[CUMBERLAND] THE FENIAN RAID OF 1866 93 
disappointment to find we were too late, for we had done our best and 
the column had made a really fast march. 
Different estimates have been made of the distance marched, and 
it has been variously reported at from 9 to 10 miles. I have recently 
had it measured and find the distance by the route we came from 
Chippewa to New Germany is 12} miles. There is a shorter and more 
direct route of 9 miles; but as the bridges on this had been reported 
unfit for artillery we had been brought by a detour to the longer route 
along the river road, like around the three sides of a parallelogram, to 
join the other route. At any time 12} miles in four hours, or in three 
and a half hours if we left at 7.30 a.m., is good walking; but for armed 
troops and on such a day it was a really creditable effort, but not 
having ended successfully in bringing us into action has not received 
much credit. Yet the recollection of that forced march to get up in 
time to the fighting line will not easily be forgotten by those who engaged 
in it. 
The rest was welcome, tired limbs were stretched out upon the 
sward, and the neighbouringfarm houses foraged for supplies—fat pork, 
hard tack and bread soaked in the sizzling fat was the menu for the 
day. “Is this all we are going to get?” said one private. “Well, 
well,” replied the sergeant looking at his officers who were sitting on the 
top of a rail fence eating their share, “ Wot’s good enough for the officers 
is good enough for us.” 
The good people of St. Catharines had been good enough to 
promptly send up supplies for their regiment, and some of ours were 
lucky in getting cuts from their good quarters of beef as the waggons 
passed by us to the 19th. 
Everyone regretted that we had not been up for the early engage- 
ment but were full of hopes, and were told that we would have our 
chance later on in the day. So we cheered ourselves with the thought 
and got ready. 
It would have amused some at home if they had seen the junior 
ensign at work busy with scissors and sponge on the sore footed ones 
set out in a row before him on a bank, with their boots and stockings 
off. Feet were sponged, blisters pricked, bare places mended up with 
goidbeaters, skin, and soles cooled and soaped to be ready for another 
try after the Fenians. Luckily the hunting “huzziff” with its camp 
contents had not gone off with the satchel, for narrow toed civilian 
shoes are poor things to carry volunteers when out on active service. 
News had come that the Fenians were retreating back towards Fort 
Erie and at 5.30 we were started off to chase after them. Just after 
we had marched off the Governor General’s Body guard under Major 
George T. Denison, came up and we moved to one side of the road to let 
