[CUMBERLAND] THE FENIAN RAID OF 1866 97 
the rising ground behind us. About 11 o’clock a rifle shot rang out 
at our immediate rear and at once every one was alert and the “ As- 
semble” bugles sounded along the lines of the brigade. On hurried 
consultation with the acting-major it was agreed that I should take the 
balance of the guard which was lined up at the guard tent and strengthen 
the picquets in the direction of the shot and that he would send out a 
company at once to relieve me. We doubled out and gaining the wood 
found the men at their posts when one of them, a funny little old chap, 
explained how he had fired the shot. “I heerd somethin’ movin’ about 
in the dark but I couldn’t see nothin’ so I crouched down and listened. 
I heerd branches cracklin’ so I challenged him, but divil an answer did 
he make, so I shouted, ‘Stop, or l’Il shoot ye,’ but niver a word did he 
say but kep’ comin’ on, so I blazed at him and he ran, I heerd the 
leaves rustlin’ as he went.” 
The relief company under Capt. Mussen came quickly up and I 
hurried back with the guard. The regiment was standing motionless, 
in close column on the parade ground. We had scarcely got back to 
the guard tent when up galloped a party on horseback, being Colonel 
Lowry and his staff. It was a narrow squeak for what would have been 
said if they had found the tent empty and the guard away? 
After making enquiries the Colonel went over to the battalion and 
there expressed himself pleased with the steadiness of the men under 
a sudden night alarm. Among the staff was my father, who seeing me 
as they rode away said, ‘ Hello, so it’s you. Didn’t the old regiment do 
well? Come and see me in the morning.’ He had come over on the 
staff of Col. Lowry and it was the first I khew of it. 
The regiment remained under arms for an hour or so but nothing 
further occurred. 
In the early dawn we searched the wood and found only a peaceful 
cow grazing quietly with a bullet score on her flank. Private Billy 
Cordingly had to stand any amount of chaff and “Billy Cordingly’s cow” 
became one of the stock jokes of the camp; but the episode was not 
without its value for the Brigade. 
Next morning, accepting the invitation given, I went down to the 
water front and found the father with Col. Lowry and members of his 
staff comfortably established in the directors’ car of the Northern 
Railway, which had been brought over from Toronto. The “Alabama,” 
the name by which the car was known, was then used as the headquar- 
ters office of Col. Lowry, who was in command. Besides being the 
business centre it became also a congenial rendezvous, for the steward, 
the “inimitable” Parker could put up good meals, and was a deft hand 
at the composition of those appetizing mixtures in which thirsty souls 
delight, and hospitality abounded. 
Sec. II., 1910. 7. L 
