[CUMBERLAND] THE FENIAN RAID OF 1866 91 
company of garrison artillery, who had preceded us from St. Catharines, 
on Friday and had reached Chippewa at midnight. Col. Peacock and the 
regulars had arrived there at dusk on the same evening and all had 
bivouacked on the open common near the bridge across the Chippewa 
River. 
Col. Peacock’s orders over night had been that breakfast was to 
be served early so that his force might move at 6 a.m.; but in the morning 
finding that the volunteers had not been supplied with any provisions 
and had spent the greater part of the night on the train, and knowing 
that the brigade had a march ahead with an expected engagement with 
the Fenians at its end, decided that it was absolutely necessary that the 
volunteers should have a meal before starting. 
This as my memory serves me and those of others with whom I 
have consulted, was mainly prepared for us by the men of the 16th 
regiment, so that no time should be lost. 
The meal was served out, camp broken up, and we marched off the 
ground at about 7 a.m. on June 2nd.' 
This eastern column under Col. Peacock consisted of Royal Artillery, 
Col. Hoste’s Battery, 90 horses; 200 men and 6 Armstrong guns; detach- 
ment 47th Regiment, 16 officers, 250 men, under Lieut. Col. Villiers; 
16th Regiment, 350 men, 16 officers, under Major Grant; 19th Lincoln, 
350 men, 30 officers, under Lieut. Col. Currie; 10th Royals, 420 men, 
30 officers, under Major Boxall. Total 1,600 men, 6 guns, but no cavalry. 
It was a fine sight, as after having been formed up in brigade the 
troops successively taking their places in the route march, moved off 
with the Grey Battery and their guns in the centre. 
After a short distance out from Chippewa the route changed to 
move along the river road, following the river bank, winding around 
the reaches and points where the currents passed on their way to the 
Falls. The early mists had faded away and soon the morning sun beat 
down in fullest strength, presage of a sweltering day. 
After preceding along the river road for about an hour, during 
which many of the men sang choruses as they marched, a sudden turn 
was made at Black Creek inland, almost at right angles, and we left the 
river behind. The pace hitherto had been fairly quick; but soon it was 
hastened, and then the rumour came down the line that the Queen’s 
Own and 13th were engaged with the Fenians at some point ahead. 
Then the rate was increased, paces lengthened and every man strove 
his utmost to press quicker forward. It was the first hot day of the 
summer season, one of those days when the air unrelieved by any moving 
| Capt. J. A. Macdonald of the St. Catherines Garrison Artillery, who were left 
behind to guard the base at Chippewa, says he was on the guard tent, and that it 
was nearer 7.30 before the column started. 
