 10 Company.
THIRTEENTH BATTALION.
_Died._--Private Morrison, No. 3 Company.
_Wounded._--Lieut. Routh, severely in left side; Private McKenzie, wound
in foot; Private George Mackenzie, left arm; Private Edwin Hillier,
wound in neck; Private Stuart, flesh wound in neck; Private Powell,
wound in thigh; Sergt. J. M. Young, H. W. Simons, B. W. Sutherland,
Alex. Henderson, John Crossman, James Cahill, W. Irving, W. T. Urquhart,
and W. B. Nicholls.
YORK RIFLES.
_Wounded._--Sergt. Jack, in thigh; B. J. Cranston, Oneida.
The unfortunate termination of the battle of Ridgeway was a great
disappointment to the rank and file in Lieut.-Col. Booker's force,
and he was severely condemned for having given the fatal order which
resulted in huddling up his men in a "square" in an exposed position,
and finally resulted in the retrograde movement. But under similar
circumstances any other officer might have done likewise, and to his
credit it may be recorded that he did his best afterwards to retrieve
the consequences of his error, and by personal courage on the field
endeavored to stop the retreat. He had no staff to assist him, and
was the only mounted officer on the Canadian side, so that he was at a
disadvantage. Moreover, he had never previously manoeuvred a brigade,
even on parade, and to handle one in battle was a trying ordeal to an
inexperienced officer who had never before been under fire.
It was a most disastrous occurrence, for in another ten minutes of
fighting Gen. O'Neill's forces would have been defeated and in full
retreat. In fact, O'Neil Himself afterwards admitted this, and stated
that if the Canadians had fought five minutes longer his forces would
have given way, as they were fast becoming demoralized and were making
preparations for flight. He complimented our men highly on their courage
and steadiness, and said that he had mistaken them for regular British
troops, and could not believe that they were merely Canadian volunteers,
without any previous experience in warfare.
An observer who was present at the battle states that "there were no
faint hearts in the whole Canadian line while under fire, but with the
steadfastness of old soldiers trained in battle, the gallant youths
stood up to perform honorably and creditably the stern task which they
saw was before them. The officers, by word and act, gave their men
whatever slight encouragement was needed, and each vied with the other
in enthusiasm and firmness of purpose."
On the retreat from Ridgeway the dead and severely wounded were of
necessity left on the field, but during the afternoon and evening were
collected by the people residing in the vicinity and conveyed to near-by
houses, where the wounded received every attention that it was possible
to bestow until the arrival of medical aid. As soon as it became known
in Toronto that a battle had been fought, the following surgeons left
for the front by the 1 p.m. train: Doctors Tempest, Rowell, Stevenson,
Howson, Agnew, Pollock, De Grassi and Dack. They arrived at Port
Colborne at 9 a.m. and Dr. Tempest immediately conferred with Dr.
Thorburn, Surgeon of the Queen's Own, who had retired to Port Colborne
with his regiment. It was just at this moment that Dr. Tempest received
the sad intelligence that his own son had been killed in the engagement,
which was a crushing blow to the patriotic father. He, however, remained
at his post of duty, carefully supervising details in the movement
of several surgeons to the battlefield, fourteen miles distant, and
directed affairs at Port Colborne to receive the wounded on their
arrival at that point. No vehicles were available at Port Colborne, but
Doctors Stevenson and Howson, noticing a farmer's waggon passing by,
impressed it into the service and started together for the battle
ground, where they arrived about 2 o'clock Sunday morning. They found
our wounded in the houses in the neighborhood, and with the assistance
of Dr. Clark, of St. Catharines, Doctors Brewster and Duncan, of Port
Colborne, and Dr. Allen, quickly dressed the wounds of all of the
wounded. The dead were sent on to Port Colborne in waggons, and a train
was ordered to proceed to Ridgeway to bring back the wounded. This train
left Ridgeway in charge of Doctors Stevenson and Howson at 1 o'clock
on Sunday, and soon after arrived at Port Colborne, where it was met
by Doctors Tempest, Beaumont and other medical men. Several of the most
severely wounded, whose cases demanded rest and more careful surgical
treatment, were left in charge of the surgeons at Port Colborne, while
others were removed to the improvised hospital in the Town Hall at St.
Catharines, and the remainder conveyed to Port Dalhousie, where they
were carefully carried on board the "City of Toronto." After the wounded
had been comfortably placed on mattresses and stretchers, the bodies
of six of the dead soldiers (Ensign McEachren, Corporal Defries, and
Privates Smith, Alderson, McKenzie and Tempest), encased in the plain
wooden coffins which had been provided for them at Port Colborne, were
reverently carried on board, and the steamer started on its sorrowful
trip to Toronto.
A Toronto paper, in reciting the circumstance of the sad home-coming of
the dead and wounded heroes, said:
At 9 o'clock in the evening the bells of the city began to toll
mournfully as the lights of the "City of Toronto," freighted with dead
and wounded from the battle field, were seen entering the harbor, and
every street and avenue began to pour their throngs of sympathizing
citizens to Yonge street wharf, where strong pickets of volunteers were
drawn up to keep the dense crowd already assembled from pressing over
the dock. Ominous files of hearses, with cabs and carriages, passed over
the wharf, and the pickets again closed upon the multitude, vast numbers
betaking themselves to the neighboring wharves and storehouses and
literally swarmed over every post of observation. We do not think that
gloomy Sunday night will soon be forgotten by any of the myriads who,
as the soft south-eastern wind dashed the waves against the esplanade,
awaited in melancholy expectation the approaching steamer. The wharf was
densely crowded with an anxious crowd to witness the arrival of the poor
fellows. A strong guard had to be stationed across the street at
the entrance of the wharf, and no one was allowed to pass except the
committee and those privileged with a pass. At half past nine the
steamer arrived, and the committee immediately went on board and
assisted in the removal of the wounded. many of whom were lying on
mattresses with their legs and arms in bandages, some of them apparently
in great pain. A company of the 47th was in waiting with ambulances to
convey the wounded out of the boat to cabs. Six dead bodies were
brought down in coffins, their names being McEachren, Defries, Alderson,
Tempest. McKenzie and Smith. The wounded who arrived were Capt.
Boustead, Ensign Fahey, Kingsford, Lakey, Robins, VanderSmissen,
Patterson, Webster, Muir and Elliott. Lugsden and Mathieson were left
at Port Colborne, they being too much injured to be removed. The wounded
were conveyed in cabs to their residences, and the dead to the houses of
their friends.
INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE.
A daring deed of bravery was performed by Private John H. Noverre,
of No. 5 Co., Q.O.R., while the battle was at its hottest stage. When
Ensign McEachren received his fatal wound, his belts and sword were
removed from his body and left in a fence corner. As the Fenians were
working up in that direction, Mr. Noverre determined to run the risk
of recovering his dead comrade's equipments, rather than have them fall
into the hands of an exultant enemy. Therefore he ran across the line of
fire amid a storm of bullets, secured the sword and belts, and regained
the Canadian lines unscathed just as the retreat began. The exertion of
the race and the excessive heat proved too much for him, however, and he
suffered sun-stroke, which necessitated his being carried from the field
and borne to Port Colborne by his comrades, from whence he was sent to
the hospital at St. Catharines for treatment, and soon recovered.
Ensign Wm. Fahey, of No. 1 Company, was about the last man struck,
while assisting to cover the retreat. He was using the rifle of a
fallen comrade on the firing line when he was struck in the knee. He was
assisted to a neighboring house and was kindly treated by the Fenians
when they took possession.
Private R. W. Hines, of No. 8 Co., Queen's Own, was taken prisoner by a
squad of Fenians and his rifle taken from him and handed to one of their
officers. The officer took the rifle, and after eyeing it critically,
grabbed it by the barrel and with a profane remark that it would never
shoot another Fenian, smashed the stock against a boulder. The Canadian
gun, being loaded and at full cock, went off with the concussion, and
the bullet passed through the Fenian's body, killing him instantly.
It is related that a private of the Queen's Own was in conflict with
two Fenians, who pressed him at the point of the bayonet. He retreated
across a fence and fell, when one of the Fenians dashed at him with his
bayonet and pinned him to the ground, the bayonet passing through his
arm. He pulled a revolver with the other hand and shot the Fenians one
after another and escaped.
Private Graham, of the Queen's Own, in getting over a fence, caught his
foot between the top rails and swung over, his head downwards, and was
unable to extricate himself. A shower of Fenian bullets whistled around
him without injury, when a comrade came to his rescue and relieved him,
but was himself seriously wounded.
Private R. E. Kingsford, of No. 9 Co., Queen's Own (now Police
Magistrate at Toronto), was wounded and taken prisoner. The Fenians
carried him to a farm house, procured him refreshments, and took great
care of him while he was in their hands.
Major Cattley, of the 13th Battalion, had a spur knocked off his heel by
a bullet while climbing a fence, and a private of the same battalion had
the ball on the top of his shako shot away.
Private Shuttleworth, of the 13th, had a narrow and extraordinary
escape. While he was in the act of firing, the muzzle of his rifle was
shot into by a Fenian musket ball and torn open.
It is recounted that Lieut. Routh, of the 13th Battalion, turned his
company towards the enemy three times during the retreat and delivered
volleys at the advancing foe. He called out to the men to stand their
ground, but just at that moment he was struck by a spent ball on the
hip. He rallied, and said it was lucky it was no worse, and exclaimed.
"I will not run. I will die first," but he was again struck by a ball
through the left side, when he dropped and was carried off the field by
two of his men.
Capt. Sherwood, of No. 8 Co., Q.O.R., had the band taken off his collar
and a piece taken out of the sleeve of his tunic by a bullet, without
being even wounded.
Sergt. Foster, of No. 7 Co., Q.O.R., was struck by a bullet over the
heart, tearing his tunic and grazing the skin, but leaving him otherwise
uninjured.
Mr. P. E. Noverre, of No. 5 Co., Q.O.R., relates that during the
progress of the fight a patriotic lady and her little daughter, who
resided in the neighborhood of the battlefield, were busy carrying water
for the thirsty soldiers to drink. They were right in the line of fire,
but seemed to disdain the danger. Suddenly a Fenian bullet perforated
the tin pail the little girl was carrying, and she remarked, "Mother,
the pail is leaking; it won't hold water." Mr. Noverre was being served
with a drink by the lady at the time, when another bullet whizzed past
his ear and severely wounded a soldier of the 13th Battalion who was
standing behind him.
C. H. Murdock, a bugler attached to No. 10 Co., Q.O.R., was conspicuous
for his gallantry in carrying water to the men of the Highland Company
during the hottest part of the action, and had several narrow escapes
from the Fenian bullets which rattled around him.
Mr. Phil. E. Noverre was an eye-witness to the interment of eleven
Fenians in a field near Fort Erie. These bodies were found by our troops
on arrival at Fort Erie on Sunday, and it is supposed the men were
killed during the two actions at Ridgeway and Fort Erie. Five or six
more were buried on the Ridgeway battlefield.
A correspondent of the Toronto _Leader_, who was present during the
engagement at Ridgeway, gave the following vivid account, of his
personal experiences:
At the time the disastrous retreat of our troops commenced I was
requested by his comrade to assist a wounded soldier of the Queen's Own
to Hoffman's tavern, then about half a mile distant. The whole force
rushed past us. We found on reaching the tavern that, with the exception
of some more wounded whom we found there, we were the only parties left.
We had barely time to deposit our burden when the advance guard of
the Fenians rushed up and surrounded the tavern, flushed with apparent
victory, and wild with excitement. They presented such an appearance as
I certainly shall not soon forget. They were the most cut-throat-looking
set of ruffians that could well be imagined. Supposing me to be the
landlord, they immediately demanded liquor. In vain I urged that I was
as much a stranger as themselves. Their leader presented a revolver
at me, and ordered me behind the bar; every decanter was empty. They
insisted that I had hid everything away. I examined every jar, without
success. Fortunately I discovered a small keg, which on examination I
found to contain about a gallon of old rye whiskey. This I distributed
among them and think I must have treated about fifty. This mollified
them in some degree, and after slaking their thirst at the well that
party proceeded on its way without molesting me further. I then,
assisted by the young volunteer whose comrade we had brought in,
proceeded to render what assistance we could to the wounded men, one of
whom was Private Lugsden of the Queen's Own, badly wounded in the chest,
when we were interrupted by the arrival of another detachment under the
command of a Capt. Lacken, who marched my assistant off a prisoner. I
remonstrated with him upon the cruelty of leaving me alone with all the
wounded, when he detailed one of his own men to assist me and went his
way. About one hundred yards from the tavern, on the west side of the
road, I found a poor fellow of the Queen's Own lying on his face near
the fence. I knelt down beside him and found that he was sensible. He
told me his name was Mark Defries, and that he was shot through the
back. He knew that he was dying. He requested me to take a ring from his
finger and send it with a message to a young lady in Toronto. He also
requested me to take his watch and send it to his father, whose address
he gave me. This I attempted to do, but he could not endure to be
touched. He told me it would do to take it after he was dead. I
conversed with him for some time, when I left him to try to obtain some
assistance to have him removed into the house. I was then placed under
arrest by a Fenian, by order of his commanding officers, and conveyed to
a farm house, where I found two of our wounded men, young VanderSmissen,
of the University Rifles, badly wounded in the thigh, and Corporal
Lakey, shot through the mouth. With the assistance of the Fenian sentry
I had them both put to bed and rendered them all the assistance in my
power; for, be it noticed, that we could not find man, woman nor child
in a circuit of miles, all fled in terror. When I could not do any more
in that house, I requested the sentry to march me to the commanding
officer, who was then at the tavern. He rode a sorrel horse, which was
then at the door, and about half a mile from where we then were. I found
him to be a very mild-looking young man, civil and courteous, evidently
well educated. I stated my business at once, which was that I might
obtain from him a written authority to go through their lines and visit
the wounded on both sides without molestation. This he readily consented
to, and gave me a document to that effect, signed Major McDonnell,
commanding Division F. B. I had now perfect freedom to go wherever I
wanted to. I immediately went in search of young Defries, but found that
he had been removed. I returned to the tavern and found him lying in
a back room dead. I then asked the landlord, who had by this time
returned, to witness me taking the watch at his request, but after
feeling him all over, the watch was gone. It had been taken from him, no
doubt, by some Fenian marauder. I sent the ring, enclosed in a letter,
to the young lady; I also wrote to his father's address, stating all the
circumstances.
[Picture (page 67) 0067.gif, caption: Hoffman's Tavern, known as "the
smuggler's home."]
I found there were more of our wounded men in another frame house about
a mile further, on the Fort Erie road. I proceeded there and found the
place guarded with Fenian sentries, but my protection was all potent.
They, supposing me to be a surgeon, gave me every facility. I found,
among others whose names I failed to ascertain, young Kingsford, of
the University Rifles, lying on a lounge, badly wounded in the leg, but
remarkably cheerful. I also found a young man named Hamilton, of the
13th Battalion, with a very bad wound in the right side. He had been
attended to by a Fenian surgeon; he was lying on his face and suffering
much. At his request I examined his wound and placed a bandage around
it to stop the bleeding. There was also another young man of the Queen's
Own lying on the floor in strong convulsions, evidently in a dying
state, singular to say, without a wound upon his body. In another room
in the same house I found another young man badly wounded. At this time
a Fenian was brought in on a stretcher in a dying state. I ordered his
comrades to cut his shirt open, when I found an ugly wound just under
his left arm, which I have no doubt penetrated a vital part. I got water
and washed the wound; he was sensible and able to tell me that his name
was James Gerrahty, from Cincinnati, and that one of his own comrades
had shot him by mistake, and that he freely forgave him. He died in
about thirteen minutes, one of his comrades holding a crucifix before
him as long as he could see it. We buried him in an orchard adjoining,
the same evening.
Another Fenian was now brought in with a very bad wound in the neck.
He was a very rough-looking fellow. I washed his wound also. He was
afterwards removed to the hospital at St. Catharines. On leaving the
house my attention was called to the dead body of one of the Queen's Own
lying across the road, a very powerful man. He was shot through the head
and presented a horrid spectacle. A little further on I found a group
of three armed Fenians, who were watching over a wounded comrade. I
was called upon to assist him. His comrades stripped him, and I found a
gunshot wound in the hip, having passed right through, leaving two very
ugly wounds. I washed him also and left him.
I now returned to the tavern. By this time the main body had returned,
after having pillaged the village of Ridgeway, ransacking the principal
stores, taverns, etc., and were now resting on a rising ground almost
immediately opposite the tavern. The green flag, on which was emblazoned
a large golden harp, was floating to the breeze in their centre. An
officer, whom I soon found was their Adjutant, rode across to me and
told me that two of our wounded men were lying on the road about fifty
rods from us, nearer Ridgeway, a circumstance I was not before aware of.
Desiring that I should procure some assistance to have them removed from
the sun's scorching influence, which at that time was very powerful,
I told him I had not a man left but the wounded. I suggested to him to
detail four of his stoutest fellows and place them under my authority
for a few minutes, which he readily agreed to. I marched them off, but
before reaching the poor fellows their bugle sounded the assembly, when
they all started off and left me without assistance. I may mention here
that this officer gave me an authority in writing to remove the wounded
to where they might obtain proper medical assistance. Accompanied by a
young man of the Queen's Own, who was slightly wounded in the wrist, I
proceeded to the poor fellows who were lying on the road. We were unable
to remove them, but gave them water to drink and put the overcoats that
we picked up on the road in such a way as to shelter them from the sun.
We then proceeded to Ridgeway to try to obtain assistance to remove
those that were able, or nurses to attend upon the poor fellows, or men
to move the dead and wounded that were still exposed on the road, as
well as to try to procure teams to take them to Port Colborne, but with
the exception of three men who agreed to go and move the men off the
road, and one colored woman, whom I pressed into service, I could get no
further assistance.
The horses had been all driven away for fear of them being taken. In
going into a farmer's house in the immediate neighborhood of Ridgeway I
knocked and could not obtain admission. I then went to the kitchen
door, and opening another door, I found lying on the bed a poor young
volunteer of the Queen's Own. I learned from himself that he was a son
of the Rev. Mr. McKenzie, and was badly wounded, I think, in the arm. He
was lying there alone, the house being deserted by all its inhabitants.
I promised to send him assistance, which I did.
Returning from my fruitless errand, I met Dr. Elliot, of Port Colborne,
who in the interim had been visiting the wounded men. He agreed to find
ways and means to convey me to Port Colborne to report to the medical
staff, with a view to sending immediate relief. On returning to Ridgeway
I fortunately found a farmer's horse and buggy, and immediately drove to
Port Colborne, when I reported to Dr. Thorburn, of the Queen's Own, who
authorized me to press into the service all the teams necessary to bring
up the dead and wounded, which was accomplished with little delay. A
medical staff, consisting of Dr. Clark, of St. Catharines; Dr. Fraser,
of Font-hill; Dr. Downie, Dr. Allen, of Brantford, and others, proceeded
at once to the battle-ground, attending carefully to the wounded, but
it was deemed advisable for the medical men to remain with them and
accompany them by railway next day to Port Colborne. We, however,
brought with us two wounded Fenian prisoners, who were taken to the
hospital at St. Catharines. We also brought the bodies of the honored
dead. We arrived at Port Colborne with our melancholy burden, about six
o'clock a.m. on the 3rd. I may mention that two of the wounded men, whom
I left alive in the afternoon, were dead when we returned in evening.
Thus terminated the day of horrors. God grant that it may never be my
lot to relate similar experiences.
As an evidence of the coolness and courage which was exemplified by many
of our citizen soldiers, it is related by one of his men that Ensign
Wm. Fahey, of No. 1 Company of the Queen's Own, when that company
was advancing in skirmishing order in the face of a hot fire, kept
continually encouraging his comrades in both words and action. When the
bullets were flying around them he shouted, "Boys, keep a stiff upper
lip!" and when a little later he was shot through the left knee and was
being carried off the field, he again encouraged them by shouting, "No.
1, do your duty!" Such bravery under such circumstances will tend to
show the sort of material of which our volunteers was composed.
An officer who fell on the firing line during the final stage of the
battle was taken prisoner by the Fenians. When asked by the officer in
command of the enemy what troops confronted them, and being told they
were Canadian volunteers, he would hardly believe it. Their Adjutant
said that during his experience in the Civil War he had never seen
troops extending in such order and steadiness as our men did that
morning. He was under the impression that they were British regulars.
PUBLIC FUNERALS FOR THE DEAD.
On Tuesday afternoon, June 5th, the bodies of Ensign McEachren, Corporal
Defries and Privates Smith, Alderson and Tempest were interred in St,
James' Cemetery, Toronto, with full military honors. It was a public
funeral, and one of the most solemn and imposing _corteges_ that ever
passed through the streets of Toronto. The bodies of the five dead
heroes were placed upon a catafalque which had been specially prepared
to convey the remains to their last resting places, and at 3.50 p.m. the
procession started from the Drill Shed to the Cemetery, preceded by the
Band of the 47th Regiment, playing the Dead March. The Lloydtown Rifle
Company acted as the firing party, and the _cortege_ included all the
military units in the city, besides fraternal societies, the Mayor and
Corporation. Major-Gen. Napier and staff, and citizens on foot and
in carriages. All along the line of march the shops were closed and
buildings draped in mourning. An immense concourse of people lined the
streets, and a general feeling of mournfulness and sadness pervaded the
community as the procession moved slowly on to the solemn strains of the
band and the tolling of all the bells in the city. After the service at
the Cemetery had been concluded, the usual volleys were fired over the
remains by the Lloydtown Rifles, and all that was mortal of those five
heroes who had sacrificed their lives on the field of battle for their
country were laid away to eternal rest.
The body of Malcolm McKenzie was sent to his old home at Woodstock for
burial, and that of Private J. H. Mewburn to Stamford. Both of these
dead soldiers were buried the same day, with full military honors, and
were laid to rest with the deepest reverence by their comrades and the
people of the communities in which they had lived and been honored.
On the 9th of June Sergt. Hugh Matheson, of No. 2 Company, Queen's Own
Rifles, died in the hospital at St. Catharines, from wounds received at
Ridgeway, and on the 11th Corporal F. Lackey, of the same company, died
in Toronto, from the effects of a cruel wound in the upper jaw, received
in the same battle. The remains of these two soldiers were also given a
public funeral, as large and imposing as had been accorded to their dead
comrades a week previously. At St. James' Cemetery the same service took
place as at the previous funerals, Rev. Mr. Grasett reading the burial
service of the Church of England, after which the Upper Canada College
Company of the Queen's Own fired the customary volleys over the remains,
which were then placed in the vault of the Cemetery Chapel.
Thus were laid to rest the bodies of nine Canadian heroes whose names
and deeds are engraved deeply on the tablets of their country's history,
and whose memory is warmly preserved in the hearts of their surviving
comrades, who annually decorate their graves with flowers, flags and
garlands on each recurring anniversary of the battle in which they gave
up their lives.
A handsome monument was erected in the Queen's Park, Toronto, to
perpetuate their memory, while at the entrance of the Ontario Parliament
Buildings the Provincial Government has also erected a brass memorial
plate in commemoration of their patriotic deeds in shedding their life's
blood for the honor of their country and its flag. "_Dulce et decorum
est pro patria mori._"
LIST OF OFFICERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLE.
The following is a list of the officers in command of the battalions
and companies which formed Lieut.-Col. Booker's column, all of whom were
present at the battle of Lime Ridge and took part in the action:--
QUEEN'S OWN RIFLES.
Major Chas. T. Gillmor in command.
No. 1 Company--Capt. John Brown, Lieut. Joseph Davids. Ensign Win. Fahey
(wounded).
No. 2 Company--Capt. Fred. E. Dixon, Lieut. Farquhar Morrison, Ensign
James Bennett.
No. 3 Company--Capt. J. B. Boustead, Lieut. James H. Beavan, Ensign Wm.
Wharin.
No. 4 Company--Capt. John Douglas, Lieut. Wm. Arthurs. Ensign John H.
Davis.
No. 5 Company--Capt. John Edwards, Lieut. Alex. G. Lee, Ensign Malcolm
McEachren (killed).
No. 6 Company--Capt. G. M. Adam, Lieut. Wm. C. Campbell, Ensign T. A.
McLean.
No. 7 Company--Capt. A. Macpherson, Lieut. John G. R. Stinson, Ensign
Smith.
No. 8 Co.--Capt. L. P. Sherwood, Lieut. John O'Reilly.
No. 9 (Trinity Coll.) Co.--Acting Captain Geo. Y. Whitney.
No. 10 (Highland) Company---Capt. John Gardner, Lieut. Robert H. Ramsay,
Ensign Donald Gibson.
Staff Paymaster, Capt. W. H. Harris; Quartermaster, Capt. James Jackson;
Adjutant. Capt. Wm. D. Otter; Surgeon, James Thorburn, M.D.; Assistant
Surgeon, Samuel P. May, M.D.
THIRTEENTH BATTALION.
Major James A. Skinner in command; Major Stephen T. Cattley.
No. 1 Company--Capt. Robert Grant, Lieut. John M. Gibson, Ensign
McKenzie.
No. 2 Company--Capt. John H. Watson, Lieut. Chas. R. M. Sewell.
No. 3 Company--Lieut. John W. Ferguson; Ensign Charles Armstrong.
No. 4 Company--Lieut. Percy G. Routh (severely wounded). Ensign J. B.
Young.
No. 5 Company--Capt. Alex H. Askin, Lieut. F. E. Ritchie.
No. 6 Company--Ensign W. Roy.
Adjutant. Capt. John Henery.
YORK RIFLES.
Capt. Robert H. Davis, Lieut. Davis, Ensign Jeffrey Hill.
CALEDONIA RIFLES.
Capt. William Jackson. Lieut. Robert Thorburn, Ensign Chrystal, Ensign
Ronald McKinnon (attached).
Many of those above mentioned have passed away to eternal rest,
yet their memories linger lovingly in the hearts and minds of their
surviving comrades, who are personally cognizant of their patriotic
deeds in defence of their country. By those old soldiers they will never
be forgotten while life remains.
Of those old comrades who still survive, there are some who have
achieved honor and distinction in the service of their country, among
whom may be mentioned the Hon. John M. Gibson (Lieutenant-Governor of
Ontario), and Brigadier-General Wm. D. Otter, C.V.O., C.B., Chief of the
General Staff of the Active Militia of Canada, both of whom were under
fire at Lime Ridge. In other walks of life many of those old veterans
have achieved fame and success, and have proved an honor and a credit to
the country they have spent their lives in endeavoring to upbuild.