The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-06-07
The Fenian Movement.

CanaQa. On EEIudy last SOME 1ZUO OF 1OUu
armed men-Fenians the Niagara
River at or near Buffalo, anG without meet
ing with any opposition took possession OF
old Fort Erie, thus initiating the invasion
of Canada This Fenian army of invasion
is said to have been we'll armed, and disci-
plined but it went into Canada without any
commisariat-or any other provision for
sustaining the sinner man" of its constitu-
ent parts trusting, it would seem entirely
to the hospitality of the Canadians or their
own prowess in forsging,for their first meal.
The first skirmish at Fort Erie was not of
serious nature, but quite battle was
fought at Ridgeway some three miles from
there on Saturday morning, between the
Fenians under Col ONeill, about 900 strong,
and the Canadians under Col Buchan, about
400 strong The opposing forces encoun-
tered each other about a. IN. The Feni
ans broke down the rails on the left side of
the old garrison road, and formed their line
in the fields The skirmishers on the two
sides opened fire and fell back. About six
| rounds Of shot were then exchanged at long
range, the first fire killing a Lieutenant
| Colonel, second in command OF the Canadi-
an forces. The Fenians now advanced on
the double quick with fixed bayonets, bnt
found the Canadians i'll a strong position
behind breastwoIks and were repulsed
giving way in some disorder. The Canadi-
an troops then advanced out of the brush in
pursuit, but the Fenian forces were soon
rallied and charged again, driving them
back through the brush. The Canadians
could not again recover, and were rapidly
forced back clear to Ridgeway two miles
and half where they had strong entrench-
ments.
The 10 far successful Fenians, without
artillery, made no attempt upon them in
their entertainments but fell back toward
Fort Erie. Tho forces on both sides fought
with great bravery and showed admirable
stuff The Queens Own, from Toronto
made several very gallant charges The
Canadians were at some disadvantage in the
brush owing to the ENHANCEMENT OF their
bayonets. The Fsnians fought magni6-
Gently.
The Canadians lost in killed and wound
ed twenty three men. The Fenians four
teen.
Finding that the Canadian forces were
concentrating to attack them, the Fenians
concluded to recross to this side. The re-
treat is thus described:
About 1;15 o'clock, Sunday morning, the
transports arrived at old Fort Erie, and Col.
O'NieI and about nine hundred of his brave
little band quietly embarked and started
for the American shore When about mid
way of the channel, and outside of British
water, the tug Harrison under the charge
of acting master O. w. Norris Of the
steamer Michigan, ordered them to round to
and haul along side. The order not being
promptly obeyed it was repeated. with a
threat to sink them if not complied with.
Col. O'Niell then surrendered his command
to the United States authorities. The
Michigan was then signaliZed, and having
steam up and anchor tripped was soon
along side and taking the transports along
side dropped down to Black Rock, where
she is now Col o, Mel and his officers are
now on board the Michigan, and his men
on board the transports.
Numerous bands Of Fenians who were
out on picket duty, have succeeded in es
Gaping in small boats to this side. 1t is
thought few, if any, but wounded men, will
fall into British rsnds. The tug Harrison,
after leaving the Michigan, moved along the
river to pick up straggers She captured
two small boats, with arms and ammuni-
ton, those in charge of them having landed
on Squaw Island. AS the Harrison passed
Fort Erie, an uDarlped Fepian soldier could
be plainly seen from the deck running at
full speed up the Ridge road, when citi
zen of the place from house shot at him,
but missed his man, whom it is supposed
made his way to the woods
And TINS ends, for the present at least,
the Fenian invasion of Canada for the pur-
pose of freeing Ireland from British rule -
1t has always seemed to us that this whole
Fenian movement was the broadcast farce
that ever was enacted. AND because we
have thus thought, and because we never
believed a serious demonstration could or
would be made, we have not felt called up
on to discuss the matter in our columns -,
We have hitherto hardly alluded to the
subject Of Fenianism. If men saw fit to
delude or amuse themselves with such a
chfnerical scheme, as long as no overt act
WAS committed, we could see no objection
to 1t, Now that blood has been she'd and
there is a fair prospect that the United
States may be seriously complicated in the
matter if not forced into war with Great
Britain. it is time that the insane movement
should meet the condemnation it deserves.
We take the following plain, but truthful
statement from the Chicago TRIBUNE of
tuesday last.
Unless the Fenian leaders confidently cal
culate on embroiling the Government of the
United States in war with Great Britain,
their scheme for the Liberation of Ireland
by raid into Canada, surpasses in folly
and absurdity, any warlike undertaking in
ancient or modern times. If the plan is to
involve this country in war with Great
Britain are not its leaders engaged in a
reasonable conspiracy !? Congress is the only
war making authority known to our Con-
stitution. Are the Fenians citizens, or
aliens If they are citizens of the United
States, by what lawful right dD they make
hostile incursions into the territory of a
nation with which we are at peace. If they
are aliens, why do they abuse the hospitality
of this Republic which gives them shelter.
bread and protection The most charitable
view to take Of the matter, is, to account
them insane Long breeding over the
wrongs of their countryneu, NAV have