The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-06-07

The Chicago Tfibune's correspondent des-
patches, Saturday, from the vicinity Of Ridge
way, the following account Of that battle:
The FIRST battle in the Fenian Canadian war
was fought about two hoursago, on and around
the farm from which write, and resulted in
the repulse Of the canadian forces engaged.
The movement of the Fenian army Of invas-
| ion from its camp on Frenchman's Creek
commenced at three this morning. During
the night there had been considerable intoxi-
killed. About clock in the evening a
party Of the Fenian officers and men were
drinking at the tavern of John Stevens, Free.
berry, deck. They had levied contribution
upon Mr.. Stevens to the amount of 500 in
money, $500 worth Of whiskey, and valua.
BILE mare. While at the tavern a courier ar.
rived with intelligence Of the advance of the
Canadian column to Ridgeway. The call
was at once sounded and orders given to
move. General O'Neil gave Stevens fifty
cents, perhaps of his own money, for throw
ing fifteen boxes Of ammunition into the
river, each containing about thousand
rounds.
At 3 a. M, the Fenian column moyed out
bv a circuitious road leading to Ridgeway
and Port Colborne. All along the route the
panic stricken inhabitants abandoned their
houses and fed to the woods. There was o
great deal struggling from the Fenan ranks,
and the forces which left camp about one
thousand strong, arrived at Limestone Ridge,
where the battle has been fought, with not
more than nine hundred men. The column
Of Canadian volunteers brought by a train on
the Grand Trunk Railroad from Toronto and
Hamilton to Port Colborne, to which the
railroad has been destroyed on this side, had
marched there at an early hour in the morn
ing to and through Ridgeway. The column
was composed of the Fourth, Fifth and
Ninth Battallions of Volunteers, from Tor
onto The Third and Fourth from Hamilton,
and the Kings County Artillery from Port
Robinson, altogether about 400 men under
the command of Col. Buckan. The oppos-
ing forces encountered each other as said
about a. M The Fenians broke down the
rails on the left side of the old garrison road
and formed their line in the fields The skrm
ishes on the two sides opened fire and fell back
About six rounds of shot were then exchang-
ed at long range, the first fire killing Lieut.
Colonel, whose name have not been able to
ascertain. The Fenians now advanced on
the double quick with fixed bayohets, but
found the Canadians in a strong position be-
hind breastworks, and were repulsed, giving
way in some disorder. The Canadian troops
| then advanced out of the brush in pursuit,
but the Fenian forces were soon rallied and
charged again, driving them back through the
brush. The Canadians could not again re-
cover, and were rapidly forced back clear to
Ridgewav. two miles and half, where they had
strong entertainments
The so far successful Fenians. without ar
Itillerv. made no attempt upon them IN their
Entertainments but fell back toward Fort
Erie. The forces on both sides fought with
great bravery and showed admirable stuff.
The Queen Own. from Toronto, made sey.
eral very gallant charges. The Canadians
were at some disadvantage IN the brush owing
TO the ENHANCEMENT of their bayouets. The
Fenians fought magnihcently.
From all can learn the Canadians lost in
killed and wounded twenty three men. The
Eenians fourteen.
A dead body was found in the field. No
name was reported and nothing by which il
can be identified, except the letters "W. 81
on pocket handkerchief
Lieut.. p. G. kauth, brave young officer
of battery Four, of Hamilton, was brought in
nortallv wounded. ONeil was standing by
and the dying soldier begged to be allowed to
keep his sword. keep it, my brave fellow,
said the Fenian General; .'you have fought
as gallantly as man could fight Soon af-
ter, the dying soldier gave the weapon to DR..
Brewster, and with it a gold pencil case for
| his wife.