  O’er the vast rolling prairie, And afar in the “Great Lone Land,” Otter’s column’s advancing Amid dangers on every hand. Yet forward, steadily forward, A day and a long night they go, And just at the morn’s pale dawning Sweep down on the savage foe. And under the gallant Otter Swiftly they form up and well, Dash forward over the streamlet Into coulee, ravine and dell. Moving into the fighting line With a rush the fierce gatling goes; Forward, into the hot centre, Dealing death on the dusky foes. And the intrepid Shortt moves up, Placing his guns on either side, To sweep coulee and dark ravine, And the Cut Knife Hill far and wide. With “B” Battery in support Of Rutherford’s raging guns, Shaking the dark, trembling stream That by the base of Cut Knife runs. On either flank of the batteries The Mounted Police were placed, And steadily they extended, And proudly the dark foe faced. To the right and rear were the Guards, And the proud Infantry School corps, Cool and steady as on parade, Under Gray and the stern Wadmore. To the left, on a ledge of the hill, Extending near unto the stream, Was the ever-gallant Queen’s Own With but an interval between The stealthy approach of the foe. Protecting the ford and right rear Was the good Battleford Rifles— Brave men, deterred not by fear. Opening along the whole line, The roaring guns shake the hill, And the infantry’s fire crashes, And all hearts heroically thrill. Thus cool, collected, and steady, Dealing out grim death on the foe, By coulee and hill and ravine, And the trembling stream below. Here the foe rushed for our gatling, But were met by a scorching flame From the Police and artillery, And driven confused back again. Shortt gallantly led the brave onset, And the foe were punished sore, And the deafening guns raged madly, In one incessant roar. The right rear was now menaced, But there came a defiant cheer From the ready Battleford corps As the savage foe drew near. And the gallant Nash with his corps Cleared the ground that was threatened so; The Queen’s Own and the Guards assisted, And delivered a telling blow. The left rear, too, was threatened, But instantly now to the fore Went the fearless Queen’s Own Rifles And Nash with his gallant corps. Hot and furious was their fire, Holding there the red fiends at bay, And their coolness and their valor Added lustre to the day. Meanwhile, Ross, the intrepid scout, With his resourceful, daring band, Stole around the dark foeman’s flank, Making untenable their stand. Thus at eleven o’clock of the day, After six hours of strife, Our flanks and our rear were clear of the foe, Though severe was the loss of life. But the object of the reconnaissance Was admirably attained, And Canadian and British valor Was at Cut Knife Hill sustained. The wounded and dying were cared for, And the gallant dead borne away To the slow, sad tread of comrades, At the close of the dying day. Honor Otter, Herchmer, and Shortt, Wattom and the gallant Pelletier, Nash and McKell, Sears and Mutton, And Rutherford hail with a cheer. They fought for this grand land of ours, For our union from sea to sea; Placing their lives in the balance, They won, and Canada is free. And shall not a grateful country Honor the living and dead? We, so blest in our true freedom, Remember the blood that was shed. As long as the years roll by us May the Old Flag over us wave, And conspirators and traitors Find a ready dishonored grave. |
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