The Shasta courier., 1866-07-14
Correspondence of the Chicago Tribune.
The British Bull Run.
Aow THE FENIANs WHIPPED THE CANA
DIANs-AccoUNT BY AN INTELLIGENT EYE
WITNESS.

BUFFALO. June, 5th.-Tae first battle of
the Fenan war on this continent was fought
on The morning of Saturday, June I'd, on
what is known as Limestone Ridge, about
two miles north of Ridgeway railroad sta
tion. and eight miles west of Fort Erie. /
have seen many accounts of that fight, but
all fail to give the faintest approach to a
correct account of the character and results
of the contest. / was present during the
fight and inside the British lines, and was
prol ably the only Yankee thus favored =
What shall tell you. | saw with my own
ewes or obtained from British sources. and of
the truth of which there can be no mistake.
The Fenians numbering from the best of
Information | could obtain, say seven hun.
dred, arrived from Fort Erie and took posi-
tion on the battle field about seven o'clock in
the morning. The point occupied was on the
north side Of Fort Erie, about one hundred
rods east of where the road turns a sharp
Garner to the SOUTH leading to Ridgeway.-
The position they occupied was well chosen,
being a slight elevation, with a fence run
ming lengthwise of the line and an oren field
in front The Fenans were formed in two
lines of battle, one on the first elevation, and
the other short distance to the rear, behind
Il tlrginil Tdii renee.
In the meantime information was convey
ed by scouts to the headquarters of the Brit
ish furces, located ut Ridgeway. of the posi-
tion and condition of the . bloody Fenans."
and an advance was Immediately ordered.
the commanding officer being Colonel Booker,
of Hamilton, believe, of the regulars The
f,rce, numbering at least one thousand. con-
sisted almost entirely of the Queen Own"
a body of volunteers made up of young men,
drawn from the ellie of Toronto and some
other leading towns, and from the style of
their conversation and that of their friends,
before they marched on the enemy's works,
supposed to be invincible. They advanced
quietly and with steady tread, omitting the
very necessary precaution of protecting their
hanks with skirmishers until they reached
point directly in front of the enemy's line.
and about two hundred yards distant, when
the Fenians opened raking fire all along
the line. The discharge did little or no dam
age, as the bullets passed harmlessly over
the heads of the British. The latter imme
diaiely returned the fire. and three or four
Fenians bit the dust. The front and ex.
posed line of the, Fenians then fell back,
seemingly in disorder, when the British,
surprising they were giving way, advanced
and received II galling fire from the second
lire of Fenians, posted behind the Virginia
fence. The fire was returned by the Brit
iSh, aud another volley came from the Fe
mans. followed by promi>cuous discharges,
which drove the British back some distance,
still maintaining their line.
At this moment the commanding officer of
the British, discovered two or three horse
men to the rear OF the right flank of the
enemy, in a patch of woods, and magnify
ing them into considerable cavalry force,
Immediately ordered the formation of a hol
low square to receive a cavalry charge. The
Fenians watched this movement. and knew
just where they had them. The moment
the square was formed they opened upon
them with their seven shooters, shot after
shot in quick succession This was enough
Colonel Booker ordered the retreat sounded,
the gallant Colonel unlike his position when
advancing upon the enemy, taking the lead
and making excellent time toward Ridgeway
and Port Colhorne. A scene of utter confu-
sion and decentralization fIlnwed compared
with which the heroic Bull Run sinks into
insignifcance. First went the guns KNAPP
sacks followed, belts, coats and boots in
quick succession; and when the confused
mass reached the railway track, at Ridgewav,
who could have believed that this Quick
gallant, well dressed and idolized Queens
Own.
At this point Lieutenant Colonel McGiven.
a gallant and accomplished officer assumed
command, Colonel Booker not being present
and drawing his revolver ordered a halt
threatening to shoot down the first man that
crossed the track. He succeeded, in a meas
ure, in getting the confused mass into line :;
huf he
appeared on the brow of the hill-some fifty
sixty rods distant. This was enough. =
All of the log chains ever wrought by Old
Vulcan could not have kept the Queen s
Own confused mass together. Every man
took to his heels, and the . bloody divils'' of
Fenians take the hindmost Some took the
fields, some kept to the railroad track, lille
large numbers deemed the woods the path of
safety-each face being turned toward Port
Colborne, the point whence they emerged, a
proud and confident army but a few hours
previous.
Large numbers reached the train, which
was waiting at some distance, in the direc-
ton ot Port Colbnrne. while quite a num-
ber trod their weary way, foot sore. hungry,
thirsty and bowed down with shame. grief
and woe. They continued to arrive at Port
C"lborne, until three or four O'Clock on
Sunday morning, and several were picked
mp by the train on the same morning, while
proceeding to Ridgeway, loaded down with
over LOCO men for second attack. which
was expected.
| need not describe to you the appearance
of these men when they reached Port Col
bnrre. In many instances their best friends
failed to recognize them-hatless, coatess,
shoeless, ond in many instances almost sans
culottes, Falstaffs historic army would be
counted as Brummels and Prince Georges.
in comparison with them.
And this is a days history cf the . Queens
Own" made up of the pet children of Cana
dian aristocracy. | need hardly say to you
that the patry ineficiency-to use no harsh
er term--oi the Queens Own excies the
deepest modification and sorrow among the
Canadian people. They admit their total
defeat by an interior force, and in discipline
a mere mob. The blame for their discount,
ture and disgrace is generally placed upon
the shoulders of Colonel Booker, whom they
charge with ignorance and cowardice-
There is no doubt that he will have to pass
the ordeal Of Court martial, with the strong
presumption that he will be dismissed the
service at least, if he meets with no .urther
punishment.
After the dispersion Of the Queens Own
the Fenians remained in Ridgeway for a
brief period, and then took their way back
a. k..kk l. czI