Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1866-06-06
THE FENIANS.
Great Excitement in Canada I
THE WAR BEGUN.

, THE WAN bbuo"
On Thursday last a force Of about >.
500 Fenians crossed into Canada at Buff
alo and captured Fort Erie, opposite that
place. They then cut all the telegraph
lines and marched rapidly into the inte-
|, rior. E.'{ .
!, On Friday battle was fought at Ridge
) way,-the following account Of which is
given by the Herald am .sa
BUFFALO, June 2, z P. M
The Fenians nesr 1000 strong under
O'Neil. had reached small village about
ten miles from Waterloo Ferry, when
scouts announced the approach of large
force of Canadian volunteers. The Feni-
ans at once tore down a fence and went
into an adjoining field and formed in line
of battle Gen. O'Neil being assisted by
lCol's. Starr and O'Brien in making the
distribution of troops.
The volunteers advanced upon the Fen,
mans and the action commemorative
skirmishers on either side exchanging a
brisk fire. The order was then given for
the Fenian skirmishers to fall back. The
main bodies on both sides fred several
volleys, when the Fenians advanced on a
double quick with fixed bayonets. but as
the volunteers were ranged in the orchard
on the other side Of the swamp and sepa-
rated from the Fenians by a thick brushy
wood, O'Neil deemed the charge useless,
and gave orders to halt and fall back
The volunteers believing this retreat, ad.
vanccd from their shelter on the run.
They were met, however, by the Fenlans
with counter charge and instantly put
to rout The Fenians pussued them for
two miles, when ONeil ordered halt
The volunteers were completely democrat
lied and continued their fight to Port Col
borne. E. .H
The loss on the Fenian side is about 6
killed and Is wounded that of the vol
untecrs 25 killed and woueded in all.
The Fenians fought bravely, throwing
off their coats, vests and even shirts, and
fighting half naked. After stopping the
pursuit, the main body Of the Fenians
proceeded toward Fort Eric, leaving guard
over the wounded on both sides.
The volunteers were 400 strong under
command of Col. Buchanan.
Col. Routh, when dying asked permits
sion of Gen. O'Neil to retain his sword,
which was granted, and guard was in-
structed to see that it was not taken from
him.
A portion Of the volunteers, on reach
ing Fort Erie, toook refuge on the steam
tug Thomas Rood, but shortly returned
to the shore, remaining in the neghbor.
hood of Waterloo Ferry.
About half past three some thirteen
Fenians were seen crossing the brow of
bill when the volunteers vallantly
rushed out to capture them, but just as
they reached the base Of the bill about
800 Fenians appeared and charged pre-
cipitately down upon them. The volun-
teers broke and scattered through the
woods, and about 70 of them were cap
tured. Some Of them again got on board
the tug. while others were running all
along the shore, almost crazy in their eff
forts to secure shelter. The beach, which
was covered with guns and knapsacks
thrown away in their fight, resembled
the first Bull Run battle field.
The Fenian loss is reported to be %,
and the British so.
The account Of the fight at Fort Erie is
thus rendered:
BUFFALO, June, 2.
The force in the Fort Erie engagement
we're all volunteers, consisting of detach.
meuts of the Wellaud canal field battery,
and Dunville company of so men. The
fight lasted 20 Minutes. Capt. Ring, Of
the Welland battery, was severely wound
ed in the leg and will suffer amputation.
Two other volunteers were wounded, but
none killed. 1t is reported that Fenian
captain was killed, name not given. The
Fenians at last accounts still held the
place, but their force is 600 small to cope
with the regulars now on their way to
the scene Of action. They had already
reached Black Creek,a few miles from the