moved up as
the supports of their comrades of the same Battalion, and the Queen's
Own then became the reserve. The fighting line of the Thirteenth
continued the "drive" of the enemy into their entrenchments, and their
hearty cheers as they pushed on to the attack were answered by the yells
of the Fenians, who were preparing to make a charge.

Observing a movement on the part of O 'Neil which threatened his right
flank, Lieut.-Col. Booker requested Major Gillmor to keep a sharp
lookout for the cross-roads on which the reserve rested, and to send two
companies from the reserve to occupy and hold the woods on the hill to
the right of his line. Major Gillmor sent the Highland Company of the
Queen's Own to perform that duty.

Just at this time (about 9.30 a.m.) two telegrams were handed to
Lieut.-Col. Booker by a gentleman who had then arrived from Port
Colborne. Both messages were from Col. Peacocke, one stating that he
could not leave Chippawa until 7 o'clock, and the other advising him
to "be cautious in feeling his way for fear obstacles should prevent
a junction." This was disappointing news to Lieut.-Col. Booker. He had
already struck an "obstacle," and had to overcome it alone, as there was
now no chance of any succor from Col. Peacocke.

[Picture (page 49) 0057.gif, a map]

To make matters worse, a few moments later Major Gillmor reported that
the Highland Company had been compelled to leave the woods on the right
of his position, as they had found that point occupied by Fenians.
Almost simultaneously the cry of "Cavalry! Look out for cavalry!" came
down the road, and some of our men were observed doubling down the
hill. As the alarm was repeated when a few Fenian horsemen were observed
advancing from around the corner of a piece of bush, Lieut.-Col. Booker
ordered the reserve (which was composed of the Queen's Own) to "Prepare
for Cavalry," and Companies Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 promptly "formed
square" on the road. As soon as it was discovered that the alarm was
a false one, the order was given to "Reform Column," and for the two
leading companies (Nos. 1 and 2) to "extend." On reforming, the reserve,
being too close to the skirmish line, was ordered to retire. The left
wing of the Thirteenth, who were in rear, seeing the four companies of
the Queen's Own reserve retiring, and thinking a general retreat had
been ordered, broke and retired in a panic, on seeing which the Queen's
Own reserve also hurriedly retired.