Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1866-06-15
THE FRNIAN INVASION OF CANADA

Inc history OF the prlnclpai movements OF
The Fenians against Cansda is summed up by
the Cleveland Leader as follows: ''it-' <'
About half after two Friday morning,
the Fenians who had been concentrating at
Buffalo for week, crossed the Niagara riy-
er, at Black Rock, two miles north of the
city, and occupied Fort Erie, which lies
directly opposite on the Canada shore.-
The number crossed were very nearly
twelve hundred, under the command of
Col O'Neil, formely of the Z. S. service.
Others attempted to follow. but were pre-
vented by the United States steamer Miclli-
gan. Fort Erie, which was thus occupied,
is not fort at all, but small town; of
about two hundred inhabitants, undefend-
ed by single armed man. 1t was occu-
pied with no resistance whatever, and in
a very orderly manner. During the day
the Fenians having concentrated the forces,
moved northward toward Chippewa, which
is on the Niagara river fourteen miles
north of Fort Erie, and five miles south
Of Suspension Bridge They proceeded
only six miles, however, to Frenchman's
Creek, the bridges over which they burn
ed, probably to prevent the advance of
Canadian troops from Chippewa. Thence
they seem to have moved in westerly
direction for few miles, and to have gone
into camp for few nights. az -.
Meantime the British authorities were
not idle. Volunteers were called for and
rushed to arms with spontaneous enthusi-
asm. Troops, both volunteers and regulars
were forwarded at once. At Chippewa
$500 were concentrated, and at Port Col
borne, at the mouth of the Welland canal,
seventeen miles west from Fort Erie, on
the Grand Trunk Railroad, a number of
volunteers from Southwestern Canada,
eight hundred strong, were hastily gath
cred. .l-t ,-@.
On Saturday morning the latter body
proceeded by rail to Ridgeway, eight
miles vest from Fort Erie; thence march
ing northeast to find the Fenians. They
came upon them about eight in the morn
ing, aud fight ensued, not very bloody,
though apparently for time quite doubt
ful. 1t at last resulted in the repulse of
the Fenians, who fell back on Fort Erie
About sixty prisoners were taken and sent
to Ridgeway, whence they were carried
by Canadian tug to Fort Erie, which
had in the meantime been occupied bv a
company Of Canadian volunteers from
Dunnville, .i
At three o'clock Saturday afternoon, this
garrison was attacked by what appears to
have been the advance of the retreating
forces of the Fenians. After brief skir-
mish the Canadians, outnumbered, two to
one, surrendered, and Fort Erie was again
III the hands of the Fenian force. The
Canadian tug containing the prisoners was
not captured.
Having thus fallen back on Fort Erie,
the Fenian force concluded their brief two
days campaign by Il hasty skedaddle. But
like many other poor fellows, they found ],
it harder to get out Of their scrape than to
get into it. The Michigan, whose COM
mander had doubtless been reprimanded
for his negligence in permitting the Fe-
mans to cross at all, was on the watch, and
captured some four or five hundred who
attempted TO get back TO the American
shore. About thirty were taken prisoners
by the British forces, under Colonel Pea
cock, who advanced from Chippewa, upon
Fort Erie. O'Neil is himself prisoner
Some succeeded in crossing to the Ameri-
can shore, and some are probably still in
Canada, scattered, demoralized and fugi-
tives. Thus ends Colonel O'NeiPs cam
paign Of forty-eight hours