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Les cartes, plenches. tabieeux. etc., peuvent Atre fllmAs A des taux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand puur fttre reproduit en un seul clichi, il est filmi d partir de I'engie supirieur gauche, de geucho A droite, et de haut en bes. en prenant ie nombre d'imeges nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrenf: la mAthode. 32 X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 F PROCEEDINGS AND REPORT OF THE COURT OF INQUIRY ON THE CIECUMSTANCES CONNECTED Wmi THE LATE ENGAGEMENT AT LIME RIDGE. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF. OTTAWA: PRINTED BY G. E. DESBARATS, 1866. V. ^ PROCEEDINGS OF A OOtJIlT OF IN-QUIRY Seldat Hamilton on Tue^ay, the third day of July, A. D. 1860 by order of Hi, E^celleney the Commander-in-Chief, on the avpU- cation ofUeutenant Colonel Booker, to emmine and report on the cweum^tances connected with the late engagement at Lime Ridge, dated Ottawa, June 24th, 1866. PRESIDENT : Colonel Geo. T. Denison, Commandant Vol. Force, 5th M. D. MEMBERS : \ i/ Lieutenant Colonel James Shan.v, Commandant Vol. Mil., London L.euten^ant Colonel Geo. K. Ch.ho.., Commanding Vol. RiS: C^pany, oen "uf ;^L::rr::L:rorr co^ r ^-^-^ T^„„- .u r. . , guiuaiice 01 tne bourt, addressed tc olonel Demson, the President, and also the letter from Lieut. Colonel Dur bv authoruy of the Adjutant General on the same subject, also addressed to he President were both read and duly considered 'by Ihe Court pious to their entering upon the subject of inquiry Previous Lieutenant Colonel Booker having previously received due notice of r^rf:d le'^de^'dt °'^': ^'^'" '' ''' -,uiry. was permittc" be present, and he desired liberty of the Court to put in a written narrative af events as they occurred from the time he left Hamilton un il e "etmed from Lime Ridge to Port Colborne. returned ^^^^ The Order for the assembling of the Court was now produced and The Court then considered the subject of Lieutenant Colonel Booker's applica ion to put in his narrative, and after due deliberation calrto tL conclu.o,that they ought to comply with his reque^ and 70^1 ^^^ granted him permission to put in his narrative accordingly He tlien read and afterwards handed in to the Court as his state mnt of his connection with the late engagement at Lime Rdge the" following narrative which is signed by him : ^ ' • " NARRATIVE. " On the morning of ihe 1st of June, 186G, at tlio hour of 5.30 I received the following telegraphic message from Lieut. Colonel Durie, A. A. G. M. " June, 1st 1866. By Telegraph from Toronto to Lieut. Col. Booker, Commandant. Call out your regiment for active service at once and proceed by special train to Dunnville vid Paris immediately, complete your men to sixty rounds per man, take spaie ammunition with you, ascertain enemy's position as you progress who are reported to have landed at Fort Erie. In proceeding to Dunnville stop at Caledonia Station and take command of (2) two Volunteer Companies, Caledonia and York, in readiness there, better take cars with you for their transport. " By Order, " (Signed) VVm. L. Durie, " Lt. Col. A. A. G. M. " If port Colborne is occupied by the Enemy, secure your- self at Dunnville and report to me. «' By Order, " (Signed) Wm. L. Durie, " Lt. Col. A. A. G. M. " And I proceeded to warn the 13th Battalion, under my command, for immediate active service. " The members mustered rapidly at the rendez-vous, but as many came without overcoats or breakfasts, I caused them to return home for breakfast and report again within the hoar instructing them to bring their overcoats, and those who had them their haversacks with food. " I cautioned them that I could not tell when nor where they would have the next opportunity for a meal. " At about seven (7) A. M. the Commandant Colonel Peacocke, informed me that he also was under orders to leave shortly afterwards ; the Manager of the Great Western Railway notified me that the Cars were ready for transport. " The 13th Battalion say (265) two hundred and sixty-five of all ranks embarked at 9.30 A. M., and proceeded by way of Paris to Dunnville, taking up the York and Caledonia Companies, Captains Davis and Jackson who reported (95) ninety-five of all ranks, " On arrival at Dunnville, where we expected to remain during the night, we were met by the Reeve of the Town who provided the men with ) '/ i of 5.30 I ael Durie, to Lieut. for active inville vid s ])cr man, position as Erie. In and take and York, transport. .. G. M. cure your- . G. M. imand, for lany came broakfast overcoats, ey would Peacocke, ards ; the !ars were all ranks >unnville, avis and uring the men with w 6 5 Billets and I reported our arrival to Colonel Peacocke, by telegraph. We were at dinner when I received the followin-.telogram. ,T, ^ , '' ^y Telegraph from Clifton, 5x.moU\. • io Commander Hamilton Volunteers, Dunnvllle. '* Go on to port Colborne, at onco. "(Signed) G. Peacocke. "A few minutes sitfficed to see all on the rars (which had been etamed at Dunnville for orders) en ro.ie for our destination, ^^IZ reached at about (1 1) eleven o'clock P. M. We found the Que n's Own of Toronto had preceded us during the afternoon (say 480 of .-dl ranks ) The Queen's Own had secured all the billets, and'the command wth me endeavored to settle themselves as best they could in the cars for the nig^ a Bre Jr7 1 7 ' "' "' "^""*' ''^^"^ ''^'""^^ ^^^ ^^ ^o secure a Bread Ration for the men. Some biscuits and bread were obtained, and hat ofHcer reported to me that the baker would prepare a batch of bread to be ready at (3) three A. M., of the second (2nd). " I may now mention that being the senior officer present the entiro command of the Force at Port Colborne devolved upon mT ' About midnight I received the following despatch by telegraph : " To nffl «, r ,. " ^'^ '^^^^'Sm^^' f^'om Chippaioa, 2nd June, lo Officer Commanding Port Colborne. "I have sent Captain Akers to communicate with you. He wall be with you at about half past one, s d back he Great Western Cars, f after seeing Captain Akers, y:,u think they are notwamed. If you get the Ferry Boat send a detachment to /atrol " (Signed) G. Peacocke, Col. u n " ^"^ ^^Ptain Akers arrived punctually. On his arrival it appeared that Lieut. Col. Dennis and mvself vv^r. zrZc?"; r ^T '-''''' ^-^-ationof thT jr'oT .unci;: ^^z::^:^ ::r ;:r'^' ''''''-' f- -'''-' ^'- '- ^ Black Creel, d. uu n 7^ ""'"^ Supposed to be encamped near p— t„:::r" '"'-'--- -°">™-- -"-„:" 6 " It was at the same time suggested that I should take my command down by rail to the Railroad Buildings at Fort Erie, occupy and hold ihcm until seven (7) A. M. If not communicated with before 7 A. M., to proceed to Frenchman's Creek on the north side of which it had been reported to me by an Oflicer of Her Majesty's Customs, Fort Erie, that the Fenians were encamped not more than four hundred and fifty (450) strong, that they had during the day stolen (say) 45 or 50 horses and were drin- king freely. "It was also suggested that in the event of my not being communi- cated with before seven (7) A. M., and then being at Fort Erie, I should proceed to Frenchman's Creek and attack the enemy, if still there. This course, however, was to depend upon the approval of Colonel Pcacocke." "In the mean time and before I had received the telegram No. 4, Lieutenant Colonel Dennis and Captain Akers had left in the Tug (in company with the Welland Field Battery, armed with Short Enfields, under the command of Captain King) for Fort Erie. Captain Akers, at the last moment, leaving the final arrangement with me in words which I then took down in writing as follows : — Memo.— Move at not later than 5 30. 5 if Bread be ready. Move to Depot at Erie and wait till 7. If not communicated with before 7 move to Frenchman's Creek. If no by telegraph disembark at Ridgway and move to Stevensville at 9 r very rapidly. " As the cry came down the road, directions were given to the reserves on the road to form square. " At this crisis the fire of the enemy came heavily to our right flank as well as into the front and rear of our force in advance. I saw nothing to justdy the first impression that we were to be attacked by cavalry I ^avc he word to reform column with the view of deploying, when to my surprise I found the rear of the reserve which had formed part of the square had dissipated, and moving down the road, Major Gillmor came and reported o me that the enemy was bringing up his reserves. I asked him how he knew he replied, I saw them myself, I then enquired in what shape, when he replied « m column in mass of column » I then ordered the retire. But the confusion had become a panic. The 13th did all that men could do under th. circumstances and were the last in the retreat, which became general. " Many men were trodden down, I endeavored to rally the retreatim? mass, gave orders to hold the woods on either side, and some little distance down the road, was assisted by Surgeon Ryall, of the 13th, and several men, 10 but all of no avail. Bugler Ciarke, of the Queen's Own, sounded " the halt " at my request many times. Tiio horse was brought to me, I mounted and rode amongst the muii. . \ " I entreated them to rally and implored them to halt, but without effect. If I could form at Ridgway, I might regain order. I there found Lieut. Arthurs, of the Queen's Own, and other officers, attempting to rally and form companies, I called for coverers for the men to form, I was answered, the men could not find their officers. I then ordered the men to fall in so as to shew a good front. The attempt was made, but without success, and I ordered the retreat upon Port Colborne, towards which place many had previously turned their steps. I requested a gentleman from Toronto, (Mr. George Arthurs) who was present at Ridgway, and mounted to ride forward to Port Colborne, and report that we were retiring, and to send help down the road for stragglers. I saw the colors of the 13th were safe, and I moved on with the column. " A short distance from Ridgway, I dismounted and walked with a member of the Queen's Own, who was wounded, and kept the road after- wards for some time with him. " A volunteer rode the horse into Port Colborne where we arrived much fatigued and distressed at about 3 p. m. " Nearly 2 miles from Port Colborne, I was with others taken up by the second train which came down the road to meet us. The train took up several officers of the 13th and the Queen's Own. At Port Colborne, through the kindness of Mr. Pring, the collector of Customs, I was provided with the requisites for writing my despatches to to the Major General Commanding and to Colonel Peacocke. The drafts were perused by Major Gillmor, and one despatch was copied by Major Cattley, of the 13th, and the other by a non-commissioned officer of the Queen's Own. " Shortly after returning to Port Colborne, I received advice of a rein- forcement of (10) ten Companies of Volunteers from Paris. Others arrived during the evening. Amongst the latter were the Home Guard of St. Catherines, Lieut. Col. McGiverin. I beg leave especially to thank that officer for the assistance he afforded and for very generously dividing with my command, the provisions he had brought from Saint Catherines with him for his own men. Prisoners were being brought in in numbers, every question was referred to me personally. I had no Major of Brigade. No aide no Staff. Not even an office clerk of whose services I could at the moment avail myself, while farmers as scouts were coming in with their varied reports. arrived \ » 11 I felt it due to :he large force of Volunteers under my command to request the Major General Commanding to relieve me and send a professional sol- dier, (one from whom I might take my orders) to assume the command. " When at Port Colborne I reported that the 1 3th and Queen's Own were alike tired and hungry, and that, if it were possible, they should have a day's rest and that those Volunteers who had arrived during the day of the Snd June at Port Colborne should bo sent forward first. " I pointed out, that uncooked rations which it was intended to serve out to the Queen's Own and 13th would not benefit them as they were without the necessary appliances to cook and make use of them. But it was not by my wish that the 13lh were detained at Port Colborne on the mornmgof the 3rd, wliile the Queen's Own were ordered to march on Fort Erie. " I was anxious that both should be thoroughly refreshed, and I felt regret that the companions of the day previous should be separated, as they were equally able to proceed. " Then, either from misunderstanding or perhaps that I was not suf- ficiently explicit, I found that I had been relieved from the command of my own Battalion, and not of the General Command only as I had ex- pected. I immediately communicated to Majors Skinner and Cattley that I had been relieved. " The History of my connection with the campaign which resulted in tho expulsion of the Fenians from the Niagara District has now been detailed, from the moment I received orders until I was relieved from command. I submit to those to whom the enquiry of my conduct on the occasion may be entrusted that the state of affairs which existed at Port Colborne on my arrival there at 11 o'clock P. M., on Friday, 1st June, will be better understood if the communications which previously passed between Colonel Peacocke and the Officer Commanding at Port Colborne were obtained. " I have reason to believe they will bear materially in explaining the plans proposed, and under consideration before Captain Akers' arrival, and the propriety of the modification, which, if Colonel Peacocke's approval were obtained, was to have been pursued. <' I further submit the Oificial Despatches connected with the afiair at Lime Ridge, published « By Authority" in the Canada Gazette of Saturday 23rd June, 1866. Upon two points I expect enquiry will be directed, viz : to the capacity and care shewn by me for the command entrusted to me, and my own personal conduct on the Field. On this latter point I ask for the evidence of those who were present. 12 "^ That every precaution, and every consideration, for the comfort and advantage of my Battalion, which the circumstances did permit, I con- fidently assert were taken. " The Volunteer Force from Hamilton answered to the call for service with alacrity. The entire force which I had tiie honor to command was animated with the highest feelings of patriotism and zeal. All personal considerations gave way, all hardships were borne cheerfully and without a murmer. We had but one wish— to meet the enemy— and but one hope —to aid in his discomfiture— and if under the trying circumstances in which we were placed, the result was not so triumphant as the devotion and heroism of the Volunteers deserved, I trust, that as their conduct can- not be impugned, the Court of Enquiry will on appreciation of the facts, exonerate their commanding officer from^ the complete want of success of an attack which undoubtedly caused the enemy to abandon their plans of invasion, and commence their retreat. A. BOOKER, Lt.-Col. * ) vai toi ext we: wei the \ ) The Court then proceeded to the Examination of Witnesses. First Witness culled by Lieutenant Colonel Booker. Major Charles T. Gillmor, commanding the 2nd or Queen's Own Rifles. Question from Lt. Col. Booker. — When I relieved the Queen's Own and advanced tlie 13th, did you report to me that your men were becoming short of ammunition ? Answer. — On some one occasion I mentioned that one or two compa- nies staled to me that they were short of ammunition. Question from Lt. Col. Booker.— \NhGn the 13th were in action did you send out the Highland Company, at my request, to the woods to hold the woods to our right, and the road, from the reserve ? Answer.— I did send out the Highland Company with orders as des- cribed, but I cannot say if it was befojc or after the 13th went out. Question from Lt. Col. Booker, — What did they report on their return ? Answer.— \ don't recollect their return, I believe them to be the last to leave the field. seni befc mis men whe was skirr was were front stead 13 Question from Lt. Col Booker.^Bld you hear the cry of cavalry ? Answer. — Yes. Question from Lt. Col. Booker.~Did you see the Fenian reserves ad- vancing alti-r the (iry of cavalry ? Answer. — No. Question from Lt. Col. Booker.~Did you see that we were outflanked to the right ? Answer.-^o. I believe it was the reserve. I could not see the extreme right. Question from the Court.~On wliat do you grond your belief that they were not outflanked on the right ? ilnswer.-Principally on the statements of the officers and men who were out skirmishing on the right. Question from Lt. Col. Booker.~Did you notice men coming down the hill to our front at a double in front of the reserves crying cavalry > Anstver. — No. Question from the Court.-When three companies of the 13th were sent out to relieve the Queen's Own, had the movement been executed before the retreat was sounded ? Answer.~^o, so far as my knowledge extends. Both lines of skir- mishers, rifles and 13th came in together. Question from Lt. Col. Booker. -Was the endeavour made to brhig the men out of square into column .' Ansiver.— Yob. They did reform column. Question.— Waa the rear of the column or square now in retreat? Answer.— ^o. Not at that time. Question from Lt. Col. Booker.— Bo you consider there was a panic when the retreat commenced ? Answer.— I think the retreat was caused by a panic. After the column was reformed I ordered the two leading companies again to extend and skirmish, they did so. I ordered the rest of the column, which at that time, was composed of Queen's Own and 13th mixed together, to retire as they were then fiynnoo/l to i hfT'w ^ ■'K- f ■• • i.- r , iij ^, ncary Hic uu ihv iroiu ana right from Tiie enemy's front and left. This -dar was being obeyed by the men with reasonable steadmess, when as i was standing In rear of the retiring column I heard 14 them cheer loudly and call out " re-inf or cements.^* 1 then saw some men in red whom I believe was the left wing of the 13th and whom these men, I suppose, took to be re-inforcements. When these men in red heard the cheer they broke and retired. Then the whole column became disorgan- ized. This was about nine o'clock a. m. The first shot was fired about half past seven a. m. Question from Lt. Col. Booker. — Did you believe when you saw my despatches to Colonel Peacocke and General Napier that they were correct, and did you concur in the correctness of them when you were with me in the Custom's Office at Port Colborne. Answer. — Yes, the general tenor of the Report was correct, and I assented to it. Question from the Court. — ^ there any thing in Lt. Col. Booker's report, just read to you, that places the 13th Battalion in a false light? Answer. — No. > ' • Question from Lt. Col. Booker.— Bo you think the men could have been rallied after they had commenced the retreat ? Answer. — The whole force could not have been, but I could have rallied two or three hundred men around nie at any time during the retreat had I been disposed to do so, officers of both the Queen's own and the 13th were frantically exerting themselves to rally their men — but knowing that I could not be relieved by Colonel Peacocke and fearing the enemy might pass to our rear I thought it wiser to conduct the retreat in as orderly a manner as I could. Question from Lt. Col. Booker. — Were you satisfied with my conduct on the field ? Answer. — Colonel Booker asked me the same question in Port Col- borne, and I now give him the same answer that I did then, which was, that I could see nothing in his conduct to disapprove of, except with regard to the formation of the squares, which I thought at that time was a mistake — and I think so still. Question from Lt. Col. Booker. — As you were not mounted, would you explain the reason why you did not take your horse with you beyond Port Colborne ? Answer.— \ had my horse at the station at Port Colborne, when Mr. Magra^h, the manager, told me I could not get him off the cars at Ridge- way without breaking his legs, there b 16 Answer. — Yos, several times. Question from the Court. — Did you observe any thing in his conduct which appeared to you like shirking his duties ? • Answer. — No, on the contrary, I saw him urging on a company of the 13th whicli appeared to be dilatory. Question from Lt. Col. Booker. — Do you recollect the fact of our Force being out-flanked to our right? Answer. — Yes. Question from Lt. Col. Booker. — Was the firing from the Fenians more rapid than that from our own men ? Answer. — Yes, much more so, part of the time it was like file firing. I am since aware that they used both the " Sharp " and " Spencer ^^ rifle. Question from Lt. Col. Booker. — Did you receive a letter from Major Gillmor, and other officers of the Queen's Own complimenting you for your coolness and conduct at Lime Ridge ? Answer. — I did. Third Witness called by Lt. Col. Booker. George Allan Arthurs. — A merchant of Toronto. Question from Lt. Col. Booker. — Where you at Ridge way on the 2nd June, and what did you see there ? Answer. — I was there, and was at Ridgeway when the army was retreating. I there saw the Bugler come from the field on Col. Booker's horse, my brother Lt. Arthurs of t|ie Queen's Own, mounted the Colonel's horse and drew his pistol threatened to shoot the first man that did not do his duty. Colonel Booker came up as my brother was checking the retreat. He mounted his own horse and rode back towards the field to consult with his officers. The retreat was checked so far by my brother that he told off a Company of men composed of red coats and green coats. I did not see any exhibition on the part of Col. Booker of either cowardice or fear. Fourth Witness called by Lt. Col. Booker. John Douglas. — Capt. in no. 4 Company of the Queen's Own. Question from Lt. Col. Booker. — Did you, on the 2nd June last, see me at Lime Ridge ? s conduct iny of the act of our lians more lie firing, ■''rifle. om Major lU for your 17 ^?isi6'er.— Yes, in front of your command under fire. Question from Lt. Col. Bookcr.~Dk\ lus conduct on that occasion attack your attention ? Answer.~Ycs, it struck me that he was not very careful of his own safety, he being in front of the column of the Queen's Own, i,e bein- in scarlet, he was directing the movements with a field glass in his hand This was when the Queen's Own were in column after part of the 13th had gone out in skirmishing order, I saw no hanging back on the part of any officer or man up to that lime. Question from Lt. Col. Booker.-Uov,- did Col. Booker go from Ridgcway to Port Colborne ? Ansmr.~l found Col. Dooker on tlie last train going into Port Col- borne Major Gillmor and several other officers of bo^h regiments with men of both regiments were in the same train. The great bulk of the force had preceded them. n the 2nd irmy was Booker's Colonel's not do his e retreat, isult with le told off id not see ;ar. e last, see Fifth Witness called by Lieut. Col. Booker. Wvi. Arthurs-Lwut. in No. 4 Company of the Queen's Own. Question by Lt. Col. Booke^'.-Were you at Ridgcway when Lt Col Booker arrived there during the retreat on the 2nd June, and what did vou see. ^ Ansioer.-Yes. I saw Col. Booker on the retreat and he seemed in no way flurried or excited but quite cool and collected. He spoke to the men He asked them to form on their coverers. Several companies were formed up and retreated in order. Sixth Witness called by Lieut. Col. Booker. Francis Clark.—Bvgle Major of the Queen's Own. Question from Lt. Col. Booker. -Bid you .ound the halt on the 2nd June by order of Lt. Col. Booker during the retreat ? Answer.-Yes, repeatedly. He used his best, endeavours to halt the men, and then he went forward amongst the men, and asked them to halt and front and form. It had no eflfect, he said Oh God ! what is this, they still moved on. They retreated red and green mixed together, as far as I could see, to the turn of the road. 2 18 Seventh Witness called by Lieut. Col. Booker. Alexander Muir — Private in the Highland Company of the Queen's Own, a Lieutenant of Militia and President at tliat time of the Highland Company in Its civil organization. Question from Lt. Col. Booker. — Were you at Lime Ridge on the 3nd June ahd will you reeite what you saw there ? Ansvjer. — After leaving the cars at Ridgeway, before marching the whole force rtceived orders " with hall cartridge load,'''' the column then advanced. After proceeding about two and a half miles I perceived a number of horses, about between twelve and fifteen in number, loose in an open near the corner of a bush about three quarters of a mile in front on the left side of the road. These having attracted my attention, I also perceived a numb r of men flitting among the trees near to the horses. I cried out " 7 see the Fenians, there is the Fenians.''^ My discovery was made known to Col. Booker, who, perhaps, from hearing my cry, came up to me. I was the left hand front rank man of thejHighland Company, the rear company of the battalion. He gave the order to halt. He then asked me, when ? I pointed out to him where I saw the men and the horses. He had a field glass which he then used. He tried to use it on horseback, but the horse was so restive that he could not ttse the glass, he then dis- mounted by my side, at this moment Major Gillmor came up. I directed him to the proper point to see them. Both he and Major Gillmor seemed convinced that all was not light in that bush. No. 1 or the leading Com- pany of the column was then sent out to reconnoitre to the left in the direc- tion of these horses, in skirmishing order supported by the next company. The column remaitied at the halt. After the skirmishers had advanced to within a short distance of where the horses were, tiie bugle sounded the retire or the incline to the skirmishers, and the column was advanced. The rear party of the advanced guard had halted at the time the column halted, and just after the column moved, I saw several of them, if not all of them, with their hats on their rilles raised in the air and moving them indicating thereby that the enemy was in sight. The column was again halted — at that moment a bullet came whistling from the direction of an orchard on our right front. This was the first shot and came close to Capt. Gardner and myself. Here the Queen's Own were ordered to skirmish and our company furnished the right company of the line of skirmishers and in this order we advanced, in a northerly direction. The firing commenced opposite the centre of the line of skirmishers immediately upon their advancing. We continued advancing and firing for some dia- r 3 Queen's Highland n the 3nd rolling the umn then ;rceivud a )ose in an in front on, 1 also lorses. I ncry was came np ipanjr, the len asked lie horses, orseback, then dis- I directed )r seemed ing Com- the direc- company. /anced to the retire The rear n halted, 1, if not ; air and jht. The J from the and came i ordered e line of on. The Tiediately iome dis- „ '^ (/ 19 tance, perhaps three hundred yards at that timo, then the order camo for the Queen's Own to fall back on its supports ; wo ha,l then Le.n under fire about three quarters of an hour. I distinctly heard Col. liocker's words ol command given with coolness and deliberation as we were goin- into action. The Queen's Own were then relieved by the 13th. Thc^ 13th advanced in skirmishing order appearing to take the ground which had previously been occupied by the Queen's Own, the ennny continuing their hre dunng the advance of the 13th. The e„emv had evidently b en previously dnven buck by the Queen's Own. An .r.ler fro.n Col. IJcoker now came to our company, which was then un.ler cover of the school house, acting in reserve, directing our company ,o take possession of the ad o the right which led in the direction of Fort Erie, because the enemy was mana.uvenng to ou./lank our right. Capt. Gardner was told it was an important position and he then advanced our company till we came opposite a ush north of the road ; he then ordered us to ^Ivance n IZ mish,ng order through that bush, which' we did. After passing through the bu h ..e came to a wheat field on the opposite side of which we found Femans hickly posted opposite our front anreF"nt at Lime Ridge on the 2nd Juno lust, and in what capacity did you act ? Answer.~\ was present at the engagt-ment at Lime Ridge, and acted as a Volunteer Officer with the Caledonia Rifle Company, though not regularly attached to the Comjjany. Question from Lt. Col. Booker.— Did you .^ec; Lt. Arthurs mounted on Lt. Col. I3ooker's horse .' Answer — Yes. ' Question from Lt. Col. Booker.— Were you with Lt. Arthurs endeavouring to rally the men at Ridgoway .=• Answer. — V'es. Qnesiioa from Lt. Col. Booker.— Were you there when Lt. Col. Booker arrived from the field at Lime Ridge ? Ansvicr. — Yes. Question from Lt. Col. Booker.— Was Lieut. Colonel Booker mounted when he returned from Lime Ridge to Ridgeway ? Answer. — Yes. Question from Lt. Col. Booker.— Were you with tho rear guard of the column before Action .' Answer. — Yes. Question from Lt. Col. Booker.— W hem you saw Lieul. Arthurs mounted on Lt. Col. Booker's horse, was it previous to the arrival of Lt. Col. Booker mounted on his return from Lime Ridge .' Answci:~-l cannot say, but I know that alter I saw Lieut. Arthtirs Col Booker's horse, J saw Col. Hooker ride baek towards Jlidgeway. on Ninth Wiinena caMtd by Lt. Col. Booker. Robert Bcnham, a Private in the 13th Rntt. Major Skinner's groom. Question from LI. Col. Uooker.-Wid Lt. C<.1. Booker's orderly bring you back the horse which Col. Booker rode at Lime Ridge before the firing commenced ? Answer. — Yes. Quest ion from u, Col. nooker.-Bnnng the Retreat what became of the horse ? Answer.— I was leading him away to Ridgcway, Quarter-Master Stonemansaid " get on the horse." I then mounted him and rode him to Ridgeway, and there watered him, and while I was watering him one of the officers of the Queen's Own came up and asked me who owned the l)orse ? J told him that the horse I .'longed to Major Skinner, but that Col. Booker had been using him. The officer then took the horse from me and mounted him. I saw him while mounted d/aw a pistol and endeavoured to stop the men by threatening to shoot if they did not stop. I saw Col. Booker on the horse afterwards. I. Tenth Witness called Oij Lt. Col. Booker. Captain Henery .—Adjutant of the 13th Battalion. Formerly a Serjt.- Major of the Coldstream Guards. Question from Lt. Col. Booker.— W\\\ you recite .v i, ,Voiu your own knowledge occurred from the time the 13th were engaged at Lime Ridge until the retire ? And how long they were in action } /^swer.—M the commencement of the action, or rather just previously to the t'oii, the Queen's Own were throwtj out to skirmish, the reserve beinj, .... .;,o.ed -^ tiie 13th Battalion, with the York and Caledonia Rifle Ciin.p.ai^>i Soon af'erward the action commenced. The whole force .oc;m,-d toadvanc. in this order. The reserve then halted, the skirmishers and supports continuing their advance. We remained halted only about three min?ites, before an Officer of the Queen's Own came up and shouted » Surgeons to the Front.-" I then saw two officers in green running I. 23 to the front. 1 then liouni Major Gillmur tell Col. Booker to ilcploy hit right wing of the 13th Uiittalion, .nul relieve tho Qunen's Own because hteir ammunition had been exptrnd d. Col. Hooker thin gnve the com- mand to the 13th Hallalion to deploy the ri^'ht wiuji,' on No. 3 Company, whieh war* executeil niter advan(!ini( a lew yards to enable tl:iio. Each were equally cool, I particularly noticed the companies that morning as they marched out to skirmish and all were equally cool. I may state here, that this was the first occasion in which the Avhole regiment had an opportunity to skirmish as r. Battalion ; I also wish to state that I saw the right wing of the 13th extend and idvance in skirmishing order and that nothing could exceed the steadines > and regu- iarity with which they advanced. \nh Witness called by Lt. Col. Booker. Wm. T. Urquhart.—oi Wellington Square, Assistant Editor of the Spectator Newspaper, acted as Private in No. 4 Comp. 13th Batt. Question by Lt. Col. Booker.— Do you recollect seeing Lt. Col. Booker after the fight at Lime Ridge and where > Answer.— I do, I saw him on the rising ground immediately in rear of where the action took place. Question by Lt. Col. Booker.— Were you exposed to a heavy fire ? Ansiver. — We were. 27 ooIu^T""" '" ^' ""'■ ■»'"'*"--^"'"'<-- -»- y- i" 'l.e relating Answer.— \n tlio rear, (?...ao« b!j the Cour/.-What was Lt. Col. Booker doing nt the time you noticed him ? Answer — He was trying to restore order. nnt t'^T-"'"Y'r 'f' ^""'-'-^''^r" ^vere you when the right wing went out to sk.rnmh ? and did your skirmishers relieve those in front of you ^ Answer ^\y,. were on the right, I was in the Company forming the support to ih. right skirmishers, and the skirmishers of our Company in from reheved those of the Riiles in front of them. The Riiles retired in order to the resnrvos, I certainly saw two Companies eome in, but I cannot speak as to the whole line. , . lui QxesUonfroni Ike Co,nt.-Vtom the time your skimishers were posted until the retreat how much time elap.sed > Ansim'.—\ should think about an hour. Question from the Conrl.-Whni caused the retreat in your opinion, and what succeeded.^ A>mocr.-\We rcMreate.l because the Imgle sounded the retreat and we were also ordered to retreat by Lieutenant Roulh, 'he olTiccr in command of our Company, who said shortly afterwards that it was a mistake as it should have been the advance, and ordered us to halt and front-and we hahed and fronted accordingly. The skirmishers immediately came down upon us who were all men of our Battalion and we all retreated together fo the cro.ss road near the place where we first deployed. Two or three Compames of IliHes came down this cross road from the right of the attack at this moment and the whole became mingled together and the lormation was immediately destroyed. Several attempts by officers of the 13th and the Rides were made to rally or reform the men. I noticed catied Uuw'n?'' ""'\^'''"V'"' ""'"^^^y ^'" ^'"^ «"^' *'"^'-" Armstrong who earned ti,e colors. I saw Lieutenant Arthurs endeavouring to stop the men and other Ri/lo officers whose names I am not acquainted with. Tenth Witness recalled. Adjutant Ilenerij, recalled. Question/rum the Court.— Slalc the names of the officers of the right wing of th(; 13th Uallalion who were present when that wing was ordered to skirmish .' 28 Answer.— M'djoT Skinner— Captain Grant, i Lieutenant Gibson, [ No. 1 Company. Ensign McKenzie. S Captain Watj^on, Lieutenant Sew Lieutenant Ferguson, No. 3 Question from Ihe CourL-Hov.^ long have you been connected with the Regiment ? and in what capacity ? Answer.— As Drill Instructor and adjutant about four years. Question from the Court.— What proportion of the 13th Regiment was wholly undrilled at the time of the alTair at Lime Ridge ? Answer.— One man only, and the others were all drilled men. Qurslio;, ,/rom the Court. -Had the whole Battalion previously been exercised with blank cartridge > Answer. — Yes, but not very frequently. Question from the Court.— Had they had practice with Ball ? Ansiver.—l tliink 180 men had previously had ball practice. Question from the Court.-Was a large proportion of the Regiment composed of boys under twenty ? Answer.-l think about 150 were under twenly, and a large proportion of those where between 18 and 20. Question from the Court.-Did you observe any difference in the demeanor of the men and the lads when under fire. Answer.— No dilfcrence, all seemed equally steady. Questionfrom the Court.— What number of rounds had the men of the 13th when going into action? Answer.— Sixty rounds per man. Caps in proportion. 1st Witness called by the Court.-Major Skinner, 13lh Battalion Volunteer Militia. Question from the Court.— Were you present at Lime Ridge on 2nd June last, when the right wing of the 13th Battalion was sent out to Skirmish? Answer. — Yes. Question from the Court.-State the orders given, and by whom, for the movement, and what took place under your own observation. Answer.-Colonel Booker said to me at some distance about ten yards " Major Skinner, you will skirmish with the right wing," I then I > 29 npany. ed with the jiment was ously been Regiment proportion ce in the lien of tiie Volunteer 2ncl June skirmish ? m, for the ibout ten •," 1 then advanced with the skirmishers, we went, over a fence and across a field and over another fence into an orchard, on the right hand side of the road ; we went through that orchard uj) to another fence and there remained for some time ; while approaching this fence the enemy's shot passed over our heads, after remaining some lime at this fence we found their shot getting closer. We then crossed that fence and passed over a field to another fence ; after halting at the fence where we remained for some time, I passed to the right of the skirmishers of our Battalion. I went there because I saw a number of men in green uniform, on our extreme right towards our front, and knowing they were some of our men told my men not to fire upon them. I cannot say tliat I saw any of the enemy. They fired upon us irom under cover. We met a few skirmishers in green in the orchard, we passed through them. Question from the Court. — Before you deployed, what was the posi- tion of your regiment as regards the Queen's Own ? Answer.— The Queen's Own wore all away in front and the York Rillos also. Question from the Court. — How long after the first shot was fired by the enemy was it, until the 13th were ordered to skirmish ? Answer. — About ten minutes elapsed from the first shot fired until some men of the Queen's Own came in, and we were ordered to relieve the skirmishers. I heard a call for the surgeons to go to the front about seven minutes before w'c were ordered to skirmish, at the same time Ensign McEachren was carried to the rear. After going to the right of our skirmishers and cautioning the men not to fire upon the men in green on our right, I went back again to the centre of our men, we remained there at this fence about a quarter of an hour, and the enemy getting our range, it became so hot that we again advanced, vre ran across a field ; this time, the whole of No. 3 Company must have been on the left of the road, I was on the right of the road ; we found a brick house with a wooden addition to it, it was locked up with a padlock and one of our men opened it, we went in and opening the front door used the house for cover, firing through the doorway. We were about 150 yards from the woods occupied by the enemy. I saw a man on horseback gallopping past in the woods among the trees. We left tlie brick house and ran for- ward into the orchard and continued firing on the enemy. Some one on the left of the road called out '' donH you hear the bugle.^^ I thought it was meant for me, I said " «o," what does it say ? the reply I got was the " retreat." I then looked round to the rear for the first time since we 30 came out, and I ,:, „ our men at tlw rishl runnin.. i„ . tl, , , one on my left sav " whv ' M,„ „™ ""ntng ,n. i then heard some ronnd and said " J^ , af rT"*/" '""'" """""■'■" > '"""oJ ran acro« ,1 rotd o tll I f, , '" T"'^'"" ""' ' ''^ """"• ' '<""> -men. ,„ ,,, ,„ea„„ and t'tte: ^n t n LT eTTr:';™ "r'^' men behind me and the enemy purBuin, them ';°' ' ' J™ "'"^ "f ™' shot here-Stewart and Powell i ,u , ■' "' °"' """' '■'"'"' •previously depCd leeTn! J ">--<'" "" """ ""-« • .l.en aslted for Co Boot I '-'""-"'""S 0^-="-, ,,„, no answer. off three miles ahed-l-H °°° T '" "'° "■°"'' "*" °"' " '"= '« called for Majorttor an ;.tTe:,r"ir 'T T' ^^ ' '"=" somethins and 1 r,„ .n ,i,„ f . r , '^^' "" "'™«'" ' *''°"U ie left. I went almost over the same ground from which I liad just returned and got to the left of the skirmishers already extended when I extended my own Company from the right. The Company on my right being a Rifle Com- pany. When within about 600 yards of the enemy we commenced firing and advancing, we crossed two fields on the other side of the cross road called the Garrison Road. When 1 had formed n^y mv.n by a fence to give them a direct fire into the enemy, I heard a bugle call which my Sergeant said was the retire, saying it was a mistake that they meant the advance. In a few minutes the advance did sound and I took my Company over the fence behind which they were lying and told them to get to the next one as soon as they could. When about half way across the field, the retire was again sounded followed by the double. I looked along the line of skirmishers and saw them firing and retiring, and a good many men running in. We retired the men firing occasionally until we again reached the Garrison Road. I then closed the company on the centre and crossed the Garrison Road to the next field, there formed fours right and marched to where I left the reserve. In the field on the Ridgeway side of the Garrison Road there was a small farm house on the hill close to the side of the Ridgeway Road, and when I came up with the Company to this house, I saw a com- pany of Rifles in close column of sections kneeling to receive cavalry. I expressed my surprise at this and moved my own company up to the road. When I reached the fence alongside the road I saw a good deal of confu- sion and I asked generally what was the matter and what they were going to do ; some officer told me that the order had been given to form square on the leading company of the reserve. I did this with my company and halted in rear of the column. The order was now passed from the front for the column to retire, and the attempt was made to retire and in two minutes all was confusion. I 13tli Bat- Ftlune as a en's Own, remained )any to the 1 was then ompany, I 1 thought my to tlie .ave taken r'ch I was 1\vo more ^10 left. I id and got d my own lide Corn- iced firing cross road ice to give 'f Sergeant dvance. In T the fence ne as soon was again kirmishers g in. We ; Garrison e Garrison :o where I ison Road Ridge way aw a com- savalry. I the road. 1 of confu- vere going )rm square ipany and n the front ind in two y 3fi Question from the Court, — Have yon any further information to give the Court re8])ecting what ocm'ent fm'the Sttd of Jime. White the column was advancing on the road fKml'Ridge^vay toStephensvlUe, tlrft 38 advance guard gave tlie signal that the enemy was in sight. I saw on the left what I took to be a small party of men running towards the wood, at the distance of about half a mile. A party of several companies was now sent from the Queen's Own to skirmish and our company (No. 6) went out as a right flanking party — being posted at right angles with the line of skirmisliers at skirmishing order. We advanced through a wood on our right feeling for the enemy ; saw no one and were recalled in about fifteen minutes, and sent as support to a company on the right of the road and toward the right of the skirmif Lt. Colonel Jisproving the in the public which may be ilso endeavour 3 truth, based on and 1 proceedings. XL, A. G. M.