e Battalion
was effected by a mergement of them with the Brockville Rifles, which
was placed on full service and divided, the right half forming a company
of 50 men under Capt. W. H. Cole, and the left half (50 men) placed in
command of Lieut. Windeat. Lieut. Robert Bowie was appointed Adjutant of
the new Battalion thus created.

Thirty Spencer rifles were issued to the Brockville Rifles, and given
to Capt. Cole's company. That officer compiled a drill manual which
instructed the men armed with the repeating rifles to act on the same
words of command issued to those who had the muzzle-loading Enfields,
which was so excellent in practice that he was afterwards highly
complimented by Major-General Lindsay when the Battalion was inspected
by him in the following May. This Battalion remained on duty at
Brockville until about the 16th of May, when they were released from
further service and permitted to return to their homes.

For several weeks the country was kept in a state of feverish,
excitement, as all sorts of rumors of intended raids at different points
were prevalent. Constant drilling and vigilance was maintained, and all
the avenues of approach to the frontier towns and exposed points were
closely guarded. The weather was very severe that winter, especially
during the period the troops were on duty, and many of the survivors
of those eventful days will doubtless remember the frost-bites they
received while pacing their dreary beats on guard duty, and the many
other discomforts which fell to their lot.

The 17th of March passed without the anticipated attacks being made,
however, and the fears of the people were gradually allayed. The Fenians
had evidently reconsidered their plans so far as Canada was concerned,
as the Frost King held sway with rigid severity, and decided to delay
their invasion until early summer. On the 28th of March the force
on active service was reduced from 14,000 to 10,000 (the original
prescribed number), and on the 31st of March all were relieved from
permanent duty with the exception of the advanced frontier posts, but
were required to parade and drill on two days of each week at local
headquarters.

Meanwhile the Fenians kept up their drill and warlike preparations.
Immense quantities of arms and ammunition were purchased and shipped to
various points in the United States contiguous to the Canadian frontier,
where they could quickly be obtained by the invaders when wanted.

During t