THE CANADIAN VOLUNTEERS RELEASED FROM DUTY AT THE FRONT AND RETURNED TO
THEIR HOMES--THEY EARNED THE GRATITUDE OF THEIR COUNTRY AND RECEIVED IT.
After about three weeks of active service, the Canadian volunteers who
were on duty at the front were relieved and sent home. Although matters
were still in an unsettled state among the Fenians in the United States,
and threats were constantly being made of more trouble, yet the occasion
was not considered of sufficient serious importance to require the
services of the force posted on the frontier for a longer period. The
Government was well aware that when occasion demanded the same troops
would again take up arms as promptly and cheerfully as on previous
occasions, and relied on their patriotic service being immediately
available whenever required. In relieving the troops from further duty,
the Commander-in-Chief promulgated the following order:--
OTTAWA, June 23rd, 1866.
In relieving the volunteers, for the present, from active duty,
the Commander-in-Chief desires to make known to the officers and
non-commissioned officers and men of the force, the pride and
satisfaction with which he has witnessed the patriotism and energy
displayed by them in their instantaneous response to the call to
arms. The Commander-in-Chief wishes to express his admiration of the
promptitude with which, on the only occasion when an opportunity was
afforded them of meeting the enemy, the volunteers went under fire, and
his deep sympathy with the friends and relations of those who there met
a soldier's death. The discipline and good conduct of the force while
on service has secured the approbation of their military commanders,
and has been most favorably reported on to the Commander-in-Chief. The
Commander-in-Chief wishes to impress on the minds of the volunteers
that, though the late attack on the Province has proved a failure, the
organization by means of which it was attempted still exists, and that
its leaders do not hesitate to declare publicly that they meditate
a renewal of the invasion. Under these circumstances, the
Commander-in-Chief trusts that the volunteer force generally will
continue at all convenient times to perfect themselves in drill and
discipline, so that they may be able successfully to repel any future
aggression that may be attempted.
MAJOR-GENERAL NAPIER'S ORDER.
Major-Gen. Napier, who commanded the troops in Canada West, returned
thanks, in appreciation of their services, by issuing the following:--
BRIGADE OFFICE, TORONTO, June 18th, 1866.
Major-General Napier, C.B., Commanding the First Military District,
Canada West, cannot allow the volunteers under his command to return
home without tendering them his best thanks for the patriotic way they
responded to the Governor-General's call for further services, as well
as for their general good conduct whilst in the field. Although only a
few were fortunate enough to be engaged with the enemy, the whole force
were equally ready and anxious to meet him. The Major-General feels sure
that should their services be again required, they will show the same
fine spirit, and turn out to a man in the defence of their country. The
Major-General, in bidding them farewell for the present, trusts that
they will keep up their present efficient state, which can only be done
by constantly attending to their drill whenever they have an opportunity
of doing so.
By order.
(Signed) H. NANGLE.
Captain and Brigade Major.
MAJOR-GENERAL LINDSAY's ORDER.
Major-Gen. Lindsay also commended the volunteers for their prompt
response to the call of duty, and their valued and faithful service in
the field, in the language contained in the following order:--
BRIGADE OFFICE, MONTREAL. 23rd June. 1866. DISTRICT ORDER.
The emergency which has caused the Volunteer Militia Force of Canada
to spring to arms, having passed by, the Major-General commanding the
District acknowledges the important services they have rendered.
The patriotic spirit, exhibited both by employers and the employed,
placed at the service of the Crown, in a few hours, a force of upwards
of 22,000 men in the two Canadas, which, if the occasion had been of
more serious character, could have been augmented to such numbers as the
Government might have required.
The various corps sent out to the front have shown a zeal and aptitude
in the performance of their duties as soldiers, which is calculated to
inspire the greatest confidence; while some of the battalions have had
severe and difficult marches to perform, all have undergone considerable
hardships in most unfavourable weather.
While the good faith and firmness of the General Commanding the U.S.
troops on the frontier had the effect of preventing larger assemblies of
armed men, and while in the end the long-threatened attempt at invasion
proved a miserable failure, the Major-General feels confident that
the volunteer force have only one regret, that they have not had the
opportunity of driving from the soil of Canada those misguided men, who,
under the flimsy veil of so-called patriotic feeling, would have carried
war into a country with which they have no pretence of quarrel.
The Major-General feels convinced that, shoulder to shoulder with the
regular troops of Her Majesty, the volunteer militia force of this
Province would, if they had been brought in contact with an enemy, have
proved themselves worthy of the approbation of their fellow-countrymen,
and that they would, as their predecessors had done in times long
past, have successfully defended their country, and kept it against all
aggressors.
While anxious for peace, Canada is showing herself prepared for war; and
the Major-General is gratified in bearing his testimony to the noble and
independent spirit, which proves that Canada has reason to be proud of
her citizen soldiers.
By order,
H. C. HEALEY,
Major of Brigade.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE QUEEN'S OWN.
The splendid services of the Queen's Own Rifles in the campaign were
officially recognized by the General Commanding in the promulgation of
the following order:--
ASSIST. ADJ.-.GENERAL'S OFFICE, TORONTO, June 8, 1860.
Sir,--I am directed by Major-General Napier, C.B., commanding 1st
Military Division, C.W., to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of your
despatch dated Stratford. June 6th, 1866, addressed to Lieut.-Col.
Lowry, 47th Regiment, detailing the operations of the Volunteer force on
the morning of the 2nd, in which the Queen's Own were engaged with the
enemy.
It is now my gratifying duty to convey to you not only the approbation
but the very great pleasure the Major-General experienced in hearing
from you of the good conduct of the officers, non-commissioned officers
and men of the regiment under your command on that occasion.
That they fully confirmed and justified the good opinion that the
Major-General always entertained of them, by their conduct in meeting
for the first time the enemies of their Queen and country.
The Major-General feels quite sure that the regiment will always cherish
and sustain the character now so nobly won by the Queen's Own.
I have also to express to you, by the Major-General's desire, his entire
approbation of the very able and gallant manner in which you commanded
the Queen's Own under very trying circumstances, and it will give him
much pleasure in bringing before His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief,
the gallant service rendered by the Queen's Own on the occasion, which
you will be good enough to convey to the officers, non-commissioned
officers and men of the regiment under your command.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
W. S. DURIE,
Lieut.-Col., A.A.G.M.
Major Charles T. Gilmor. Queen's Own Rifles.
CANADIAN PATRIOTISM.
Lord Monck's communication to the Imperial Secretary of State may also
be quoted as showing his views concerning the patriotic conduct of
Canadians who were at the time residing in the United States:--
OTTAWA, June 14, 1866.
Sir,--I have had the satisfaction in other communications to report to
you the excellent spirit evinced by the resident population of Canada in
connection with the late Fenian attack on the Province. There has been
in addition an exhibition of patriotism and devotion on the part of
Canadians who happened to be domiciled at the time of the disturbance
outside of the Province, which deserves, I think, special mention and
praise. Immediately after the news of the inroad on the Province reached
Chicago, sixty young Canadians who were resident there engaged in
various employments gave up their situations and repaired by railroad
to Canada to give their aid in defending the land of their birth. These
young men have been formed into a Volunteer Company and are now doing
duty at Toronto.
I had also a communication from Her Majesty's Consul at New York to the
effect that a large number of Canadians, resident there, were prepared
to abandon their occupations and come to assist in the repulse of the
invaders of Canada if I considered their services necessary. I informed
Mr. Archibald by telegraph that I did not require their aid, but begged
him to express to them my gratitude for the exhibition of their loyalty.
Such conduct speaks for itself, and I would not weaken the effect of the
bare relation of the facts by any attempts at eulogy on my part.
I have, etc.
(Signed) MONCK.
The Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, Secretary of State.
PROM THE IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT.
The following General Order, contained in a letter communicated through
the regular official channel to His Excellency the Governor-General and
Commander-in-Chief (Right Hon. Viscount Monck), was duly promulgated
through the Department of Militia of Canada:--
HORSE GUARDS, July 21st, 1866.
The Under-Secretary of State for War:--
Sir,--With reference to the several reports which have been received
from the General Officer Commanding in Canada relative to the Fenian
movement in that Province, and to the measures taken by the colonists
for repelling any Fenian attack, I am directed by the Field Marshal
Commanding-in-Chief to request that you will acquaint the Secretary of
State for War that His Royal Highness, having observed the alacrity,
loyalty and zeal shown by the volunteers and militia forces of Canada
in having come forward for the defence of the colony on the late trying
occasion, in support of the troops, is very desirous of expressing to
the force his full appreciation of their gallant and energetic behavior,
and the very great gratification and satisfaction he has thereby
experienced. And His Royal Highness trusts, therefore, that
Lieut.-General Peel will see no objection to the necessary communication
being made by him to the Colonial Office, with the view to His Royal
Highness' sentiments, as above expressed, being made known through the
proper channel to the volunteers and militia of Canada, lately employed
against the Fenians.
I am, etc.,
W. F. FOSTER.
LORD MONCK'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMERICAN INTERVENTION.
In acknowledgment of the service rendered by the United States
Government in checking the invasion, Lord Monck, the Governor-General of
Canada, sent the following despatch to Sir Frederick Bruce, the British
Minister at Washington, for presentation to Secretary of State Seward:--
OTTAWA, June 11th, 1866.
Sir,--I have learned from the public press the terms of the Proclamation
which the President of the United States of America has promulgated
against the hostile designs of the Fenians on the Province, the
Government of which I have the honor to administer. I have also, by
the same means, been made acquainted with the orders issued by the
Attorney-General of the United States and other officers of the
Administration of that country for the apprehension of the persons
of Fenian conspirators and the stoppage and seizure of arms and
other supplies intended to be used by them against Canada. As these
proceedings of the Government of the United States have materially
tended to defeat the hostile purposes of the Fenians against this
Province, I shall feel much obliged if you will convey to the Secretary
of State for the United States my acknowledgments of the course which
has been adopted by that Government in reference to this matter.
I have, etc...
(Signed) MONCK.
LORD MONCK'S REPORT TO THE IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT.
In presenting his report to the Right Hon. E. Cardwell, Secretary of
State of the British Government, Lord Monck sent the following despatch,
which was accompanied by the reports of the Lieutenant-General and other
officers who were in command of troops during the campaign:--
OTTAWA. June 14th, 1866.
Sir,--I have the honor to transmit for your information, the reports to
the Lieutenant-General commanding Her Majesty's forces of the several
officers, relating to the proceedings connected with the late
Fenian invasion at Fort Erie, Canada West. I think these documents
substantially corroborate the account which I gave you from telegraphic
and other information in my despatches of the 1st, 4th and 8th instant.
From all the information I have received, I am now satisfied that a very
large and comprehensive plan of attack had been arranged by the party
which is popularly known as the Sweeny-Roberts section of the Fenian
Brotherhood.
The plan of invasion, in addition to the attempt on the Niagara
frontier--the only one which actually occurred--appears to have embraced
attacks on the line of the Richelieu and Lake Champlain, and also on
the frontier in the neighborhood of Prescott and Cornwall, where I have
reason to think the principal demonstration was intended.
For the latter object, large bodies of men, sent by railroad from almost
all parts of the United States, were assembled at a place called Malone,
in the State of New York, and at Potsdam, also in the State of New York,
and with a view to the former, St. Albans and its neighborhood in the
State of Vermont was selected as the place of assemblage.
Large supplies of arms, accoutrements and ammunition were also attempted
to be forwarded by railroad to these points, but owing to the active
intervention of the authorities of the United States--as soon as it
became apparent that a breach of international law had been committed
by these persons--a very large portion of these supplies never reached
their destination.
It is not easy to arrive at a trustworthy estimate of the number of men
who actually arrived at their different points of rendezvous. It has
been reported at times that there were at Potsdam, Malone, and the
intervening country, as many as ten thousand men, and similar rumors
have been from time to time circulated of the force at St. Albans and
its neighborhood. From the best opinion I can form, however, I shall
be inclined to think that the number of Fenians in the vicinity of St.
Albans never exceeded two thousand men, and that three thousand would
be a fair allowance for those assembled at Potsdam, Malone, and the
surrounding counties. The men have been represented to me as having,
many of them, served in the late Civil War in the United States--to
have had a considerable amount of small arms of a good and efficient
description. I have not heard of their possessing any artillery, and I
am informed that they were deficient in the supplies of ammunition and
totally destitute of all the other equipments of an organized force.
They appear to have relied very much on assistance from the inhabitants
of the Province, as the force which invaded Fort Erie brought with
them--as I am told--a large quantity of spare arms to put in the hands
of their sympathizers whom they expected to join them. I have in
my former despatches noticed the measures which were adopted by
the Provincial Government in order to place at the disposal of the
Lieutenant-General commanding Her Majesty's forces, the Provincial
resources available for defence, both by land and water. The reports of
the officers of the army and volunteers, which I transmit, will acquaint
you with the manner in which these means were used by the officers in
command. I am happy to be able to bear my tribute to the energy and good
faith exhibited by the American Government and its officials in checking
all infractions of international obligations on the part of any portion
of its citizens from the moment that it became evident that an
invasion of the Province by the Fenians had actually taken place.
The determination of the Government of the United States to stop the
transportation of men and supplies to the places of assembly, rendered
even the temporary success on the part of the Fenians impossible; while
the large forces which the Lieutenant-General commanding was able
to concentrate at each of the points threatened, had the effect of
deterring from an attack the portion of the conspirators who had already
arrived at their places of rendezvous. No invasion in force occurred
except at Fort Erie. A slight incursion took place at a place called
St. Armand, about thirteen miles from St. John's, on the borders of
the County of Missisquoi, which ended in the capture of about sixteen
prisoners, without any loss on our side.
The latest accounts I have received announced that the men who had
congregated at the different points of assembly were being transmitted
to their homes at the expense of the Government of the United States,
most of the leaders having been arrested and held to bail to answer for
their conduct.
Although I deplore the loss which the Volunteer Force suffered when
engaged on the 2nd of June at Lime Ridge, amounting to six killed and
thirty-one wounded. I think it is a matter for congratulation that a
movement which might have been so formidable has collapsed with so small
an amount of loss, either of life or property. I think it is also a
source of satisfaction that such strong proofs have been afforded of
the spirit which animates the Canadian people, of their loyalty to the
throne, of their appreciation of the free institutions under which they
live, and of their readiness at all times to prove their sense of the
value of these institutions by incurring expense and personal risk in
the defence of them. The period of the year at which the people have
been called on to make these sacrifices of timely serving in the
volunteer ranks has been the most inconvenient that could have been
selected, yet I have never heard a murmur from any quarter at the
necessity of suspending industrial occupation involving the risk of a
whole year's production, while I have received information of a good
deal of discontent on the part of those who were anxious to give their
services, but whose presence in the ranks was not considered necessary.
I have to express my very high sense of the services performed by
Lieutenant-General Sir J. Michel and the officers under his command
in the able disposition of troops, both regulars and volunteers. The
officers of the Royal Navy stationed at Quebec and Montreal deserve the
highest credit for the rapidity with which they extemporized gunboats
for the defence of the St. Lawrence and the Lakes. I have already spoken
of the admirable spirit displayed by the Volunteer Force, both officers
and men. I have every reason to believe that their conduct as regards
discipline and order has entitled them to as much commendation as does
their spirit of patriotism and self-reliance.
I desire particularly to bring before your notice the ability and energy
exhibited by Colonel Macdougall, A.G.M., with a view to having
his services specially mentioned to His Royal Highness, the
Commander-in-Chief. This officer has not yet been one year in Canada,
yet so admirable is the system of organization which he has established
that he is able within a few hours to assemble on any given point over a
line of more than 1,000 miles, masses of volunteers who at the time the
order was given were scattered over the country pursuing their ordinary
avocations. While I attribute full credit to the excellent spirit of the
people for its share in this effect, I think the administrative
ability which has given practical operation to this good feeling of the
population ought to have its meed of praise and in the interests of the
public service on some possible future emergency ought not to be left
without official record.
There are prisoners in our hands to the number of about one hundred and
fifty. (I have not yet received official returns of them), whose trial
will be proceeded with at an early day.
I confidently expect within a few days to be able to dismiss to their
homes the great majority of the Volunteers, and my firm conviction is,
that this disturbance will produce beneficial effects by discrediting
Fenian enterprises, exhibiting the futility of any attempt at invasion
of the Province, and showing the absence of all disaffection amongst any
portion of the people of Canada.
I have, etc.,
(Signed) MONCK.
The Right Honorable E. Cardwell.
WELLAND COUNTY HONORS THE BRAVE.
The services of the officers and men of the Welland Canal Field Battery
and the Dunnville Naval Brigade--for their gallantry in the fight at
Fort Erie--were recognized by the Municipal Council of the County of
Welland by the public presentation to each of them of a handsome silver
medal, commemorative of the occasion. In addition, Capt. King and Capt.
McCallum were each presented with handsome swords of honor by the County
Council, as special marks of appreciation of their bravery by the people
of the county. To each of the wounded a grant of 100 acres of the lands
owned by the county in the Cranberry Marsh was given. In addition to the
above honors the Corporation of the Village of Fort Erie presented Capt.
King with a valuable sword as a testimonial of their recognition of his
services at that place on the 2nd of June.