d with Enfield rifles and equipment, but were without uniforms.
Thus the total strength of the combatant forces which left Port Colborne
on the "W. T. Robb" was 108 of all ranks. Without waiting for a reply
from Col. Peacocke relative to the change in plans suggested by the
conference, Lieut.-Col. Dennis, accompanied by Capt. Akers, went on
board the tug, and assuming command of the expedition, ordered the
vessel to proceed at once to Fort Erie.

Shortly after the "W. T. Robb" left the harbor, a telegram was received
by Lieut.-Col. Booker from Col. Peacocke, ordering him to adhere to his
original instructions, and to leave Port Colborne for Ridgeway not later
than 5.30 a.m., to disembark there and march to Stevensville, so as to
effect the junction with his column at the specified hour. Lieut.-Col.
Booker's troops were already on board the train, having remained in the
cars nearly all night with very little sleep, and after being served a
hasty and very meagre breakfast, the train started from Port Colborne
about 5 o'clock. The total strength of the forces (which consisted
of the Queen's Own Rifles, the Thirteenth Battalion, and the York and
Caledonia Rifle Companies) was about 840 men. Preceded by a pilot engine
the train moved carefully eastward until it reached Ridgeway station,
where the force was detrained and formed up in column of march. It was
then found impossible to obtain horses and waggons at Ridgeway for the
transport of the stores, so that a large quantity of supplies and
other material which was urgently required had to be sent back to Port
Colborne by the returning train. This was a lamentable state of affairs,
which did not reflect much credit on the ability of some officer whose
duty it was to look after such matters.

Although Col. Peacocke had notified Lieut.-Col. Booker that he
would leave Chippawa with his column at 6 o'clock on his march for
Stevensville to form the proposed junction of forces, he was nearly two
hours late of his scheduled time in doing so, which had an important
bearing on the fortunes of the day, and the events which might have been
averted. The reinforcements (consisting of two companies of H. M. 47th
Regiment, the 19th Lincoln Battalion, the 10th Royals of Toronto, and
Stoker's Battery of Artillery, from St. Catharines) had arrived during
the night and early hours of the morning. Some time was lost in getting
the column ready for the advance, and it was not until 7 o'clock tha