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
proceed to Port Colborne with his prisoners, fearing that the enemy
might get a tug or two in Buffalo and attempt their rescue, thus causing
more loss of life than was necessary. We then steamed up the river,
close to the American shore, in silence, having been forbidden to fire
while in American waters. As soon as we arrived opposite Lower Black
Rock, the Fenians opened a furious fire upon us, and continued firing
while we were going a distance of three-quarters of a mile. Their whole
aim seemed to be the pilot-house, through which six shots passed, one
of them grazing the head of our gallant Lieutenant Robb, who remarked to
the wheelsman to jump up and take his place in case he fell. Those six
shots struck the boat, doing no further injury than disfiguring the
woodwork and painting. We arrived safely at Port Colborne and marched
our prisoners to the railway station amid the deafening cheers of the
volunteers and the citizens. Our officer delivered them to Lieut.-Col.
Wm. McGiverin, who escorted them to Brantford, guarded by thirty men
of the St. Catharines Special Service Company of Home Guards. A more
rascally set of vagabonds were never congregated together. There were
a great many Dunnville people at the Port on our arrival, and when they
heard of the capture of our men volunteered to go and attempt their
rescue; but owing to the scarcity of arms we could not accept them,
besides we could not move without orders. These we received after
waiting some time, which was to cruise along the lake as far as Windmill
Point and no further. (It was a great pity we had not a gun on board
and gone to Fort Erie, for if we had we could have captured or sunk
the whole of the Fenian army, either of which would have given us great
pleasure). On our return again to Port Colborne we received orders
to proceed to Fort Erie, the Commander offering us as many men as we
wanted. Our Captain said twelve good ones were all he wanted; these
were immediately furnished him and we started. On our way down we built
breastworks of cordwood along the bulwarks of the boat. These were
impregnable to rifle bullets. When within six miles of Fort Erie
two volunteers were called for to go ashore without arms and proceed
cautiously down the lake and gather what information they could. All
offered, but young Murdy and Edie were the chosen ones, two as brave
boys as ever sun shone on. They went ashore, and then the boat resumed
her journey. On turning into the river we saw the place was occupied
by our troops, and the enemy in a scow made fast to the U. S. steamer
Michigan, on the American shore. You may imagine the satisfaction this
state of things gave us, nearly as much as if we had captured them
ourselves. Our boys were much disappointed on finding the bird flown.
We had heard of the repulse of the "Queen's Own" at Port Colborne, and
every one went down with the determination to do all in their power to
avenge their loss. Our joy was unbounded when we reached the wharf at
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