The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-03-03
THE FENIAN RAID.
RecollectiOns of Hon. b. T. FifeId,
Who Was United States District At
tOrney at the Time.


tOrney at the Time.
Publication in the Morning Journal
a short time ago of the story of the
st. Adams raid, as recalled by former
Governor Josiah Grout, brings up the
fact that the Hon, b, F. Fifeld of
this city was United States District
Attorney at the time of a raid in an
other direction, when the Fenians I'M
dertook an attack on Canada in June
1866 and it was through his activity
that the raid was so quickly sup
pressed.
When Mr.. Fifeld learned that a
body of Irishmen had gathered in
Franklin county and were intending
to march into Canada, he telegraphed
Rockw0od Hoar Of Massachusetts, who
was then Attorney General of the
United States. He was informed in
reply that a company of regular
troops was on the way to st. Adams.
Before the troops arrived Mr.. FL
field gave a warrant for the arrest
of Col. O'Neill, the leader, to United
States Marshal Foster, who had com
manded a brigade at Gettysburg and
who weighed something like 300
pounds. The marshal went to the
if their irregular gathering can be
called a camp, apprehended Col. o.
Nell and took him away without any
resistance on the part of his follow
ers. at made a deep impression on
my mind" says Mr.. Fifield, "the re-
spect for law and order shown by
these men who were planning law
less raid"
In about three hours after the ar
rest of Col. O'Neill the troops arriv-
ed. They dismounted from the cars
in silence, formed in line and marched
to the park without a word being
spoken except the necessary orders.
built fires, made coffee and cooked
supper like old campaigners as they
were.
Warrants of the John Doe order
were then issued for the other lead
ers and they were gathered in with
out resistance and without any oc-
casion for employing the military.
This broke up the raid, as the men
were disheartened at the loss of their
leaders. Mr. Fifield then went to Gov
ernQr Smith, who asked What am l
going to do? | don't want these men
left here hanging around st. Adams
with no money"
Put them on the cars, ship them
to White River Junction and dump
them there" said Mr.. Fifield
This was done, and on their arrival
there the New Hampshire authorities
took charge of them and shipped them
on to Massachusetts,
There was little need of Federal in
reference, as the men were morgan
lied, practically unarmed, poorly
clothed, and possessed of nothing
dangerous except a strong hatred for
England. In reporting the matter to
the Attorney General Mr.. Fifield COM
pared them to Artemas Wards troops.
But this prompt interference to pre-
vont a breach of the neutrality laws
was in such contrast to the actions
OF England in several cases that it
made strong impression and placed
tie United States in a fine position
before the world
The leaders were indicted and their
trial took place in the United States
court at Windsor before Judge Wood
was soon secured and Col. O'Neill was
asked the usual question, if he mad
anything to say why sentence should
not be pronounced. In response lie
said
II fec from Ireland to escape the
cruelty and brutality of England. l
have made my home here and have
become a.citizen of this country. en-.
listed i'll her service as a private in
the war and worked my way along
until | was promoted to colonel. !
intend to be a peaceful citizen. But
| believed it my duty to avenge my
wrongs and those of my native coun-
try and thought | saw an opportunity
to do so in making a raid on Canada.
did not intend to violate the laws
of this country but to avenge the
wrongs of my own"
Senator Evarts and his family and
a number of summer visitors and
many people of Windsor were present
and all were deeply affected at the
simple remarks of Col. O'Neill The
District Attorney made no reply.
Judge Woodruff proceeded to sentence
the prisoners, and in doing so said
For your conduct in the service of
the country, which secured your pro-
motion to the rank of colonel, you
deserve the country's thanks. For
your endeavor to become a good and
peaceful citizen you deserve common
dation But these things cannot Sc
cure immunity from punishment for
offenses you have committed against
the laws. The sentence must be exc