Narrative of the Fenian invasion of CanadaSomerville, Alexander
History
Narrative of the Fenian invasion of Canada
Somerville, Alexander
Canada -- History -- Fenian Invasions, 1866-1870
“They were as a rule partially drilled, some men undrilled.
Recruits are joining every week. All the available men, drilled
and undrilled, were in the field. With the exception of one or two
days in May when the whole battalion was out skirmishing, I am
satisfied that half of the battalion had never fired a shot,” (with
blank cartridge). _Ques._ “What proportion had not fired with ball
cartridge?” _Ans._ “The proportion was about the same; one half.”
_Ques._ “What proportion of the regiment was composed of lads
under 20 years of age?” _Ans._ “I should say more than half the
regiment.” _Ques._ “Did you observe any difference in the demeanour
of the lads and the older soldiers going into action?” _Ans._
“No. Each were equally cool. I may state here that this was the
first occasion in which the whole regiment had the opportunity to
skirmish as a battalion. I also wish to state that I saw the right
wing of the 13th extend and advance in skirmishing order, and that
nothing could exceed the steadiness and regularity with which they
advanced.”
LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED AT LIMESTONE RIDGE.
TORONTO Q. O. RIFLES.
KILLED.—Ensign Malcolm McEachern, No. 5 Company, Sergeant H.
Matheson, No. 1, Private Christopher Alderson, No. 7, Private M.
Defries, No. 3, Private W. F. Tempest, No. 9, Private William
Smith, No. 2, Private J. H. Mewburn, No. 9, Private M. McKenzie,
No. 9, Corporal F. Lackie, No. 2.
WOUNDED.—Captain J. B. Boustead, No. 3 Company, Lieut. J. H.
Beaven, No. 3, Lieut. W. C. Campbell, No. 6, Ensign Fahey, No. 1,
Color Sergeant Forbes McHardy, No. 10, Private C. F. Bell, No. 5,
Private W. Vandersmissen, No. 9, Private Kingsford, No. 9, Private
John White, No. 10, Private Paul Robbins, No. 6, Private Thomas
Oulster, No. 1, Private William Thompson, No. 2, Private Charles
Winter, No. 3, Private Colin Forsyth, No. 10, Private Edward Copp,
No. 5, Private J. H. Rutherford, No. 6, Private E. J. Patterson,
No. 9, Private Joseph Lugsden, No. 4, Private Alexander Muir, No.
10, Private E. T. Paul, No. 9, Sergeant William Foster, No. 7,
Color-Sergeant John Tuck, York Rifles. Private Robert Cranston,
ditto.
HAMILTON 13TH—WOUNDED.
Private Edwin Hilders, No. 1 Company, Private S. Dallas, No.
3, Private J. G. Powell, No. 3, Private James Stewart, No. 3,
Lieut. Routh, No. 4, Private John Donnely, No. 5, Private Richard
Pentecost, No. 3, Private McKenzie, No. 4.
Private Morrison died of fatigue. Several suffered from sun stroke.
Welland Field Battery, at Fort Erie Village. Wounded: Capt. King,
leg amputated. Sergeant Bradley, and several others very severely.
FENIANS KILLED.—Nine bodies found on Limestone Ridge, one at French
Creek. Several said to have been found dead near Fort Erie, and some
bodies carried to Buffalo. Most of the wounded were carried away; two
were brought prisoners to Colborne Hospital.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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