The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-06
CANADA's ONLY INVASION.
What May Be Expected from the Dominion
In Case of Wa.

What May BE Expected fro the Dominion
In Case of Wa.
Washington Special.
A propos of retaliation and the warlike DEM
onstrations on paper INDUCED i'll by Mr.. Cleve-
land, L am reminded of the fact that the only
war Canada ever had of her own was the So
called Fenian invasion. One OF the Heading
episodes of that affair has never found its way
into print. 1t is narrated oy an American gentle
man. now a resident of Washington, who went
10 Montreal on private business, arriving there
when the FeniaD excitement was at it's height.
Il served three years." said the narrator. ''iu
the Army of the Potomac, but never saw quite
such q brave military display 90 our side OF the
line as the Canueks made in Montreal. The
hotels and streets were crowded with the most
gorgeously clad and accoutred men ever seen
IL gaudy colors and gold lace would win battles
the invaders had reason to tremble. The clank-
ing OF spurs and saosrs was heard at all hours
OF the day and night, and nothing was talked or
but war and bloodshed- They were rather dis
posed to regard the events Of our war as small
matters in comparison with the things they
We're prepared to do when the time should
come.
''The Fenians were known to be gathering in
force at St. Adams, and in due time the Cana
dian forces were set in motion and marched
southwark. The advance consisted of a COM
paby of militia, which believed itself capable.
single handed, to Withstand all the enemy
could bring against it. Marching a days jour
ney toward the line, it took a position near q
farmhouse. and setting out its pickets slept on
its arms. About midnight a sentinel fired his
piece, and retreating on the main body reported
that the enemy was at hand. The long roll was
beaten, the battle line was formed hastily, and,
thus prepared, the Canadian forces awaited the
coming of the Irish army but not for long. The
position was an exposed one in q military sense,
and the captain commanding, remembering a
more advantageous point a mile to the north,
SET his force in motion. moving at a slow zarcs
and In good order to the new position. where
the line of battle was reformed. The darkness
was appalling in itself, and after q few minutes
OF anxious waiting. a suggestion was made and
adopted that q still better point further north be
taken. The army moved to this at a quick step
Here a council of war was called. aud as il
was conceded that q bloody battle was immi-
nent, even privates were allowed q voice in de-
Gliding where the shock should be met The ma
iority was for another change Of position. still
further northward, and the route was taken.
now at a double quick. Before the spot was
reached, guns. accoutrements and other impede
menta were discarded, and the army made
tracks for the st. Lawrence, entering Montreal,
defeated and disheartened, about daylight
Late that evening one dusty, tired militia
man, equipped with half a dozen guns and as
many kpapsacks as he could hang upon his per-
son, dragged his weary steps over Victoria
bridge, and entering Montreal asked what thu
excitement was about. He reported that hav-
ing no fancy for a night out OF doors, he had
ESCAPED the vigilance OF his officers and made
himself comfortable in the farmers barn. He
slept soundly and had not heard the alarm. He
turned out late in the morning OILY to And that
the army had fallen back. and be moved on to
join it. He had seen no FEM ans. By that
time IL had been learned by telegraph that the
Feniaps had never left st. Adams aud that none
bad been within twenty miles OF the Canadian
u%ositiOn.