David Cathcart
Introduction

Leaves Old Ireland

Reaches Blanshard

Those Early Years

Enters Public Life

Training Day

A Ludicrous Incident

Character and Appearance
David Cathcart
Leaves Old Ireland   -   from   Pioneers of Blanshard   by William Johnston, published in 1899

At length the order was given, "Attention! Stand at ease!" and for the next hour or two we wheeled, we marched and countermarched, shouldered arms, grounded arms, and performed many intricate movements, which must have convinced the spectators, if the opportunity offered, that we were the lads that could show them how fields were won.   Hitherto we had been executing the simpler movements, when the order was given by Mr. Cathcart for the most difficult maneuver of the day.   This was to effect a change of front.   Our left rested at the bridge over the millrace, where the Colonel still maintained his position, and our right at a stump near the Sarnia Bridge, the line being parallel with the race.   Our right was ordered to swing around and take a position at right angles to that which it had before.   Precautions were taken to guide the troops through this movement as orderly as possible.   At a short distance from the stump on which our right rested, a barrel had been set up as a mark to guide the advancing column, and farther on still Lieutenant Dinsmore was stationed as the point at which our right should rest, having described about one-fourth of a circle.   We accordingly began to move, but before we had gone very far it was painfully evident that we were not going to be successful; indeed we had got into the greatest confusion, which was heightened by an incident on our left.   A soldier, then residing on the 10th con. of Blanshard, and who was somewhat of a wag in his day, had gathered some grass and quietly fastened it to one of the brass buttons of the claw-hammer coat which we have already mentioned.   In the course of the last movement the innocent wearer of the garment had to pass close to the Colonel's steed, which no doubt thought that the grass was intended as a peace-offering for its usual ration, and reached out and seized it. In doing so it unfortunately caught the button at the same time and held on. This led to most disastrous result.   A hungry horse at one end, a swearing Irishman at the other, the piece de resistance the tail of a claw-hammer coat.   The issue was not long in doubt.   The coat tail gave way, and so forever was destroyed the mercantile value of a coat which the knights of the needle had admired as the triumph of the art.   The fun arising out of this incident abruptly brought the duties of the day to a close, and Mr. Cathcart, seeing the state of affairs and the attitude of some of the troops found the Colonel, proposed three cheers for the Queen, which were loyally given.   He also informed the men that he had opened refreshments for all who were in the ranks.   This was followed by prolonged cheering, to which that even for Her Majesty was but a trifle.

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