Napier decided to mobilize a force at that point and another at St.Catharines, 10 miles west of the Niagara River.

These were two very strategic points at which to concentrate troops for the defence of the Niagara frontier, as they possessed excellent advantages as bases of supply for the sustenance of columns operating in any quarter of the district.

On account of the favorable rail communication with each of those places, troops could be moved rapidly by trains from the interior, and would always be within easy striking distance of an invading force on any portion of the Niagara frontier.

Therefore orders were issued to commanding officers to assemble their corps immediately at their respective local headquarters, and await further instructions.
The first body of troops which left for the front was the Queen's Own Rifles, of Toronto, with a total strength of 480 of all ranks.

The regiment was assembled at the Drill Shed on Front Street at 4 o'clock on the morning of June 1st, and received orders to proceed to Port Colborne without delay.