The Van Buren press., 1870-05-31
VERMONT.
ST. ALBANs, May 25.


ST. ALBANs, May 25.
About 1 80 to-day the Fenians who
had been for several hours previous un-
packing their arms and otherwise prepar-
ing for action at Hubbard's Corner, half
mile beyond Franklin, took up the line
of march, and when they arrived near the
house of Sloan Richards, about 90 rods
this side of the border, they halted, and
Gen. O'Neill made the following speech !:
SoLDIERs--This is the advance guard
Of the Irish-American army for the lib
Grafton of Ireland from the yoke of the
oppressor. For your own country you
enter that Of the enemy. The eyes of
your countrymen are upon you. For
ward, march"
The advance company was from Bur
lington, and commanded by Capt. VIM.
Cronan, of that city. AT the conclusion
of O'Neil's address, he lifted his hat and
replied " General, am proud that Yer
mont has the honor Of leading this ad-
vance. Ireland may depend upon us to
do our duty" The advance was then
resumed by flank in the open road, and
as Capt. Cronan descended little hill
towards the line, they were surprised by
sharp volley from some Canadian
troops, whose position had been conceal
ed. The fire was instantly returned by
Cronan's men, and quite sharp fire kept
up for some time. The Canadians were
posted behind rocks. and trees, and had
of course the advantage of the boys in
green. One Fcnian is reported killed
and Capt. Cronan wounded in the thigh.
The skirmish was witnessed by quite a
number of citizens IT, S, Marshal Fos-
ter and Deputy L. S. Marshal Folly
took commanding positions part Of the
way up the hill and were under fire all
the time. About one o'clock, when
O'Neill had gone to the right of his com
mand Gen. Foster had his close carriage
brought near the position and immedi-
ately arrested General O'Neill by virtue
Of the Presidents proclamation. The
General said he refused TO be arrested,
and had forces which he would use for
protection. The U. S. Marshal seeing
q lot of Fenians close at hand, threw
open the carriage door, and with the help
of Folly thrust O'Neill into the back
seat. They then jumped in and their
horses left in hot haste. The General
arrived at the Weldon House in this vii
lage at p. m. He was taken before U.
S. Commissioner Smalley for violation
of the neutrality laws, but waived an ex-
animation, and in default of $40, 900 bail
was taken to Burlington to be committed.
The arrest Of O'Neill has fallen like a
wet blanket on the Fcnians, and reports
from the front this evening say they are
badly demoralized. They were evidently
not reinforced as they expected they
would be. There cannot be over 500
men where the skirmish took place,
whereas ammunition for four times that
number had been provided. 1t is report
cd many are on their way back to Saint
Adams to take transportation for home.
The 80 p. IN. train from the South
landed here about l20 more men who i'm
mediately took their departure. Unless
the Fenians are at once heavily reinforc-
ed the movement, so far as this section
is concerned, will prove very great
fzzle. Later intelligence places the num-
Der Of killed at two and the wounded ut
two. 1t. Murray, of Boston, is one of
the killed.
ILLINOIS
CHICAGO, May 26.
The Fenians have crowded their head
quarters all morning, and there is much
excitement. Body of Fenians left two
hours since, some for the east and quite
a number for Minnesota. A number of
Irish organizations have also left, pre-
cisely in what direction not known.
Geo. Francis Train arrived from Min
nesota this morning. He reports that