Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-06-08
The Battle at Ridgeway.
THE rENIANs VICTORIOUS.


roism, and the British and Canadians were
defeated, but as the Fenians were not sup
ported by achievements they were una
BILE to hold what they gained, and after
wards evacuated Fort Erie. The accounts
are conflicting as usual in war news, but
the Canadians confess that they had bad
management on thu side, in that affair,
and that the loss was " severe on both
Sides"
New York, June 3. The following
is an account by an eye witness of the en-
gagement near Ridgeway:
The Fenians were 1000 strong, under
O'Neill, and had reached small village
about ten miles from Waterloo Ferry,
when the scouts announced the approach
Of large force of Canadian volunteers.
The Fenians at once tore down the fence,
went into an adjoining field, and formed in
line of battle, Gen. O'Neil being assisted
by Coils. Starr and O'Brien in making
disposition Of the troops, The volunteers
advanced upon the Fenians and the action
commenced, the skirmishers on either side
exchanging brisk fire. An order was
then given for the Fenian skirmishers to
fall back. The main bodies on both sides
fired several volleys, when the Fenians
advanced on the double quick with fixed
bayonets. But as the volunteers were
the swamp and separated from the Fenians
by thick brushwood, Gen. O'Neill deemed
a charge useless and gave the order to
halt and fall back. The volunteers be-
lieving this TO be retreat, advanced from
their shelter on run. They were met
by the Fenians with counter charge and
instantly put to rout, the Fenians pursu.
ing them for two miles, when O'Neill Or
dered a halt The volunteers, completely
demoralized, continued their flight to Port
Colborne. The loss on the Fenian side
was about killed and Is wounded. that
of the volunteers 23 killed and wounded in
all. The Fenians fought bravely, throw
ing off coats, vests and even shirts, aud
fighting half naked. After stopping the
pursuit the main body of the Fenians pro-
ceeded towards Fort Erie, leaving guard
over the wounded on both Sides"
The Hamilton Volunteers were 400
strong, under command OF COL Buchanan.
Lieut.. Routh, when dying, asked permis-
sion of Gen. O'Neill to retain his sword,
which was granted, and the guard were
him. A portion of the volunteers on
reaching Fort Erie took refuge on the
steam tug Thomas Robb, but shortly re-
turned to the shore, remaining in the neigh
borhood of Waterloo Ferry.
About half past three some thirteen Fe-
mans were seen crossing the brow of a
hill, when the volunteers valiantly rushed
out to capture them, but just as they reach
ed the base Of the hill about eight hun
dred Fenians appeared and charged pre-
cipitately down upon them. The volun-
teers broke and scattered through the
woods. About seventy of them were cap
tured by the Fenians. Some of them
again got on board the tug, while others
were running all along the shore, almost
crazy in their efforts to secure shelter
The beach, which was covered with guns
and knapsacks thrown away in their fight,
resembled the first Bull Run battle field.
TORONTO, June 3--2 A. M. A dis
patch from Waterloo says Col. Dennis
command, numbering about 80 men, en-
gagged 80 or 100 Feniaos about half past
two. Gen. O'Neill ordered the Fenans
10 charge upon the volunteers with fixed
bayoneis, when the volunteers broke and
run in every direction, throwing away hats.
belts, cartridge boxes, etc. By 8 o'clock
the field of Waterloo was in possession of
the Fenans. Col. Dennis is said to be
wounded. Two Fenians were killed and
the British had five or SIX wounded.
THE EVACUATION. H9t
The Fenans finding themselves unable
to hold Fort Erie, evacuated that place
during Saturday night, and most of them
attempted to reach the United States shore,
and some 400 of them were arrested on
fiat boat by the United States au,hori-
ties, and are now prisoners under The guns
of the U. S. steamer Michigan. A re-
porter at Buffalo conversed with an escap-
ed Fenian who said having no artillery
aud finding the British close around them
with Armstrong guns-such as they fur
nished the rebels-they concluded not to
be gobbled up and perhaps hung, as might
be anticipated, and got off as best they
could. During Friday and Saturday they
fought two battles, though the capture of
Fort Erie they call only skirmish, and
had very little or nothing TO eat and no
sleep. So rapid was the conception and
execution Of the plan OF retreat, that no