Booker's force was the first to move in carrying out that plan, it will be necessary to describe the operations of this command in detail, so that the reader may acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the exciting events which succeeded each other rapidly during the time this gallant force was in action.
A few minutes after 7 o'clock Lieut.-Col.

Booker put his column in motion from Ridgeway station.

The troops had previously been instructed to "load with ball cartridge," and all were keen to meet the enemy.

Just before leaving, Lieut.-Col.

Booker had been informed by several farmers of the neighborhood that the Fenians were only a short distance in his front, but he could scarcely believe so many conflicting stories, as the last official information he had received was that O'Neil was still at his camp at Frenchman's Creek.