Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-06-15
Fenianism.

We collect from different sources gener-
al account of the late Fenan movements on
the border. But for the active interference
neutrality otherwise than in the British
sense, our canadian neighbors would UNI
doubtedly have been worse hurt though not
perhaps more scared than they were.
The Presidents proclamation was prompt |
ly followed by the arrest of Roberts, Sween-
ey and other principal Fenians on charge of
violating that clause of the neutrality law
which reads as follows
If any person shall within the territory or
jurisdiction of the United States, begin or
set on foot provide or prepare the means for
any military expedition or enterprise to be
carried on from thence against the territory
or dominions of any foreign prince or state.
or of any colony district or people with
whom the United States are at peace. every
person so offending shall be deemed guilty
of high misdemeanor and shall be fined
not exceeding three thousand dollars and
imprisoned not more than three years.
1t will be seen that the penalties are not
necessarily severe and the Fenian chiefs re-
fused bail.
account of the raid by the right wing of the
Fenian army from the VT. border into Can
ada, taken from the lips of one ofits officers.
He says shat they left Boston-the most
of the troops at present engaged-up to last
Saturday, and they were given to under
stand at this time that they were to come to
st. Adams, where the officers who were to
have general charge of the movement were
to be and give them further instructions.
They came here but did not receive any or
ders or find any one to take charge of or di-
rect them. The troops arriving were sent
into different fields, and as a general thing
they had no provisions over the Sabbath for
their men. In some regiments the Colonies
provided. Col Seaman and Major Francis
purchased some crackers and hams for their
men. The following is an approximated
list of the men in the command =
Col. Contri, Cavalry Regiment, 400 men
and nearly all armed, but hardly any am
munition.
Col. Scanlan had about 125 men and some
40 muskets, but little ammunition.
Col. Rice, about so men, but few of them
armed, with no ammunition.
Colonel Bannon of Connecticut, had so men
and few muskets, and Colonel O'Connor
some so men, making force of some 700
men, with about one-third armed and fairly
equipped. They encamped on Sunday at
Fairfax Cross Roads. On Monday, before
they moved, there was consultation at
Headquarters, General Spear having ar
rived, in which an order, the only one known
to have been received from Gen. Sweeney,
was discussed, viz that the force should
move farther to the front Colonel Seaman
and Major McGinnis opposed the sending of
their forces against the enemy without suf-
ficient arms or proper supplies but this
was met with general opposition by Gener-
al Mahan, Colonel Bannon, Major McNa-
mara and others, and the forward movement
was voted upon and Immediately commenced.
The troops, with Scanlan's regiment at the
head, marched as far as East Highgate that
day, and encamped little on this side in
the woods. The command was ordered to
remain in camp until daylight, Monday
morning, and a general officer would then
join them to command in person, and make
the successful movement. During the night
the men had no provisions, nor any NUM-
tons of any kind. They were almost en-
tirely out of ammunition, and much dissat-
isfaction ensued from their mishaps. The
officers, however, addressed their men, urg-
ing them to stand by what they had started
upon, and that no doubt provision would
soon be made for all their wants. The COM
mand waited there until 10 o'clock, huddled
together, with no one to take any definite
charge of them, the Colonies remaining as
| ignorant as their men about what trans
| pired at headquarters. The force, however
| by III A. NJ, moved forward, one part I'M
der Col. Contri, marching from Fairfield to
the Franklin junction, the other, headed by
| Col. Seaman, over the Highgate road. Both
forces having joined at Franklin, spent the
night there.
The next day we took up the line OF
march at Franklin, marched some two miles
and crossed the lines into Canada, some SOC
to 1000 feet beyond. Here Il sort of camp
was pitched, the men collecting as best they
could. Generals Spear and Mahan were on
the ground and in command. After they
crossed, still suffering from their rations
having been kept back, they sent out regu-
lar foraging parties, the first day, TO procure
subsistence from the country, and enough
was obtained to feed the men. Scouts sent
out brought in horses and the like ; two OF
the former were presented to Colonies Con-
tri and Seaman. Both were afterwards re-
turned to their owners. Another council
was called in the evening, when the general
forward movement was again agitated, but
after much discordant debate the council
was broken up, though the camp was not
| removed.
There was no discipline in the camp nc
respect was shown to the cause by many OF
the officers and men, and il became apparent
TO the minds of the honorable men engaged
that the camp must be broken up at once.
On Thursday scouting party went out Il
little way, and on Thursday night a scouting
| party of seven, under Lieut. Sweeney, OF
Col. Scanlans regiment, while scouting
came in contact with large party of the en-
envy, easily dispensing them, the Canadians
running at their approach. This same day
another party captured flag, which SEEM
ed to add much reason for self graduation.
Friday party of 1875 men, under Col o.
Connor, went foraging as far as a small
town called Slab City, but before reaching
that point all but a very few broke from the
column and pillaged and destroyed the citi-
Zens' property. These returned last night
few having an engagement with the vol
unteers at Freeleesburg and drove the enc
my's skirmishers five miles, capturing three
flags but not receiving achievements they
fell back on the main body. About noon on
Friday most of the men in camp, that had
not gone with Col O'Connor tell to plum
dering and marauding !; and finding that no
discipline existed, and that it would be sure
destruction to remain, Coils Bannon and
| Scanlon decided to withdraw, and they dis
persed their broken forces, about half OF
whom reached home to-day. The first par
| ty withdrew under these reasons, and this
wing finding themselves gradually breaking
TO pieces, and hearing of party of some
1000 English troops manpuvring, they con-
cluded to withdraw, and the last few
feeble remnants of this never extraordinary
unless in the good faith and honesty ofthe