On the Eve of the Celebration of the Battle of Ridgeway at Battlefield Park, here is an article from Sept 26, 1929. Beyond the newspaper article is the rest as it was too hard to read and my lovely wife typed it out for me, just the way it was spelled in the paper! No gorgeous carving or master work by artists of the world was seen on the cairn, but simple and lasting workmanship that will mark, by the side of a highway, another milestone in the development of our Dominion. INVADE CANADA On the 31st of May, 1866, news was flashed over the wires that a large body of Fenians was assembling at Buffalo, NY., for the purpose, it was supposed, of crossing into Canada. The next day events proved the report true when a body of Fenians variously estimated from 2,000 - 5,000 landed at Fort Erie. Provisions and supplies from the village council were demanded and early in the day the raiders sent a party to burn the Sauerweins bridge. Meanwhile volunteers were called out and several regiments summoned including the Queens Own Rifles, the York and Caledonia Rifle Companies and the Welland Canal Field Battery. On the night of June 1st it was asserted that the Fenians were all drunk at Frenchmans Creek and participating among themselves in drunken brawls. Later as the hours dragged on towards early dawn, they marched along the line between Bertie and Willoughby, heading, it would seem, to destroy the Aqueduct and Welland ship canal at Welland. Col. ONeill who lead the raiders, however, was obligated to change his line of march and made for the Ridge Road and followed it up to Bertie on account of hearing of the advance of enemy troops led by Col. Booker. Taking the rails from the fence from the North side of Bertie Road, they made a barricade against the bullets of the Queens Own and awaited the advance of Booker. BATTLE OF RIDGEWAY The morning of June the 2nd dawned with a cloudless sky and not a breath of air was stirring. The morning sunshine was brilliant and the delightful morning was a prelude to a very hot day. ONeills Fenians forces awaiting Col. Booker probably did not exceed 800 men, but they were the pick of his followers and well trained in fighting under cover. They were well placed so that a small serve was stationed in an orchard near the Bertie Road and about 300 yards in the rear of his center and the thin line of skirmishers was thrown forward nearly half a mile, close to the Garrison Road under the enterprising Col. Starr. However, battle was to commence in realty shortly for down towards Michael Hoffmans small road-side tavern on Garrison Road The Smugglers Home as a swinging sign boldly proclaimed it, were marching Col. Bookers forces in a way column of fours with the Queens Own under Major Gilmore leading, followed in succession by the 13th battalion under Major Skinner and York and Caledonia Rifle Companies commanded by Capt. Davis. Near the road house a few armed main detected lurking behind fences and trees and the Trinity College Company of the Queens Own which was armed with Spencer repeating rifles was ordered to extend as a firing line. Within 10 minutes the fire became rapid and continuous, and the steady crash of musketry lasted for almost an hour. Statistics state that it seemed marvelous that were so few were hurt by such a heavy and well- sustained fusilade. MOUNTED MEN APPEAR Scarcely had battle begun when a telegram from Col. Peacock was placed in Col. Bookers hands instructing him to defer his departure from Port Colborne for an hour as his own movements from Chippawa would be delayed. Booker however replied that he was engaged and asked his commander to advance to his assistants as possible. All went well for Booker until suddenly around the bend in the Ridge Road rapidly riding forward came some mounted men and another group of horseman were seen in the valley on the left turn, in a road leading straight to Stevensville. The later were but neighboring farmers attracted by the sound of firing, but someone has hastily raised the cry of cavalry which was rapidly passed along with the result that Bookers firing line attempted to form rallying squares in the field and there example was followed by the reserve forces. The Fenians in front were quick to seize the opportunity and shouting the old rebel yell Yi-Yi-Yi in the well-remembered high key and the old Union yell and firing as they went, they dashed forward. At the same moment a bugler by Col. Bookers orders sounded retire and all was confused which ended in a head long stampede. Booker seemed to have abandoned all hope and the retreat was continued by his forces from Ridgeway station along the railway track towards Port Colborne. As darkness approached, however, the Fenians short-lived victory had passed into oblivion for Col. Peacock had gathered his forces and before another day had passed McNeills troops had embarked for Buffalo, NY. Four years after this ignomiglous failure, following the Battle of Ridgeway, another invasion was made on the frontier of Lower Canada, May 25th, 1870, but this to served only to indicate the uselessness of such an invasion. HONOR MEMORY OF DEAD Few lives were lost and little damage done and yet on account of the possibility of what might have occurred and bravery of that handful of Canadian volunteers and soldiers the Fenian Raid will ever be of historical interest in Canada and the memory of those defenders who passed then into the great beyond held in reverence. VETERANS TELL STORIES Reverend H. M. Hershey of Bertie, Chairman, called the meeting to order and asked the 98th Lincoln and Welland Regimental Band to lead in singing God Save the King. Judge Livingstone introduced the veterans. First came Sergeant Thorburne, who was with the York Rangers in the fight. He stood 64 but is now slightly bent with years and is blind. I can tell you this is a much more pleasant time than in 66 he said. I came then to perform a duty also. Much has been said of the fight, and Col. Booker made a mistake in calling his men back when they had the enemy about routed. He spoke of Capt. Davis and others of the day and gave a vivid description of the battle. Private Wilson was a comrade of the former speaker, but could add few words to what had been said. Pvt. Reavly of the York and Haldimand Rifles, now over 80 gave a graphic description of the battle. His company landed at Ridgeway at 7 a.m. on June 2nd 1866 from guarding the Sauerwein bridge. The tug Robb had docked at Port Colborne with soldiers who were brought here by train. He wanted to correct a wrong impression regarding the ammunition which had gone forth. He personally saw it loaded in Edward Morris wagon and dispatched to the scene though Morris became nervous for his team when he reached the battle and turned to retreat. But the soldiers guarding the wagon forced him to face about and though they proceeded past the Garrison Road North not a round of it was used when needed. He was proud of his Country and men have reason to be proud of Canadians in recent wars. BOOKER CENSURED Col. Booker was severely censured and he had disobeyed orders after being told by a railroad conductor the Fenians were all drunk and that fifty good men cold whip the whole bunch. He spoke of Col. McEachrens death and that of three others. Capt. Acres of the Royal Engineers was partly to blame by changing part of the campaign and Col. J.S. Dennis was a coward and a sneak who secured command of the Queens Own Rifles by means not becoming of a soldier. Others also shared in the charges of disobeying orders. The train that brought the 13th Battalion from Hamilton should have brought more of their regulars than some inexperienced boys. He spoke of the governments and fathers of confederation who had done a great work for Canada. He was pleased the present governments were taking an interest in erecting such a cairns for remembrance. Capt. Price, over 80, expressed his pleasure meeting other veterans. He remembered the events recited by former speakers and had offered his services in the great war but had been informed he was too old. SONS OF VETERANS FOUGHT Judge Livingstone said it was easy to see where the good fighters in the last war had come from after listening to the speakers. Many were sons of the veterans. Pvt. Dell, who had been a member of #5 Company, Welland, and served 3 years from 1870 felt this monument should have been erected years ago, but it was better late than never. He was glad today to remember he had done his duty then. Pvt. Durd was proud to stand there. Though he could not see, he could hear many voices. Brig. Gen. A. E. Cruickshank said it was a pleasure and a privilege to be here to renew acquaintances, shake the hands and look into the faces of veterans. I was born a few miles down the road, lived here many years and took part in public affairs he said We owe a debt of gratitude to the ladies of Col. Kirby Chapter I.O.D.E. Col. Kirby was the first man to mount the walls of Ft. Niagara when it was taken by assault by the British and he was presented with a sword by the parliament of the day, which sword is now in the possession Col. Kirbys granddaughter in Buffalo. PATRIOTISM GREATEST VALUE He congratulated the cadets present and hoped to get better acquainted with them, which he did later when he inspected them shaking hands and speaking to each. He said the virtue of patriotism was the greatest a man could possess. He recalled the changes since his boyhood and spoke of the old Tavern known as the smugglers home which stood nearby, owned by Mike Hoffman when the sympathy of the people was with the smuggler and against the customs officers. I trust this meeting and presence of veterans will have a tendency to show the spirit of patriotism in this community he said. I tendered the thanks of the department of the interior for your presence and all that has been done today. Judge Livingstone said some people found fault with the government but the present one was not very bad when it erected such monuments. He had quite a large number of men from foreign lands appearing for naturalization every month and only Friday a number of fine men whom he felt would be good citizens. Louis Blake Duff said great credit was due to Bertie Township. BOTH WIN BOTH RETREAT Speaking of the battle, he said the Buffalo Express of that day in its account said it was the only battle in which both sides won and both retreated. The St. Catharines Journal in a dispatch dated Stevensville claimed many in Willoughby Township bedecked themselves with green ties to placate the invaders. He read several excerpts from the history of Welland County, one that General ONeill had posters printed in Buffalo to post over here saying, We come not as conquerors but as liberators to free you from the British Yoke He had never been able to procure one. Pvte. Reavley, a strong admirer of General Cruickshank said that the empire was under a debt of gratitude to him for collecting nine volumes of history which are in the Lundys Lane Historical Society. He then presented a bullet used in the old Springfield Rifles, to General Cruickshank who said he was more pleased to receive from the hand than the rifle. Mrs. Malcom Colelough Bridgeburg introduced by Mrs. Teal placed a beautiful wreath on the cairn for the Daughters of the Empire, after which all arose and sang O Canada, accompanied by the band. Veterans present were Brig. Gen A. E. Cruickshank, Ottawa, Capt. G. P. Ricest Williams, Sergt. Jas. Thorburne, Caledonia; Privates S. Wilson Bridgeburg; A. W. Reavley, F. R. Dell, Ridgeway and Wm. Burd, Port Colborne, all of whom spoke besides Judge L. B. C. Livingstone and Louis Duff of Welland.
Posted on: Sat, 31 May 2014 23:26:50 +0000
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