The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-06-06
The Second Fcnian UOr.

We continue our details of the last at
temp, to invade Canada by the Fenians OF
the United States. The main facts stated
here have been published in kilograms,
but they were not as explicit as was dcSira-
bic. We begin with the
FIGHT AT RIDGwAY.
As an interesting parallel, we state that
in 1872 the late General Scott (thcn colo
ncO crossed at the same place that the
Trnians under O'Ncil did. He had only
six hundred regular soldiers, with which
he cave battle to 300 British soldiers.
He fought until his force was reduced to
three hundred, when he surrendered. The
most of SCOTS troops were Irishmcn and
subjects of Great Britain, which the Bri-
fish threatened to shoot; but threat OF
retaliation prevented them from carrying
ont their intention.
Colonel ONeil, who, as our readers
know, was q prominent officer IN the Fe-
drral army in the war against the south,
and who was reputed as man OF daring
and pluck, and who moreover commanded
A, the capture, or rather killing, of John
Morgan, and who now has his sword-thls
Colonel O'Ncil found himself at Erie a,
the head of about one thousand lrishmen
The place was taken without resistance, as
there was no one there to resist. They
had 40 cannon and no commiSsariat. After
partaking Of good share of bread and
beef, and of liquor of all sorts, supplied at
t.1 request by the people of Erie, Colo
mel. O'Neil's little army set off into the
country, marching towards Port Colborne.
They arc accused in their route of having
burnt bridges and impaired much public
property, and are the victims OF yet more
serious accusation in the eyes OF Soldier
Bummcrs--that of respecting private pro-
pcrtv-intcrfcring with it no further than
10 secure something to eat. They had
marched some twenty miles from Erie
when the scouts brought information that
force of Canadian volunteers was adj
yancing. Colonel O'Ncil posted his force
in field and awaited their arrival. Dis
covering the Fenians, the volunteers formed
in the same opening, fully three-quarters
OF mile from their enemy. This wide gap
between the opposing lines, when neither
had cannon, left little ground to expect
many casualties from the encounter. The
Sklrmishers advanced from both sides, and
lively firing began. The skirmishers from
the Fcnian side were ordered to retreat.
The Canadians, understanding this as a re-
treat, advanced rapidly, and paid for their
mistake for the Fenians charged them
with bayoncts, and they in turn fell back,
almost in rout. Their speed quickened
until it got 10 run, which they kept up
Tor two miles. The Fenians stopped pur-
suit, and proceeded on their way to Port
Colbornc.
The losses by this fight were some
twenty-five killed and wounded, and the
loss by the Canadians is estimated at nifty.
lAe officers among the Fenians are said to
have escaped, save Captain Boland, Sc
'erely wounded; while several officers OF
the Canadians were killed or wounded.
aforementioned Beaumorth, Of the
Canadians, was killed, and Captain Richard
/. King, of Port Colborne, severely
wounded.
The Fenians took prisoners some seventy
I'VE Canadians, which they were glad to
parole, as they had no way to keep them.
After proceeding short way towards Port
Colborne, the commander, considering the
wan, OF supplies, cannon, and more par.
ucularly men, wheeled his army about and
returned to Fort Erie on the evening Of
The I'd June, the day Of the fight. One Of
The historians of the first battle states that
at Erie, flushed with victory, they soon
found themselves 8" for the first time y
flushed with whisky. They were hungry
TOO, and having eaten up the supplies Of
Erie pretty much, IT was fortunate that
some refreshments were sent scross
HE river from Buffalo.