The Origin and Services of the 3rd (Montreal)

"""It was early in 1857 that the Battery first turned out with the regulars. Theforce had manoeuvres on the ice, the Foot Company of the Artillery defending theIsland, and the Field Battery, the regular regiment in garrison, the 3Qth Foot,and the Rifle Companies forming the attacking force. General Eyre was incommand, and he expressed himself delighted with the Battery s work that day,calling out several times Well done, the Field Artillery."The Battery had tocross great pieces of ice, blocks fifteen or twenty feet high frequently obstructingthe way. The gunners had several times to unhitch the horses from the guns,and haul the latter over the rough fields of ice by the drag ropes.In 1857 th e Batter} 7 went on anI.IEUT. STKYKNSON AND CAl T. HOGAN!58.Daguerreotype.excursion to St. Albans, Vermont,accompanied by part of Number OneTroop of Cavalry. The Officers andmen had a very good time, and everything passed off quietly,a bit of adispute with the caterer, who failed tocarry out his contract, excepted. Itwas a great event for St. Albans, people nocking there from all parts ofVermont and Northern New York.While there the Battery did a littledrill in the public square which greatlypleased the American spectators. Thiswas the first case of a Canadian militaryorganization crossing the boundary linesince the war of 1812.The year 1858 was a notable one in thehistory of the Battery. The Rifles wentto Portland that year, and the Batterydecided to go to New York to assist inthe celebration of the completion of thefirst Atlantic cable, which was consideredas a most important step in the direction of improving the relations existing betweenGreat Britain and the United States.A committee of the Battery went to New Yorkas soon as this decision was arrived at,and made arrangements for the trip, thefamous Seventh Regiment arranging to look after the visitors. The Battery went toNew York accompanied by a tremendous excursion of no less than 1000 people, andall had a magnificent time. The excursion was such a large one that the railwaysfound it difficult to provide the necessary accommodation, and man} of the excursionists had to ride on platform cars. The partyleft on a Monday morning and crossedto St. Lambert by the"Iron Duke and Prince Albert for there was no",bridgethen. From St. Lambert they went by rail to Rouse s Point, thence taking the