Narrative of the Fenian invasion of CanadaSomerville, Alexander
History
Narrative of the Fenian invasion of Canada
Somerville, Alexander
Canada -- History -- Fenian Invasions, 1866-1870
Soon after this the supporting companies of the 13th occupied the
orchard, which is about 200 yards south and in rear of the skirmish
line on concession road. These were No. 4, Lieut. Routh (Capt. John
Brown absent with leave) and Ensign J. B. Young. No. 5, Capt. Askin
and Lieut. Ritchie. Captain Askin is assistant engineer on the Great
Western Railway. I, and the battalion, and the public, are indebted
to him for the map of Limestone Ridge, published herewith. He had
been absent at Windsor when the alarm to assemble, fall in, march,
was given at Hamilton. A telegram told he was wanted. Taking the
earliest train east, he heard at Paris that the 13th had gone by B.
and L. H. Line to Dunnville. He overtook them at Port Colborne, just
as they were marching for Ridgeway. The other company in support,
occupying that orchard, was No. 6, Ensign Roy. Captain Irving of this
Company was absent from Hamilton when they left, and thinking to
reach the battalion by a shorter route followed Colonel Peacocke’s
force, by which he was prevented from reaching the field of fight in
time, much to his mortification.
At a point of the Ridge road about 400 yards north of Angur’s brick
house, a reserve of the Q. O. was halted. The two colours of the
13th, carried by Ensigns Armstrong and Baker were here, in their
proper place. Also the men guarding the colours, and some orderlies.
Major Gilmore (Court. of In.) mentioned this reserve as comprising
green and scarlet uniforms. Those just indicated were the only
officers and men of the 13th there at that time. The only companies
of men in green not in the reserve on the road, when the hottest fire
was being delivered in front by the skirmishers, were the University
and Highlander companies then engaged on the extreme right; Trinity
College and York companies on the left, not then exposed to Fenian
fire. The Caledonias forming a rear guard; and desultory portions of
several Q. O. companies on the concession road, or under the trees
or about the barns. It being said by Major Denison that No. 6, Capt.
Adam, was there, that must also be admitted, but if so, that company
was considerably scattered towards the rear.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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