Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1866-06-14
The Eenian War.

ted during the last few days by the out
break of a new war on the Canadian bor-
der a portion of the Fenians, endowed
with more courage and earnestness than
judgement or discretion, marched across
the line at the Niagara river, took possess
ion of Fort Erie, and fought the initial
battle OF Irish independence
1t appears that the process of concen-
trating arms on the border has been in
progress for some time, and in the past
week Fenians in small bodies have been
moving northward. On Friday, June l,
a small body, under command of Col.
O'Neil, of the 18th regiment, of Nash
vile, moved across Niagra river and took
possession of Fort Erie, small town on
the Canadian side. The railroad was
torn up and telegraph wires cut
The Canadian militia were called out.
All the United States troops in Gen.
Meade's department are under arms, for
use of emergency. 1t Is said that $780,
900 rounds of ammunition have been sent
by the Fenians from New York, and
100000 from Chicago, to the frontier
within a few weeks.
Il
patrolling the river from Black Rock to
the head of Grand Island, with two arm
ed tugs, with orders to sink anything
crossing during the night.
The following is the account of the
fight by Captain in the Queens Own.
He says:
The force left the train at half past six
a. NJ, Major Gilmore in command of the
Queens Own, Colonel Booker, of the
Thirteenth Battalion Hamilton Infantry.
The force got off the cars at the rail-
way and marched about two miles from
that place. The Queens Own extended
five companies as supports, and the action
commenced by the Fenian outposts firing
upon the men deployed as skirmishers, and
the enemy were posted on rising timbered
ground on both sides of the road, behind
which in the woods were their intrench-
ments. They took advantage of their
knowledge of the ground to draw us into
their fire. Our forces had TO cross the
fields in the face of very sharp fire, and
we were allowed to drive them in about
half mile, when we were completely in
closed within their lines. We advanced
nearly to their intrenchments, when our
ammunition gave out, for want of which
we were compelled to retire.
In endeavoring to stop the retreat,
was knocked over and trampled on, and
considerably bruised The farmers in the
neighborhood refused to allow their teams
and wagons to bring off the wounded. In
my estimation about twenty were killed.
OF the wounded twenty-eight are here, at
St. GATHERINGS, thirty or so left at Port
Colborne, and twenty-five or thereabouts
in the hands of the Fenians. The 6ght,
| | should judge, lasted two hours and a
half All the accounts show that there
has been a stupendous and terrible blunder
somewhere, but ii is not equally clear who
is to blame.
1t is asserted that the Hamilton men
behaved badly in this affair, but there are
so many contradictory reports that Is i'm
possible to arrive at the truth.
Dispatches, dated at St. Adams, VT,
June 10th., announces the final collapse
of the Fenian invasion of Canada. The
right wing of their army retreated from
Pidgeon Hill to St. Albans, and the men
are preparing to 90 home. The demoral-
ization of the whole army is complete,
and both officers and men have refused
further duty. Desertions occurred by the
wholesale, and after council of war Cen
eral Spear ordered retreat to st. Albans.
/ Reinforcements, arms and ammunition
I failed to reach them, and their ammuni-
ton was carried to Vermont and stored in
barn near the line, where it will doubt
less be seized by the United States troops
who are marching to the border Con-
siderable plunder was carried off by the
Fenians. General Spear said he would
rather be shot than leave Canada in the
manner he has. General Meehan wept
bitterly. Any Fenians who have not the
means TO go home will be furnished trans
Portations by the United States govern
ment, and many will avail themselves of
this opportunity TO leave tonight.
oboI tbo