the Fenian
Brotherhood in 1865, when the total guarantee was 250,000 men. Needless
to say, we were thoroughly alarmed, and prepared to leave for home on
short notice.

"On the day of the Raid (June 2nd, 1866) at about 3 p.m., it was
reported in Chicago that 30,000 men had crossed into Canada, had
destroyed the Welland Canal, and were advancing on Stoney Creek,
expecting to be in Hamilton that night. We had wired Toronto for
information, and went from one telegraph office to another in vain for
answers. We found out afterwards that our telegrams were lying unopened
on Mayor Metcalfe's table on the following Tuesday, as that gentleman
was away at the front.

"We held a meeting at Chicago on Saturday, June 2nd, 1866, and organized
a second company to follow the first to Canada, provided their services
would be accepted and they could get to the front. The St. George's
Society guaranteed to organize more companies, which would total 1,000
men.

"Comrade Forbes and myself were appointed delegates to proceed to
Detroit and open communications with the military authorities at
Windsor, and offer our services. We arrived at Detroit at early dawn
on Monday, June 4th, and were very much relieved, on looking across the
river through the haze, to recognize the scarlet coats of the soldiers
on duty on the Canadian shore. We crossed to Windsor, and met Col.
McMicken; who immediately wired Hon. John A. Macdonald, Minister of
Militia, tendering our services. The answer arrived in Windsor between
3 and 4 o'clock, when Col. McMicken advised me to wire the company in
Chicago, and to avoid international complications he instructed us to
do this in a private manner. We then sent the following message to
the company: 'Ship what you have, and buy up the rest.' In Chicago the
company awaited instructions in the A. P. A. Hall, and on receiving
our telegram they marched to the depot through enthusiastic crowds of
sympathizers, singing, "Rule, Britannia" and other patriotic songs. On
arrival at the depot, Dr. Bigelow, a sympathizer, took off his Panama
hat, placed a $5 greenback in it, and passed it around, raising $20
more than was required to pay the Michigan Central Railroad for two
first-class coaches, which had been arranged for by Lieut. Kingsmill
with the General Manager of the Michigan Central, who very courteously
allowed us the same rates charged the United States Government when
moving troops. Lieut. Kingsmill agreed to place a gua