ON THE ST. LAWRENCE AND EASTERN FRONTIERS--MUSTER OF TROOPS AT KINGSTON,
BROCKVILLE, PRESCOTT, CORNWALL AND OTHER POINTS.
While the sanguinary engagements which have been related in the
preceding pages were in progress on the Niagara frontier, the danger
of invasion was just as imminent at many other points along our border
line, and excitement was consequently as intense. It was felt at the
time, and subsequently confirmed as correct, that the diversion of Gen.
O'Neil at Fort Erie was only a prelude to cover more formidable attacks
along the line of the St. Lawrence, and the frontier of the Eastern
Townships of Quebec.
To guard this lengthy border was the first precaution taken by the
Government, and all troops that were available east of Toronto were
promptly called out for active service. Along the St. Lawrence River the
points most seriously threatened were Kingston, Brockville, Prescott
and Cornwall, and the attention of the Lieutenant-General Commanding
was immediately directed towards making adequate provision for the
protection of those places.
At Kingston the 14th Battalion of Rifles, the Kingston Field Battery,
the First Frontenac Troop of Cavalry, and the Garden Island and
Portsmouth Infantry Companies, were assembled and equipped, ready to
proceed to any point where their services might be required. The forts
were garrisoned by regular troops, and the city put in a proper state of
defence. On Sunday, the 3rd of June, just as the garrison was returning
from church parade, Lieut.-Col. John Paton received orders to proceed
at once with the 14th Rifles to Cornwall. The Battalion started that
evening by special train for their destination, amid tremendous cheering
by the patriotic citizens.
The force which was mobilized at Prescott on June 3rd consisted of
one division of the Ottawa Field Battery, with two guns; the Gananoque
Battery of Garrison Artillery; three companies of the Prince Consort's
Own Rifle Brigade (regulars), under Major Newdegate; the left wing
of the 25th King's Own Borderers (regulars); the 18th (Hawkesbury)
Battalion, under command of Lieut.-Col. John Hamilton; Nos. 1 and 2
Companies of the Ottawa Rifles; the Pakenham and Fitzroy Companies of
Infantry; and the 15th (Belleville) Battalion of Infantry, under command
of Lieut.-Col. A. A. Campbell. Old Fort Wellington was strengthened
and well equipped with three batteries of garrison artillery, and every
detail arranged to properly protect the town. All of the danger points
were so securely guarded by this efficient garrison (which was under the
command of Col. F. T. Atcherly, D.A.G.) that the invaders would have met
with an amazingly hot reception had they carried out their threatened
intentions to cross the river anywhere in that vicinity.
Lieut.-Col. Crawford had command of the force which was assembled at
Brockville, consisting of a battalion composed of the Brockville Rifles,
Gananoque Rifles, Brockville Infantry, Perth Rifles, Perth Infantry,
Carleton Place Rifles, and Almonte Infantry. These companies were
exceedingly efficient, and did great service in guarding the river front
and railway communications at Brockville. Col. Crawford and his troops
received great praise from the Major-General for the very satisfactory
manner in which they did their duty on these trying occasions.
The City of Ottawa was garrisoned by the Civil Service Rifles, Major
Ross' Artillery Company, the Bell's Corners Infantry Company, and other
companies from the neighborhood, assisted by a strong Home Guard.
The Grand Trunk Railway bridges at Vaudreuil, St. Ann's and Lachine were
guarded by the St. Therese, Como and Varennes Infantry Companies, this
arduous duty being very accurately and vigilantly performed by the corps
mentioned.
At Cornwall the situation was exceedingly serious, as it was known that
Gen. Sweeny had particular designs on that place, and was making every
preparation to deliver an attack. The possession of the canals was one
of his chief desires, and to ward off such an attempt a strong force was
quickly mobilized at this point of danger. On the 2nd of June a public
meeting of citizens was called and a committee appointed to act in
concert with the military commandant in putting the town in a thorough
state of defence. A patrol was established for ten miles up and down the
river by the local companies, and navigation on the river and through
the canal was stopped. Early on the 3rd of June troops began arriving
from different points, and by the following morning over 2,000 had
been assembled under the command of Col. T. H. Pakenham, of H. M. 30th
Regiment. The Canadian force which was mustered at Cornwall was
composed of the 14th (Kingston) Battalion, the 25th Regiment (King's
Own Borderers), the 11th Argenteuil Rangers, a portion of H. M. 30th
Regiment, one division of the Ottawa Field Battery, the 6th Hochelaga
Light Infantry, two companies of Ottawa Rifles, and two Cornwall
companies.
On the St. John's and Missisquoi frontiers the local companies of
Frelighsburg, Philipsburg, Granby and Waterloo were posted, under
command of Col. F. R. Elrington, of the P. C. O. Rifle Brigade, and kept
a sharp look-out for the appearance of the enemy. They received numerous
"alarms." but beyond a general expectancy of a conflict which kept them
on the alert, they did not have an opportunity of proving their valor.
Lieut.-Col. W. Osborne Smith, D.A.G., had command of the troops which
were assembled on the Huntingdon and Hemmingford frontiers, which
consisted of the 1st Prince of Wales Rifles (Lieut.-Col. B. Devlin), of
Montreal; the Victoria Rifles, of Montreal; one division of Capt. A.
A. Stevenson's Field Battery, of Montreal; the Hemmingford. Roxham and
Havelock Infantry Companies, and a detachment of the Montreal Cavalry.
With this force he proceeded to Hemmingford, where he halted on the
3rd and sent out scouts to observe the operations of the enemy on
the frontier. Learning that an attack was likely to be made on the
Huntingdon frontier. Col. Smith left next morning at daybreak with
his column for the threatened point. The weather was exceedingly
unfavorable, as it rained incessantly all day, and the roads were in
a very bad state. Still he pushed on, and covered 37 miles, which his
troops accomplished in a splendid manner, and went into camp that
night with only two patients reported on the hospital returns as being
incapacitated by the fatiguing march. The direct approach to Huntingdon
from Malone, where the Fenians were mobilizing, is by the Trout River
Road, and across this path Col. Smith constructed a line of breastworks
and awaited the approach of the enemy. His position was admirably
chosen, and had Gen. Sweeny made an advance down the Chateauguay Valley,
he would have met with such a stout resistance that his defeat would
have been certain, as the Canadian position was impregnable. For a few
days all kinds of rumors were current of an advance being made by the
Fenians, and constant vigilance was maintained, but the attack failed to
eventuate.
Lieut.-Col. George Browne, D.A.G., with the 1st and 2nd Huntingdon
Infantry Companies; the Athelstan, Durham and Rockburn Infantry
Companies, and the Hinchinbrooke Rifle Company, also assisted to hold
the Huntingdon line, and did good service in keeping guard on the
frontier.
With the salient points along the Canadian border being thus securely
guarded, and every soldier on the _qui vive_, the Fenian troops would
most certainly have encountered very strong opposition before they could
carry out their designs to conquer Canada.