Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-06-07
The Baltimore Sun also says:
THE FENIAN INVASION ANDITS
RESULTS.

The Fenisn invasion Of Canada, which II was
really difficult to credit in the irst-place as q
serious enterprise, has begun and ended, all
within few hours, as it were. Before the ac-
counts Of It's opening senes were all received and
digested, or comprehended, or even fully credi-
ted, We have the importent and generally ex-
pected finale of the desperate undertaking.
The Fenians appear to have met and fought
forces of Canadian volunteers, probably equal
ing or exceeding their own numbers, and to
have made so good and brave fight as to have
scattered their antagonists; but in their i'm
practicable situation Of being without adequate
supplies, cut off from reinforcements and other
succors, the United States military and naval
authorities having interposed their action along
the frontier for the purpose, and other columns
Of British troops advancing upon them from
different points, the Fenians are reported to
have suddenly evacuated Fort Erie on Saturday
night, as their only measures of safety, in order
not to be "gobbled up by the Britishers, and
run the risk, as they say, of being brought to
the halter. In attempting to cross back to the
American side several hundred Of them were
captured by the United States boats guarding
the Niagara river, and are held as prisoners at
Black Rock under the steamer Michigans guns;
among them are Col. 0'Neill, who commanded
the unfortunate Fenians, and his staff. The
only prisoners taken by the British are some
thirty odd pickets. The Fenians, it appears,
had no artillery. There is grave responsible
ity resting somewhere for these rash enterprises,
leading enthusiastic and devoted men not only
to fruiteSs sacrifices and ruin, but into the COM
mission of an offence against the laws of their
adopted country which, of course, it is impossi-
bic for the United States to let pass with i'm
punity. Thus, those who set up to be leaders
must have intelligence enough to know.
What is to be the ultimate disposition of the
prisoners is not known, as our officers in charge
of them are awaiting advices from Washington,
and the British Minister will probably be con-
suited on the subject. Other Fenian move
ments are, however, anticipated along the bor-
der, and Lieut.. Gen. Grant and Gems. Meade
and Barry are making arrangements according
" for their Observation-Disclosures Sun.
We published yesterday the fact that the Fe-
mans who had invaded Canada had retreated
and returned to the American side of the boun-
dairy in disabled condition, and that thirty
two of their number had been captured by the
Canadians The further important fact was
announced that Colonel 0'Neill, the commander
of the EXPEDITION, with many of his followers,
had been taken prisoners by the United States
authorities. We have since received various
statements, but they are so conflicting and
sensational thatit would puzzle the reader to
make anything out of them, and therefore we
deem it unnecessary to publish them.
II is stated that the commander of the British
forces at Fort Erie made demand on Comman-
der Bysax, of the Michigan, to deliver up the
Fenian prisoners but this was refused. Anoth-
er account denies that any such demand was
made.-BaH Sun, 9Th.