During the stay of the Battalion at Kingston the men were allowed freely to boat on Lake Ontario, restrictions which had formerly been placed on the troops through fear of desertion being removed by the commanding officer, in perfect confidence in the loyalty of the Riflemen. Every company had a boat; and excursions on the lake and boat races were common among the men. Nor was this confidence misplaced, no desertions having, by this means, taken place.
Previous to leaving Hamilton the following Brigade-order was received:—
‘Toronto, May 28, 1864.
‘Major-General Napier cannot allow the 1st Battalion of the P. C. O. Rifle Brigade to leave his district without conveying to Colonel Lord Alexander Russell, the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Privates, his unqualified approbation of the good conduct of the Regiment, during the time they have been serving under his command in Canada West. Major-General Napier has often served with the 1st Battalion, and in bidding them farewell for the present trusts that he may at some future period have the Regiment once more under his command.
‘By order,
‘(Signed) J. E. Hall.
‘Major of Brigade.’
On September 8 and 9 the Battalion embarked at Kingston in two divisions on board the steam-boats ‘Banshee’ and ‘Grecian,’ and proceeded to Montreal, where they arrived on the 9th and 10th, and occupied quarters in the Victoria barracks. Where they were inspected on the 19th by Lieutenant-General Sir W. F. Williams, Bart., K.C.B., Commanding British North America.
Colonel Julius Glyn, C.B., assumed command of the 2nd Battalion at Delhi on January 18, Colonel Hill having been appointed to the command of a brigade.
The Head-quarters marched from Delhi on March 26 to Meerut, where they arrived on the 29th. The left wing followed on April 1, and arrived at Meerut on the 4th.
We left the 3rd Battalion at the Camp of Shubkudder, after the fight of January 2. They remained there until the middle of February, when they moved to Rawul Pindee, where they arrived on the 15th. In about a month they left Rawul Pindee, and marching by Khairabad and Akorah, reached Peshawur on the 20th, and there occupied quarters.
On December 30 they moved to Nowshera, where they arrived on January 1, 1865.