Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-18
The Feminm Rnid.


A gentleman from Fort Garry, who was AZ the
Hudson Bay post at the time it was captured by
the Feuiaus, gives the following account of the
affair:
About seven O'Clock on the morning of the
9th the early riserS Of the Hudson Bay post
discovered a squad of armed men approaching
the post in military array. At their head
marched Gen. O'Neill, supported by the O'Don
ohue, Col. Donnellv and Col. Carley. The force
amounted to some thirty meu, ali armed with
breech-oading Springfield rifles. AT the post
there were three men and TWO women, who quiz
city submitted to n superior force, and made no
resistance At the custom house our informant
was stopping over night with a friend. Their
morning SlumberS were Tudely broken and
they were informed that they were prisoners
Everything was done peaceably and in order,
and shortly after taking possession the "army
OF invasion proceeded to take breakfast. Sem
tinels were stationed around the post, and the
opening scene OF a blOOdess war was ended.
The general commanding called a council of
war. Future cOnquestS were under COntempla-
ton, when, about noon, one Of the sentinels APP
pearcd in hreathless haste with the information
that a large force of United States troops were
within short distance, and rapidly approach
iuT. This startling intelligence ca used great
CONSERVATION among the victorious warriors
comprising the ''army of INVASION" A fearful
panic seized them, and not one of them stood
haste Gen. O'Neill forgot his sword, and the
O'DonOhue left his rife and other accoutrements
behind. Col. Wheaton and his party of thirty
men pursued, and succeeded in capturing Gen.
O'Neil, Col. DOnnelly, Col. Carley, and ten 9TH
ers, all of whom were taken over TO Fort Penn
bina and placed under guard The O'Donohue
had stripped for the race, and succeeded in max
ing his escape, but we learn that he was after
wards captured by some halEGreedS and brought
over to Pembina, and now keeps company with
Gen. O'Neill, in charge Of the commanding off
Ger Of Pembna.
Another witness says:
Mr.. Douglas, the assistant custom-house Off
Ger, was alarmed early in the morning by a half
breed who informed him that a body Of men,
numbering about forty, was marching down.
Mr. Douglas went to the door, and seeing them
coming, aWOke Mr. Webster, and then started
across the prairie to alarm the Hudson Bay
post He was pursued by Gen. O'Donohue and
another man on horseback, who presented re-
YOlyers at his head and ordered him hack He
told them he would not 90 back, and demanded
by what authority they acted. He said he should
not obey them until they gave him their author
ity. O'DOnohue then replied he acted under the
authority of the provisional government of
Manitoba" The FenianS then marched down
and took the Hudson Bay post, the only inmates
being an old man and his wife, Mr.. Watt, one
armed Hudson Bay official, and Mr.. Scott his
clerk. The fenianS seized all the provisions
and made selections of clothing for themselves,
and other articles, and started one load of pro-
visions down the river, The prisoners were al
lowed the liberty of the yard and yarandas of
the buildings, but were not permitted to 20 out
side the stOckade. The Fenians arrested q half
breed American citizen on the road to Pembina,
who was subsequently released by them, upon
being informed of the fact Messrs. Douglas
and Webster, without the knowledge of the Fe-
mans, gave the hali-breed note to Col, Wheaton,
commandant of the United States forces at Fort
d. ~, .sral 4, 81 1,,,s
and asking assistance. In 4 very short time
| Col. Wheaton, at the head Of thirty men; APP
peared upon the scene, Col Wheaton sent his
cOlOr-bearer ahead to inquire Of Gen. O'Neill the
| object of his raid, The color sergeant was es-
| corted into the presence Of O'Neill at the point
| of the DayOnct, as prisoner. Before the soldier
| could explain his mission, some OF the FenianS
| on the outside of the Stockade, came rushing in
| cXcaimng The American troops are coming /"
| Immediately there was a general stampede of
the Fenians, pursued by the United States SOL
| dierS. UDOnOhue, on going outside, found
| one OF his own men on his (O'DonOhue'S y
| horse, but he was Immediately knocked off
| when O'DonOhue mounted and fed with others
| who had horses, taken from half breeds Many
! OF them threw away their arms as they ran.
| Those who were on foot took to the brush along
the river. The troops fired yoley at the
| mounted Fenians, but it is believed no one was
| Injured. Col Wheaton, Witnessing the fight
| OF the Fenaus, mounted a horse drew his Dis-
| tols,and pursued them some distance ahead of his
men, He came up to O'Ncill, Donnelly and
Carey, and arrested them without resistance
| and ten Of the rank and file Gen. O'Neill was
in such haste to get away from the post that he
left his sword on table; O'Donohue left his
repeating rifle, cloak, &c. Col. Wheaton also
| captured about 300 stand of arms, $50 being
| breech-loadeIS, and 1000 rounds of ammunition
He also sent a force and recaptured the provi-
sions the Fenians were Sendingiaway.
The prisoners were taken TO Fort Pembina and
confined in the barracks. Gen. O'Neill took his
capture very philosophcally. On being put
INTO an ambulance, he took out his pipe and
smoked during the short ride to the fort. An
other party of Fenians had appeared in the
neighborhood Of St. Joe, but Col Wheaton
was well aware Of their movements, and had
| sent bis cavalry TO capture or disperSe them.
| The absence Of this force OF cavalry prevented
the capture Of the whole party under ONeill
| The governors proclamation was responded
to by general uprising OF the people, ire
| spectiye of former affiliations. They also re-
! port that il would take several thousand men
| with artillery, to capture Fort Garry. As usual.
| the rank and file Of the Fenans denounce the
| incompetency Of their leaders Some of them
assert that O'Neill is more DESTROYS of notoriety
| than Of performing substantial service to the
cause, and that he actually connived at the cap
| ture Of his force