The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-10-24

TUESDAY, OCTOBER "A 1871
The Inst Feniun Raid.
CORTLAND.


General O'NeilI arrived last NIGHT on the
Pacific road and was Immediately taken to the
county by Deputy United States Marshal
cleveland. The General looks to be in splen-
u'u condition, physically, and so far as recent
events are concerned they do not seem to
wear very greatly upon his elastic and hopeful
mind. The following is the substance of a
conversation held last evening with the noted
| General by Pioneer reporter
General O'Neill left for Pembina last wed-
| nesday, and arrived here on his return last
night, when he was Immediately arrested by
Deputy United States Marshal Cleveland
Nothing OF special interest happened on the
| trip from the fort to this city.
The General says that it has been erron-
eously stated by the press that this move
ment was Fenian movement. He declares
that he is not at present connected with the
fenlan organization at all, officially or other
wise. He has always sympathized with peo-
PIE struggling for independence, and particu-
| larry when these people were British subjects.
| his services whatever they may be worth, are
| always at the service of those people strug-
gIng lor lloerty, especially against the Brit
| lsh government. He is not conscious of hav-
| ing violated any of the laws of the United
| States government in anything he has done
| in this matter. As an individual he felt at
perfect liberty to offer his services to any peo-
pie struggling for independence. particularly
when these people are British subjects. He
did not take any men up to the fort or that
vicinity. After he got there and was on Brit
ish territory, he felt that he had right to do
just as he pleased. He denied that he organ-
lied any force ofmen for a raid upon British
territory while he was in the United States.
"After you got upon British territory did
you organize any force to overthrow the Brit
ish authorities?"
'WheE got on British territory felt that
had right te do just as 1 pleased"
Further than this the General declined to
answer this question.
"Wbat did you do, General, after you got
on to British territory?'
Il do not desire to answer that, further
than to say that l had a right to do as l
pleased"
"How many men had you with you on Brit
ish territory?"
Il do not feel disposed to answer that ques-
tion. l desire to state that if had not been
interfered with by the United States author
tiles 1 would have had fully one thousand
men with me.
"What forps
"For anything chose to do with them.
They would have been subject to my COM
hand for whatever chose to do"
'.When you went up there did you expect
to find these men there?"
"Yes."
"Then they went by arrangements"
81 didn't say so. didn't say whether they
went there or were there"
"Do you know as matter of fact that they
lived there"
81 decline to answer that question:"
"Do you not know that they did not live
there?"
(Sming.) "You put me in mind of an at
torney now. do not wish to answer that
question:"
"When you were arrested how many men
did you have nnder your commando"
81 do not wish to answer that question.
will answer that question, though, in an indi-
rect way. l had enough men to resist Colon
ell iWheaton had 1 desired to fight United
States soldiers. had fought too long under
the StaIs and Stripes 20 want to fight United
States troops, whether they had crossed the
line legally or illegally ColonehWheaton bad
over in person.
81 desire to state the intimation has been
thrown out that the men were arrested with
out show OF resistance. The three imen-
myself, General Curley and Colonel lDonnelly
have as good record for bravery as Colonel
Wheaton. The only reason why resistance
was not made was because we respected the
United States authorities. We had made as
good a record as Colonel Wheaton in the late
war for all that constitutes soldiers. While
we were in Colonel Wheaton's charge we were
treated in very gentlemanly manner. In
stead of wearing the United States uniform
he would act with more propriety if he should
wear the British uniform. AS a prosecuting
attorney, though, he made a perfect ass Of
himself and showed complete ignorance of
the law.
General Curley came down with me as far
as the crossing of the Red River, where he
stopped. Most OF the men who were arrest
ed with General Curley, Colonel Donnelly
and myself remained at Fort Pembina in Gus
toep, but were expected 10 be released the
day L left. They will propaby when releas-
ed, 60 to the Red River and seek emplyment.
"As understand it there is a good deal of
dissatisfaction up there with the British gov
eminent. The dissatisfaction exists princ-
pally among the French half breeds, and be-
leve they are in the majority. The British
government has but very srnal! force in the
British Territory"
The General thinks sthat notwithstanding
they do not like the British government the
policy of the people lis to remain apparently
loyal. The true state of affairs up there can
not be known at present.
believe the action of Colonel Wheaton to
be entirely unauthorized in crossing into
British territory and arresting any one. Nor
do l believe his conduct will be sanctioned
either by the department commander or at
Washington. He went upon British terrific
ry and ordered his men TO fire, and they did
fire several volleys. 1t is surprising that
some one was not killed. 1t was no fault
of his that there was no one killed. Had
there been any killed l have no doubt he
would have been guilty OF MURDER"
''There was no invasion at all. There was
no Fenian raid. We were not acting as Feni-
ans, and had no connection whatever with
that organization.
The statement that body of men were
seen with Fenian flag flying near the fort or
on British territory is not true. The state-
ment that Donnohue knocked man off a
horse and rode away with the horse is also
untrue.
II am Lot aware that have violated any
law OF the United states. Before | arrived
from Pembina | was informed that l should
be arrested. l did not fear any arrest. l have
fought and bled for the United States govern
ment. The United States form too large
country for me to try to hide in, and | do not
fear anything the law can do to me for any
recent action of mine."
This ended the interview, and we left the
General to his meditation.