one poor fellow kiss the dust, the balls striking the
ground at their feet. The Captains called on their men to turn and
fire, which they did with some effect. The next volley from the Fenians
brought poor Capt. King down, and two others. Capt. McCallum called out
to scatter, which was done; the enemy at this time were within 40 or 50
yards of them. We on the boat, with the aid of the crew who had rifles,
tried to draw the fire of the Fenians, who were coming down Front
street, on the boat, which we succeeded in doing. Their Adjutant, who
was on horseback, here fell, and after picking him up they directed
their fire at us and made a furious attempt to capture the boat. In this
they were foiled by our cutting the line and backing down the stream,
receiving at the same time a volley by way of a parting salute. By this
time our men and the Battery had got into a house attached to the Post
Office, from which they continued to resist the attack by every means in
their power. Not a great deal of injury was inflicted upon the attacking
party owing to a wood pile in the vicinity, behind which the enemy took
shelter until our men had emptied their pouches and all the ammunition
with them was gone. The Fenians then came up and demanded their
surrender, which was at first refused. On the answer being given, fire
was applied to the house in two places, the enemy standing around with
bayonets fixed to prevent any one from escaping. Our men, seeing no way
of escaping, then surrendered, determined to run the chance of being
shot to being roasted. After disarming our men, some of the lowest of
the Fenians threatened to shoot the prisoners for making a resistance
while in the house. Col. O'Neil and the other officers prevented any
violence being done, and at the same time threatened to shoot the
first one who ill-treated the prisoners. In the meantime 15 men of
the Battery, with Capt. McCallum and two of the Naval Brigade, were
retreating down the river, a body of Fenians in full pursuit, exclaiming
"Shoot the b--y officer." One who had got within ten feet of the Captain
shot at him twice with a revolver, missing him each time, when one of
the Brigade, named Calback, bayoneted him in the neck, turned and shot
another through the heart, and then said to the Captain that the balls
were coming too thick for comfort, advising him at the same time to take
care of himself. Seeing our boat coming to the rescue of the Captain and
the others, the