Henry Wallis and The Battle of Ridgeway

From Hamilton Spectator, June 4, 1866 Archives of Ontario P2;N184,Reel 34
about a similar distance in rear of the column; flanking parties were also, as is usual in such a march thrown out. As no transports could be obtained, The tents and blankets which the Volunteers carried with them in the train, were sent back to Port Colborne, with the cars of the Great western Railway which were required for other service, and as a junction with her Majesty’s Imperial troops was justly anticipated by the commanding officer.
Thus placed, the advance was sounded, and the column marched forward towards Stevensville, a distance of some six or seven miles, and which they would thus reach at the exact time agreed upon with Colonel Peacock, from nine to half-past nine o’clock. After they had proceeded about three miles, the leading men of the advance guard were fired upon form the edge of the woods, fringing the open ground on each side of the road. The moment the attack was made, supports of the Queen’s Own were thrown out on each side of the road, with instructions to clear the woods on either flank. In this force the column steadily advanced some distance when a rattling file from the Fenian skirmishers was opened upon the Volunteers, who replied, gradually forcing the enemy back. This, which may be said to be the first of the actual battle commenced at about eight o’clock, and at from three to three and a half miles from Stevensville. The movement of throwing out supports and advancing firing was performed by the Queen’s own with all the steadiness of well trained regulars. They pressed forward still, when Major Gilmore, in command of the Queen’s Own, reported his men were running out of ammunition, and the Right wing of the Thirteenth Battalion and York rifles relieved them.

Our Earliest Canadian Ancestors in Canada

From Hamilton Spectator, June 4, 1866 Archives of Ontario P2;N184,Reel 34
They proceeded accordingly without delay, and after they were there some little time, Capt. Acres arrived from Col. Peacocke with instructions as the course to be pursued. These instructions were that Col. Brooker should move with his whole column at five o’clock in the morning. If the bread which had been ordered for the men could be got ready by that time, or at half-past five, if that could not be done, as it was not desirable to move the men without their bread rations. They were to proceed to Ridgeway Station by train, taking the Great Western Railway cars to that point, disembark there and march to Stevensville, a distance of seven miles, so as to arrive at nine or nine thirty o’clock. In accordance with these instructions the column moved forward at five in the morning, being eight hundred and forty strong, comprising “the Queen’s Own” of Toronto, under command of Major Gilmore, four hundred and eighty strong, and the Thirteenth Battalion of Hamilton, with the York (Grand River) Rifles Captain Davis and Caledonia Rifles, Capt. Jackson, numbering together 300. On the arrival at Ridgeway, in order to form a junction with Col. Peacocke at 9 o’clock or 9.30, no teams or transports could be obtained, not sufficient to convey the stores of the medical officers of the 13th Battalion. The extra ammunition which was on board the train, was opened and distributed among the men who carried it in their pockets. The column was then formed and proved, and the march taken up, the Queen’s Own taking the lead, the leading company armed with Spencer rifles and thirty rounds per man, marching in advance about a thousand yards, and the Caledonia rifles, under command of Capt. Jackson, forming the rear guard,