was stopped by an armed patrol tug from the United States man-of-war
"Michigan." The officer in command, on becoming acquainted with the
nature of the Canadian steamer's mission, courteously gave Lieut.-Col.
Dennis what information he possessed regarding the operations of the
Fenians, and stated that Gen. O'Neil had "broke camp" at the Newbigging
Farm during the night and moved off down the River Road.

The "W. T. Robb" continued on down the river to Black Creek, where
Lieut.-Col. Dennis learned that the Fenian forces were then at a point
about two miles south of New Germany. A messenger was despatched to
Col. Peacocke, giving all the information obtainable, and as Lieut.-Col.
Dennis was of the opinion that the modified plans arranged by the
conference of officers at Port Colborne had been assented to by Col.
Peacocke, and that the two columns were working in unison along these
lines, he ordered the "Robb" to return to Fort Erie to meet Lieut.-Col.
Booker's force as arranged. But on arrival there he was disappointed to
find that the connection had not been made, and as he was in ignorance
of Col. Peacocke's definite orders to Lieut.-Col. Booker, after he
had left Port Colborne that morning, he was somewhat nonplussed at the
failure of Lieut.-Col. Booker to join him at Fort Erie.

But as the plan had seemed to have mysteriously miscarried, Lieut.-Col.
Dennis resolved to do something on his own account. He therefore decided
to employ his force in patrolling the river, and endeavor to intercept
the retreat of any Fenians who might attempt to escape back to the
American shore. Capt. Akers having assented to this programme, a force
was landed at Fort Erie, who picked up a number of Fenian stragglers.
These men were placed on board of the "Robb" under guard, and while the
steamer slowly drifted down the stream the Welland Canal Field Battery
and a portion of the Naval Brigade patrolled the shore and scoured the
woods and by-roads for some miles, in the course of which "round up"
they gathered in another batch of prisoners. On arrival of the patrol
parties at a point on the river about two miles above Black Creek, all
were taken aboard the steamer by means of rowboats, and after securing
the prisoners in the hold, the "Robb" was again headed for Fort Erie.
On arrival there she was moored to the dock, when a detachment of the
Welland Canal Battery again landed and brought in still another squad of
Fenian prisoners, who were