Narrative of the Fenian invasion of CanadaSomerville, Alexander
History
Narrative of the Fenian invasion of Canada
Somerville, Alexander
Canada -- History -- Fenian Invasions, 1866-1870
One of these officers of volunteers whom Capt. Akers alludes to as of
superior rank to himself and who advised that Booker, for the safety
of all, should be removed from command of any, was on Sunday morning
witness of his frantic imbecility in clutching hold of Mr. McGrath at
the railway depot.
Lt.-Col. Booker went to Hamilton on Sunday 3rd June. Telegrams
published there on the 4th gave him information that the Fenians were
vanquished: had retreated across the Niagara river, after a fight
with the Welland field battery and Dunnville naval brigade on the
2nd and were intercepted by the U. S. steamer Michigan, which held
them prisoners for breach of the neutrality laws. On the evening
of Monday the 4th Booker re-appeared at Colborne. He telegraphed
to Col. Lowry as if nothing had occurred to interrupt his command,
“I am here awaiting your orders.” This was not replied to. But on
next day Col. Lowry, in a telegram to Lt.-Col. Villiers of the 47th
regulars who was there, inquired; “What does Booker mean? He says
he awaits my orders. He resigned his command on Saturday; it was
accepted; he cannot be re-instated.” On being informed of this Booker
telegraphed again that he had only resigned command of the brigade,
not of the 13th battalion. Col. Lowry did not answer, but sent to
Lt.-Col. Villiers saying: “Major Skinner commands the 13th battalion;
render him all the assistance he may require. If Col. Booker is not
satisfied he may apply to Major-General Napier.”
Booker on next day returned to Hamilton, went to Toronto, and
induced General Napier to telegraph to Lt.-Col. Villiers to assemble
the officers of the 13th, and submit a proposal that they should
sign a letter of solicitation, asking to have Lt.-Col. Booker
restored to the 13th battalion. The officers refused to sign any
such application. They unequivocally made known to the military
authorities, then and afterwards, that if Booker were restored to the
command of the battalion they would not serve under him. By him their
honor had been impugned; by him the battalion was maligned, and all
to cover his own unsoldierly, scandalous misconduct. Not alone on the
field, but by his desertion of them and misrepresentation at Port
Colborne.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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