olumn was then halted on the road, and flanking parties
were detailed to scour the woods to the right and left. Proceeding a
little further it became apparent that the Fenians were in position
about half a mile north of the Garrison Road.

As the Canadian troops carefully moved forward, the advance guard (No.
5 Co., Q.O.R.), extended from its centre, with No. 1 Company on its left
and No. 2 Company on its right as skirmishers. No. 3 Company acted
as centre supports, No. 4 Company left supports. No. 7 Company as
a flanking party to the left, supported by No. 8 Company, and No. 6
Company flanking to the right. Nos. 9 and 10 Companies were in reserve.
After an advance of about half a mile in this formation No. 6 Company
was sent as a support to No. 2 Company on the right.

The Canadians bravely advanced until they were met by a heavy fire from
the Fenians' sharpshooters, who were extended behind rail fences and
clumps of bushes, their main force being posted behind breastworks in a
wood some distance in their rear. The Queen's Own promptly returned the
fire and continued to advance steadily. The firing then became general,
being most galling on the right and centre of the Canadian line.

The first Canadian to fall by a Fenian bullet was Ensign Malcolm
McEachren, a brave officer of No. 5 Co., Q.O.R., who was mortally
wounded in the stomach and died on the field about twenty minutes later.

For over an hour the gallant Queen's Own continued to drive the enemy
before them, and one after another of their positions was carried, until
they had the Fenians forced back to their main breastworks in the woods.
By this time the Queen's Own had nearly exhausted their ammunition, and
No. 5 Company had fired every round of their Spencer rifle cartridges.
So that it became necessary for Major Gillmor to ask for relief.

The Thirteenth Battalion was the reserve force of the column, and it now
became their turn to go into action. Lieut.-Col. Booker at once ordered
the right wing of the reserve to deploy on the rear company to the
right and extend. Major Skinner commanded the Thirteenth, and acted very
courageously. He executed the movement with great skill and ability. No.
1 Company of the Thirteenth Battalion was on the right of the line
and the York Rifles on the left. The troops advanced with coolness and
bravery and were heartily cheered by the Queen's Own as they took their
place in the battle line. The left wing of the Thirteenth