102 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
would start on time! Had he remained at Port Colborne he would 
have known that the men were put into cars over night and so were 
ready to leave, as they did at the exact train time. In addition to this 
earlier departure the train went four miles nearer to Fort Erie than was 
intended, and so the Booker force was at Ridgeway station only three 
miles from Stevensville, and four hours before Col. Peacock expected 
to be there. 
Had it not been for these misdirections of Capt. Akers the two 
forces would have joined and together met the Fenians but through 
them it was that the Fenians were enabled to meet one force alone, and 
sooner than was expected. Perhaps also, had a trained officer been 
present the volunteers would not have so valiantly but inconsiderately 
thrown themselves at once upon the opposing foe, but would have taken 
up a position for defence until their supports had come up. 
The Fenians, instead of remaining on the shore of the river had 
during the night marched inland for the canal. Col. Dennis and Capt. 
Akers arrived at Fort Erie in the “Robb” at 8 a.m. (June 2nd), and 
found the main body of the Fenians had left. Instead of patrolling the 
river, he landed his men and made some prisoners of some stragglers 
whom they put in the hold of the steamer. About 3 p.m., while on land, 
they were attacked by the main body of the Fenians returning from 
Ridgeway with disastrous effect, notwithstanding the gallant efforts 
of the Dunville company and the Welland Battery, three of whom were 
killed and five wounded, among whom were Capt. King and Lieut. 
Schofield, the little force of only 54 having been far outnumbered. 
We saw the house to which a number of them had retreated, which was 
fairly riddled before they surrendered. 
Col. Dennis concealed himself and fled in disguise, Capt. Akers 
escaped in a buggy by the shore road along Lake Erie to Port Colborne, 
and the “ Robb,” without officers or soldiers after receiving a running 
fire from the Fenians, went off to Port Colborne to deliver her prisoners 
to the jail. The river being left thus unguarded, the tugs brought the 
barges back to the Canadian side and at 2 a.m. June 3rd, the main 
body of the Feinans went on board and left our shores. 
To this change of the plan made without authority, and the folly 
of these two officers, were considered to be due the mis-connections of 
the day and the final escape of the Fenians. 
The career of Col. Stoughton Dennis with the Canadian Militia 
from that time ceased, and Capt. Akers was suspended by Col. Lowry 
upon his arrival next evening at Fort Erie. 
The course of Col. Peacock in stopping at Chippewa until all his 
forces had had a meal before starting on their march for the expected 
action was considered to be absolutely correct. It was further justified 
