The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-06-08
Irish Inr0siOn Of Cdnada.
\ Fight between the FenianS and
British.

came up with Il DOuN Oh ci'iii9 eH'''iiI'e"
near Rllgeway. An attack Immediately
BEGAN and the fl htng soon became gen.
eraI \ number have been killed. but the
result Of the engagement Is not yet known.
LAST night the forces at Port COlbornc
We're augmented by the arrival OF the To-
ronto University company. Earl y this
morning the troops took the tram to
Ridecwav under command of Col. Baker,
Col. Dennis having gone on an expedition
down the river, three miles from Ridge
way station.
The Fcnians were cncampcd III the
bush The column ut once attacked them,
the 'Queen's Own firing the first shot.
The fight now became general, the volun-
tccrS driving the Fenians. y number
were killed on both sides.
1t is thought the volunteers will hold
their own until the arrival of the regulars
and artillery. The volunteers behaved
>plcndidIy, rushing at the retreating Fe-
mans with the utmost gallantry.
The below is Il summary of the Feni;n
invasion up TO Monday, taken from the
journal:
1t seems that the FenianS have great
prospects arising out OF what may be
rather than what is. ~ their circles
ramity the Canadian population they eN-
pect aud from them of such nature as to
discourage resistance from the authorities
because of It's overwhelming character,
and their lack of dependence OF the Cana
dian militia The REGULAR British troops
the Fenians say, are largely in proportion
devoted to the cause OF Ireland via Canada
Ii Is also claimed that not ONLY the Irish
inhabitants of the Provinces but the
French Canadians are connected with this
conspiracy, and will, at the proper time
add their cooperation. 1t Is possible.
therefore. that this occupation of Fort
Erie is but an attempt to direct attention
while blow more decisive will be struck
At Il more vital point OF British Empire in
North America.
The population OF the Provinces but
little exceeds that Of the United States at
the time OF the Revolution and the PARK
thai desire the overthrow of the British
rule i about the same aS the number OF
wLi9s and :'Sons of Liberty" in l71775.
The organization is more perfect the
means OF supply are abundant, and there
are military officers to take command who
nave learned war practically ON the field
OF battle IN the Southern States.
While the FenianS. as is represented,
are confident OF widespread sympathy,
dispatches from Toronto say that the poo
pie feel very bitter toward the invading
force. and that they would wish nothiu.
more satisfactory than the opportunity to
lnnict summary vengeance upon them.
The government. however. hay mo full
faith in the ability ot the REGULAR troops to
prevent and punish the raid. no Volunteers
viii he called out; nj least, Sucl! WIS Ike
report on Friday.
/ In this connection ii may De observed
| that there are many Oh the Canadian boz
/ der-anl indeed everywhere here in The
North-who. while they have rot the least
sympathy with the invaders, have no OBJ
lection whatever that some retaliativc pun
! isllment should fall on the Canadians for
their conduct in relation to the S. Aban-
raid. From thi, class on the frontier the
Fcnian~ will have such aid and comfort
;.- can be quietly bcstowcd.
Col. O'Ncil, tCommanler-in-thicf OF
the Irish Republic in Canada," i, the
same officer who captured the gucrrili;,
John Morgan, during his Ohio raid. and
he has the gucrrila's sword in his posses
sion. This sword was Given to Morgan
by some British sympathizcrS with the lac
rebellion, and it is now BEING ,>e,i AGAINST
the British authorities Of Cana,ia.
Fort Erie, the scene of the first triumph
of the Fenan arms. Is moi now Il fortified
place. but an old re,louhn. thrown up bv
the British in the war OF 1912. II Is Sii.
uatcd in Canada Wcs!, 1T the point where
the Niagara river leaves the lake. and lin
mc,liately opposite Black rock, which
town now term. 4 part of tlI2 city OF But
| ialo.
The village Of Waterloo. in Cana.la. Is
one mile distant from Fort Eric. The
WclIand Canal Is within short march OF
!; thc point now held by the Fenians: the
ba;tIc-ficIds Of Chippewa and Lundy',
lame are in the ne4hborhood and Navy
Island l. bat little way w the river
The place selected for the hcennin@ oi
operations is therefore in the heart OF a
region celebrated in military history.
..Carleton'>'' Dispatches.
ST. ALBAN>. June ID.
The Indications OF the last few dav,
have been that this place was 10 be tbs
, rendezvous OF the right win" Of the Fem.
an army for an invasion of Canada. Ii
is a convenient, central point. eighteen
miles from the boundary line. and CON
tains llr-e number Of lrishlncn. Their,
is a ienian circle in the place Til,
towns OF Fairfield and Fairfax, adjoining,
have a large percentage of Irish, who hav,
many brethren on the Canadian side Of
the line, Several days AGO the hotels be-
Gan 10 I'll up with strangers. Mr. >pcal
from philadcl pIa took rooms at the IRE.
mont, and a Col. Brown registered hi.
name at the Weldon hotel. Both OF the>e
gentlemen received numerous calls from
other strangers. Meanwhile Mr.. Ward
foreman Of the gas works now being re.
. built. received heavy packages OF freight