anadian
forces was going on, and that at the first break of day an attack was
likely to be made, from which there would be no alternative but to "die
in the last ditch" or surrender. They had encountered the raw Canadian
volunteers and experienced two bitter tastes of hard fighting during the
day, and were quite satisfied. So they decided to get out of Canada
as quickly as possible. The officers and men were dispirited and
crestfallen, and bitterly blamed Gen. Sweeny and other high Fenian
officials for not having sent over the promised reinforcements in ample
time to ensure the success of the expedition. When the twilight deepened
and the darkness of night fell, a feeling of gloom pervaded the Fenian
camp. The men had eaten their evening meal, which had about exhausted
their Quartermaster's stores, and there was nothing in sight for
breakfast on the morrow. As they gathered around their camp-fires or lay
upon the grass in groups, discussing the day's events and their possible
chance of succor, the suspense became terrible. The conviction finally
became forced upon them that without reinforcements or rescue they would
be utterly lost, and many of them were not prepared to take any chances,
so before 10 o'clock quite a number deserted their standards and
wandered down along the water front in search of some means of getting
back across the river. Boats were seized wherever found, and, loaded to
the gunwales, the fugitives plied their oars vigorously in their haste
to cross the stream. Others trusted themselves to single planks upon
which to gain support while they endeavored to swim across the current.
The covering of one of the docks afforded the means for this purpose. It
was a very risky method of navigation, and it is generally supposed
that several of the Fenian "Leanders" who attempted the passage of the
Niagara "Hellespont" in this way lost their lives in doing so, as they
were reported "missing" afterwards.

Late that night signal lights were displayed from the American shore,
which by the Fenian code signified to Gen. O'Neil that a movement was on
foot in Buffalo to attempt to run the blockade with reinforcements. But
the remnant of the Fenian army which was bivouacked in the ruins of old
Fort Erie was too much demoralized to take any further interest in the
campaign, and signalled back the information that the reinforcements
were too late--that they intended to evacuate the country, and needed
speedy relief.