The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-06-08
THE FENlAMS IN CANADA.
THE BATTLE OF RIDGEWAv

The Herald contains the follov;n,.
account by an eye witness of the on
gagement near Ridgeway:
BUFFALO, June 2, 7PM
The Fenians near one thousand
strong under O'Neil, had reached
small village about ten miles fro,a
Waterloo Ferry, when scouts on
nounced the approach of large force
of Canadian volunteers. The Fenions
at once tore down fence and wen t
into an adjoining field and formed in
line of battle. General O'Neil Nor.
assisted by Coils. Starr and OBr;en l.
making the distribution OF troo,s
The volunteers advancing upon H.
Fenians, the action commenced
administers on either side exchan,;n,.
/ brisk fire. The order was then oiyo9
/ for the Fenian skirmishers to fall hal
The main bodies on both sides srol
several volleys, when the Fenians I'd
vanced on double quick with 6red
bayonets, but as the volunteers vero
ranged in the orchard on the otber
side of the swamp and separated from
the Fenians by thick brushy wood
Gen. ONeil deemed the charge useles.
and gave orders to halt and fail back
The volunteers believing this retreo,
advanced from their shelter on ,be
run. They were met however. by tbe
Fenians with a counter charge and
instantly put to route,-the Fenans
pursuing them for two miles when
I O'Neil ordered halt. The volunteers
were completely demoralized and con.
tinued their fight to Port Colborne
The loss on the Fenian side is about
six killed and fifteen wounded; that Of
the volunteers twenty-three killed and
. wounded in ALL
The Fenians fought brayely, throw
ing off their coats, vests and even
shirts, and fighting half naked. After
stopping the pursuit, the main body
of the Fonians proceeded toward Fort
5 Erie, leaving guard over the wounded
, on both sides.
The volunteers were 400 strong,
under command of Col. Buchanan
Col. Ronth, when lying, asked per-
mission of Gen O'Neil to return his
{ sword, which was granted, and guard
j. was instructed to see that it was not
[ taken from him.
4 portion of the volunteers on
reaching Fort Erie, took refuge on the
f steam ting Thomas Robb, but shortly
e returned to the shore, remaining in
the neighborhood Of Waterloo Ferry
I About half past three some thirteen
4 Fenians were seen crossing the brow
T. of a hill, when the volunteers vallanty
I rushed ont to capture them, but Just
! as they reached the base Of the bill
o about 500 Fenians appeared and
e charged precipitately down upon them
e. The volunteers broke and scattered
: through the woods, and about 10 Of
O them were captured. Some Of them
again got on board the tug, while
T. others were running all along ibe
y shore. almost crazy IN their efforts to|
= secure shelter. The beach which was
4 covered with guns and knapsacEs
4 thrown away in their flight, resemblea
$ the first Bull Run battle field
n The Fenian loss is reported to O'l
25, and the British so.
II THE FRIGHT AT FORT ERIE
: BuFrALo, June 2
- The force in the Fort Erie ensaS
= ment were all volunteers, consisting
-. detachments of the Welland cana.
! field battery, and Dunville COMPANY
&C about eighty men. The night lS'''
~ only about twenty minutes. O'I'S
q Ring, of the Welland Battery was
Il yerely wounded in the leg ana VII
: suffer amputation. Two other ' 'olul
g teers were wounded, but none Klipuj
,s 1t is reported that Fenlan Ca captT1 a.
: was killed, name not given. lne : 4
! mans at last accounts still heiu "
. place, but their force is too shl''
- cope with the British regulars Al
y volunteers now on their way nO
2 Chippewa to the scene OF a0'D
They had reached Black CreeA'
miles from Fort Erie. IA An
v Subsequently, the Fenians It" .so.
u fort and the British resumed p0''
- sion.
70 The United States steamer AlcniS
H. was anchored about four mics 90,
I'd Buffalo, and about four hunafe0
1e mans were picked up by IT.