They were truly "a Spartan band," who were ready to sacrifice their lives on the spot, and their valor won the admiration of even the Fenians themselves, who complimented them highly on the stiff resistance they made, in the face of unequal odds, in the engagement.
The following personal narration of the fight, which was given by a member of the Dunnville Naval Brigade who participated in the engagement, is so vivid and graphic that I am pleased to reproduce it, as it gives a faithful and accurate account of the operations of the small Canadian force at Fort Erie on that eventful occasion: On Friday, June 1st, at 10 p.m., Captain McCallum received a telegram to ship his men on the tug Robb, and proceed immediately to Port Colborne.
About 2 a.m.on Saturday (2nd) we started, and arrived there a little after 4 a.m.We then took on the Welland Field Battery, numbering 59 men and 3 officers, commanded by Capt.

King, of Port Robinson, which, together with the 43 men and 3 officers composing the Naval Brigade, made a total of 108 men.Col.Dennis, of the volunteer force, then came on board and took command of the expedition, when we at once started for Fort Erie, to co-operate with the gallant Queen's Own and the 13th Battalion, who were to leave Port Colborne early that morning for the same place.

As we approached the village of Fort Erie all the men were sent below, leaving no one on deck but an officer dressed in civilian clothes.

Nothing could be seen but the Fenian pickets and some stragglers.

We went down the river nine miles, and received information that the main body of the Fenian army had fallen back to a wood some six or seven miles distant; but could gain no positive information as to their whereabouts.