e Ridge, the disaster which
occurred to Lieut.-Col. Booker's column (almost in the moment of
victory) can be attributed wholly to a fatal order being given at the
most critical time in the progress of the fight. Lieut.-Col. Booker had
up to that eventful moment displayed singular sagacity and wisdom in the
handling of his troops, and had correctly followed the usual military
rules which would be applicable to the occasion. But somebody appears to
have originated the report that the enemy were about to make a cavalry
charge, and at this crisis, when the troops were ordered to "Form
square," the demon of disaster suddenly appeared. It was the proper
order to have given had there really been a cavalry force advancing, but
as the alarm originated in the imagination of others, for which there
was no valid reason, the movement proved a mistake which turned the tide
of battle and caused the dire disaster for which Lieut.-Col. Booker was,
and is to this day, most unjustly blamed. A little reflection on the
part of his critics might have tended to tone down their asperity and
given him some credit for what he did do, both before and after the
unfortunate order was given. But some person had to take the blame,
and Lieut.-Col. Hooker was made the victim of circumstances. Here was
a volunteer Colonel (who had never previously commanded a brigade)
suddenly placed in command of the whole column because he happened to
be the senior officer present, and ordered to advance across the path
of the enemy to make a junction with Col. Peacocke's forces at
Stevensville. His orders were to leave Port Colborne at a certain hour,
which he did--exactly on time. He was handicapped in many ways, yet he
did his duty and carried out the orders he received to the letter. He
had neither cavalry, artillery or scouts with his column, so that his
position was not a very enviable one. Had Capt. Akers remained with Col.
Booker instead of going off on an excursion with Lieut.-Col. Dennis
on the tug "Robb," his presence might have made some difference in the
fortunes of the battle at Lime Ridge. Lieut.-Col. Booker had no staff
officer to assist him, and in this position Capt. Akers might have been
of some service, and won more glory than he did in the campaign. As to
Lieut.-Col. Booker's conduct on the field at Lime Ridge (which was so
unfavorably commented upon by the public press and carping critics who
accepted the multitude of erroneous rumors that were pre