Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-05-27
THE FENI4N OPERATIONS.


THE FENIAN OPERATIONS.
A despatch from Montreal of the 25th says
active steps are being taken for the defence
of the border. The latest dispatches state
that the Fenians are ut Trout river, In Hun
tington county, intending to cross. Six hun
dred volunteers leave for the front at noon.
The 9th regiment is expected at o'clock from
Quebec. Fenians to the number of 800 are
at Pigeon Hill and are throwing up entrench-
ments. Lord Colonel Russell and the Prince
Consort's Own Rifles have gone to the front
with the Montreal volunteers. They are
going to attack the entertainments. Prince
Arthur goes with this regiment in Lord Rus
sells staff. Col. Osborne Smith is in COM
mand of the volunteers and goes as an ad-
vance guard. The Fenian Dovementwill not
at all interfere with the Red River expedi-
ton. Great satisfaction is expressed at Pres
dent Grants proclamation. The volunteers
all respond with the utmost readiness. The
Fenians need not expect much mercy, there
being a strong feeling of deep indignation
against them. 1t is thought that the military
authorities will not attempt to check the in
vaders near the border but will allow them to
come in some distance in order to get good
chance at them. This is understood to be
General Lindsey's advice.
A later despatch from St. Adams, VT, gives
an account of a skirmish and the arrest OF
Gen. O'NeiH 1t says: About half-past III
o'clock this forenoon, the Fenians, who had
been for several hours previous busy in un-
packing their arms and otherwise getting
ready for action at Hubbards Corner, half
mile beyond Franklin, took up their line of
march, and when they arrived near the house
of Alvan Richards, about twenty rods this side
of the border, they halted and Gen. O'Neill
made the followidg speech:
''Soldiers: This is the advance guard ofthe
Irish-American army for the liberation of Ire
land from the yoke of the oppressor. From
your own country you now enter that OF the
enemy. The eyes of your countrymen are
upon you. Forward, march"
The advance company was from Burlington,
and was commanded by Capt VIM. Cronan OF
that CITY At the conclusion of Gen. O'Neill's
address he lifted his hat and replied as follows:
General: | am proud that Vermont has
the honor of leading this advance Ireland
may depend upon us to do our duty"
The advance was then resumed by the flank
in open road, and as Capt. Cronans company
passed Richards house and were descending a
little hill towards the right they were surpris-
ed by sharp yolley from some of the Cana
dian troops whose position had been conceal
ed. The fire was instantly returned by Capt.
Cronans men, and quite sharp fire was kept
up for some time. The Canadians were post
ed behind rocks and trees and had of course
the advantage of the Boys in Green" 1t is
reported that one Fenian was killed and Capt.
Cronan was wounded in the thigh. The
skrmish was witnessed by quite number of
citizens.
u. S. Marshal Foster and Deputy Marshal
HALEY took commanding position part way
UP the hill and were under fire all the time.
About one o'clock when Gen. O'Neill had
gone to the right of his command, Foster had
his close carriage brought to near position
and Immediately arrested Gen. O'Neill by
virtue of the Presidents proclamation. The
General said he refused to be arrested and
had force which he would use for his protec-
| ton. The Marshall seeing lot of Fenians
close at hand then opened the carriage door,
and with the help of Failey thrust the Fenian
| leader into the back seat. The officials leaped
| into their seats and their horses left in hot
haste. The General arrived at the Weldon
! House, in this village, at four o'clock. He
was soon after arranged before L. S. Com
missioner Jacob NJ. Smalley for violation of
the neutrality laws, waived an examinatio n
and in default OF $4,000 bail was taken to
Burlington this evening to be committed
The arrest of Gen. ONeill has fallen like a
wet blanket on the Fenians and the reports
from the front this evening say that they are
badly demoralized.
The Fenians fought well, but it is evident
that they were not reinforced as they expect
ed. There cannot be at the outside at and
about the place where the skirmish occurred
more than 500 men, whereas ammunition for
four times that number had been provided.
1t is reported that many are already on their
way back to st. Albans to take transportation
to their homes. The half past six train from
. tko tb;e laplnI har
men who Immediately took their departure.
Unless the Fenians are at once heavily re-
inforced, the movements so far as this section
is concerned will prove a very great fzzle.
Later intelligence places the number o
killed at two and the wounded three. One o
the killed is Lieut.. Murray of Boston and thu
other a Burlington man, name unknown
Company G., 5th United States Artillery
Capt Richard Arnold commanding, stationed
at Plattsburg, New York, arrived here ant
have pitched their tents ON the north side
the park More United States troops are ex
pected to be here to morrow, and 1t Is rumoret
that Gen. Meade will soon make his appear
ance. The streets at st. Albans present g
lively scene tonight. Knots of men are gath
cred about discussing the news and speculat
ing as to the probable result of the FeniaI
movement. 1t is reported that several COM
panies of British regulars from Quebec have
4 srrived in Montreal and will be sent forward
4 to the front as rapidlya possible. Great ex-
citement prevails in Montreal and in all the
border towns.
A New York despatch says the actual open
. ing of hostlities has allayed temporarily a
least the differences among the Fenians o
that city, and the adherents of the thre,
: branches are now aetuated by one purpose
C TO support the men in the field. Prominen
laahars nf tho Saxaun xxinU ffnt N,
Capt. Burke among the number, are organic
: ing regiments, with which they intend t,
: leave for the border within the next few days