The Portland daily press., 1866-06-15
Closing Scenes of the Fenian Campaign
ST. ATBANs, VT, June II, 1886.

ST. ATsBANs, VI, June II, 1886.
10 the Editor Qfthe Press
The retreat had fairly begun when your
correspondent and his companions reached
the line.
Having watched for time the struggling
and noisy column, we crossed the line and
Joined group whom we judged to be officers,
and were in succession introduced to them by
a Massachusetts Fenian whom we recognized
as an old comrade of the army of the Poto-
mac. Ihaye somewhat confused recollec
ton of shaking hands with two or three Cen
erals, eight or ten Colonies, an equal number
of Lieutenant-Colo and Majors, and a
small Brigade of subordinate officers of the
staff and line General Spear who command
ed the "Dvision," and two members OF his
staffwere the only men who made any pre-
tence to military appearance.
The General appeared every inch a soldier
and gentleman. A graduate Of West Point,
he served with distinction in the Mexican
War-and through the late rebellion as Col
onel of volunteer cavalry regiment, and at
the time he threw up his position in the reg
ular army to embark in the Fenian service,
was full Major with the brevet of Brgadier
General. learn from reliable source that
he was assured by General Townsend--Adju-
tant General of the army. at the time his res
ignation took place and was accepted, that the
interference of the government would be
'merely nominal"
We noticed among the staff, one officer
dressed as Confederate Colonel. On inqui
ny, we learned that it was Col. Tressilyan,
lately on General Logan's staff as Chief Engi-
neer. He is an Englishman by birth, gradu-
ate of the University of Dublin and has served
the country of his adoption with distinguished
gallantry during the rebellion. The uniform
he wore had been loaned him by Colonel Con-
tri, who commanded rebel Cavalry regi-
ment. The latter gentleman, Swiss or
Swede by birth, is truly "soldier of fortune"
During the last fifteen years, he has partici-
pated in every attempt which has been made
to overthrow established governments in Eu-
rope and America. He was prominent Off
Ger under Garibaldi. Of the many disap-
pointed officers about us, he was the most de-
spondent; indeed he seemed nearly distracted.
In reply to some casual inquiry of one of our
party, he said,-"I can't tell you'll believe
that am crazy; wish the earth would open
and swallow me-" and turning to his regi-
ment which just then cheered him as they
struggled past-tears filled his eyes; he raised
his cap in acknowledgment and turned his
back upon them that they might not see his
emotion.
1t seemed unnatural that a mere adven-
turer should display such feeling, but no one
who witnessed it could doubt his sincerity.
The officers remained on the Canada side
till their men had passed-when we followed
them to the rear.
A company from Troy which had arrived
that morning, after march of thirty-two
miles-each man carrying in addition to his
arms-four hundred rounds Of ammunition
weighing forty pounds-had halted ON the
American side, and determined by a unani-
nous vote to start for Malone, N. Y, forty
miles distant, where it was though their
friends were concentrated in sufficient force
to accomplish something; they had not pro-
ceeded far, however, when they learned that
their leaders at Malone had been arrested and
success rendered impossible. They accordingly
rejoined the others and marched to the rear.
Citizens on the route were not molest-
ed in any way. The marauding and violence
which had been pretty generally INDUCED in
on the Canada side, ceased the moment they
crossed the line.
Having vacant seat in our carriage, Gen
Spear accepted an invitation to ride with us
After riding some distance in silence, he said,
while tears betrayed his EMOTION Gentle
men, this is the saddest hour of my life.
gave up good position in the army to serve
the country of my birth. was assured BY
the Fenian government that all needed sup
plies would be forthcoming, and that had
only to concentrate my men. also had as
surances that the United States government
would not take such stringent and extraordi-
nary measures as it has, to checkmate us. I
was promised by the Fenian Senate twenty
one regiments of infantry and five of cavalry.
not less than thirteen thousand men; instead
OF which l got less than two thnnsand man,
and not third of them armed"
At this point, Lieut.. Col Livingstone, Sd
Us. Artillery, passed us, without apparently
recognizing Gen. Spear. Mistrusting the pur-
pose of his visit, Gen. Spear said to the driver,
"Drive slow-drive slow; think he wants to
see me, and don't wish him to think that 1
avoid him. will show him that can be
gentleman under any circumstances"
Col. Livingstone now returned, and request
ed Gen. Spear to alight, which he did. They
had some moments of private conversation,
the import of which was that Gen. Spear
should report to the United States authorities
at st. Adams the following day, which he did,
and was allowed the limits of the town on
parole.
The most of Gen. Spears command reached
ST. Adams before midnight, and went south
ward to their homes, the government furnish
ing them transportation. About two hun
dred refused to be transported by govern
which had been the cause of their failure, and
their officers raised the necessary funds to pay
their fare.
Thus the second Fenian campaign ended in
manner suggestive of the old couplet:
ssThe King of France, with twenty thousand men,
Malched up the hill and-then marched down again
W. c. M.
The East Africa Exploring Expedition.