Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-03-28

oOme one-peruaps MI u. Doyie " Reiiif
of Boston. who accompanied the Fenian
raid of 1870. as reporter for tho Boston
P,lot--gives in the Boston Traveller the fol-
lowing "reminiscences of Gen. Foster action
at that time:
The death of Gen. George p. Foster calls
for moro than passing comment. for IT
was to his management, ooOiness and
courage more than to any other cause that
the last Fenian raid came to satisfactory
END. Gen. Foster wa, at the time OF that out
break, serving his first term as United States
Marshal in that district. lie learned of the
approaching disturbance and quietly re-
paired to St. Adams. remaining dOmiciled
at the Weldon HOusr, from thence he sent
daily dispatches to the department at Wash
ington. Feniars arrived singly and by
couples, every day. but a. they made no
open show OF violence, Gen Foster took no
morning of May Gath, 1910, however. C;cn
Foster found that their numbers were in
crossing so rapidly that it was necessary
for him to secure the aid of Government
troops, and dispatches to that effect were
sent. Unfortunately, the contents of these
dispatches became known to the Fenian
leaders, and precipiteted an attack which
had been planned for the following Satur
day.
Wednesday morning, May 25.h. the
Fenian force had reached 200 men, and there
were no troops in town. In struggling
bodies they proceeded to Franklin fourteen
miles distsnti, where they rendeEVOused,
and marched toward the line. i; was eight
O'Clock in the morning before Gen. Foster
learned what had taken place. lie secured
a carriage, and, with no other escort than
that OF DR.. Woodbury., a Vermont surgeon,
and the writer, he drove rapidly to the
sesne. He r-"r-.ea was uninterrupted
until he reached the Fenian forces, picKeied
four miles from the line with barrlcade
across the road. The sentinel refused to
permit the party to proceed.
Gen, Foster (raisng himself to his full height
his eyes flashing, and every word wei Ching pound
BY what right, sir, do you stop the progress OF
United States citizens on q public highway
The Corpocsl-By command OF Major Gallagher.
SIR, an officer OF the Army OF the Irish Republic
Gen. Foster-send Mr.. Gallagher here.
Major Gallagher approached, and the General,
speaking go all could hear, exclaimed Do you
take upon yourself the responsibility of resisting
the Government OF the Uniled States Do you
know that am a United States Marshal, and that
your barricade Is that OF hlg4waynen unlawful and
to be punished
Major Gailagher-We act under orders, sir.
Gen. Foster tdeterminedly) Act under mine, sir.
Remove this blockade, or, by the Eternal, l will
drive through it, and your resistance will cost you
something.
There was whispered consultation
during whiSh the Fenisns seemed very ill at
ease. The General. impatient. started up
his horses. when the line broke and the men
huddled together in groups at the sides Of
the road The bsrricade was not only
removed, but the Fenian forces had received
their first shock, and the work of dem oral
Ill 81 k,, -
intrepidity and moral courage of one man.
Gen. Foster rode across the line to the Can
adam side. unmolested, and returned just
in time to meet the ridiculously
small army of the invaders who were
about to capture the entire Dominion.
The story Of the fight is quickly told. There
was one volley, several deaths, a general
STAN pede, and, following. few scattering
shots from barns and behind trees. This
continued Tor half an hour. Gen. Foster,
in the meanwhile, had driven to spot halt
a mile from the line, and by the roadside
waited patiently the progress Of events.
Finally single men, short and thick-set.
was seen to walk down the hill towards the
carriage, and, when he reached it. he an
nounced his intention to give himself up.
Who are you, was asked.
| am Gen. o'Neil commander OF tho feniin
forces.
Cen Foster-I don't know Of any such person, but
If you are the Dir, O'Neil whom take } GU to b. /
shall place you under arrest, Get in.
The subsequent trial and imprisonment of
O'Neil is too well known to be recapitulated
in detail Enough has been said to show
that it was the work OF one man-Gen.
George p. Foster - unaided by anybody.
that etlectuaiiy squelched the Fenian raid
of 1870.
Two Fenians-John Rowe, OF this city,
and O'Brien, Moriah, N. Y. msn-wero
killed by the fire of the Canadian militia.
and six or seven. among the number being
Charles Carlton, formerly Of this place.
were wounded.
Thus far the aspirants Tor tho vacant
United States Marshalship OF the District
Of Vermont are Gen. VIM. W. Henry. of
Burlington Col John W. Newton. of st.
Adams. lion John q. Stesrns. of Brad
ford, and +. I. llolbrook, Esq., OT Milton.
The name of ten. Stephen Thomas, OF West
Fairlee, is favorably mentioned in this con-
nectIon, but we are not aware OF his wishes.
1t WAS rumored shortly alter Gen. Fosters
death, that Gen. John l. BarstOw, of Bur
hngton, and Col. Mason \. COlburn, OF
Manchester, would apply for appointment.
but we have authority from both these
gentlemen for saying that they do not de-
sire it Gen. p. p Ptkin was suggested.
but We are informed that he assured ten.
Henry, Saturday. that he had no intention
of applying and would be happy to support
him. Politicians say the Office belongs"
to the east side of the mountain, and If that
is the way it is to BIO looked upon at w ash
ton, probably the list of candidates will be
very much heightened within a week
NJ Adams Messenger.