The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-31


The Charge OF the canadIans-Brii-
liant but Unsuccessful Strategy
Brave stand of the Old veternns-The
Retrent-The Killed and Wounded
Everything at Sea-
The present movement on Canada lacks
several advantages enjoyed by that of 1906
To begin with, it is not supported By the
Fenians with unanimity. 1t is credbly assert
ed that the majority OF the organiza ton are
opposed to the movement, both as matter of
principle and of policy-that they do not re-
uard this as the time, nor 0'Neil's scheme as the
proper plan, for fulfilling the Fenian mission.
In the next place, the whole campaign seems
TINS far to be aimless and ill-directed Instead
of moving from fixed base to definite OBJ
iectiye point, the force OF the Fenian move
ment is wasting itself in random squirt. and in
desultory expeditions Of small squads across
the frontier. The great error seems to be in
supposing that merely crossing the frontier is
of any military importance: 1t is of none, unless
it be to escape from the Jurisdiction Of our
government to that Of the dominion, which is,
perhaps, move out Of the frying pan into the
fire. Crossing the line is defiance, but it is
not victory; and there are no places of any
strategic importance whatever on the Canada
border, either to take or defend, at least in the
neighborhood of Vermont. Again, the first
strokes of the Fenians have been conspicuous
and disheartening failures, revealing an utter
want of organization, and decided lack of
leadership.
THE MOVEMENT on HUNTINGDON.
On Friday last, the Fenian army stationed in
Trout River, hamlet that lies on the boun-
dary line. twelve miles north Of Malone car
ried out their determination to give Sattle to
the Canadian volunteers. A correspondent Of
the New York Sun, describing the result, says:
The Fenians have been for some days pre-
pairing for an encounter. all the men and
arms that could be collected were hurried 10
their camp at Trout RIVER. As customary with
them. but little regard was paid to discipline.
They did not drill or. In fact, engage in any
preparations for the conflict further than to
agree among themselves to
MARCH AGAINST THE ENEMY,
completely disregarding and ignoring all the
| renilations which have heretofore governed
the movement of military bodies. They were
not encountered with the services oil quar-
termaster commlssary, an engineer. or even
surgeon. That they are as brave and en-
| thuslastic body of men as ever shonluereu q
musket cannot be disputed, but their ideas OF
military tactics, as the sequel demonstrates,
differ somewhat from those generally enter
| tanned by most people,
MORE OFFICERS THAN PRIvATES.
There were but comparatively few private
soldiers or non-commissioned officers among
them. Almost every other man was either a
colonel, a captain, or at the lowest lleuten-
ant. All grades mingled together in the ranks,
for it was found necessary to have rank and
| file of some sort. General Starr, OF Cincin-
natl, man who to-day proved himself cow
ard and an ignoramus, was looked up to as the
leader of this so-called army. BY his orders
the camp was removed yesterday from grove
to On open field by the highway.
IN FULL VIEW OF THE CANADIAN SPIES,
who kept strict watch on all of their move
ments. The officers tenaciousy persisted IN
misrepresenting the number of the FenIan
troops, and 1900 was the lowest figure at
which they estimated them. In the Fenian
camp the use Of tents was dispensed with
| The Door fellows slept during the cold nights
either on the bare ground or In an adjoinining
stable, without so much as a blanket to wrap
| around theIn All were well armed with new
breech-loading muskets. Their ammunition
was abundant, but through gross mlsmanage-
twelve hours preceding the fight. All they
ate was couple Of crackers per man. AS for
uniforms, they had none. Some wore green
Jackets, others blue pants, some had green
| caps. and most of them were poorly clad In
ragged citizens Dress This was the condition
| of the six hundred Fenians encamped at Trout
River.
ADVANCE UPON THE ENEMY.
It is doubtful whether the Fenians would
have given the enemy battle as soon as they
did. If one circumstance had not occurred.
The Canadian volunteers, not daring 10 cross
our lines and capture the raiders, which they
could easily have done, determined 10 induce
them to cross over into the British territory.
To accomplish this end they had recourse to
straterem. Last night the scattered bands OF
Feniafis, who prowled the Canadian soil for
four miles north Of front River, came into
camp and reported that the red coats were ad-
| yanciug against them. The Fenians, not
Knowing the number of their enemy, remained
in their camp this side Of the lines. Very soon
they ascertained that the Canadians only num-
bered fifty strong Preparations to meet them
were at once made, ,ibut before their arrange
ments were completed, the Fenian scouts an
nounced that the
CANADIANS HAD REITERATED
back to Huntingdon. At hearing this the Fe-
mans became highly elated They then conclud-
ed that the Canadian force was very small, and
that fear had Induced them to retreat. The
men clamored for immediate battle, and it was
with considerable difficulty that they could be
restrained from starting in pursuit. 1t was,
however, resolved to take up the line Of march
in the morning. Word was sent to the bands
of Fenians in Malone to come to camp, as a
battle was to be fought on the morrow. The
result was that the road between Malone and
Trout River was lined with Fenians through
out the entire night and most of this morning.
THE CANADIAN SPIES
were not slow to ascertain the intention Of the
Fenans. and accordingly communicated what
they saw and suspected to Colonel Backett. OF
the Sixty-ninth British Infantry, who CON-
mapded the Canadian volunteers. Therefore,
while the Fenians were preparing to attack
the Canadians. the latter were likewise prepar-
jnr 10 give the Fenians warm reception.