Narrative of the Fenian invasion of CanadaSomerville, Alexander
History
Narrative of the Fenian invasion of Canada
Somerville, Alexander
Canada -- History -- Fenian Invasions, 1866-1870
Words similar to these had been used by General O’Neil at Buffalo.
The present writer did not at first attach importance to this matter,
until he observed that the Nashville statement was so well accepted
at Toronto by some who have with an unsoldier-like spirit underrated
the 13th, to exalt the Queen’s Own, that they reprinted the paragraph
omitting the distinctive mark of the 13th, “their red uniforms.” It
was known that not only on the American side, but generally about
Ridgeway and Fort Erie, Canadian residents spoke of the volunteers
collectively, who had been engaged, on June 2nd, as the “Queen’s
Own.” For the accuracy of history, in face of this perversion in
Toronto newspapers, a writer whose constant aim is historical
accuracy and fair play to all persons irrespective of frowns or
favours, addressed, General O’Neil, as to which of the reports was
the true one. He replied thus: (The letters in full will be seen on
another page);—Nashville, Tennessee, July 31st 1866.
“In answer to your inquiries I beg leave to state that on account
of the prominence given to the ‘Queen’s Own’ by the American and
Canadian newspapers, I had been led to believe that they were the
principal troops opposed to me on the 2nd of June last. And as the
red uniform appeared to me the most conspicuous on the field, I had
taken up the idea, without making any inquiry on the subject, that
the ‘Queen’s Own’ were dressed in red. In my speech at this place
I did not intend to distinguish the troops dressed in ‘red’ from
those dressed in ‘green’. I intended to speak of the whole when I
stated that they fought well.”
Thus, from the enemy’s point of view on those heights above
concession road, it is seen that while nothing was observed
detracting from the steady, soldier-like gallantry of the Toronto
and York and Caledonia Rifles, who wore green uniforms, the equally
soldier-like gallantry of the Hamilton 13th is vindicated. The enemy,
against whom a force advances in mortal conflict is the best judge
of the effect which it produces. Prisoners taken, and other Fenian
informants, concur in stating that while the men in dark green (Q.
O.) had driven in the advanced Fenian pickets, it was the additional
line, the line of red which decided them to abandon the concession
road. About the same time, the University Rifle Company supported
by Capt. Gardener’s Highlanders (Denison’s Hist.) advanced on the
extreme right. “There,” says a writer in Toronto _Leader_ “they bore
the brunt of the battle.” The University youths like all else on the
field were brave, and bravely did their duty, but it was not while
advancing on the enemy’s position that their casualties occurred, nor
while keeping that post on the right under cover of the wood on the
upper ridge. They suffered severely, but not yet, and not there.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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