The sun., 1908-03-22
REIGE DRRAE RECALLED
~ THE MEDALS CANADA rs
GIVING TO HER HEROES.

MALONE, N. Y, March 7i.--The fact that
the Canadian Government has rooontly
been presenting medals for bravery shown
at the time Of the Fenian raids suggests the
idea that Canada may BE- fitting the occa-
sion TO the medal. Daring and picturesque
as were the FOnian raids Of forty years ago
they were hardly formidable enough to
make very heavy demands upon the value
Of the opposing force, Capt. z, j. Manni1'
who was one Of the most conspicuous
FenlAns In northern New York, maintains,
indeed, that the honors were the other way
about, since at Ridgevay, the only engage
msnt worthy 10 be called battle, small
FenIan force under Gen, 0'Een put to rout
the Queens Own. the pride Of the Canadian
military service.
Stories Of the Fenians, or champions Of
the King Of Fire, have come down 70 us from
the semi-mythical period Of Irish history
and Il was tho account Of them given in DT.
Keatina's History Of Ireland that suG-
Ros.ed the name TO John o'Mahoney.
survivor Of the rebellion Of ~, when about
the middle Of the last century 10 founded
among the Irish In the United States a
seoret organisation for promoting and az
sistinR revolutionary movements In Ire
land The Brotherhood Of Fonians e1-
tended over the whole country and was
governed by a legislative body called the
senate, while In each town was repre-
sentative known ~ the head centre.
The Fenians knew, Of course, that they
would not be permitted TO hght England
from United States soil, 90 they conceived
the idea Of using Canada a. base Of opera
tions, hoping that many malcontents there
would ioin their cause. The relations be-
tween the United States and England were
not very cordial at the close OF the civil
war, and the FeniAns hoped that the Federal
Government would overlook their move
ment ~ long as possible. The arms and
ammunition, indeed. were all bought from
the Government, and Fenian parades fire.
ouently occurred in the cities and larger
towns.
The raids here were TO be part Of q general
uprising Of the Irish In Europe as well 80
In America to free Ireland from British
rlle. Funds we're obtained by subscrip-
tons, and in this country 0'Mahoney is
said TO have raised 100000 TO finance the
scheme.
The fret attempt to invade CanAda oc-
CURED in 1893. Cen. John O'Neil, during
the civil war a cavalry ofloer In the United
States Army, was the prime mover In the
undertaking. He frst prepared TO enter
from northern Vermont, but abandoned
this plan and later succeeded in crossing
over from Buffalo to Ridgeway, where
after a lively engagement he repulsed the
Oueen's Own, and might have ventured
still further into the country had not United
States revenue cutters arrived and cut him
on from Buffalo, leaving him without
supplies or reenforcements. United States
officers brought hack the invaders. few
Of whom were aftervard taken prisoners
by the Canadian Government.
Meanwhile Fenians 10 the number OF
about 1000 had poured into Malone and
were preparing TO march into Canada from
this point, The interference Of the United
States at Ridgeway stopped all plans and
the men were left stranded here without
provisions and many Of them without
money TO pay their fare home.
Major-Gen. Meade presently arrived
and arrested the leaders. The rest OF the
Fenians remained a tax upon the COM
munity until the United States Govern
ment authorized the railroads TO take
them home.
The second and final raid. that Of 1870,
differed from the first In several particu-
lars Preparations for II were made with
greater secrecy, 80 as 10 prevent Govern
ment interference, and the plans were
more carefully made. but there was division
among the Fenians. One party, represented
by the senate, favored still further prepara-
ton. while another, headed by Gen. O'Nei',
advocated immediate action.
In the end the invasion was made by
Gen. ONei without the sanction Of the
senate and without the support Of the more
conservative Fenians. In 1888 the bulk OF
the Fenians we're civil war veterans; in
1870 many Of them were adventurers, ne'er-
do-weels and others who had come for the
excitement and the free ride
As before the first attempt was 10 enter
from northern Vermont O'Neil with a
force set out from st. Adams, and at Rich
ards's farm, across the border. encountered
the Canadian troops in ambush. Two
Fenisns were killed the only men killed
on either side In any OF the engagements,
and two were wounded. Gen. O'Neil was
arrested by United States Marshal Foster
and was sent TO Windsor Prison.
Al about the same time Fenians were
again congregating in Malone. They ar
rived unexpectedly and first encamped on
the fair ground, but during the night OF
May ~ they advanced 10 the village Of
Trout River and established themselves
upon the farm Of Patrick Leahy, half mile
from the border.
Thither Capt. ManniX, who acted as
Quartermaster, had forwarded the ammu-
milton, weapons, uniforms and other sup
plies which had for some time been stored
around the country In the barns Of Fenian
| sympathizers, O1loers were on hand who
tried TO reduce the chaotic assemblage to
military order but there was no strong
hand and disobedience was rife.
Many OF the rank and file declared that
they had been brought here by false repre-
sentations. Before leaving home they had
been assured that they would he part OF an
invincible army Of Thousands and now thew
found only few hundreds
The insufiicency Of the commiasariat
was another cause Of discomfort, for there
were only a few barrels Of pork and hard
tack. Pigs and cattle we're requisitioned
and hen roosts raided, but still many went
hungry. There were no tents either, and
the heat and dust were intolerable that
spring
Information In regard 10 the proposed raid
had been sent TO President Grant, who
now issued a proclamation ordering the
f. -. - g.