Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-06-01
THE FENIAN INVASION.
History of Operations ON the Vermont
Frontier.
Incidents of the Fight and Retreat.

Special Dispatch to the New York Times.l
ST.. ALBANs, May 26.-The invasion, so
far as this point is concerned, is decided
fizzle. Gen. O'Neil and his gallant army
after a grand flourish, were repulsed by q
handful of Canadian farmers, and the Gen
eral himself is a prisoner in the hands Of
the United States authorities.
Gen. O'Neil did not cross the line, though
his tag-rag army did; but he did surrender
to an unarmed put resolute man, while
surrounded by his troops. The inference
is that O'Neil was little afraid of that
death he first pretended to so earnestly
covet; the result will be his complete down
fall, so far as his power in the Fenian
Brotherhood 81 concerned.
THE ARMY AND IT'S MOVEMENTS.
By Tuesday evening the grand army was
gathered. 1t numbered about $50 men.
and was under the immediate command
of ]. J. Donnelly, of Utica. Gen. O,Neil
was present, and appeared mounted on q
horse. When the troops had arrived at a
point about half mile from the Canada
line, near Franklin, they were halted and
given arms and munitions and in some
instances were uniformed. These equip
ments were conveyed to the spot on Mon
day night in wagons driven by farmers,
who were induced to perform the service
by unusually large sums of money. I'M
derstand that train of fifty wagons left
Fairfield on the east, and another of seven
ty-five from st. Adams Bay on the west
SIDE, on Monday night, all of which were
heavily laden with munitions of war.
Where all of these supplies went to is I'M
known. Ten or twelve wagon-loads were
all that were found necessary for the re-
quirements of the Franklin column; the
remainder will. probably be found by the
United States regulars when they make
the proposed reconnaissance.
AS the men were descending the hill
they caught sight of n few red coats on the
opposite side of the valley, and also of a
few men among some rocks who wore red
sashes as a mark of distinction. The sight
of the color so hateful to the Irish mind
rendered their leaders reckless, and the
order was given to fire.
THE ARREST
The Fenians thus began the fight while
yet on American soil, and the Marshal of
Vermont accordingly decided upon his ac-
ton. Gen. O'Neil continued with the
troops, still on horseback, until they reach
ed the line, when he suddenly dismounted
and fell back, leaving both his army and
his horse to take care of themselves as best
they might. AS he came up the line to-
ward the reserve, consisting, perhaps, of
third of his command o Neil was sudden
ly accostcd by Gen. Foster, who informed
him that he had violated the neutrality
laws by opening fire upon tho troops of u
neighboring and friendly power while yet
on American soil. Therefore he would
proceed to arrest him. To this O'Neil re-
piled that really he must excuse him, for
he would not permit himself to be arrest
ed
ooh, yes you will, remarked the Mar
shall ms he quietly leaned from his carriage
and seized the Finian leaders collar, 81
arrest you, Sir, now, in the name of the
United States Government. Get into this
carriage, if you please"
O'Neil hesitated for moment only, and
then clambered into the vehicle simply
saying, didn't expect this"
THE FIGHT AND IT'S VICTORIOUS END.
The battle went on, however, aud the
Fenians ran in disorderly route up the HILL
where they We're awaited by the Home
Guards. When the invaders where with
in easy range, the former opened a deadly
and accurately-aimed volley. These men
We're all armed with breeeh-loading deer
and sporting rifles, and used their heavy
weapons as though hunting in their native
woods. The engagement only lasted few
minutes, for the advance of the Fenians
We're completely nonplussed by their
warm reception, and fell back before tho
red-c0ats or active militia could come up
and take part in the affair