Poetry · Chapter
Lines on Colonel Wonham explained
A poem commemorating Colonel Wonham and his company's mobilization during the Fenian Raid, detailing their march from Ingersoll to Woodstock and finally to Windsor to face the American border.
What happens
A poem commemorating Colonel Wonham and his company's mobilization during the Fenian Raid, detailing their march from Ingersoll to Woodstock and finally to Windsor to face the American border.
Themes in this chapter
Local Patriotism and Regional Pride
The poem celebrates Colonel Wonham and his local company's readiness to defend Canada, highlighting regional loyalty and military duty.
Characters to notice
- Colonel Wonham
The subject of the poem, a former Ingersoll resident who led his company during the Fenian Raid.
Key passages
“When Wonham got orders To march to the borders, His boys they were ready, And fell in quite steady.”
Upon receiving orders to go to the border, Colonel Wonham's men were prepared and assembled in an orderly fashion.
Describes the prompt and disciplined response of Wonham's company to the call to arms.
“They first march’d to Woodstock To prepare for war’s shock, And soon camped at Windsor, Facing American shore.”
They first marched to Woodstock to get ready for battle, then quickly set up camp at Windsor, directly across from the American side.
Outlines the route and strategic positioning of the militia during the Fenian Raid.