O'Neil had left his picket lines extended over a large area of country, and scouts and patrols were still on duty on the country roads and along the river bank.

Reinforcements were expected over from Buffalo that night, and O'Neil personally felt disposed to fortify his brigade in the ruins of the Old Fort and fight to a finish.
But by this time the American authorities had aroused, and instructed Gen.

W.F.Barry (the United States officer in command at Buffalo), to stop any more Fenian troops from crossing into Canada, and in the performance of this duty he exhibited great energy.

There were thousands of Fenians ready and eager to cross the border to reinforce O'Neil.
but the presence of the United States gunboat "Michigan" and several regiments and batteries of American regular troops, prevented the movement.

Therefore the Fenians who were marooned in Canada, with visions of a hangman's noose dangling before them, became desperate and despondent.