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FENIAN RAID OF ‘66 (Part 7)
[People's Press, 9 June 1908]
EXTRACTS FROM THE TRIBUNE OF FORTY-TWO YEARS AGO, TELLING OF THE NOTED INVASION.
“The Fight at Fort Erie-After having captured 56 prisoners and secured them by placing them in the hold of the tug “Robb,” Capt. King wished to withdraw, it being a most unwise and suicidal policy to attempt to keep a foothold on Fort Erie against the whole horde of Fenians, but Col. Davis erected the brave little band again to land and engage the enemy who approached in force about 4 p.m. The Fenians delayed and concentrated their forces on the hill, opening the engagement by a surprise right flank movement. The Battery sustained a murderous file nobly, although their men began to fall fast, their leader, Dr. R.S. King of Port Robinson, being one of the first wounded. He was shot in the ankle and taken to Buffalo, where his leg was amputated. Our brave men then retired with three exceptions to a house near the “Robb,” and were followed by the enemy making a charge down the hill, their object evidently being to obtain possession of the tug. This was frustrated, however, by Capt. McCallum moving his boat out into the river under a heavy fire. After running the gauntlet and finding out that the tug could be of no further use at Fort Erie, Capt. McCallum came directly to Port Colborne, from whence the prisoners were sent to Brantford for safe keeping. They would probably have been sent to Welland, but that place is so near the lines that their presence would only tempt a rescue. After the tug escaped, the Fenians turned upon those left on the land, taking all but three, after most desperate fighting, during which much personal bravery and daring were displayed on the part of the besieged. When the Fenians evacuated Fort Erie these prisoners were let go unharmed. The three who were not taken prisoners ran down along the river for a long distance to the unpleasant tune, occasioned by Fenian bullets whistling by in close proximity to their persons. After they had made good their escape from Fort Erie, they were chased repeatedly by Fenian pickets, and could only get away from them by entering a farm house and leaving off their uniforms. They finally made their escape to New Germany almost dead with fatigue. From their reports and the news brought to Port Colborne by the “Robb,” it was thought that nearly all of the Welland Battery had been shot dead, and it was with feelings of relief of their capture and subsequent release. This pleasurable emotion was only allowed by the knowledge that Capt. King and others were dangerously _. Three of the wounded had each a leg amputated-and nearly all the others were wounded in the lower part of the body. This we suppose is accounted for by the fact that men were shot from a height, causing a deficiency in the Fenian aim.”
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