rted. On our way down we built
breastworks of cordwood along the bulwarks of the boat. These were
impregnable to rifle bullets. When within six miles of Fort Erie
two volunteers were called for to go ashore without arms and proceed
cautiously down the lake and gather what information they could. All
offered, but young Murdy and Edie were the chosen ones, two as brave
boys as ever sun shone on. They went ashore, and then the boat resumed
her journey. On turning into the river we saw the place was occupied
by our troops, and the enemy in a scow made fast to the U. S. steamer
Michigan, on the American shore. You may imagine the satisfaction this
state of things gave us, nearly as much as if we had captured them
ourselves. Our boys were much disappointed on finding the bird flown.
We had heard of the repulse of the "Queen's Own" at Port Colborne, and
every one went down with the determination to do all in their power to
avenge their loss. Our joy was unbounded when we reached the wharf at
finding our Second Lieutenant, Angus McDonald, and the greater part of
our men, together with the most of the men belonging to the Battery.
There were not many of our men taken, as they had no uniform, except
the officers, and after slipping off their belts, they looked like
civilians, in which capacity they effected their escape, and at once
proceeded to Port Colborne and Dunnville to report themselves. Strange
to say, the only one of our company touched was by a bayonet in the
breast; not so bad as to prevent him from doing duty. The Welland Canal
Field Battery was not so fortunate, having five wounded, namely: Captain
King, leg, below the knee, amputated; Fergus Scholfield, foot amputated;
John Bradley, leg amputated; John Herbison, wounded in the leg, and
another with a flesh wound through the thigh. The Fenian casualties were
Major Bigelow, with five balls through his breast, an Adjutant and
six men killed, all shot through the breast, besides fourteen wounded,
making in all twenty-two casualties--_the gallant Queen's Own were
avenged_. The Fenian officers and men told the prisoners at the camp
that their strength was 640 engaged in the fight, and 260 on the top of
the hill as a reserve, and if all the Canadians fought as well as they
did, they feared it would be a hard struggle, but they were determined
to conquer.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S BODY GUARD--DENISON'S RAPID RIDE --COL.
PEACOCKE'S MOVEMENTS--ARRIVAL OF