Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-06-03
Tee FenIan Raid.


denly occupied the attention of the coun
try the fore part of last week, is entirely
over, having been complete failure and
collapse, the whole length of the line
At Malone the Fenians crossed over the
line, but at the first fire Of the Canadian
troops, they fed and scattered back again
like sheep. They did not make even Sc
good show at Malone as at Franklin
yet it has been dignifed as "the battle
of Trout River" The following "fag
ends" of the raid are copied from the
Burlington Free Press
U. S. Marshal Foster telegraphed 10
Washington Friday night, inquiring il
transportation would not be furnished by
the government. The answer came that
the government would furnish no assist
ance whatever, and advising the State
authorities to furnish the necessary trans
portation if they wished to rid them.
selves of the invaders. There have been
no cases of serious disorder among the
Fenian soldiers, and their general good
behavior is universally commended.
The chief cause of the Fenian defeat
is conspicuous to every intelligent person
who has been at the front. The men as
whole, are a sturdy and brave set of
fellows and seemed determined to fight.
Two important requisites were lacking.
efficient officers and proper discipline.
This want was particularly noticeable
with the men at Malone. Some compa-
MES had been deserted by their officers
altogether, and Others were commanded
by men wholly incompetent. Many Of
ticers were directly accused of cowardice
and their lives threatened. The defeat
is therefore no more nor less than the
logical result of alligning in battle IN.
disciplined men against soldiers thor
oughly organized and we'll differed.
WHAT o'NEILL SAYS.
Gen. ONeill says it was impossible for
him to carry out his original plans with
the limited force which he found at the
front. He had been promised 1000 men
fully armed and equipped, with which to
move into Canada from Franklin ON
Tuesday night. On his return to Frank
lin Tuesday morning he found but one
of sixty-three men. He hope
fully waited till Wednesday morning and
the number had increased to three hmm
dred. Believing that the enemy before
him were hourly receiving reinforce
ments, Gen. O'NeiIl decided to advance
with what men he had. He expected
that little resistance would be made.
and'that be could establish his headquar
tiers ON the Canadian heights occupied
by Gen. Spear in the previous raid With
this prevailing impression among his men
the terrific volley which met them was
sadly panic-striking. When the fight
was fully begun he discovered that ,
number of his officers had made yacap
their places, and his men at several
points were fighting without a leader.
Gen. ONeill did all he possibly could BY
word and deed to rally his men and hols
them ready for flank or anv otbe,
movement which might seem expedient
1t was with view to flank movement
that he was crossing the road when h,
was arrested. 1t should be stated ius
here that many reports concerning tn,
of O'Neill's arrest are ride
llously false. He made no resistance
but simply said, You cannot, YOU mus
1ot arrest me at this stage" to which tn
replied. Z" | can and | do. anc
you show any resistance, these citizens
referring to several by.standers will al,
ne. Ihereupon Gen. O'Neill steppe,
nto the carriage and was driven RAPIDLY
way.
After the skirmish at Trout Rover o
friday, and even before it had entirely
Gen. Starr, who had the com
land of the Fenian troops, secretly file,
rom his men and reached Malone ius
time to spring aboard southern
ound train, after it had started. Tw,
ther officers attempted to make the sam,
but failed.
6en. Gleason arrived at Malone nj
clock Friday and made great deal o
ourlsh about the streets during the eve
ing. lie is stout man, nearly seye,
ct tall, with a face distorted with ex
IS. lie is a coarse spoken man, an,
axes large pretensions, claiming I,
I'VE been general in the late war an,
Nv planter near Richmond. word
10000. All his attempts to inspire tn
oops signally failed.
= Mr. Graham received $4,000 for
S services in the Mcfarland case