Narrative of the Fenian invasion of CanadaSomerville, Alexander
History
Narrative of the Fenian invasion of Canada
Somerville, Alexander
Canada -- History -- Fenian Invasions, 1866-1870
H. M. 16th, (right wing) went on board a train about 12 noon,
but remained at the depot two hours, many citizens crowded on
the platform. Again, the spirits of old soldiers who had known
campaigns in earnest, and who now looked on, were depressed to see
infantry—nothing yet but infantry, bound for the front. These were
not going without all necessary equipments, as the volunteer militia
had gone, but they were without canteens to carry water. Those
articles, indispensable to men on a campaign, had been reserved in
some army store, not at Hamilton. Thus in addition to the delay
caused at Chippewa, on the morrow, to give the 10th Royals breakfast,
they having come from Toronto without provisions, without haversacks,
“contrary to my orders” (_Colonel Peacocke’s report_,) the 16th
regulars marched without water canteens; “the day was very hot.”
(_same report._) And the men of the regulars, like the volunteers
were thirsty, exhausted, and did not reach the vicinity of the enemy
so soon by some hours as otherwise they might.
But strangest want of all; though there is in the Province a
Quarter-master General’s Department, whose special business is, with
other things special, to provide commanding officers with maps of
the country, and though county maps abounded in the Canada common
schools, and Normal School at Toronto, Colonel Peacocke, in command
of the forces in the Niagara District went out without a map showing
the roads upon which he would have to move the troops. He had a small
chart of the Niagara peninsula, but it did not show the Welland
roads. This want of a good map from which to question his advisers;
with want of breakfast for 10th Royals, want of water canteens for
both regulars and volunteers, delayed the advance of the main force
from Chippewa. Colonel Booker had no map of any kind, nor paper of
his own on which to write a message, which want became an event next
day.
But O’Neil in command of the Fenians had a map of the roads. And also
writing paper for his messages.
The narrative and narrator were at the Hamilton depot a minute ago.
The absence of such a common-place element in field equipment as the
best map which the Province could afford the commanders not then
known; yet the apparent absence of artillery, causing a tremulous
apprehension that the volunteers who had gone hours before, and the
regular infantry now on board to go, were to be exposed to the hazard
of——
No; not this branch of the army of the front. Here came the Royal
Artillery from Toronto; the Armstrong guns on platform cars; horses
in vans; men guarding guns, sentries guarding horses; detachment of
47th regulars. Hurrah! Loud was the shouting on the Hamilton depot
platform. Cheerful the military responses.
The time was 2.30 p. m. June 1st. The Toronto train with two engines
went ahead. Hamilton train followed. After a delay at St. Catherines
the two trains reached Suspension Bridge, Niagara river, about 6 p. m.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account