their homes, the majority of them wholly unprovided with the means of
subsistence, and illy equipped for campaigning, to combat a band of
veteran troops who were bent on capturing Canada. A large proportion
of our volunteers were mere youths who had left their colleges, office
work, mercantile and other occupations, to go forth at their country's
call, and had never encountered the perils of war or seen a hostile
shot fired in their lives. But the high spirit of courage and patriotism
which animated the hearts of all, rendered them self-reliant and
determined to do their utmost in performing their sacred duty to their
Queen and country.

In the preceding chapter a general idea of Col. Peacock's plan of
campaign was given, and as Lieut.-Col. Booker's force was the first to
move in carrying out that plan, it will be necessary to describe the
operations of this command in detail, so that the reader may acquire
a comprehensive knowledge of the exciting events which succeeded each
other rapidly during the time this gallant force was in action.

A few minutes after 7 o'clock Lieut.-Col. Booker put his column in
motion from Ridgeway station. The troops had previously been instructed
to "load with ball cartridge," and all were keen to meet the enemy. Just
before leaving, Lieut.-Col. Booker had been informed by several farmers
of the neighborhood that the Fenians were only a short distance in his
front, but he could scarcely believe so many conflicting stories, as the
last official information he had received was that O'Neil was still at
his camp at Frenchman's Creek. Although he considered the information
unreliable, still he resolved to be prudent, and keep a sharp lookout
for "breakers ahead." The usual military precautions which govern an
advance into a hostile country were taken by him, and the advance guard
and commanding officers warned to be on the alert.

The Queen's Own Rifles, under command of Major Charles T. Gillmor,
led the van, followed by the York Rifle Company (Capt. Davis), the
Thirteenth Battalion, under command of Major Skinner, and the Caledonia
Rifle Company, under Capt. Jackson, in the order named. No. 5 Company
of the Queen's Own (who were armed with Spencer repeating rifles) formed
the advance guard, and the Caledonia Rifles the rear guard.

After proceeding about two miles along the Ridge Road the advance guard
signalled back the intelligence that there were indications of the enemy
in front. The c