FENIAN RAID OF ‘66 (Part 6)

EXTRACTS FROM THE TRIBUNE OF FORTY-TWO YEARS AGO, TELLING OF THE NOTED INVASION.

[People's Press, 2 June 1908]

               “The following is an account of the Battle of Limestone Ridge as told by Rev. Mr. Ingles, an eye-witness of the whole affair, and we judge it to be about correct:”

             “As we approached Stevensville we heard the first firing from Fenian skirmishers, who had been thrown out in a woods along on the left side of the road. These were soon driven back and rejoined the main body who were drawn up in a line, the centre of which faced the road along which we were marching. They were to some extent protected by a small house and barn, a stone wall and a temporary fortification composed of fence rails. Our men were ordered to advance, which they obeyed gallantly. The firing at this time was sharp and constant. We had left the ambulance wagon and were immediately in rear of the centre of our forces. At this moment a party of men came towards us bearing Ensign McEachren; badly wounded. The captain of the Company and surgeon, Dr. May, were with him, and took possession of a small house on the left of the road as an hospital. Finding that he had been an old parishioner of Mr. Burwash, I left him in his charge, and tried to aid the men in making lifters to bring in the wounded. A few men, not seriously wounded, had been brought in, when we were startled and delighted by a good hearty British cheer. This was caused by the Fenians retiring from their position to a wood some distance behind. This moment I left the hospital, and took up my position on the stone fence already mentioned. Skirmishers of the Queen’s Own had advanced on the left, and three companies of our own battalion had advanced forward as skirmishers on the right. The long red line on the one side and the green line on the other presented a fine appearance, but I was startled to notice that our men, with the exception of some who were in an orchard, were either in the open field or protected by a rail fence, while the Fenians were completely hidden in the woods, their presence being made apparent only by the sharp quick volleys which they fired from behind the trees. A glance sufficed to show me the position of affairs, and with some fear for the result, I hastened back to the hospital. On returning to my post of observation a bugle sounded, and the men of the 13^th formed into a square. The men of the Queen’s own attempted the same, but from the position they occupied it was impossible to accomplish it thoroughly. I have since understood that this was in obedience to a call to prepare to receive a cavalry charge. The bugle was again sounded, and there was some confusion among the men. A third time the bugle sounded (as I understood) a call to advance, which from my want of knowledge of military tactics, I cannot well describe. Then the bugle sounded a fourth time (as I understand) the retreat. A general confusion ensued. The men of the Queen’s Own towards the right broke and began to retreat and a general confusion appeared amongst the men of the 13^th. At this moment I ran to the hospital and informed the surgeon of the state of matters in the field, but hoping that it might be only a temporary retreat. I hastened back to my former position. On reaching it the Fenian bullets were whistling over my head. Some companies of the Queen’s Own rushed pass me, followed by a large body of the 13^th. I attempted to return to the hospital, but finding this impossible, as I was on the opposite side of the road, with feelings which I cannot attempt to describe. I made my way to the ambulance wagon. The right wing of the Queen’s Own followed the main body of the 13^th. The skirmishers of the 13^th were the last to leave the field. It was at this point that Mr. Routh in rallying his men received the wound. These men, with Major Skinner at their head, formed a rear guard which beyond all doubt saved us from more serious disaster.

             After the volunteers began their retreat, the Fenians slowly advanced to Ridgeway, and, after doing some mischief there, began hurriedly retreating towards Fort Erie. This retrograde movement of theirs was no doubt occasioned by their having learned of the arrival of Col. Peacock’s Regulars and Artillery at New Germany, as well as by the movements of the Welland Canal Field Battery which afterwards landed at Fort Erie and gobbled up all the stray Fenians they could find.”

             Taken from the Tribune of June 7, 1866.