New-York tribune., 1870-05-28
THE FENIAN FIASCO.
AN ENGAGEMENT AT TROUT RIVER.

rIvpssIuNDRFD YARpS-REMARKABLN SHORT
STAY OF THE INVADERS - THEY LEAVE
rutIR KILLED AND WOUNDED BEHIND
ruEN-TuER ARMS TAKEN AWAY BY TIE
1yITED STATES AUTHoRlTiEs'
N1oxr Nav 2,.-Gen. Starr of Cincinnati al
This morning crossed the line at Trout hi'''' anu
adv,nced with his command, numbering Ho' '''''0
a.. ON str,cpIcrs included about 500 yards "ieh
,5orl,,od on ,be right and left of the read MS eA
tor,o chit nesting on Trout River lie I''u "o' W
..,,;.5 ,l;s ,.,siti,m long when the British troops
=, co,o5i,D Militia emerged from the woods little
- fr,nt and on The other side OF the fenlans' Lino
of battle was at once formed by the BRUSH anu
sb,rp steady fire was opened on the Fenans. lhere
WIS NJ the time q small rail fence IN
front Of the latter which was rniie-
diat,ly converted into sort oil
s+o,ladc. The Fenians, who had been told by Ueh'
Starr 70 keep up a steady fire for ten mnutes'
obeved the orders. and stopped the advance Oh the
British. Before the expiration of the ten minutes
the Cansdian troops far outnumberng the eIiaiiS'
made movement as if they intended to Hank ana
capture the invaders when Gen Starr formed WiaV
NAV hf called a rear guard, and retreat was
ordered. The British continued firing, pressing
the Fenians. who managed to maintain compaia-
tively good order until they reached the United
States line when a parting volley was gwen 'he
British and the battle of Trout River was over
Who commanded the British troops is not known.
On the Fenian side under Gen. Starr, were Col Rob
ert Cullcn. Aid-de-Camp of Hamilton, Ohio; MAJOR
Wiia7n O'hfefe. Aid-de-Camp; Major William II.
ShauBzins. mspcctor-Gencral; Major Daniel Sharp,
Opartcrmastcr. of Rochester; Col. William l. Thomp-
son Of Albany. Col. NJ ONeill Of Philadelphia Col.
Smith of Buffalo. Col Campbell of Youngstown, Pa,
and Lieut-Col Marion Of Toledo. The losses are
one killed. one wounded aud one missing, who were
all in the 18th Regiment Col. Thompson who does
not know the names Of his wounded ana missing
This preponderance OF field officers gives a good in
sight into the general condition of affairs. There are
many more officers than are needed, and not enough
1neu for the work undertaken The Fenians had not
in the affair to-day which is ridculouSly dignihed rs
"the battle Of Trout River" and have not at their
command single piece of artillery. The English
had a few pieces, and they were effectively worked.
The men engaged have different views. Some de-
nounee Gen. Star and others uphold him, but this
alternate support and d,nuncaton is the fate cf all
who have commanded the Fouian army"
The men are now lettering about in this place un-
armed without means to procure food or lodgings.
They cannot but be suffering although they keep up
good spirits
About 200 Fenians arrived at to-day, and the an
L ~
appearance of affairs here, makes them believe that
all is over.
Gen. Gleason is in command of the Fenians now,
and the United States Marshal has seized large
quantity Of the arms Their recaPture is suggested
but if such an attempt is made of course the United
States troops will resist and then comes an end tc
the whole affair No amount of money can now
prevent the complete if not altogether gnoble defeat
OF the so-called Invasion of Canada" and if any
man intends to come to the front, he will need to
supply himself with money enough to obtain food
and shelter and then pay his way back, if he does
not care TO suffer much or to live on the bounty of
the benevolent The reckless dash may yet be made
somewhere. but the results cannot be altered
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR-SHAMEFCL
CONDUCT OF GEN. STARR.
TROUT RIVER, NEAR MALONE, n. Y, May 27.-An-
other engagement took place this morning ON the
Trout River line, three-quarters of a mile over the
border The Yenians were routed, and immediately
withdrew to their encampment on the American
side which is within stones throw of the dividing
line. One man belonging to the Fenian force was
killed two severely wounded, while captain
was taken prisoner. Not single Canadian received
a ecratch
last night that portion Of the Fenan army quar-
tered here was augmented by the arrival of 800 men
from NewYork and Troy. and the prospects Of those
who had fought at Cooks Corner began TO brighten.
1t was thought that grand rally could be made ana
that bv vigorous and detcTl ined effort their for
fumes might be somewhat retrieved To that end those
more cheerful than the rest encouraged their lei
lows and il was finally resolved upon TO make bold
advance
1t may be mentioned that for some days past the
regular encamp.nt Of the Fenians has been on the
bank Of the Trout River, and within a few hundred
wards from the border. This is the point where
customs are paid while it also forms small village,
there being several wooden structures In the
vicinity. The Fenian camp was Immediately
at the rear of little church, secure in its
way. but very much exposed. Here they encamped
and at once placed guards on sentry, but their move
ments and dOings generally could easily be observed
from the Canadian side. Wednesday, probably not
more than 100 Fenans with their officers, had con-
gregated but that number was gradually increased
by the slow arrival of straggerS who were compelled
TO walk 70 miles from Malone, over wretched road
10 reach the place.
When the train arrived last evening, the men
were quite fatgued and tagged out from exhaustion
having, it was said, eaten nothing but a few hard
crackers during their "A hours journey. Under the
circumstances therefore, they did not at once pro-
ceeed to the encampment at Trout River, but