, 1866-07-03
(FIom tie Barbados Vest Indian, Jmne 22.J
FENIAN INVASION OF CANADA,

Rock by silent groups of pedestrians
was begun. 1t was continued until mid
night. The rumble Of ammunition Wag-
CONS and the dull, mufled sound Of drums
were heard between Upper and Lower
Black Rock, near the Banks of the Mia
CARA !; an hour later, and the citizens of
those dreary localities bestirred them
selves at their windows and doors, to
watch mysterious sights, and listen to
mysterious sounds. 1t became apparent
that Buffalo city proper was deserted by
the arrivals of the last few days, and that
the shade wingneighborhood ofPratt's iron
works, at Lower Black Rock, was be-
coming unusually populous.
From 2 to $3.50 a. m. Of Friday, the
gathering of the Fenian force under CO.
lionel O'NielI was effected at this point.
Within half an hour afterwards the en-
barkation Of thirteen hundred we'll armed
men and the loading Of ammunition and
about four hundred extra muskcts upon
two canal boats, each lowed by a tug,
was effected. The crossing of the Mia
CARA River followed without any molesta-
lion whatever from the authorities at
Buffalo, from the troops at Fort Porter,
or from the steamer Michigan, which lay
all night in the Erie Basin above. The
landing was made a mile below Waterloo,
into which village and thence to Fort
Erie, Just above, the troops march at
daybreak, occupying both places of course
without resistance, and levying upon the
inhabitants for breakfast and a few
horses.
The entire force then moved down the
banks Of the Niagara towards Chippewa,
encamping and entrenching at the mouth
Of French Creek, about q mile and a half
below Waterloo, and awaited news of
expected movements at other places along
the border, relying also upon reinforce
ments of men, supplies and artillery for
themselves, during the following night.
Reports of an advance of Canadian troops
caused several alarms on Thursday after
noon, but it is now known that the Ca
madam troops were withheld that day
from attempting to attack an invading
force, the magnitude of which was very
much exaggerated throughout the Pro-
vineoe.
In the meantime a show, but only a
show, of watchfulness and interest was
exhibited by the American authorities.
The Michigan moved down in the morn
ing, after the crossing of the river by the
Fenlan force had been consummated, and
took position near the mill at the Upper
Black Rock, opposite the village of
Waterloo, and. in full view Of the Fe-
MAN encampment at Frenchman's Creek.
Tugs and small boats were permitted,
however, to pass to and fro from both
sides of the Niagara throughout most of
the day, bearing Fenians, strangers, food,
&C., to Colonel O'NeiIl's head quarters,
returning with messages communicating
with Fenian authorities in Buffalo, and
bringing back to this city three or four
men of the Fenian force who had been
shot by their officers for disobedience of
orders on the Canada side.
Toward nightfall, Friday, the officers
of the Michigan assumed, or were invest.
ed, with authority 10 stop this wholesale
communication. Two cannon and details
of marines were placed upon a couple of
tugs chartered for the purpose, and the
Michigan, with these tenders, began to