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
Accordingly Col. Peacocke made his arrangements to sweep the whole
southeast angle of the Peninsula clear up to the Old Fort. On leaving
the bivouac the column moved out by the Gilmore road, leading towards
the Niagara River. The Grey Battery of Royal Artillery was ordered
to the head of the column, in anticipation of having some shelling to
perform. As the infantry halted by the roadside to allow this gallant
battery to pass to the front on a gallop, the sight was inspiriting and
elicited hearty cheers. The magnificent horses, throwing into play their
splendid muscles, whisked the heavy guns along like so many feathers,
while the drivers and gunners maintained their seats like centaurs,
notwithstanding the bumps and jolts they encountered while bounding over
the ruts and roadside ditches of a rough country highway. On arrival at
a cross road leading south from the Gilmore road towards Lake Erie,
a portion of the column, consisting of the 47th Regiment and the 19th
Battalion moved off to the right, while the 16th Regiment, the 10th
Royals and the St. Catharines Garrison Artillery continued on eastward.
By this means all egress from the village of Fort Erie was effectually
cut off. After traversing these roads for a short distance, lines of
skirmishers were thrown out, and an advance through the fields in a
sweeping semi-circle was begun. The troops had not proceeded far when
two men were seen getting over a fence on the edge of a piece of bush.
Both were carrying guns, and being in civilians' dress, were mistaken
for Fenians. A volley was fired by the 47th, when both were observed to
fall over the fence. On arrival of the skirmishers at the spot it was
found that the two men were loyal Canadian citizens (Messrs. Bart.
McDonald and A. Dobbie, of Thorold) who had armed themselves as Home
Guards and gone to the front to assist in driving the enemy from our
shores. Unfortunately they were too zealous and imprudent in getting
beyond our lines, and drew upon themselves the fire of their friends.
Mr. McDonald was so badly wounded that he died shortly afterwards, but
Mr. Dobbie miraculously escaped injury.
As the skirmish lines moved onward the woods were thoroughly searched,
and quite a number of Fenian stragglers were discovered in hiding and
taken prisoners. During the time the drag-net of skirmishers was spread
about fifty Fenians were gathered in.
At the home of "Major" Canty (a B. & L. H. railway section foreman who
held a commission in the Fenian army) several prisoners were taken,
among them being Rev. John McMahon (a Catholic priest) and two wounded
Fenians named Whalen and Kiely. In the barn adjoining Canty's house
was stretched the body of Lieut. Edward K. Lonergan, of the 7th Irish
Republican Regiment, of Buffalo. He had been killed at Ridgeway and
the body brought back to Canty's barn and abandoned there. Several more
Fenians were discovered under the barn, and more in a haystack near by,
all of whom were taken in charge.
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