Troublous Times in Canada: A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870MacDonald, John A. (John Alexander)
History
Troublous Times in Canada: A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870
MacDonald, John A. (John Alexander)
Canada -- History -- Fenian Invasions, 1866-1870; Fenians
That every precaution and every consideration for the comfort and
advantage of my battalion which the circumstances did permit, I
confidently assert were taken.
The volunteer force from Hamilton answered to the call for service with
alacrity. The entire force which I had the honor to command was
animated with the highest feelings of patriotism and zeal. All personal
considerations gave way, all hardships were borne cheerfully and without
a murmur. We had but one wish--to meet the enemy; and but one hope, to
aid in his discomfiture; and if under the trying circumstances in which
we were placed the result was not so triumphant as the devotion and
heroism of the volunteers deserved, I trust that as their conduct cannot
be impugned, the Court of Inquiry will, on appreciation of the facts,
exonerate their commanding officer from the complete want of success of
an attack which undoubtedly caused the enemy to abandon their plans of
invasion and commence their retreat.
A. BOOKER,
Lieut.-Colonel.
The Court then proceeded to the examination of witnesses.
The first witness called by Lieut.-Col. Booker was Major Chas. T.
Gillmor, commanding the Second Battalion, or Queen's Own Rifles.
MAJOR GILLMOR'S EVIDENCE.
Question from Lieut.-Col. Booker--When I relieved the Queen's Own
and advanced the Thirteenth, did you report to me that your men were
becoming short of ammunition?
Major Gillmor--On some one occasion I mentioned that one or two
companies stated to me that they were short of ammunition.
Question from Lieut.-Col. Booker--When the Thirteenth were in action,
did you send out the Highland Company, at my request, to hold the woods
to our right, and the road, from the reserve?
Answer--I did send out the Highland Company with orders as described,
but I cannot say if it was before or after the Thirteenth went out.
Question from Lieut.-Col. Booker--What did they report on their return?
Answer--I don't recollect their return. I believe them to be the last to
leave the field.
Question from Lieut.-Col. Booker--Did you hear the cry of "Cavalry"?
Answer--Yes.
Question from Lieut.-Col. Booker--Did you see the Fenian reserves
advancing after the cry of "Cavalry'"?
Answer--No.
Question from Lieut.-Col. Booker--Did you see that we were outflanked to
the right?
Answer--No, I believe it was the reserve. I could not see the extreme
right.
Question from the Court--On what do you ground your belief that they
were not outflanked on the right?
Answer--Principally on the statements of the officers and men who were
out skirmishing on the right.
Question from Lieut.-Col. Booker--Did you notice men coming down
the hill to our front at a double, in front of the reserves, crying
"Cavalry"?
Answer--No.
Question from the Court--When three companies of the Thirteenth were
sent out to relieve the Queen's Own, had the movement been executed
before the retreat was sounded?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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