On the morning of the 2nd of June, Lt.-Col. McGiverin procured 200 stand of arms, which were conveyed to St. Catharines. And there he organized a Home Guard to aid in the defence of that town. The greatest enthusiasm was manifested by all classes of persons in St. Catharines. Young and old of the male population pressed forward, praying to be admitted to the honor and privilege and duty of defending the country. Ladies offered assistance in whatever manner help could be available. And it became available in various ways, for volunteers at the front, and for the sick and wounded brought from the front to St. Catharines town hall, converted on the emergency into a general military hospital.
On Saturday, June 2, about noon, intelligence was received of the fight at Limestone Ridge, and the subsequent retreat of the volunteers who had first defeated the enemy, to Port Colborne. Col. McGiverin called for men of the Home Guard to volunteer to Colborne. In less than an hour about one hundred and forty offered, were accepted, and were on passage up the Welland railway to aid their countrymen in driving the invaders out of the peaceful land they had dishonored by their presence.
On arrival at Colborne Lt.-Col. Booker was met. He appeared exhausted. Col. McGiverin offered him every assistance in his power. A portion of the volunteers who had been in the fight being without provisions, their wants were supplied from temporary stores brought up from St. Catharines.
About 5 p. m. the steam tug Robb, under command of Capt. McCallum, arrived in port from Niagara river with 59 prisoners. These were placed under charge of Col. McGiverin, with instructions to have them conveyed to Welland County prison. But from alarming rumors that a Fenian army reinforced since morning, was marching on the Welland canal, the Colonel judged that it would be unsafe to have them in a position so much exposed. He therefore sent them to Brantford, under a guard of thirty-five of his men, commanded by Capt. Rykert, having previously telegraphed the Sheriff of Brantford to receive them.
Col. McGiverin believing it possible that the enemy might attack Colborne during Saturday night felt it prudent to order the hotels and drinking saloons to be closed, which was promptly and cheerfully done. Finding a large portion of the force then in Colborne without ammunition he telegraphed to Maj.-Gen. Napier for supplies. To that requisition there was a prompt response. A large quantity arrived in charge of an officer of the commissariat department at 3.30 a. m., Sunday 3rd June. The troops were immediately paraded and ammunition served out. All expressed an impatient desire to advance upon the enemy. The main body soon after left, and by a circuitous route of 22 miles reached Fort Erie before breakfast.
The noble manner in which the Militia of Lincoln (without uniforms and without expectation of receiving pay), behaved on that occasion is deserving of the highest praise. As evidence of the gallant spirit which inspired all, youthful and aged, to seek the enemy, it may be related that two veterans of the war of 1812 were present; Lewis Clement a man of 80 years, who had been wounded at the battle of Chippewa in that war, and Capt. John Gibson, aged 75. They made the whole march over rough roads, rifles on shoulder, from Colborne to Erie Village.
The 13th battalion as already stated were retained at Colborne on that morning to do garrison duty. Farther evidence is not requisite as to their efficiency, their earnest desire to share in the expected combat with the enemy, and their well grounded mortification at being left behind, in consequence of the misrepresentation of Lt.-Col. Booker. But Col. McGiverin bears testimony that the 13th were in every respect soldier-like and fit for any duty on that occasion. Of the manner in which Col. Booker left them, left Colborne, that morning and hurried to Hamilton, enough has been said in these pages.
