The sun., 1870-05-27
The Fenian Invasion-Was Gen. O'Nein
Arrested at His Own Instance

Gen. O'NEILL's attack upon Canada has
come to a sudden and an inglorious end.
The preparations were extensive the early
stages of the movement judicious; large
forces were in the field or near II, and rein
forcements were hocking to he frontier from
every quarter; arms and ammunition were
also at hand in abundance. OF the other in.
vadng columns we hear that the one under
Gen. GLEEsoN at Trout River is still advanc-
ing upon the enemy, bat the demonstration
under o'NEuL at Franklin appears to haveen-
tirely collapsed through his arrest by Mr.
GEORGE FOSTER, the u. S. Marshall of
Vermont II is true that the Fcnians
who had or So d at Franklin remained
in Canada for some time after their
commander had been taken from them
and that the squads on their way to the
scene of action pressed eagerly forward. But
all was in vain. After the commanding gen
eral was gone the campaign in that quarter
naturally and ingloriously came TO an end
At the latest advces the total number Of
killed and wounded on both sides was six
The first question that arises is whether
Gen. 0'NEILL was arrested at his own in
stance, and this question we hear asked by
friends of the Irish cause on every side.
There are some very singular circum-
stances in the affair which necessarily cx
cite suspicion. 1t appears that before
crossing the frontier at franklin, Gcn.
o'NEILL, sitting upon his war horse,
addressed his followers, some two hundred
in number. assuring them that they were
the advance guard OF the Irish army for
the Liberation of Ireland from the yoke of the
espresso. For your own country" he
continued, "you now enter that of the ere
my. The eyes Of your countrymen are upon
you. Forward March, With this gal
liant exordium, the Fenian troops passed the
line, and were received with q volley by a
small body of Canadian militia lying in am.
bush. We are sorry to say that the Fenians
became demoralized under the irregular fire
of the hidden militia men, and that Gen.
0'NEIL, who is said TO have remained
behind on the Vermont side of the
line, Indignantly upbraided them. "Men
Of Ireland" he exclaimed, Z" am ashamed
Of you But will lead you, and if you vii!
not follow will go with my officers and
die" Thereupon o'NELL boldly crossed the
border, and the skrmsh was renewed
for an hour or more, after vi ich the Fenians
nrc said to have withdrawn out of fire for the
purpose of obtaining rest. Gen. O'NEUL,
accompanied by single aidc-de amp, now
went back into Vermont, and went into a
L., ct l.. e Al. 4
Going into the porlor he found there Mar.
shel FOSTER with his deputy. Tie General
offered TO shake hands with him, but this
courtesy the Marsha! declined, and, instead
of erasping the profered hand of the Gen.
eral, took hold of his shoulder and informed
him that he was arrested. O'NEILL declared
that he would resist the arrest, aud that he
was armed; bat the Marshal informed him
that resistance would be useless, and that lac
and his deputy also had pistols, anl hat if
the General did not instantly get into the
carriage waiting at the door he wodld throw
him in. At this the gallant General surrcn.
dered, entered the carriage, and was speedily
taken to st, Adams and put in Jail,
These circumstances cannot fail TO excite
Suspicion and this feeling has been decidedly
expressed to us by many persons, some Of
whom were Fenians, Why, they say, if Gen
o'NEu intended to lead a serious attack
upon Canada. did he pause after he began to
fight, when only handful of Canadian mill
tia wero opposed to him, and when his total
loss was only two men killed and one wound
edf Why did lie not charge the Canadians
md drive them from their positionf Such a
deed would have given new spirit and cour
age to his followers and woul have been
widely published abroad Us tho FIRST victory
Of the Irish Republic 1t ap,, ars also that
Bome of his OFF GERS urged him to take this
course, but that he rejected theIg advice and
Instead of ordering charge, ordered re-
treat in order that his men, who lad only
been fghting an hour, might recruit their
diminished strength. Such nm instance OF
prudence on the part of a commanding gen
eral who undertakes the gigantic enterprise
Of Assailng the British Empire ny DO cred
liable to his humanity, but it cannot add any
thing to his military ranown. When n bat
tie is begun it Is n cafe rule 70 push things
with desperation until it is gained bat this
rulo Gen ONEILL appears not TO have ap.
preciatcd,
But while his mon were rGcuperatnG theii
strength at a safe dista co from the enemy
why should Gen. O'NEuL deem it necessary
10 return TO Vermont? And why having re
turned to that mol Stntc should lac wall
into precisely the house there the Marsha