Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-06-08
NUMBER FIFTY
BrFEALo. JUNG ZIP. N.

.
scouts announced the approach of large
free OF Canadian volunteers. The Fenians
at once tore down a fence and went into an
adjoining field and formed in line of battle,
Gen. O'Neil Icing assisted by Coils. Starr
and d Bricn in making the distribution OF
troops. The volunteers advanced upon the
Fenians, the action commemorative skir-
mishers on either side exchanging brisk
IRE. The order was then given tor the Fe-
man skirmishers to tall back. The main
bodies on both sides fred several volleys,
when the Fenians advanced on double quick
with fixed bayonets, but as the volunteers
were ranged in the orchard on the other side
OF swamp and separated from the Fenians
| by thick brushy wood Gen. O'Neil deemed
the charge useless, and gave orders TO halt
| and iall back. The volunteers believing
this retreat, advanced from theiI shelter on
the run They were met however, by the
Fenlans with counter charge and instantly
/ put to route, the Fenians pursuing them
tor two miles, when O'Neill ordered halt.
The volunteers were completely demOralIzed
and continued their flight to Port COlbOrne.
The loss on the Fenian side is about SIX
killed and fifteen wounded that OF The vol
unteers twenty-three killed and wounded in
ALL
The Fenians fought bravely, throwing of
their coats, vests and even shirts, and fight
ing hall naked. After stopping the pursuit,
the main body OF the Fenians proceeded to-
wards Fort Erie, leaving guard over the
wounded on both sides.
The volunteers were 400 strong, under
command Of Col. Buchanan.
Col. ROuth, when dying, asked permission
Of Gen. O'Neill to retain his sword, which
was granted, and guard was instructed 10
see that it was not taken from him.
\ portion Of the volunteers, IN reaching
Fort Erie. took refuge on the steam tug
Thomas Robb, but shortly returned 20 the
shore, remaining in the neighborhood of
Waterloo Ferry.
About hall past three some l3 Fcnians
we're seen crossing the brow of Il hill. when
the volunteers valIantly rushed out to cap
ture them, but just as they reached the base
OF the hill about 500 Fenians appeared and
charged precipItately down upon them. The
volunteers broke and scattered through the
woods, and about 20 Of them were captured.
Some Of them again got on board the tug,
while others were running all along the
shore. The beach, which was covered with
guns and knaIsacks, thrown away in their
flight rcsembled the first Bull Run battle
field.
TORONTO, June ,, Pm.
Ii Is reported that dispatch has been re
ceiyed from Col. Peacock by Gen. Napier,
stating that his force had sanguinary con-
ict with the Fenians near Fort Erie. The
engagement lasted two hOurs, and the cas-
ual,its were heavy on both sides. The Fe-
mans were entirely routed and defeated.
BUFFALO. June ,
The force in the Fort Erie engagement
were all volunteers. consisting Of detaeh-
ments Of the Welland canal field battery, and
Dunyile company of about eighty men.
The fight lasted only 20 minutes. Captain
Ring Of the Welland Battery, was severely
wounded in the leg and will suffer amputa-
ton. Two other volunteers were wounded,
but none killed. 1t is reported that Fe-
pian Captain was killed, name rot given.
The Fenians at LIST accounts still held the
place, but their force is too small TO cope
with the British regulars and volunteers
now on their way from Chippewa to the
scene OF aciiOp. They had reached Black
creek few miles from Fort Erie.
The British force consists of the 18th,
18th, and the l0Ih Royal and Royal artillery,
and several companies Of Canadian yOlun-
teers, making altogether a force not less
than $500 or 5000 men.
At the battle at Ridgcway neither io.ce
had artillery, but some OF the Canadians are
said to have had repeating rifles, while the
Fenians were armed with ordinary muskets.
Col. Starr OF Kentucky is said to be the
one that gave the word to the Fenians to
scatter and save themselves. The number
OF men on both sides did not exceed two
thousand. Accounts Of parties who saw or
pretend to have witnessed the battle at
Ridgeway are 50 conflicting that it is almost
impossible to get a true account. SOme- Still
assert the Fenians drove and whipped the
Canadians, and others state just the con-
trary.
TORONTO, June 30 P. VI.
A despatch from Waterloo SAYS that Col.
Dennis command, numbering about 50 men,
engaged so or 100 Fenians about half past >.
Gen. O'Neil ordered the Fenians 10 charge
upon the volunteers with fixed bayOnets,
when the volunteers broke and ran IN every
direction, throwing away hats, belts, cart
ridge boxes, e;c. BY o'clock the pride Of
Waterloo was IN the possession of the Fe-
mans.
Col Dennis is said to be wounded. Two
Fenians were killed, and the British bad or
6 wounded. Reinforcements for the Fenians
have crossed at Frenehman's Greek. The
operator at Port Colborne reports a large
body Of Fenians crossing 90 Canada.
BUFFALO. juno 3-P. NJ
The whole Fenian force, about $50 strong.
evacuated Canada at 4. VI. Four hundred
of them, with the leaders, are lying in ar
rest under the guns of the L. 5 war steam
er Michigan.
The Michigan is anchored in the Niagara
river about miles below the city, large
fiat boat is fastened to her under her guns.
having on board about 400 men. The Fe-
nian officers are on the Michigan under guard
Capt. BrysOn of the Michigan, thinks he
has got an elephant on his hands, and
is anxiously awaiting instructions as to what
he shall do with the prisoners. District At
tOrney Dart is also awaiting instructions
from Washington as to their disposition. 1t
Is considered unsafe to bring them into the
city, as an effort might be made by friends
TO release them.
There is considerable excitement in the
city, but the general feeling is that the gov
erument has done its duty, and our people
are glad the Fenians have fallen into Ameri-
can hands rather than have been captured
by the British.
A force variously stated from $50 to 1900
tried to leave here last nigh. in tugs and Eat
boats, probably to reinforce the Fenians, bu-
owing TO the arrangements made by Gen.
Barry IN organizing picket boats, they we're
Obliged to tuIn back.
portion of two British regiments. the
10th and 47th, seven companies of volunteers
and two batteries nov occupy the entire
shore opposite here to repel any fresh in
vasion.
By order Of Gen. Grant, Gen. Barry had
his military district extended and it now en-
braces the northern frontier IrOm Lake Erie
to Osweso-
a large additional force of regulars have
been ordered here. A portion has already
arrived
Previous to Barry's advent as commander,
40 concert Of ae;iOn had been agreed upon,
but by system Of arming tugs and picket
ing the river the Fenians have been frustra-