the 1st of June, 1866, at the hour of 5.30, I received
the following telegraphic message from Lieut.-Col. Durie, A.A.G.M.:

TORONTO, June 1st, 1866.

_To Lieut.-Col. Booker, Commandant:_

Call out your regiment for active service at once, and proceed by
special train to Dunnville via Paris immediately. Complete your men to
sixty rounds per man. Take spare ammunition with you. Ascertain enemy's
position as you progress, who are reported to have landed at Fort Erie.
In proceeding to Dunnville stop at Caledonia Station and take command of
two volunteer companies (Caledonia and York) in readiness there. Better
take cars with you for their transport.

If Port Colborne is occupied by the enemy, secure yourself at Dunnville
and report to me.

By Order,
(Signed) Wm. L. DURIE,
Lieut.-Col., A.A.G.M.

And I proceeded to warn the Thirteenth Battalion, under my command,
for immediate active service. The members mustered rapidly at the
rendezvous, but as many came without overcoats or breakfasts, I caused
them to return home for breakfast and report again within the hour,
instructing them to bring their overcoats, and those who had them, their
haversacks with food. I cautioned them that I could not tell when nor
where they would have the next opportunity for a meal.

At about 7 a.m. the Commandant (Col. Peacocke) informed me that he also
was under orders to leave. Shortly afterwards the manager of the Great
Western Railway notified me that the cars were ready for transport.

The 13th Battalion, say 265 of all ranks, embarked at 9.30 a.m., and
proceeded by way of Paris to Dunnville, taking up the York and Caledonia
Companies (Captains Davis and Jackson), who reported 95 of all ranks.

On arrival at Dunnville, where we expected to remain during the night,
we were met by the Reeve of the town, who provided the men with billets,
and I reported our arrival to Col. Peacocke by telegraph. We were at
dinner when I received the following telegram:

BY TELEGRAPH FROM CLIFTON, June 1st.

_To Commander Hamilton Volunteers, Dunnville:_

Go on to Port Colborne at once.

(Signed) G. PEACOCKE.

A few minutes sufficed to see all on the cars (which had been retained
at Dunnville for orders) en route for our destination, which we reached
at about 11 o'clock p.m. We found the Queen's Own of Toronto had
preceded us during the afternoon (say 480 of all ranks). The Queen's
Own had secured all the billets, and the c