THE EXPEDITION ON THE STEAMER "W. T. ROBB"--FIERCE FIGHT AT FORT
ERIE--STIFF RESISTANCE OF A GALLANT BAND OF CANADIANS AGAINST A FENIAN
FORCE TEN TIMES THEIR NUMBER.
After the steamer "W. T. Robb" cleared from the mouth of the harbor at
Port Colborne, her prow was turned eastward, and under full steam the
staunch little craft proceeded to the Niagara River. The morning was a
most beautiful one, and the surface of Lake Erie was as calm and glassy
as a mill-pond. All on board were in the best of spirits, and their
stout hearts beat high in the hope that they would be able to render
their country some signal service in faithfully performing the duty for
which they had been detailed.
After a quick run the "W. T. Robb" entered the inlet of the Niagara and
started down stream. The expedition had not proceeded far when the boat
was stopped by an armed patrol tug from the United States man-of-war
"Michigan." The officer in command, on becoming acquainted with the
nature of the Canadian steamer's mission, courteously gave Lieut.-Col.
Dennis what information he possessed regarding the operations of the
Fenians, and stated that Gen. O'Neil had "broke camp" at the Newbigging
Farm during the night and moved off down the River Road.
The "W. T. Robb" continued on down the river to Black Creek, where
Lieut.-Col. Dennis learned that the Fenian forces were then at a point
about two miles south of New Germany. A messenger was despatched to
Col. Peacocke, giving all the information obtainable, and as Lieut.-Col.
Dennis was of the opinion that the modified plans arranged by the
conference of officers at Port Colborne had been assented to by Col.
Peacocke, and that the two columns were working in unison along these
lines, he ordered the "Robb" to return to Fort Erie to meet Lieut.-Col.
Booker's force as arranged. But on arrival there he was disappointed to
find that the connection had not been made, and as he was in ignorance
of Col. Peacocke's definite orders to Lieut.-Col. Booker, after he
had left Port Colborne that morning, he was somewhat nonplussed at the
failure of Lieut.-Col. Booker to join him at Fort Erie.
But as the plan had seemed to have mysteriously miscarried, Lieut.-Col.
Dennis resolved to do something on his own account. He therefore decided
to employ his force in patrolling the river, and endeavor to intercept
the retreat of any Fenians who might attempt to escape back to the
American shore. Capt. Akers having assented to this programme, a force
was landed at Fort Erie, who picked up a number of Fenian stragglers.
These men were placed on board of the "Robb" under guard, and while the
steamer slowly drifted down the stream the Welland Canal Field Battery
and a portion of the Naval Brigade patrolled the shore and scoured the
woods and by-roads for some miles, in the course of which "round up"
they gathered in another batch of prisoners. On arrival of the patrol
parties at a point on the river about two miles above Black Creek, all
were taken aboard the steamer by means of rowboats, and after securing
the prisoners in the hold, the "Robb" was again headed for Fort Erie.
On arrival there she was moored to the dock, when a detachment of the
Welland Canal Battery again landed and brought in still another squad of
Fenian prisoners, who were confined in the hold with the rest of their
comrades.
After the boat had lain at the wharf for some time, Lieut.-Col. Dennis
conceived the idea of landing all of the prisoners and leaving them
under guard of the Welland Canal Battery at Fort Eric, while he and
Capt. Akers would go around to Port Colborne with the "Robb" on a
reconnoitering expedition and obtain further instructions and orders.
This cool proposition did not appeal favorably to Capt. King, and he
naturally remonstrated strongly against such action, especially in
regard to leaving so many prisoners in his charge, as they outnumbered
the strength of his command, and in his isolated position there was a
strong possibility that they might be rescued by their friends from the
other side of the river before assistance could reach him. Lieut.-Col.
Dennis, however, was obdurate, and was making arrangements to billet the
Welland Canal Battery in the village when the intelligence came that a
battle had been fought at Ridgeway, and that the Fenians were on their
way back to Fort Erie, moving rapidly.
Lieut.-Col. Dennis did not place much reliance on this rumor, and seemed
determined to carry out his plan of leaving the Battery on shore. But
Capt. King was solicitous for the safety of his men and the prisoners,
and after some parley Lieut.-Col. Dennis allowed the Battery to go
aboard the steamer. But they were scarcely at their quarters when he
changed his mind and ordered them all on shore again, together with a
portion of the Naval Brigade. Altogether the force landed consisted of
76 combatants, consisting of three officers and 54 men of the Welland
Canal Field Battery, and two officers and 18 men of the Dunnville Naval
Brigade.
Meanwhile (about 2 p.m.) Capt. Akers had secured a horse and buggy and
drove up to the Buffalo & Lake Huron Railway telegraph office, seeking
information. While there the Fenian forces suddenly appeared, and he
was cut off from returning to the steamer by the rapid advance into
the village of the Fenian skirmishers. By sheer good fortune he escaped
capture, and by taking a secluded route along the lake shore reached
Port Colborne safely about 7 o'clock in the evening.
Then Lieut.-Col. Dennis perceived his error, and with a realization that
the warnings he had received of the near approach of the Fenians were
correct, he appears to have become excited and confused. He had about 60
prisoners on board the "Robb," and after securing them well in the hold,
ordered the Captain to cast off his lines and get out into the stream,
which was speedily done.
About 2.15 o'clock he formed up his little command and advanced up the
main street about 150 yards to meet the advancing Fenian forces, who
were coming down the street in large numbers. When they approached
within a distance of 200 yards they Commenced a fusilade of rifle fire
on the Canadians, who immediately retaliated by delivering a volley,
which was executed with such precision that the Fenian advance was
checked. Another volley from the Canadians also had a telling effect,
and several of the enemy dropped in their tracks. By this time the
Fenians were approaching from several directions, and a severe flank
fire was opened on the Canadians, who were exposed on the road in
close formation. Opposed to them on the street was a detachment of 150
Fenians, led by Col. Bailey, while the main body of Gen. O'Neil's forces
were coming down over the hill from the west in large numbers.
The firing was now terrific, and bullets were flying thick and fast,
with men falling on both sides. About half-past 2 o'clock the Fenians
fired a general volley, and Gen. O'Neil ordered a charge with fixed
bayonets. With a wild Irish cheer the Fenians dashed down the village
street, but were promptly stopped by another volley from the Canadians,
and more men dropped. Among those who fell was Col. Bailey, the Fenian
leader, who received a bullet through his breast. Fearing another charge
and the ultimate capture of his force, Lieut.-Col. Dennis then ordered
his men to retreat, and do the best they could to get safely away, each
man for himself. He set the example and vanished. But his soldiers were
made of different timber. The Welland and Dunnville men stood up to
their work and contested every foot of ground, as they slowly and
doggedly retired from one position to another, dodging from cover to
cover, and firing into the enemy's ranks as fast as they could load.
Capt. King rallied a portion of his battery behind a pile of cordwood
on the dock, and made a determined stand against the enemy until he
fell with a bullet through his ankle, which shattered the bone. Still
he fought on, and even while lying on the dock, grievously wounded,
he emptied his revolver at the Fenians and kept cheering his men on to
fight to the last. This they did courageously and nobly until they were
flanked out of their position and taken prisoners.
Another portion of the Battery, under Lieut. A. K. Scholfield, and some
of the Naval Brigade, under Capt. McCallum and Lieut. Angus Macdonald,
retreated northward along the street stubbornly fighting every yard
of the way until they reached the large frame residence of Mr. George
Lewis, adjoining a small building which was used as the village post
office. Here about thirty of their number took possession of the
building, while the remainder (under command of Capt. McCallum)
continued on down the River Road under a galling fire.
[Picture (page 77) 0077.gif]
The men who occupied the Lewis mansion resolutely continued the battle,
firing through the doors and windows with such steadiness that the
Fenians were glad to get under cover behind a pile of cordwood, from
which place of security they fairly riddled the house with bullets. How
the Canadians in this old frame building escaped the deadly missiles is
a miracle, for, strange to say, none were injured, although exposed to
a perfect hail-storm of bullets which crashed through the thin boards,
lath and plaster, in all directions. After this gallant band had fired
their last round of ammunition, they saw that further resistance was
useless, and discreetly surrendered.
While the battle was in progress the American shore was lined with
spectators, who cheered the Fenians lustily whenever it appeared to them
from a safe distance that the Canadians were suffering losses or being
defeated.
In the meantime Capt. McCallum and his detachment had fought themselves
clear of the range of the Fenian rifles and retired down the River Road
about three miles, where they were discovered by Lieut. Walter T. Robb,
sailing master of the steamer, and taken on board. Capt. McCallum
then decided to proceed to Port Colborne and send the captured Fenian
prisoners who were in the hold of the vessel to a place of safety. He
accordingly ordered the boat to head for that port, and while going
past Fort Erie village was obliged to run the gauntlet of a heavy Fenian
rifle fire for more than a mile. Although many bullets struck the boat,
and some passed through the wheel-house uncomfortably near the heads of
Capt. McCallum and Lieut. Robb, no person was injured by any of them.
Capt. McCallum arrived at Port Colborne at 6.30 o'clock that evening
with 59 prisoners, who he handed over to Lieut.-Col. W. McGiverin,
of the 20th Battalion, with a full list of their names and commitment
papers. These men were sent to Brantford the same evening in charge of
the Special Service Company of the St. Catharines Home Guard, and lodged
in the jail at that place for safe keeping.
While the Canadians were still fighting desperately in the streets of
Fort Erie, encompassed by a force of fully 800 Fenians (as nearly the
whole of O'Neil's brigade was there by that time). Lieut.-Col. Dennis
succeeded in reaching the residence of a Mr. Thomas, in the village,
where he lay concealed until evening, when he disguised himself, and
getting through the Fenian lines without being detected, struck across
the country in search of Col. Peacocke's column, which he found in
bivouac at Bowen's Farm (about three miles north-west of Fort Erie) at 3
o'clock the next morning, and reported his mishap.
[Picture (page 79) 0079.gif with caption "THE LEWIS HOUSE AND POST
OFFICE AT FORT ERIE."]
The Canadians who were captured at Fort Erie were well treated by Gen.
O'Neil, who complimented them highly on the bravery and courage they had
displayed during the battle, and bestowed upon them kind attentions.
The Fenian losses were heavy in comparison with the Canadian casualties
at Fort Erie. Four of their number were killed, five more mortally
wounded, and a large number sustained wounds from rifle balls and
bayonet thrusts at the hands of the Canadians.
Although the engagement only lasted for less than an hour, it was hot
and spirited throughout, and the valiant phalanx of 70 men who held
their own under such trying circumstances, in the face of fully 800
veteran soldiers, fully deserve the greatest honor and credit that can
be given by the Canadian people, and are well worthy of having their
heroic deeds handed down to posterity on the pages of our country's
history.
The following is a list of the casualties on the Canadian side during
the engagement at Fort Erie:
Welland Canal Field Battery.--Killed--None. Wounded--Capt. Richard S.
King, in ankle (leg amputated); Gunner John Bradley, above knee (leg
amputated); Gunner Fergus Scholfield, below knee (leg amputated); Gunner
John Herbison, wounded severely in leg; Gunner R. Thomas, wounded in
thigh severely.
Dunnville Naval Brigade.--Nelson Bush, bayonet wound in chest.
CAPTURED.
Welland Canal Field Battery.--Lieut. A. K. Scholfield. Lieut. Chas.
Nimmo. Sergt.-Major Wm. Boyle, Farrier-Sergeant Isaac Drew, Gunners
Robert Offspring, Gideon Griswold, Wm. Brown, John Waters. Patrick
Roach. Samuel Cook, Thomas Boyle, Stephen Beattie, Vilroy McKee. Joseph
Reavly, Jonathan W. Hagar, Isaac Pew, William Black. Robert Armstrong,
Jacob Gardner, Edward Armstrong. J. H. Boyle. James Coleman, Chas.
Campbell, Isaac Dickerson. S. Radcliffe. Morris Weaver.
Dunnville Naval Brigade.--Second Lieut. Angus Macdonald. Samuel
McCormack, James Robertson, Abram Thewlis, Geo. B. McGee, Thomas
Arderly. Wm. Burgess, Harry Neff, Wm. Nugent, and Joseph Gamble.
The following Canadians were also prisoners in the hands of the Fenians,
having been captured at Ridgeway and brought back to Fort Erie by Gen.
O'Neil, who subsequently abandoned them when he made his flight back
across the river:
Thirteenth Battalion--Jas. S. Greenhill and Joseph Simpson.
Queen's Own Rifles--R, W. Hines (No. 8 Company), Wm. Ellis (No. 9
Company). D. Junor (No. 9 Company), and Colin Forsythe (No. 10. Highland
Company).
FENIAN LOSSES.
The casualties of the Fenians were heavy in both engagements, but the
exact number is unobtainable, as no record was kept, and many of their
wounded were removed to the United States and lost track of. At Ridgeway
it is known that at least ten Fenians were killed, and quite a number
severely wounded, some of whom afterwards died in Buffalo from their
injuries. During the Fort Erie fight nine Fenians lost their lives and
fourteen were wounded, most of them seriously.
The bravery and courage of the men who composed the Welland Canal Field
Battery and the Dunnville Naval Brigade in standing up before an enemy
nearly ten times their number, and fighting valiantly until the last
round of their ammunition was expended and they were obliged to succumb
to overpowering forces, will serve to show the resolute spirit and
determination of these gallant troops. They were truly "a Spartan band,"
who were ready to sacrifice their lives on the spot, and their valor
won the admiration of even the Fenians themselves, who complimented them
highly on the stiff resistance they made, in the face of unequal odds,
in the engagement.
The following personal narration of the fight, which was given by
a member of the Dunnville Naval Brigade who participated in the
engagement, is so vivid and graphic that I am pleased to reproduce it,
as it gives a faithful and accurate account of the operations of the
small Canadian force at Fort Erie on that eventful occasion:
On Friday, June 1st, at 10 p.m., Captain McCallum received a telegram to
ship his men on the tug Robb, and proceed immediately to Port Colborne.
About 2 a.m. on Saturday (2nd) we started, and arrived there a little
after 4 a.m. We then took on the Welland Field Battery, numbering 59
men and 3 officers, commanded by Capt. King, of Port Robinson, which,
together with the 43 men and 3 officers composing the Naval Brigade,
made a total of 108 men. Col. Dennis, of the volunteer force, then came
on board and took command of the expedition, when we at once started
for Fort Erie, to co-operate with the gallant Queen's Own and the 13th
Battalion, who were to leave Port Colborne early that morning for the
same place. As we approached the village of Fort Erie all the men were
sent below, leaving no one on deck but an officer dressed in civilian
clothes. Nothing could be seen but the Fenian pickets and some
stragglers. We went down the river nine miles, and received information
that the main body of the Fenian army had fallen back to a wood some
six or seven miles distant; but could gain no positive information as
to their whereabouts. The movement was made about 3 o'clock a.m.; but in
order to guard against surprise, they left their pickets behind. These
our officers determined to capture, as well as all the stragglers.
The boat then steamed back to Fort Erie, when a party of four men went
ashore and succeeded in taking seven prisoners the first haul. The
Welland Field Battery was also landed, with instructions to scour the
woods along the liver bank for stragglers. The boat was then headed
down the stream, and was proceeding very slowly, keeping a sharp lookout
along the bank. We had not gone far before discovering a small body of
eight or ten Fenians ahead of us, armed with rifles and bayonets fixed,
who were about to get into a small boat and re-cross to the American
shore. The speed of our boat was immediately increased, and on arriving
opposite them an officer and eleven men got into a yawl and pulled for
the shore. The enemy looked at us for a moment or two and then took
to their heels and ran, thinking, no doubt, that we had a large gun on
board to support our men. This, however, was not the case; but had the
authorities placed one on board at Port Colborne, the casualties to be
hereafter mentioned would never have occurred. Two of the squad were
captured, however, and we proceeded down the river, sending out small
parties of from eight to ten men until there were no more men to be
spared. The parties were instructed to pick up all the stragglers and
pickets they could, and hold them until the boat returned. On our return
we picked up our men and their prisoners, together with the Battery and
their prisoners, and proceeded to Fort Erie and tied up to the wharf
of the Niagara River Railroad. We had not been there long before
intelligence reached us that the Fenians were coming down the Garrison
Road in force, and would be in the village in ten minutes. Col. Dennis
seemed confused, and like the rest of us, thought they were being driven
by the Queen's Own (at that time we were ignorant of the repulse of
those forces). The moment they were seen approaching the Field Battery
(which had been landed) were ordered aboard, and in another minute was
again ordered ashore. Capt. McCallum was then asked how many of the
Naval Brigade could be spared for a support. He replied that he thought
it very imprudent to attempt an attack upon so large a force with his
small body, and advised Lieut.-Col. Dennis to retire to the boat, and
push out into the stream and endeavor to ascertain their strength and
movements. The Colonel, however, decided to meet them. Capt. McCallum
then said he would give him 25 men, himself and 2nd Lieutenant (leaving
only seven men besides the crew on board to guard the prisoners, 59 in
number). The Colonel formed his line in the open street opposite the
hill in the rear of the village, but partially hid from him by some
buildings on his right flank. In a moment the enemy appeared, coming
over the hill in every direction; the buildings before mentioned hid
them from view until they were upon him. From our position on the boat
we could see all that was going on, and Lieut. W. T. Robb, of the Naval
Brigade, seeing the small band was in great danger of being cut off,
called to the Colonel that he was being outflanked and pointed to the
hill, but he was not heard, and in a moment more the whole body were
surrounded. It was, you may be sure, sickening to see one's friends and
neighbors in such a perilous position, but even in this trying moment
they did not at once surrender. Captains McCallum and King called on the
Colonel to order the men to fire. He said no, but ordered them to the
"right about," instead of "left half face," towards the boat; he, I
suppose, mistaking the lower wharf for the one the boat was moored to,
and started on a run, the men following. The enemy fired a volley in
their rear, making one poor fellow kiss the dust, the balls striking the
ground at their feet. The Captains called on their men to turn and
fire, which they did with some effect. The next volley from the Fenians
brought poor Capt. King down, and two others. Capt. McCallum called out
to scatter, which was done; the enemy at this time were within 40 or 50
yards of them. We on the boat, with the aid of the crew who had rifles,
tried to draw the fire of the Fenians, who were coming down Front
street, on the boat, which we succeeded in doing. Their Adjutant, who
was on horseback, here fell, and after picking him up they directed
their fire at us and made a furious attempt to capture the boat. In this
they were foiled by our cutting the line and backing down the stream,
receiving at the same time a volley by way of a parting salute. By this
time our men and the Battery had got into a house attached to the Post
Office, from which they continued to resist the attack by every means in
their power. Not a great deal of injury was inflicted upon the attacking
party owing to a wood pile in the vicinity, behind which the enemy took
shelter until our men had emptied their pouches and all the ammunition
with them was gone. The Fenians then came up and demanded their
surrender, which was at first refused. On the answer being given, fire
was applied to the house in two places, the enemy standing around with
bayonets fixed to prevent any one from escaping. Our men, seeing no way
of escaping, then surrendered, determined to run the chance of being
shot to being roasted. After disarming our men, some of the lowest of
the Fenians threatened to shoot the prisoners for making a resistance
while in the house. Col. O'Neil and the other officers prevented any
violence being done, and at the same time threatened to shoot the
first one who ill-treated the prisoners. In the meantime 15 men of
the Battery, with Capt. McCallum and two of the Naval Brigade, were
retreating down the river, a body of Fenians in full pursuit, exclaiming
"Shoot the b--y officer." One who had got within ten feet of the Captain
shot at him twice with a revolver, missing him each time, when one of
the Brigade, named Calback, bayoneted him in the neck, turned and shot
another through the heart, and then said to the Captain that the balls
were coming too thick for comfort, advising him at the same time to take
care of himself. Seeing our boat coming to the rescue of the Captain and
the others, the enemy gave up the chase. It was high time for some more
to come on board. As I have before mentioned, there were but seven left
to take care of the 59 prisoners and work the ship. No doubt they would
have attempted to rise had it not been for a few rifles at full
cock pointed at them. Seeing our own perilous position with an enemy
numbering 900 at Fort Erie, and thousands of sympathizing spectators
on the opposite shore, our Captain determined to run the gauntlet and
proceed to Port Colborne with his prisoners, fearing that the enemy
might get a tug or two in Buffalo and attempt their rescue, thus causing
more loss of life than was necessary. We then steamed up the river,
close to the American shore, in silence, having been forbidden to fire
while in American waters. As soon as we arrived opposite Lower Black
Rock, the Fenians opened a furious fire upon us, and continued firing
while we were going a distance of three-quarters of a mile. Their whole
aim seemed to be the pilot-house, through which six shots passed, one
of them grazing the head of our gallant Lieutenant Robb, who remarked to
the wheelsman to jump up and take his place in case he fell. Those six
shots struck the boat, doing no further injury than disfiguring the
woodwork and painting. We arrived safely at Port Colborne and marched
our prisoners to the railway station amid the deafening cheers of the
volunteers and the citizens. Our officer delivered them to Lieut.-Col.
Wm. McGiverin, who escorted them to Brantford, guarded by thirty men
of the St. Catharines Special Service Company of Home Guards. A more
rascally set of vagabonds were never congregated together. There were
a great many Dunnville people at the Port on our arrival, and when they
heard of the capture of our men volunteered to go and attempt their
rescue; but owing to the scarcity of arms we could not accept them,
besides we could not move without orders. These we received after
waiting some time, which was to cruise along the lake as far as Windmill
Point and no further. (It was a great pity we had not a gun on board
and gone to Fort Erie, for if we had we could have captured or sunk
the whole of the Fenian army, either of which would have given us great
pleasure). On our return again to Port Colborne we received orders
to proceed to Fort Erie, the Commander offering us as many men as we
wanted. Our Captain said twelve good ones were all he wanted; these
were immediately furnished him and we started. On our way down we built
breastworks of cordwood along the bulwarks of the boat. These were
impregnable to rifle bullets. When within six miles of Fort Erie
two volunteers were called for to go ashore without arms and proceed
cautiously down the lake and gather what information they could. All
offered, but young Murdy and Edie were the chosen ones, two as brave
boys as ever sun shone on. They went ashore, and then the boat resumed
her journey. On turning into the river we saw the place was occupied
by our troops, and the enemy in a scow made fast to the U. S. steamer
Michigan, on the American shore. You may imagine the satisfaction this
state of things gave us, nearly as much as if we had captured them
ourselves. Our boys were much disappointed on finding the bird flown.
We had heard of the repulse of the "Queen's Own" at Port Colborne, and
every one went down with the determination to do all in their power to
avenge their loss. Our joy was unbounded when we reached the wharf at
finding our Second Lieutenant, Angus McDonald, and the greater part of
our men, together with the most of the men belonging to the Battery.
There were not many of our men taken, as they had no uniform, except
the officers, and after slipping off their belts, they looked like
civilians, in which capacity they effected their escape, and at once
proceeded to Port Colborne and Dunnville to report themselves. Strange
to say, the only one of our company touched was by a bayonet in the
breast; not so bad as to prevent him from doing duty. The Welland Canal
Field Battery was not so fortunate, having five wounded, namely: Captain
King, leg, below the knee, amputated; Fergus Scholfield, foot amputated;
John Bradley, leg amputated; John Herbison, wounded in the leg, and
another with a flesh wound through the thigh. The Fenian casualties were
Major Bigelow, with five balls through his breast, an Adjutant and
six men killed, all shot through the breast, besides fourteen wounded,
making in all twenty-two casualties--_the gallant Queen's Own were
avenged_. The Fenian officers and men told the prisoners at the camp
that their strength was 640 engaged in the fight, and 260 on the top of
the hill as a reserve, and if all the Canadians fought as well as they
did, they feared it would be a hard struggle, but they were determined
to conquer.