that the enemy was
in sight. I saw on the left what I took to be a small party of our men
running towards the woods, at a distance of about half a mile. A detail
of several companies from the Queen's Own were now sent out to skirmish,
and our company (No. 6) went out as the right flanking party, being
posted at right angles with the line of skirmishers, in skirmishing
order. We advanced through a wood on our right, feeling for the enemy.
We saw no one and were recalled in about fifteen minutes and sent out as
a support to a company on the right of the road and towards the right
of the skirmishing line. As we were advancing in this order fire was
suddenly opened from the enemy in front along our line, which the
skirmishers immediately returned. As soon as the fire opened the
skirmishers doubled up to cover, and we were advanced to a wheat field
and were ordered to lie down. We again advanced, the enemy retreating.
In about twenty-five minutes the order came to relieve skirmishers. We
at once doubled up, extending on the double, and relieved the company in
front of us, who retired, and I suppose formed our support. Our company,
on getting into the skirmish line, immediately fired and advanced at the
double over two fields. Then there was a check for a short time, with
a sharp fire on both sides. Then we advanced again, inclining rather to
the left, and drove the enemy out of the orchard and from the barn and
fences. We held the barn and orchard for some time. A company of the
Thirteenth came up in extended order in our rear. They did not relieve
us. They were from 50 to 60 yards in rear of us. One or two officers
and two or three men came up to the line of skirmishers, and my men
complained to me that those men of the Thirteenth behind us would shoot
them, as they were firing over the heads of my company. I got up and
asked them if they had come to relieve skirmishers, but got no answer. I
turned around to my men and said. "Boys, peg away. They are not going
to help us." They did not relieve us, but stayed at the fence in rear of
us, and some of them fired from that position over the heads of my men,
and some of them to the left. The firing continued for a little while
after this, and I saw the Fenians advancing down the road. They were
pushing forward their skirmishers and were advancing, as I thought, in a
heavy column of companies. They continued their advance, and we received
an order to retire. We then retired as skirm