The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-06-04

AACIO nave arrived mere IL more remains
from Bmghampton with five cases of arms,
bound East. They made arrangements to
send OIL, the first of the week, large number.
Money was raised to send them forward
Great enthusiasm prevails among the breth-
ren
TORONTO, @. w., June 2.
". M.-The volunteers have fallen back
upon Fort Colborne, and intend to fall back
upon st. GATHERINGS if reinforcements DO not
arrive soon. 1t is reported the 18th and 47th
ana battery of artillery had reached the bat
tie held, and were driving the Fenians before
them.
The Telegraph's Montreal special dispatch
says rellabie information has been received
that Gen. Sweeney is in position at St. Al
bans with large force.
The operator at St. Albans says he can net
get any reliable information.
Ihe reporters for the Boston papers say
there are 1900 under command of Col. OCOn-
nor. They have no arms in sight, but have
orders TO 60 into camp at Fairfield, five miles
above st. Albans.
latter dispatch says the Queens Own has
lost nineteen killed and several wounded.
Another dispatch from the operator below
says the Fenians in large numbers are at Ma
for that place, 2S miles distant. A petition is
being circulated asking the Government to
proclaim martial law.
BUFFALO, N. Y, June 3.
The English forces under Col Peacock are
now in possession of Fort Erie without skir-
mish.
The ultimate disposition of the prisoners is
matter of uncertainty, but the British Min
istcr has been telegraphed to. Col. O'Neill
and staff are captured. The only Fenians cap
tured by the English appear to be SO pickets,
who were left by their friends in the hurry.
By order Of Gen. Barry all communication
is forbidden with the Canadian shore.
1t is reported that a small + ,nian force left
this nelghborhood last night; destination un-
known.
Those that tried to reinforce their friends at
Fort Erie were prevented by the U. S. picket
boat.
We have con7ersed with some of the escap-
ed Fenians, and they say that having no artil-
lery, and they positively assert they had none,
and finding the English troops with Armstrong
guns closing around them with no prospect of
reinforements and supplies, they concluded not
to he gObbled up and perhaps hung. as it is an
ticipated those caught will be, they got of the
best way they could. The men were COM
pletely worn out They have fought two bat
ties, though the Fort Erie affair they only call
a skirmish, and had little OF nothing to eat and
no sleep.
1t is pretty generally believed the English
at Ridgeway were defeated and driven away
U. 5. steamer Michigan is anchored in Nj
agara river about iour miles below the city,
A large fleet of boats are fastened to her un-
der her guns, having on board about 200 men,
not 700 as reported at first. The Fenian off
GERS are on board the Michigan, under guard,
A force variously estimated at from $50 to-
1,500 tried to leave last night, in tugs and
fiat boats, but owing to the arrangements
made by Gen. Barry, in organizing picket
boats, they were obliged to turn back.
There is report, but it lacks confirmation,
that force of Fenians had landed at Point
Albino, ten miles above here, ON Lake Erie.-
Some fears are expressed that Collingwood
point is threatened.
! 1t is stated that P O. Day, Head Centre at
Buffalo, has been arrested on the other side,
but it is not confirmed. ~
By order Of Gen. Grant, Gen. Barry has had
his Military District extended. and it now en-
braces the northern frontier from. Lake Erie
to Oswego.
/ "A large force of regulars has been ordered
here, a portion Of which, has already arrived.
The Fenian General Lynch arrived here
last night, from the west. He took command
of the men here to reinforce his friends in
Canada. These men were the ones who were
turned back. 8E
HE Fenian loss is twenty-five; the British,
OF oas5asltI, among whom are large number
Later.-It is stated the commander OF the
British force at Fort Erie has made demand
on the commander of the Michigan to deliver
up the Fenian prisoners. But this was refus-
ed, of course. There is a rumor on the street
that the Fenians captured by the British on
the other side, will be shot tomorrow morn
ing. This is unlikely, but they will probably
be sent to Toronto tonight or tomorrow.
New York, June 8.
The Herald contains the following account
by an eye witness of the engagement 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 oil large
force of Canadians. The Fenians at once tore
down the fence, went into an adjoining field,
and formed in line of battle, Gen. O'Neill be-
ing assisted by Coils. Starr and OBrien in
making disposition of the troops The vol
unteeTs advanced upon the FenIanS, and the
action commenced, the skirmishers on either
side exchanging brisk fire. An order was
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
other side of swamp and separated from the
Fenians by thick brush-Wood, Gen. O'Nein
deemed charge useless, and gave orders to
halt and fall back. The volunteers believing
this to be retreat, advanced from their shell
ter on run. They were met by the Fenians
with counter charge, and instantly put to
rout, the Fenians pursuing them for two miles,
when O'Neill ordered a halt. The volunteers,
completely demoralized, continued their flight
to Port ColbOrne. The loss on the Fenian
side was about five killed and wounded in all.
The Fenians fought bravely, throwing off their
coats, vests, and even shirts, and fighting half
naked. After stopping the pursuit, the MAN
body of Fenians proceeded towards Fort Erie,
leaving guard over the wounded on both
sides. The following were the only casualties
that could be got: Michael Porter, Buffalo,
badly wounded in groin; M. Leary, Buffalo,
slightly in arm; S. Thompson, Memphis,
killed; D. Whelan, Of Cleveland, wounded in
neck. Canadian volunteers "a Lieut.. Colonel,
name unknown, killed at first fire also, Lieut..
P. S. Routh, of the Hamilton volunteers; En-
sign McEchon, Toronto; Corporal Newhouse,
of Queens Own; Charles Lugiden, Toronto,
very dangerously wounded; r. S. Fond, OF
Queens's Own, wounded in leg; ]. M. Stuart.
The Hamilton volunteers were 400 strong,
under the command of Col. buchanan. Lieut..
Routh, when dying, asked permission OF Gen.
O'Neill to retain his sword. 1t was granted,
and guards were instructed to see that it was
not taken from him. About $50, some thir-
| teen Fenians were seen crossing the brow OF
a hill, when the volunteers rushed out to cap
ture them, but just as they reached the base
of the hill, about 500 Fenians appeared and
charged down upon them. The volunteers
broke and scattered through the woods. About
seventy were captured by the Fenians. Some
of them again got on board the tug, and 9TH
ers were running along the shore, almost era
zy in their efforts to secure shelter. The
beach was covered with guns and knapsacks
thrown away in their fight. 1t resembled the
| first Bull Run battle field.
| Ecening.-The Herald's Buffalo special says
| The prisoners en- board the steamer Michigan
are held for breaking the neutrality laws.
Gen. O'Neill and staff are among them.
| Under orders from Gen. Grant, Gen. Barry
has prohibited communication with Canada
The U. s. revenue cutter Fessenden is now
| doing duty on the river