Chapter 6 No.6

After this we were transferred to the Galatea and sailed for Halifax. The right wing left a few days before us on H.M.S. Aurora.

We had on board as prisoners the captain and two officers of the Bulldog en route for England, where they were to be tried by court-martial for the loss of their ship. After a seven days' voyage we arrived in Halifax a few days before Christmas and found the temperature below zero, after leaving one 95 degrees above. However, we had smiling faces to meet us, and the band was down to welcome us back to our old quarters again. No casualties occurred while we were absent except poor Jackson's drowning.

After handing over the books and papers in connection with the orderly room, I resumed my duties at the brigade office. We intended to present Dickens' Christmas Carol, Scrooge and Marley, but in consequence of our trip to the West Indies it was postponed until the coming Easter. The play was dramatized by Sergeant Smith; the characters had been cast and rehearsed before we left. The general inspected the regiment and found it in the very best condition; the drill was excellent, and the interior economy all that could be desired. Sir Charles complimented the battalion on their conduct and the manner in which the expedition was carried out.

About this time Sergeant Roe, of "K" Company, a most intelligent N.C.O., was calling the roll at tattoo. Pte. E. Welsh had answered his name, and being under the influence of liquor, was creating a disturbance. The sergeant ordered him to bed, but he did not obey. Again he was ordered to do so. Instead he drew his bayonet and made a dash for the sergeant, who escaped to the corridor, followed by Welsh. He overtook the sergeant at the end of the passage and thrust the bayonet into his side. Welsh was immediately overpowered and taken to the cells. Sergeant Roe was taken to his room, and a surgeon was soon on the spot, dressed the wound and had the patient removed to hospital. The wound was not a serious one. The next day the prisoner Welsh was arraigned before the commanding officer for wounding with intent to kill. The colonel could not deal with the case, only to make application for a general court-martial, which was immediately done.

I will describe in detail the court that tried this case. The application, which was sent direct to the general, contained the charge, evidence, and the prisoner's previous character, with any remarks the commanding officer thought fit to make. A general court-martial is the highest tribunal. The president and members of the court are drawn from the several corps in garrison. The adjutant of the prisoner's corps was the prosecuting officer, but for this, the highest court, a judge advocate was appointed, who conducted the case for the Crown. This was Colonel Ansell, of the general's staff. When the general approved of the application the following orders issued from the brigade office:

"A general court-martial will assemble for the trial of Pte. E. Welsh, 2nd Battalion, 17th Regiment, and such other prisoners as may be brought before it.

President, Colonel Gordon, R.A.

Members:

Royal Artillery 1 Captain, 2 Subalterns.

Royal Engineers 1 Captain, 2 Subalterns.

2-16 Regiment 2 Capt'ns, 2 Subalterns.

2-17 Regiment 2 Capt'ns, 2 Subalterns.

The prisoner to be warned and all evidence ordered to attend."

Pte. Welsh was tried before this court for stabbing Sergeant Roe, was found guilty and sentenced to penal servitude for life. It was a long time before Sergeant Roe recovered from the effects of the wound.

At Easter we presented to the public Dickens' Christmas Carol, Scrooge and Marley, which had been postponed. Sergeant Smith had written a musical libretto, of which I remember the following:

"When we were for this preparing

Late last fall,

Neither time nor trouble sparing

To please you all,

Zounds! these niggers raised the shindies,

Cracking crowns and court-house windies,

Sent us sharp to the West Indies,

Late last fall."

It was a decided success, and several hundreds of dollars were handed over to the charitable institutions of the city.

The memorable year, 1866, dawned over Canada, and much trouble and excitement was predicted. The Fenians were preparing for an invasion of St. Andrews, N.B., and the general, for the better protection of the citizens, had issued orders that a battery of artillery, a company of engineers, with the 2nd Battalion, 17th Regiment, be held in readiness to proceed to St. Andrews as soon as transport was available. We did not expect anything but a fizzle. However, it was a change, and, I may say, a picnic.