IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 UiKt 125 S us !]|j2jO m 1.4 mil 1.6 — 6" I V] <^ /2 ^/ "'^' A ^ O / /A Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTKRN.Y. M580 (716) 872-4503 ^\ ;V \\ "% V CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technicc! and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. 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All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with h printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as man/ frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimie sont filmis en commenqant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une err.preinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film6s en commen^ant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des syr^^boles suivants apparaltra sur la dernidre in.age de chaque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE ", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds A des t&ux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est filmd A partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 6 |! i THE io FENIAN EAID OF 1 8 70 ft I. BY REPORTERS PRESENT AT THE SCENES. ionlreal : WITNESS" PRINTING HOUSE. 1870. i T F /'J ) 1 J jijrwif^i;k tX.-COL. W. OSBORNE SMITH, D.A.G. [From a Photograph by Notman. THE FENIAN RAID OF 1 870. INTRODUCTION. With one consent men have called the Fenian Raid a farce, and our neighbors have amused themselves mightily at the excitement which it necessarily caused among us; but, however ridiculous its more prominent features, it has not passed without producing the most serious e.Tects oq what we are taught by England to term our nationality. VVithout a baptism of blood, it has been said there can be no national life, and though we have not yet been called to pass through such a painful ordeal, no one can have failed to note the very remark- able progress which we as a people have made, all unwillingly perhaps, during the last week towards independence in thought and action. It was our own volunteers who, in a great measure, formed the army which acted under command of our own Militia Depart- ment. A few weeks later and they might have been alone in the lield. The relations between Canada and the mother country were brought up by the general impression, right or wrong, that England had foiled to look upon us as a people v/ho had equal claims to protection from her to those of the peoi:)le ;it liome. nnd a determination became very general y c\iMcs-- i u^> '..> ii'^ Imperial policy with regard to us more explicitly detined. I'lie expression of this view drew forth feelings which might fairlv he characterized as national. The full etiects of this movement on the public mind are not yet known. The relative position and influence of the various races of our population nvi\- also have been to some extent ascertained and delined. This la^i we cannot view as a desirable feature of the case, as whateve) d ^crimhiates between our races must be a hindrance to their fusio.i. Viewed as a whole, however, it cannot be denied that the Canadian people have gained from this excitement reliance in themselves, and the respect of their neighbors, to an extent fully to compen- sate for all the harm done. The following notes might have been sooner published were it not that they had to be put together during spare moments of 8 busy men. It is hoped that the accuracy of the pictures they aflbrd will make up for the delay. During the latter part of the late session of Parliament a bill was passed suspending the Habeas Corpus Act, and the volun- teers were called out to meet the Fenians ; but no Fenians were seen, and there were not wanting those who expressed a belief that Government had grasped at altogether too vague a report for the purpose of producing an excitement which would serve its political purposes. The storm-clouds appeared to have quite olown over, and Fenian news had again become of less interest than the accounts of the movements of the New Zealand Mao- ries, when suddenly the Irish Republican pot again frothed up, and actually boiled over upon our borders. It was only on Mon- day night, the 23rd May, that those in the neighborhood of tele- graph wires began to feel the sensation that something was astir. The Government was known to have possession of the lines, and news — Fenian news — might be expected. The great city, how- ever, slept in ignorance, and looked forward to as peaceful a Qiieen's Birthday as had ever sunned its banners. Montreal, July ist, 1S70. THE MUSTERING IN AR^IS. The 24th, however, opened sullenly in Montreal, and the drizz- ling rain all the forenoon damped the joyful anticipations of many who saw their rare holiday happiness melting away in the watery atmosphere. Strollers who found their way to the city, perhaps to learn what were the prospects of the review, perhaps for fault of better pastime — for it is singular how many do not know what to do with a holiday — found that rumors were rife in the streets ; but they looked with incredulous contempt on the rather general statements of facts which appeared in a newspaper office win- dow, as a holiday canard too bare-faced to be believed by any one, and an excuse to-day for selling a paper which could conveniently be contradicted on the morrow. Meanwhile the volunteers were rapidly gathering at the Military School, accord- ing to custom, and were there mysteriously informed tliat the review on Logan's Farm was postponed on account of the weather, but that, in accordance with orders irom Ottawa, they would have to remain underarms. After they had been together for some hours they were told that the Fenians were approaching the border, and that one company from each battalion must pro- ceed to the frontier in the afternoon, while the rest must continue ready at a moment's notice. These orders, joined with more precise information issued by the only paper which was being 9 published, induced people ji^enerally to believe that there must be somethiu}; serious after all. Intelligence consisted chiefly in accounts of large bodies of Fenians moving for- ^yard from every station and by every northward train towards St. Albans. A statement that many waggon-loads of supposed war supplies were deposited on a roadside just across the lino from rigeon Hill,— the scene of the raid of 1866— combined with other circumstances, made it appear that the attempt was to be made again in the same direction. When the orders were issued by Col. Smith, D.A.G., com- mandii.g the 5th Military District, 'to the commanders of the only corps in an available condition, namely. No. i Troop of Cavalry, Montreal Garrison Artillery, ist or Prince of Wales* Rifles, and Victoria Rifles, 5th Royals, and Hochelaga Light Infantry, requiring one company' from each of them, it required little time to obtain the full complement of men. The volunteering for service was enthusiastic : in one case a whole company ortering itself in a body, and in others much more than the needed number pressing their services. A selection was made in each case. The men were dismissed for an hour, all too brief to get a meal, which, if secured at all, was to be the last for many hours, and to take leave, it might be for ever, of friends at home. No such serious views, however, of the importance either of the meal or of the leave-taking seemed to enter the minds of the volunteers, who were soon back as light-hearted as ever and ready for an immediate start. About 4 o'clock the service com- panies were inspected by Lieut.-Col. Smith, but it was nearly 6 before they were on the march. Their route was by Craig Street, Place d'Armes Hill and St. James' Street to the Bonaven- ture Station. They were accompanied by the bands of ihe Prince of Wales' and of the Garrison Artillery, and greeted with crowds and cheers along the line of march. At the depot there was another delay of nearly an hour before the train was ready to start, during which there was many a merry leave-taking, chiefly of mere acquaintances, here and there of relatives who had accompanied their loved ones to the train, but in few cases was there any appearance of realizing the undoubtedly serious cha- racter of the occasion. Earlier in the day the oflicers' horses and the chargers of Capt. Muir's cavalry troop had been safely embarked in box-cars, and these were afterwards attached to the special train which, with the troopers and infantry companies, left Bonaventure Station a little before 7 o'clock, amid the cheers of a large concourse of spectators. If the vol- unteers had been starting upon a pleasure excursion, they . could not have returned these cheers more heartily than they did. From the door and windows of nearly every house which to h commnnded n view of the train as it passed from the station to the Victoria Bridge, came one continuous cheer and waving of hand- kerchiefs, and the greatest enthusiasm seemed to pervade all classes. After crossing the Victoria Bridge — which, singularly, was observed to have been left unguarded — the men began to settle down and make the best of their circumstances, in sleeping, reading the telegrams in the papers which had been distributed to them on the platform, singing songs or making orations, as the genius of each prompted — one of the Vies by his unceasing pleasantry earning and well maintaining the title of *' the irrepressible." CONDITION OF THE MONTREAL FORCE. Never since the enrolment of the several corps in January, 1869, under the present Volunteer Militia Act, have the Montreal corps — with the exception of two French-Canadian battalions — been properly uniformed, although the clothing for several of the volunteer corps has lain feeding the moths in the militia store department, and a large portion of it has been privately sold as unserviceable. Bales were thus disposed of to dealers in Montreal, and from them the commanding officers of nearly every corps in the 5th Military District had to buy, out of their private funds, part suits of the same clothing before the men could appear in proper uniform. The Fenian alarm in April last gave an impetus to volunteering, and a large number of recruits were added to the ranks of the i st Prince of Wales', Victorias, 5th Royals, and Hochelaga corps, and although the Government was urging upon the commanders to fill up their companies to the full strength, the department failed to supply uniforms for the recruits. The consequence Avas that a few days previous to the 24th May some of the corps had a great number of men without uniform trousers, and in the Prince of Wales' corps notably so. However, in time for the Queen's Birthday review, Major Bond, the enthusiastic and popular officer commanding the latter corps, had found for sale, and purchased, trousers and blouses sufficient for a large number of his men, who, without this timely provision, could scarcely have appeared on parade. Other battalions were still almost in equal need. Owing to this and other circumstances, many of the men had become very dissatisfied with the service, and a large number had, months before, left it altogether. Such was the condition of things when the necessity for action presented itself. After the first service companies had left, however, on the Qiieen's 11 Birthday, the remnants of the battalions hcpan to fill up their ranks with men ready to follow to the front. They were orderetl to parade at 5 o'clock the next morning, and were dismisseil to their homes, with the exception of a few detailed for guard and sentry duty at the Banks and else\^here. PROGRESS OF THE ADVANCE BATTALION TO THE FRONT. Nothinjj of interest marked the journey from Montreal to St. Johns, where the special train arrived about nine in the evening, and was received ny a mixed and excited crowd. The station was guarded by a (letachrnent of the 21st St. Johns Battalion, under Lt.-Col. Marchand, the sentries being posted in front of the telegraph and ticket otlices. Railway otKcials, who we-re also volunteer oflicers, hurried about giving orders, now militarv and now civil. Eager was the questioning between the crowd and the newcomci's, and very unsatisfactory the answers on IxJth sides ; while the oflicers, Col. Smith and Capt. Gascoigne, Gen. Lindsay's aide, who accompanied the expedition as Brigade Major, were in close consultation with the district Brigade Major, Col. Fletcher, and Col. Marchand, commanding the local brigade and the St. Jolms Artillery Corps. Telegrams exchanged with Montreal, brought orders, in pursuance of which the following disposal of the troops was made : Tl * detachment of ♦he Mont- real Garrison Artillery, luider Capt. W Icksteed, was despatched, amid the cheers of their late companions, to garrison the fort at Isle-aux-Noix, about 15 miles up the Richelieu from St. Johns, which had been left for some time vacant, on account of the withdrawal of the Imper\.l troops. The service companies of the Prince of Wales, Royals and Ilochelagas, under Captains Bulmer, McKenzie and G^ rdner, respectively, on being disem- barked from the train, m; clied into the town, where they were to be billeted until further orders. The object of having the main body at St. Johns is evident when it is observed that that town is the nearest place of any size to the expected point of attack, which is upon a line of railway. From it a force could at any time be sent to St. Armand Station, three hours from Pigeon Hill, or to Star bridge Station, four hours by another road from Cook's Corners, either of which places is within a couple of miles from Ihe boundary, and com- mands a road from the States. The remainder of the expeditionary column some 90 men in all, consisting- of the Victorias under Capt. Crawford, with Lieut, 12 T N 1 1 1! il i Greenshield, and Ensign Oswald, and Capt. Muir's Cavalry, with Col. Lovelace as Lieutenant, and Cornet Lockerby, went on by train to Stanbridge Station, some miles further south, under command of Lieut.-Col. Osborne Smith, D.A.G. Before this force left St. John> the mail train from St. Albans arrived, the passengers by which reported the Fenians at St. Albans, 500 strong, in impatient expectation of giving effect to their cry of " on to Canada," before another sunset, and of reaching Montreal in a few days. The special train by which they went took a picket of the St. Johns Battalion as far as Des Rivieres Station, as an outpost, to look after the safety of the track. The train reached Stanbridge Station soon after midnight. A hotel, a store and a few houses form the whole place, and a dance going on in the tavern, to tne music of a half-witted fiddler, did but little to cheer the general drerriness, as in the pitchy black mid- night the cavalry and rifles drew up in the square on which these buildings stand. So they were very soon started on a march of seven miles towards Stanbridge village, the baggage being left to follow by waggon, under protection of a guard commanded by Sergeant Massey, without the light of u star, over muddy roads, many of them having eaten nothing since their breakfast, we may now pay of the day before, and many not having slept a wink. This, eNen without knapsacks, to lads unused to fatigue was rather a trying introductory ordeal to the " Vies." They put it through manfully, however, and notwithstanding an occasional unlucky aberration into the ditch, they all safely reachcil the village of Stan- bridge East at 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning, where the bare floor of the hall of a hotel aflbrded them welcome repose, the more facetious picking out the softer planks. There they soon got quite cool and uncomfortable enough to reg ird the blankets and knap- sack pillows, which arrived about an hour later, as a very great boon. The troopers of Muir's Cavalry got equally good accom- modation in three different houses. The sergeant's guard, who travelled with the baggage, were lietter al)le to study the varieties of the road, which were pointed out with much interest by the loquacious driver of one of the teams, who had lived over 50 years, that is, all his life, in these parts, and never seen Montreal. There was first a ruin of a woollen factory, then Bedford village, the county town, a pretty place on a pretty stream, with an academy, a dingy wooden court-house, a closed up cheese factory, some machine shops, and a foundry. After leaving this village, a buggy was met, and its passengers accosted with enquiries about the news from Stanbridge. The travellers not answering satisfactorily, the men were discussing the propriety of arresting them for Fenians, when the driver informed them that one of the persons in question was no other than His Worship the Mayor of Bedford. 13 THE VOLUNTEERS AND HOME GUARDS MUSTER- ING ON THE FRONTIER. financing enemy. As the Fenians came down the road, some 200 strong, they presented a rather formidable ai^peanuicc ; they marched with the steadiness of regular troops. They were nearly all in uniform and marched in column, with rifles at the •' shoulder," with fixed bayonets, w-hich shone and glistened in the noon-day sun, with a brightness that was dazzling. General O'Neill, General Lewis, Colonels Donnelly and O'Reilly, also Captains Croydon, Brown, Cronan, Sullivan and Moriarty were w^ith the force. The advance guard, composed of a picked company of forty men, advanced to within 100 yards of the line, and when opposite the house of Air. Alva Rykert, halted, and havjng loaded, (ieneral O'Neill addressed them as follows, — •• Soldiers of the advance guard of the American Irish Army for the liberation of Ireland from the yoke of our oppressors : — For your own country, '.'/ "} 1!J |ig, they ;d with iniform ," with lay sun, Greneral roydon, force. )f forty pposite loaded, of the ation of :ountrv, you now enter that of the enemv. The eyes of your country arc upon you. Forward ! March ." The achance company was from Vermont, and was con.- mandctl by Captain Cronan, of Burlington. lie replied to the atUhx'ss of General O'Neill as follows : — " General — I am proud that \'ennont has the honor of leading this advance. Ireland may depend upon us to do our duty." The advance \\ as then rcsumecl, and General O'Neill entered Rykert's house to view in safety frcjm an upper window the engagement. The Fenians were cUvid; ! into three bodies: tiie reserve, which was about loo strong, l)ehinil the hill ; the main body, under General Lew is. halted at Rykert's, antl the ailvance guard, already mentioned, with a wild cheer, crossed the boundary line into British territory at the double. The leading ille had just crossed the bridge at the creek, about 20 vards from the line, when the crack of half a dozen Canadian Rifles was heard from Ecclcs Hill, and John Rowc, the sentry at the iron post, who had joined Cronan's company as they advanced, fell dead across the road, shot through the left side. The volunteers then opened Ine upon the enemy and wounded several. Captain Cronan's company returned the fue, but halted, undecided whether to advance. The sight of the British red-coats, and the shower of bullets which passed over the heads of the Fenians disconcerted tliem. Although they fired several volleys in retin'n, and were supported by the fire of the main bod}-, which had halted on the American side, under General Lewis, the men wavered, and several began to get out of range of the Canadian fire by retiring behind stone fences, &c. Captain Cronan just then received a shot in his side, and staggering to one side, called to a fellow officer to take command, and try to keep the men togethe:. It was too late ; they were now completely demoralized, and mstead of lying down, as ordered, to t scape the fire of the volunteers, and at same time keep their position, they turned an.l fled, seek- ing shelter wherever cover could be obtained. The conduct of the supports, or main body, imder General Lewis, was some- what similar. They kept up a fire, but ill-directed, for about a quarter of an hour, upon the Canadians, who, from their position on Eccles Hill, had an admirable view of the enemy while they practised sharp-shooting from among the rockj and the brush- wood which studded the hillside. At fir'^t the fire of the Canadian force was wild, and went high over the heads of the Fenians, who were drawn up on the road, in the hollow at the boundary line ; but after the first or second round it was much l)etter directed, and soon began to ieil upon the enemy. General Lewis, himself, was shot in the leg at the com- mencement of the action, and was lifted from his horse and can-.ed into a house near by, with several other wounded Feniars. 20 1 ' :. The main body of tlie Fenians under Colonel Donnelly kept together for a while, and returned the tire of the volunteers, hut only for a few minutes. iVfler Cronan's company was checked near the bridge, their ollicers yelled and cried to them to advance and support them. The majority would not move. About fifty men advanced a few paces, and opened lire, Cronan's company meanwhile scatterinj^ in all directions ; a few minutes longer and, despite the imprecations of the commanders, the main column broke in wild disorder and sought the friendly shelter of the adjoining houses and lumi)er piles. iiehind these covers they seemed to regain c(Milidence, ami kept up a c(»nlinued tire upon tlie Canadian forces. This was the state of things when Colonel Osborne Sniilli, D.A.G., Commander of the troops, came gallopj^ing along the road and up Eccles Hill, in full view of the Fenians, and was received with loud and enthusiastic cheers from the volunteers and Home Guards, while the enemy's bullets came whistling danger- ously through the underbrush, and flattened against the rocks and boulders, from behind which our volunteers returned their Hre with interest. The battle proper did n(H last quite half an hour, but the Fenians continued to keep up a skirmishing light at long ranges for three hours afterwards. It will be remembered that Colonel Smith had left Eccles Hill about r i o'clock that forenoon, when there was no immediate prosj^ect of a Fenian attack, to proceed to Stanbridge village to bring up the Montreal volunteers at that place. He v as within two miles of Stanbridge when he was overtaken by a mounted messenger from Colonel Chamberlin, informing him that the Fenians were on the point of attacking them in force. Captain Gascoigne, who accompanied Colonel Smith, was instructed to make all has-te to vStanbridge, and bring up every available man, wiiile th^- Colonel galloped back to Eccles Hill, where he arrived, as already stated, and assumed the command of the troops, and the post of danger which Colonel Chamberlin had held during the first attack of the enemy. In the meantime Captain Gascoigne arrived in Stanbridge village just as the Victorias were sitting down to a sumptuous dinner, specially prepared for them as a compensation for their previous short rations. The next minute, however. Captain Crawford has received his instructions, the bugler is sounding the " assembly and double." The news that fighting has com- menced on the frontier is known immediately all over the village, and within three minutes the Victorias, fully accoutred and with sixty rounds of ammunition, parade in front of the Hotel, and while Color-Sergeant Clare is numbering off the company, a miscellaneous string of vehicles are brought up into which the Vies quickly jump. The whip is laid to the horses, and ofl at a hard trot dash the animals with their armed passengers ■"01 y. 73 2'^ amidst llic elu-cis of the iiih;il)itaiits who had ^jathcred in th«.- s(iuurt' on hcaiinj; I he iicw^ of the attack, which was contlnncd l)V Stan'-Siir^a'oii Smith of the 5Jiid liattalion. who had jii^^t then arrived from near lOccles Hill. Major Rowe and Captain Rohin- son. with a small detachment of the ^oth Battalion, which was concentiiitinj^ at this place. aUo let't in wa^^^ons with a (jnantily of ammnnilion I'or the front, likewise Captain Muir's troop ol' cavahv at a hand ^'allop. As the last tr.er and his picket, who had ran all the way through the wet heavy fields antl underbrushwood to the front, were sent back inuiiediately, much ajj^ainst their will, t<) re-occupy their outpost. About a dozen of the 6oth. and fully more of the Home (Juards. includinj^ Mr. Asa AV'estover, were absent, jirocurinp^ tlieir dinners at neif^hbourinj::^ farm-houses, between Cook's C(^rners and Eccles Hill, when the Fenians opened the attack. As soon, however, as they heai'd the firinq; they rushed to the front and arrived at Eccles Hill immediately after the repidse of the enemy's column ; as did also several olli^'ers (;f the 6otii who were about the vicinity or at Cook's Corners. Among the first of those who thus arrived \vere Captain and Paymaster Pattison. who was coni'njr down the road frt>m Frelij?hsbur;jf towards the front when he heard the firing. Stafl'.Surgeon J. B. Gibson, ^LD., arrived on the scene a few minutes earlier with his case of surgical instnmients ready, but was agreeably surprised in looking around the field to see that his professional services, so fiir, were not required. Soon after the above arrivals came Major S. Rowe and Captain Robin- 24 son from Stanbridge, and about the same tunc Captain and Adjutant Kemp, follovved soon after by Captain Sixby, who had come all the w ly from California to take over the command of his companv when the April alarm was telcf^raphcd to the distmt Paciiic coast; and, although not in the veiy first fire, was yet amply repaid for his expense and trouble. He managed, however, to get a rifle, and was soon among the rocks and firing upon the enemy. THE ARREST OF GENERAL O'NEILL. While events were thus transpiring in the Canadian camp, an important feature in the drama was being enacted on the i\.mcri- can side. Geneial O'Neill, while the Fenian advance and repulse '"'IS taking place, was safely ensconced in the attic of Mr. Rykert's house, close to the line, where he had gone to view the engage- ment, and from which he purposed to issue his commands. After his men had been repulsed and were under shelter, O'Neill retained his position at the gable window of the attic until Mr. Rykert, in the lull of the firing went upstairs, and seizing him by the back of the neck pushed him down stairs and out of his door, telling him that he would not allow him or any of his gang to occupy his hor.oc. Thus unceremoniously turned out of doors, and wliat was of still greater consequence to O'Neill, out of shelter, he was at a loss what to do. Putting a braggadocio face upon affairs, the Fenian General still hugging the shelter of the house from which he had just almost been kicked, commenced to rail at his men for their cowardice, and called upon them to " fall in" and renew the attack. The liberators of Ireland, how- ever, were stubborn, and refused to leave their cover, while they openly swore at O'Neill, and charged him and their officers with deceiving them. They said that before they left Hubbard's Cornpi-, O'Neill had assured them that they would march right across the boundary line, occupy and plunder Frelighsburg, Pigeon Hill and other villages, without any opposition to contend against, further than a few armed but disorganized farmers, who would retreat at their advance, whereas they had at the outset been met by regular Britisli troops, and apparently double their numbers. O'Neill attempted to undeceive them ; that the force on Eccles Hill was composed of not more than fifty Cana- dian Militiamen. They told O'Neill that he wilfully lied, as they had seen enough of the red -coats (the uniform of the 6oth) to know that none but regular troops would have stood their ground so well and fired with such rapidity and accuracy. The attempt to rally the men O'Neill saw was hopeless, and he ordered them ^ 26 to keep up from their cover a sharp fire upon the Canadians, and he let! the example by ^ettinp^ behind the pile of lumber next Rykert's house, and discharginjij the rifle, which he carried, a ta Canadian officer who was visible in an exposed position on Eccles Hill. A few minutes afterwards, General P. Foster, the United States Marshal of Vermont, with his assistant, Mr. Smalley, drove down the road in a close carriage, and halted opposite Rykert's house. In the meantime, O'Neill quitted his place behind the lumber pile, and was returning towards a group of his men, when General Foster walked up to him, and placing his hand upon O'Neill's shoulder, told him that he was a prisoner, and arm in arm with Mr. Smalley, the brave O'Neill was hurried into the carriage in waiting. At first he protested against his arrest, and said that he would call upon his men to rescue him. He did not do so, however, and as he was hurried past a group of them and one or two officers, they looked on with about as much interest as if they were watching the performance of a farce in a historical drama. Into the carriage O'Neill was safely got, and the !river laid the whip to the horses, and they started off at a gallop up the hill, and passed through Franklin Centre, and at 4 o'clock arrived at St. Albans, where O'Neill was quietly lodged in jail. The command of the Fenians, after the arrest of O'Neill, devolved upon Patrick O'Bryne Riley, an escaped Fenian convict from Australia, who assumed command under the name ot General G. Dwyer. The arrest of O'Neill, and what previously took place between him and his men, did not occupy over fifteen minutes altogether, so hurriedly did events succeed each other. The Fenians showed under their new leader, who assumed command about i o'clock, symptoms of having regained a little of their former confidence. From the encouraging shelter afforded them by the liouses and piles of lumber, they began to return the fire of the Canatlians rather sharply. Occasionally they Avould sallv out in twos and threes from cover, discharge their rifles and retreat for shelter. \\ liile the bullets from the volunteers and Home Guards went whistling dangerously near them. In this way a good many Fenians were wounded. While this skirmishing fire was ke})t up with spirit on both sides. Captain Aluir's troop of cavalry from .Stanbridge came galloping along the road, and up the hill, ^\•llere they dismounted, and having picketed their horses among the trees in a hollow of the table-land on the summit of the hill, the troopers thronged to the brow, overlooking the Fenian position. I'^ollowing cjuick upon the arrival of the cavalry was that of the Victoria Rifles, also from Stanbridge. On arriving at the foot of the hill, they leaped from the waggons in which tiiey had come, hastily formed company, marched up the slope, and took position among the rocks with the Home 26 Guards, and commenced firing upon the Fenians, who had observed their arrival, also that of the cavalry, as they ascended the hill. A few minutes before the above arrivals some eight or ten men of the 6oth came on the groinid, also one or two officers from the vicinity of Cook's Corners. The firing from the Fenian side was kept up with varying interest until about 2 o'clock, when it began to slacken, and in fact about an hour afterwards it ceased altogether, and a flag of truce was displayed by the Fenians in front of Rykert's dwelling. At first there was a good deal of speculation in the Canadian camp as to what the Fenians really meant. The firing on both sides had ceased ; but Colonel Smith strictly forbade any volun- teer to take any notice of the signal, or to leave his position. With the Home Guards it was otherwise ; after the Fenian display of white handkerchiefs, and seeing several women come out of the houses near the line, the suspension of hostilities was accepted, although not officially recognized, and about fifteen of Captain Westover's men, who were posted near the road, went down the hill to the boundary line. The Home Guards had an eye to securing the body of the dead Fenian which lay across the road near the line. As the Canadians approached, and stopped to gaze at Rowe's dead body, about a dozen Fenians, with General Dwyer in front, posted themselves across the road on the American side, and in explanation of their signals, said that they wished to have a short time to be allowed to remove their dead and wounded. General Dwyer requested to speak to a Canadian ofiicer, and one of the Home Guards went back and informed Colonel Smith, who was standing on the rise of the road, about 300 yards distant. He refused to have any communication with the General, and ordered the messenger into camp, and the others to come back at once. In the meantime a great many spectators from both sides, taking ad\'antage of the parley, had crowded down to the boundary line, and while a few crossed the others gazed at each other and the scenes beyond with mingled feelings of curiosity and dread of what would be the next act in the drama. Several of the Home Guards proposed to carry the body of Rowe into camp, and, with that intention, had turned it over, and removed the rifle from the death grasp of Rowe, when the Fenian leader cried out that if they attempted to remove the body he would open fire upon them. Some pretty sharp words were exchanged, and several of the Home Guard, who had crossed the line and gone up to Dwyer, rallied him about the flag of truce. At first he said it was the women, several of whom stood in a group just on the line, and between the two fires. Dwyer was taunted for coming out under petticoat protection ; to which he replied by saying that the flag of truce was hoisted in the cause of humanity. There is no doubt but that the Fenians had induced 27 '*L w these women to come out from tlieir hiding-placee to show them- selves on the road, and thus ensure a brief suspension of hostilities. They must have been well aware that no British officer would recognize any signal from them unless that of surrender ; and the jM-esence of these same women no doubt prevented, at this critical juncture, several lives being lost. Dwyer, irritated at the taunting remarks of more than one of the Home Guard, and after waiting fully ten minutes for an answer from Col. Smith, called outj so that all near might hear '' As your officer will not send any answer, all stragglers had better quit this : for just so soon as Aou get into proper range we will open fire again/' There were probably about thirty non-combatants standing by at the time, and the writer, who was standing within a few feet of General Dwycr, had a good look at the quondam Australian convict. He is a little over the medium height, of ordinary build, and bronzed complexion, with a moustache and goatee ; he wore a dark green jacket, elaborately ornamented with yellow braid, dark colored pants, and a soft wideawake hat. The threat of Dwyer was suffici.nt to make all the idlers run for cover. Up the road to the camp they went helter-skelter, while the Home Guards returned to their cover on each side of the road ; and then crack, crack, from Fenian rifles quickly follo\Ned, and for a few minutes afterwards straggling shots were exchanged, but apparently with- out much eflect. This interlude did not last over twentv niinutes, and occurred shortly after 3 o'clock, and was followed by a lull for about three-quarters of an hour. In the meantime the boys and men of Stanbridge and Frelighsburg were stragglint>- into camp, several of them armed with rifles, "and a few vvith cfouble barrelled guns. The scene which Eccles Hill presented at diis nine was a strange mixture of the military and pictui-esque. The \olunteers, Home Guards, and spectators were all enjoving a pleasant lecess, and wandered about the hill chatting and laugh- ing at tlie somewhat comical termination of the first act of the drama of the Fenian lilieration of Ireland. Groups were scattered a])out, and several were relating stories of the raid of 1S66, when the Fenians had, unopposed, occupied Eccles Hill, Frelighsburg, I'igcoi) Hill and Cook's Corners: [)lundered the inhabitants, and alter liu-ee days' occupation, safely retreated across the lines on Ica'-iiing that the troops were approaching. The treatment which the inluiMtants llicn received at the hands of the Fenians, left an impression that the borderers have never forgotten, and which, as we lia\ e already statcil, was the cause of the formation of the Home Guards and the strengthening of the Loyalists, creating at tlie same time a corresponding anti])athy to the cowardly enemy and their Amei'ican sympathizers. 28 SECOND SKIRMISH AND REPULSE. Shortly after 4 p.m., and while the volunteers and others were enjoying the crackers and butter which Mr. Landsberg and others had kindly sent down from Frelighsburg, shots were being fired from the brow of the American hill, opposite and near Vincent's house, where the Fenian reserve was first halted. A stir was evident among the enetriy in the houses, while their comrades up the road, having been reinforced by 100 men of the 4th New York Irish, under Major Moore, determined upon mak- ing a demonstration and attack to extricate their companions, to the number of about 80, who were virtually prisoners in the houses on the lines. They opened a heavy fire from their con- cealed position, and fairly raked the base of Ecclcs Hill. The imprisoned Fenians were in a critical position, and also opened a furious fire upon the Canadians, under cover of which, and that of Moore's veterans, they expected to be able to retreat up the hill in safety. Major Moore moved a portion of his men through the wood and opposite the right flank of Eccles Hill, while they moved down from the woods a small breech-loading field-piece, which was being got into position, and with which they purposed to attack the volunteer camp. To frustrate any attempt at flank- ing. Colonel Smith strengthened the picket line to the right, and at the same time despatched Captain IVIuir's trooi. of cavalry to patrol between the extreme of the picket line and Pigeon Hill, distant nearly two miles, but close to the boundary line, and thus guard the roads from the States, and protect oiu* right flank against surprise. In this way the troop were of great service, and efficiently did they perform their dangerous duty. In the meantime, firing was kept up for nearlv half an hoiu" with great spirit on both sides, and for the time sounded like the commencement of a battle. The sjiooting was at long ranges, and certain it is that none of the Canadians were hurt, as the Fenian bullets fell short, with the exception of those coming from the houses, which they invariably fired either too high or too low. A few of the enemy were slightly wounded. The long range of the Snider rifles rather staggered the Fenians, who, notwithstand- ing their being urged forward to the attack by ISlajor Moore, refused, veterans though the most of the 4th Irish were, to quit their cover in the woods. They had, during the few hours that they had been in view of Er';les Hill, been inspired with a great respect for the red-coats ar..i their rifles, and a nearer acquaintance they did not intend to seek. On the contrary they openly refused to obey orders, and in small squads fell back upon Hub- bard's Corner, where their connnander, about 6 o'clock p.m.. 29 attempted to rally them, but all in vain. They, like the O'Neill brigade, retaliated upon the officers, whom they charged with deceiving them a:s to the strength of the Canadians. They swore positively to seeing at Eccles Hill a field battery, two detach- ments of cavalry, and at least two battalions of regulars, and they were not going to lie hurried forward to certain destruction. They then fell back upon Franklin Centre, to await till dark the demonstration of further tactics. On the retreat of Moore's force the firing nearly ceased on both sides, and about 6 o'clock, in the grey evening, farmers and others were crossing down the road from one camp to another, and many of the Fenians secreted in the houses, who had cast away the Fenian uniform, made their escape up the road in safety, as the Canadians had strict orders not to fire upon civilians unless they carried arms. About this time Colonel Smith learned that a detachment of Fenians, with tlieir field-piece, were in the valley on the right, and that they meant mischief. The 6oth and the Home Guanls were deployed to advance to the boundary line and drive out the enemy from the houses. The 6oth men in the centre extended in skirmishing order, and advanced down the hill through the brushwood ; the Home GuiU'ds extended on the left on the other side of tlie road on which their right rested ; while on the extreme right of the line the Victoria Rifles, under Captain Crawford, were posted on a spur of the hill as a reserve to sup- port the skirmishers should occasion require. The 6oth and Home Guards advanced in capital order, but before they had got half-way to the boundary line, the enemy broke cover and fled from the houses in the wildest disorder. The advance of the Canadians was unexpected ; from houses and barns, and from behind lumber piles, rushed the Fenians in twos and threes. At first they attempted to check the advance of the volunteers and opened fire upon them ; but the 6oth and Home Guards, who wxre previously instructed to reserve their fire, opened upon the enemy, and the next minute the Fenian retreat was converted into a regular skedaddle. They cleared across the fields on either side of the road, running alongside of fences or wliatever ofiered any cover from the bullets which were whisding all round them. "As the Fenians broke from the houses and firing began, nothing could keep any one who had a rifle from having a parting shot. The Victorias, despite their instructif)n3 to the contrary, opened fire upon the enemy as soon as they quitted the houses. For nearly a quarter of an hour the fugitives could lie seen running for their very lives ; they had thrown away their rifles, accoutrements and part of their uniforms to accelerate their speed. E\'ery minute Fenians could be seen to drop, but were soon up again and limping away, showing that they had been wounded, while others were observed to seek the 30 shelter of two friendly stone fences, and crawling along on the lee side escaped further injury, and finally made good their retreat into the woods, from which they afterwards made their way to Franklin. By sunset the P^enians had all disappeared, antl the volunteers who were with difficulty halted at the boundary line, were very anxious to be allowed to cross and follow the enemy into the woods. In this, however, they were disappointed, as Colonel Osborne Smith's orders about recomiizineen, the Governor- General, and Prince Arthur, and with you the whole militia of Canada. You all nobly came forward quickly, readily, and in great numbers. Indeed, I never saw greater readiness. The militia men may feel proud of the manner in which they supported you, the ofticers and each other. Lieut.-Col. Osborne Smith I congratulate most heartily. He has often been in command on the frontier, and has often been under me during the raid of 1866; in fact I was here, and had a great deal to do with the volunteers. I may say I had even something to do in sending Colonel Smith to command here, feeling satisfied that his minute and thorough knowledge of every road, stream, hill, and plain — I might almost say fence — on our exposed frontier, his previous service and acquaintance with the details of military life, in addition to his great natural military abilities, rendered him peculiarly fitted for this command, and that he was certain to repel any and every attack made upon us. To the cavalry my thanks are due. I fully recognize their services in the pressing emergency, and a more useful body there could not be than they have shown themselves. I have nothing more to say just now, but would ask you to give three cheers for the Queen." These were most heartily given, and were immediately fol- lowed by cheers for the Governor-General and Prince Arthur. The General then again proceeded to say : — *' I now ask you to give three cheers more for your fellow soldiers of the volunteers who so recently served on the Huntingdon frontier. When the emergency took place there, I hastened to send the 69th Recfi- ment to the front. It was accompanied to the threatened point by the Huntingdon Borderers, the Montreal Artillery and Engineers, and several other corps, and when this force took up its advance for the 38 Fenian line, so confident did Colonel Bagot feel with regard to the volunteers, that he did not hesitate to place the Borderers in a position where they would be exposed to the first fire. I need not tell you the result. As here, the Fenians did not wait for the attack, but fled, demo- ralized and in disorder." Four days after the above event the camp at Eccles Hill w^as broken up/ and the vohmteers returned to their several head- quarters, and w^ere dismissed from active service. List of Officers of 52nd Battalion at Eccles Hill : — Staff — Lieut.-Col. Millers, Capt. and Adjt. Smith ; Capt. and Paymaster Amyrold ; Staff"-Surgeon Chamberlin ; and Acting Quarter-master Hodge. Company Officers — Captains Cox, Mayers, Fourdnrier, Flannery, Franey, Hall and Manson. Lieuts. Mitchell, Mayers, Willey, Hall, Boright and Manson. Ensigns St'=;venson, Latimer, Codd, Allan, Adams, Robinson and Perkins. Acting with the above battalion were Drs. Hamilton and Brigham. THE RESERVES AT ST. JOHNS. Early, on the morning of the 25th, the P. C. O. Rifle Brigade, under Colonel Lord Alexander Russell, proceeded by special train to St. Johns, where they arrived all safe, and were followed in a few hours by Captain Glynn's Battery of Royal Artillery trom Hochelaga. I?; the course of the afternoon the following Montreal battalions also left for St. Johns, viz : — ist Prince of Wales' Rifles, under Major Bond ; 3rd Battalion Victoria Rifles, under Lieut.-Col. Bethune ; 5th Battalion or Royals, under Lieut.-Col. Grant, and the 6th Battalion or Hochelagas, under Major Martin. These corps assembled at the military school in heavy marching order, and having been inspected by Lieut.-Col. bucon, Brigade Major, marched to Point St. Charles, preceded by their bands, and followed by a large crowd of spectators. On arrival at the railway station a special train was in wait- ing, and the arrangements for embarking were so complete that in a very short time the vohmteers were all aboard the train >/hich started immediately afterwards, amidst the cheers of the spectators who had followed them from the city. The volunteers were in capital spirits at the prospect of active service and meet- ing the enemy, who, they '■ .d heard, had crossed the boundary line and attacked the Canadian outpost on the Missisquoi frontier. Arrived at St. Johns about 6 o'clock, the volunteers were kept waiting in the cars for about half an hour, as it was undecided whether they should not be sent on to St. Armands and then march to Eccles Hill, to support the small force there under 39 Colonel Osborne Smith. Despatches were, however, received by Colonel Lord Alexander Russell, in command at St. Johns, informing him that the Fenians had been defeated at Eccles Hill, and that Colonel Smith could hold his position against the enemy. Accordingly, Lieutenant-Colonel Grant was instructetl that his brigade would stay over-night at St. Johns. The various corps disembarked, and having formed in order marched into the town, where they were enthusiastically received by the inhabitants, who seemed to have abandoned their ordinary avocations, and, like the volunteers, to be on a " war footing." It was now past 7 o'clock, and the Montreal volunteers had been under arms since 5 a.m., and had had nothing to eat since midday, and as they had not been expected to stay in St. Johns that night no arrange- ments had been completed for their reception. The ist or Prince of Wales' Rifles were marcheil to the Town Hall, the Victoria Rifles to an old, almost broken down house, which was kindly placed at their disposal by Mr. Pierce, while the Royals and Hochelagas, after some delay, were provided with billets, at which their men got their supper. No arrangements whatever had been made to provide the men of the Prince of Wales and Victorias with supper, and tlie officers of these corps had to hunt up persons who could undertake to furnish a meal. In an hour the men were provided with tea, crackers, butter and cheese — bread could not be had in the place for love or money. The otHcers, in this instance as well as all the time they were out, forgot themselves until the men had all been properly cared for, and this evening a group of Prince of Wales' officers might be seen buttering the crackers with their swords, and drinking tea from a canteen borrowed from one of the men. About 10 o'clock, when supper was over, the majority of the volunteers, wearied with the day's excitement and fatigue, went to sleep. Those in the Town Hall and the " old housL'" had to be content with the floors ; and even tliat luxury was i)ricf, as they were soon aroused by the sounding of the " assembly," followed immediately by the order to '• fall in." which they rapidly did, notwithstanding the excitement consequent upon the report that they were to advance to Pigeon Hill, where they expected to meet the Fenians. At midnight the brigade, com- prising the Victorias, Prince of Wales, Royals and Hochelagas, augmented by the service companies of the three latter corps, which had arrived at St. Johns on the night of the 24th, marched to the railway station and were cjuickly on l)oard the cars again. By direction of Colonel Lord Alexander Russell. T>ieutenaiit- Colonel Marchand, of the 21st or Richelieu Battalion, wctit in command of the brigade, with instructions to proceed to Pigeon Hill, and if he did not fall in with the enemy to await further Wi 40 orders, or advance to the frontier should Colonel Osborne Smith require reinforcements. About 3 o'clock the train reached St. Armands station, which was guarded by a company of the 60th Battalion under Captain Sixby. After alighting from the cars in the grey dawn, the brigade formed alongside the railway track. Waggons were in waiting in the village, and after a short delay the men's knapsacks were placed in them, as well as the slender commissariat. A column of route was then formed and the brigade commenced its march towards Pigeon Hill, the Prince of Wales leading and the Victorias, Royals and Hochelagas follow- ing, while the waggons, with a small escort, brought up the rear. The advance guard was composed of No. i Company of the Prince of Wales, under Captain Rodgers, and every precaution was taken against surprise, as they expected to be attacked on the road, which was a most favorable one for an enemy, being lined at frequent intei^vals with thick woods and overlooked by nume- rous rocky and wooded hills. About half-way on to Pigeon Hill is a dense wood, through which the road passes, and which would afford admirable cover for an enemy. It was viewed with suspicion, and Major Bond threw out Captain Pearson's company of the Prince of Wales to skirmish towards the wood ; but they were soon recalled, after penetrating the bush and finding that the gi'ound was too swampy to bear the weight of a man. After passing the wood and proceeding about a mile further on, the column halted near a house, the inmates of which supplied the volunteers with water to drink, and also gave away what milk they had in their dairy. Resuming the route the brigade, without anything of moment happening, after a two miles' march halted in the vicinity of Pigeon Hill village, and about two miles from Ecclcs I-Iill. 'The inhabitants of the houses in the neighborhood where the brigade halted were extremely kind to the volunteers, and freely gave them everything they had in the shape of provis- ions. Here the brigade halted about two hours, the time being pleasantly spent by the volunteers in listening to the stories by the farmers and others, of the fight which had taken place on the previous day at Eccles Hill. The greatest interest was manifested by all to learn particulars. A voluble resident who could describe the scene, the attack, the repulse, and the various movements at Eccles Hill on the 25th, was beset by scores of volunteers, who hung upon his every word as if he were an authority that it would be sacrilege to interrupt in his recital. Several persons arrived in the course of the two hours that the brigade halted, and displayed Fenian trophies, which they had found on the fields after the fight. The reports, however, were all singularly vague as to where the Fenians were to be expected to come from next, 41 or if they purposed a second attack. All doubt was soon set aside by the arrival of a trooper of Muir's cavalry with a despatch from Colonel Osborne Smith, D.A.G., to Lieutenant-Colonel Marchand, that the enemy had been repulsed and that reinforce- ments were not required. Accordingly, the brigade was ordered to return to St. Johns. The commands " fall in" and retire was obeyed by the volunteers with a general feeling of disappoint- ment, after a march of nearly eight miles, under a broiling sun, which, to men with a close-fitting uniform, sixty rounds of ball-cartridge and a rifle to carry, rendered the journey very fatiguing. The return march to St. Armands was accomplished without any particular incident occurring; the brigade arrived shortly after noon, and then followed a general scramble for dinner. In two hours more they were again on board the train, and were soon after received at St. Johns'with great cheering by the inhabitants, who were jubilant over the victory at Eccles Hill, the particulars of which they had read that morning in the newspapers received from Montreal. On the following day, the Companv of Montanuards Cana- dians, from St. Jean Baptiste Village, under Captain Simpson, with Lieutenant D. Battersby, arrived at this place and were attached to the Hochelaga corps. The above brigade, with the St. Johns battery garrison of artillery under Major Drum, with Lieutenants Footneir and Cousins, also two companies of the 21st Battalion under Lieut.- Col. Marchand, were held as a reserve force until all danger was over ; and on Thursday, the 3rd June, they returned to their respective homes. They were previously inspected by Lieut.- General Lindsay, accompanied by H.R..H. Prince Arthur and Staff: 42 THE FENIAN RAID ON THE HUNTINGDON FRONTIER, CALLING OUT OF THE 50TH BATTALION. In Huntingdon the first public intimation of the threatened raid was a telegram from Lieutenant-Colonel McEachern, which arrived about 5 o'clock in the evening of the 24th, ordering out the 50th Battalion immediately for active sei-vice. During the previous part of the day a few rumors of Fenian movements had l)een circulated through the village, but nothing certain was known, and the thought of any serious trouble arising from the old story of activity in Fenian Circles had been laughed at by all. At once, however, on receipt of the order, messengers were despatched in all directions to notify the volunteers, and at 8 o'clock that evening, twenty men had assembled at the Guard House, and sentries had been posted. All through the night volunteers continued to arrive, and on parade at 9 o'clock on the following morning the force numbered about 100 men. During that day the reports by private parties, and the news from more distant quarters by telegraph, became more and more alarming. Fenians in large numbers were said to be arriving at Malone by every train, from all parts, east and west, and marching at once to the camp at Leahy's farm, about half a mile distant from the boundary line, and only twelve miles from Huntingdon. There abundant supplies of rifles, ammunition and equipments awaited them, and as the success of the movement seemed in a great measure to depend on the rapidity of their advance, an attack was confidently expected by the voluntec 5 during the night. To prevent any surprise, therefore, and to obtain quick and reliable information respecting all their movements. Colonel McEachern selected twenty well-mounted, active young men, thoroughly acquainted with all the roads in the district, and sent them out as scouts and patrols, in which capacity they proved of great servi .;e to him and afterwards to Colonel Bagot. By the 'ifternoon the number of volunteers present at parade had incriiased to 150, and Col. McEachern took the opportunitv to make a stirring speech to them, telling them that he expected an attack very shortly, and that though reinforcements were on the way to assist them, it was not probable they would arrive before the morrow evening, and therefore they would have to LT.-COL. McEACHERX. I- l i I 1 ' i;' ■i- ■ Wi 45 depend on themselves for the defence of their homes and famih'es. Ho said he was sure, however, that should an attack take place, they would behave in a manner worthy of themselves and of their new Dominion, which they were now called upon for the first time to defend. Towards evening two of the scouts, Messrs. Hyndman and Boyd, rode through the Fenian camp to Malone, an act of daring which caused much anxiety to their friends till their safe return again. Much valuable information was obtained by them respecting the number and equipment of the enemy. Several civilians also, during the day, had driven past the Fenian camp, and returning in the evening, confirmed the statements that had been received from otlier sources. RECEIPT OF THE NEWS IN QUEBEC. Her Majesty's Birthday had passed quietly enough at Quebec ; it had been anything but royal weather, for it had rained a cold drizzly rain the whole day. Nothing of consequence had been heard of the rumored Fenian invasion, for people gave little credence to the sensational paragraphs in some of the papers, copied from American journals, about it. However, at half-past 6 o'clock p.m., when every house seemed closed for the evening, and the streets were being deserted to the cheerless rain, and when the mess bugles in the Citadel were just sounding the " dress" for dinner, an urgent telegram was received from headquarters at Montreal, by Colonel Bourchier, C.B., (the Commandant) ordering the " 09th Regiment immediately to the frontier at Huntingdon," and the " Royal Artillery, under Colonel Chandler, 3rd Brigade, to be held in readiness to follow as a reserve." The Staff of the Garrison were immediately called together, for arrangements as to field equipment, transport, rations, &c., &c., had to be carried out. Orderlies were hurriedly despatched in different directions to warn such officers, as being married, were living away from barracks, or, as bachelors, were dining out, or spenaing their evening with friends in town. It was in fact, to compare small things with great, a repeti- tion of the hurry and preparation so graphically portrayed by Byron in his description of Waterloo " in Childe Harold." However, all worked well, and at a quarter past 2 o'clock in the morning, to the lively strains of their band, the gallant men of the 69th marched down to the Grand Trunk wharf, where camp- kettles, water-bottles, and all the other necessary items of field equipment, as well as fresh baked bread and meat-rations for three days, had been prepared under the direction of Assistant Superintendent Russell, D. A. Superintendent Taylor, and D.A. ( 1 46 C.G. N. Roger of the Control Staff, and were in readiness awaiting them ; and at half-past i o'clock, amidst the cheers, and wishes of " God speed" from many friends (who, in spite of the rain and late hour, had come down), the steamer left the wharf for Point Levis, where a special train was in waiting to take the regiment on its journey. D.A.C.G. Roger accompanied the force in control charge, and D. A. Superintendent Taylor was despatched the following day, on ammunition and war mater'el resei*ve duty, to the ist Military District Headquarters, Montreal. DEPARTURE AND JOURNEY OF THE GARRISON ARTILLERY AND ENGINEERS. In Montreal the volunteer corps of the Garrison Artillery and Engineers received orders about six o'clock that same evening to be in readiness at half-past eight to proceed to Huntingdon. All day they had been under arms at the Drill Shed, awaiting the order to move, and now, when it came, loud cheers testified their willingness to go, and hopes were freely expressed among them that some active part in the defence of their country might fall to their lot. It was past ten before all the arrangements were completed, and the final order to start given. A large number of their friends had by this time collected in the Drill Shed, to bid them farewell and see them off; and as the hurried " good-byes " were given, for no one knew how long, it was pleasing to notice the conviction of duty mingled with p.ide which evidently pervaded the most, and more than counterbalanced any fears they might have for the uncertain future that lay before them or their friends. The parting, however, was quickly over. Again the command " fall in" resounded through the building. The ranks filled up, and at the word " forward " the column moved off at a quick pace towards the Grand Trunk Station at Point St. Charles. As they left the shed, cheer after cheer rose from the crowds collected in and around the building ; many followed all the way to the station, and joining in the lively choruses struck up by the volunteers as they marched, added much to the inspiriting effect and made the two-mile march seem very short. On reaching that place a still further delay was occasioned by some difficulty about the baggage, and it was past one o'clock when the warning whistle sounded, and the train began to move oft'. Among the men there was much excitement, and it seemed at first as if all sleep would be banished, and merriment reign supreme for the night. Gradually, however, this subsided ; the excitement succumbed to fatigue, and each one settled himself 47 as best he could on his hard seat, and enjoyr 1 as far as possible the sleep so much required. At half-past four they arrived at Cotcau Station — a small collec- tion of houses, occupied principally by railway employees, and about two miles distant from the Landing on Lake St. Francis, where the " Salaberry " was waiting to convey them across. Wearied by their loss of sleep, and the excitement and exertions of the previous" day, the tramp to the Landing proved very fati- guing, and all felt the benefit of the hot coflee obtained on board the boat as they crossed over to Port Lewis. The scene at the breakfast table, however, was very amusing. The first two or three squads fared very well ; but as those behind, hungry and impatient, began to press forward, a complete crush in the small and already crowded saloon was the result, and few were able to obtain their share, and many of those who did, lost it before they could extricate themselves from the crowd. Time, and a guard placed at the door to prevent the entrance of any more till the crush had lessened, improved matters much, and in the end all were satisfied. Coflee spilt, tunics stained, toes crushed, ham and hard tack trodden under foot and wasted, were among the chief casualties reported after- wards, and as all took it in good part it served as a subject of much merriment during the remainder of the day. On their arrival at Port Lewis, parties were despatched in all directions to obtain teams to carry the baggage. While they waited for these, several farmers arrived from the frontier with their families, whom they were removing to a place of safety. They gave but little additional information to that which had been reported the previous evening in Montreal, namely, that the Fenians were in force near Trout River lines, where they had crossed the boundary, on a kind of foraging expedition, but had actually as yet committed no serious damage, nor taken up any position on our side. By nine o'clock the volunteers were on the march again, proceeding along the plank road to Huntingdon, This road, for the greater part of its way, leads, in a straight course, through a very extensive tamarack swamp. For the whole of the six or seven miles that it extended, not a house was to be seen, and scarcelv a square foot of ground on either side upon which one would like to trust his own weight. After passing this, the fine agricultural district of Huntingdon was entered. The change from stunted tamaracks to magnificent maples, beeches, and elms, with rich foliage and refreshing shade, was very welcome, and a halt of ten minutes afibrded the men a little relief from the intense heat of the now noon-day sun. About half a mile from the village the 50th Battalion met them, and escorted them in. Their arrival was a very encouraging 48 V sight to the inhabitants, who had spent an anxious night in dread of an attack, and gladly welcomed this addition to the number of their protectors. As almost all the available room in the village was already occupied by the 50th, and an advance on the front was expected early on the morrow, the Court House and the old Academy were assigned as quarters to the Montreal Volunteers, and as soon as possible the rations for dinner were se»"ved out. The poor character of these gave rise to many complaints from the men, who would have cheerfully dined on the hard biscuit and tea in a case of necessity or emergency, yet now, when they were in a large village, where there was abundance, thought their weari- some journey had entitled them to something better. Accordingly, in the evening, arrangements were made for their billets, and both at the supper that night, and early breakfast on the morrow, they were very kindly treated by the people of Huntingdon. During the afternoon additional information respecting the Fenians was brought in by scouts. About ten that morning a party of them, under Col. Thompson of Albany, made their appearance at Holbrooke's store, about a mile north of the lines, on the Huntingdon and Malone road, and demanded admittance in order to destroy the telegraph. As resistance would have been useless, the door was opened. Immediately on entering their leader went to the telegraph instrument and began to wrench it from its fastenings, but on the operator explaining to him that communication could be as efiectually destroyed by severing the wires, he desisted, and obtaining a hiJtchet, cut them in several places both within the office and outside near the poles. After this was accomplished the men called for tobacco, and when informed where it was kept, seized and carried off about /j-olbs. ; but the liquor, which was in abundance, they were not allowed to touch. They did not remain long, and v/ent away without doing further mischief. Shortly afterwards three of the neighbor- ing farmers, hearing that a few of the Fenians had encamped on this side the lines, went up past Holbrooke's to have a look at them. Proceedingratherincautiously they came unexpectedly upon them at a turn of the road, and were made prisoners. Two of them were soon released, but the third was detained. While in the camp as a prisoner, he heard the Fenian officer in command, Col. O'Neil of Philadelphia, make a speech to his men, in which he congratulated them on the auspicious commencement of their invasion, promised each a home, and painted in the most glowing terms the glory they would obtain, when, as the result of their bravery, the banner of the Irish Republic would wave over Canada. On concluding he was loudly cheered. Unfortunately, however, for the auspicious commencement, a quarrel arose between two of the men, which ended in the one shooting the 49 other, and breaking his arms. The report of the rifle, and the noise of the confusion that ensued, frightened some of the party a little in advance, who, fancying that the red-coats were upon them, made a bolt for the lines by the nearest way. Their running gave the alarm to those in camp, who as quickly followed, leaving the prisoner unguarded, an opportunity he was not slow in using to effect his escape. When they arrived at the camp across the lines they seemed to have found out their error, as a party of them, towards evening, ventured cautiously down the road, as far as Hendersonville, accompanied by teams, and com- pelled all the neighboring farmers to give them provisions ; but, as was afterwards learned, no further attempt was made that day to establish themselves on Canadian territory. At their camp, on Leahy's farm, fresh accessions to their numbers were continu- ally being received, and boxes full of arms and ammunition that had lain stored in the barns and cellars of neighboring farmers, were now being brought into camp in great numl)ers, sufficient, it was said, to equip many thousand men. In Huntingdon the volunteers, wearied by their long tramp, and the want of sleep the previous evening, retired at an early hour, and by dark comparatively few were to be seen on the streets. About midnight H. M. 69th Regiment arrived from Quebec, and pitched their tents on the parade ground beside a large bonfire which had been made in expectation of their arrival. They were under command of Col. Bagot, who at once assumed control of the volunteer force as well, and issued orders for all to assemble ready for marching at half-past three that morning. Early as was the hour, and weary and footsore as were many of the volunteers, every man was in his place with his breakfast over and his knapsack strapped by 4 o'clock. Before starting 40 rounds of ammunition were served out to each, and all were relieved of their knapsacks and blankets, which were placed in waggons with the ammunition anr^ other stores, to follow on behind. By a quarter to five o'clock all the arrangements were completed, and the column moved oft' the parade ground in the following order and strength : — Huntingdon Borderers, 50th Battalion, Lieutenant-Col. McEachern, about . - - - 225 69th Regiment, under Major Smyth, about - 450 Montreal Garrison Artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel McKay, about ... - 275 Montreal Engineers, under. Major Kennedy, - 80 Total, including officers and men, about 1030. Then followed the waegons, under a guard of a few men from each corps, containing the tools of the Engineers, the ammunition and knapsacks, and the provisions. Ii^ M !f| The morning was bright and clear, yet pleasantly cool, and the road lay through a beautiful country, with the Trout River wind- ing on the left, sometimes skirting the road's edge, and at other times leaving room for a well cultivated field to intervene. At miftiy of the houses along the way the farmers had got in readi- ness pails of milk and of cold water for the use of the men as tiiey passed, a kindness which was fully appreciated. At a little past eight Ilendersonville was reached. Here Colonel Bagot was Informed, by a despatch from Lieutenant Butler, who had gone on ahead with the scouts, that early this morning a body of the Fenians had crossed the line, and were then entrenching themselves about half a mile on this side. One of the scouts also, it was said, had been fired upon when approaching near them. Captain Rose's company of the Garrison Artillery was accordingly ordered to proceed, imder command of Major Ilobbs, along the next concession road to the west to prevent any flanking movement from that quarter, while the main body marched at a quick pace to Holbrooke's Corners, two miles ilistant. Descending the slight rise in the ground, half a mile on this side that place, many were able to distinguish clearly th glitter of the bayonets of the enemy, who appeared to be drilling, about a mile and a half ahead. As the report passed from company to company that the Fenians were actually in sight, and that now there was every chance of a fight, the effect on the spirits of our men was wonderful. The sun was by this time high, the march had been long, and a great number were suffering, much from tender and blistered feet, yet at the news pain and fatigue were forgotten in a moment, and every one was all anxiety to have some share in the engagement. It was about half-past eight when the head of the column reached Holbrooke's store, where a halt fcjr a few minutes was ordered while directions were being given for the attack. The Fenians, as could now be seen by the aid of a glass, had taken up their position across the road, about three-quarters of a mile further along, with their right flank resting on the river and their left covered by woods. Here, on their arrival that morning they had set to work and piled up logs and rails in a hurried yet secure manner, so as to form a barricade about three and a half feet high, extending all along their front ; and on the right side a trench about a foot deep, had been dug in order to increase their cover still further. Lying behind this they had a clear ijweep of t,ie open fields in front, a distance of more than 300 yards, over which our troops would be obliged to pass to get at them ; while not more than 100 yards behind a thick bush afforded an admirable retreat, which numerous buildings con- tinued tq some distance beyond the lines. Tue country that lay between Holbrooke's and the entrenchn^ent wat of a broken ♦ f ■*' r 9 \ US. \ «"- r i 53 character. The road still followed the west bank of the river, which led in an almost due south direction, to a little past the place where the barricade had been erected, then taking a sudden bend it entered the States, with a south-easterly course. On both sides of the road were small fields, many of them planted with grain. On the left, about 400 yards above the store, stood Mr. Holbrooke's dwelling-house ; further on a hop-yard, and still further on, and within 400 yards of the entrenchment, was a large frame building used as a custom-house ; opposite this, on the other side of the road, was another hop-field, in which the advanced skirmishers of the Fenians had been posted, and beyond these lay the open fields in front of the barricade. Lieutenant Butler of the 69th had been early on the ground and seen the enemy advance and take up their position. After pending back word of the fact to Colonel Bagot, he had, assisted by the scouts, watched closely all their movements, and had sketched a plan of their situation and surroundings. As soon, therefore, as Colonel Bagot arrived on the ground he was able to put him in possession of all necessary information respecting the strength, character and circumstances of the Fenian force, upon learning which Colonel Bagot gave orders for an immediate attack. " Col. McEachern," said he, " you will deploy three com- panies on the left, and four on the right. One company of the 69th will form your centre, and advance along the road, and one com- pany of the Garrison Artillery will cross the bridge, and proceed up the east bank of the river." Rapidly as the orders were given, they were as promptly carried out. Of the Borderers, Capt. McLaren's, Capt. Feeny's and Capt. Anderson's companies deployed on the left, ; Capt. Cairns', Capt. Gardner's, Capt. Mc- Donald's and Capt. Johnston's on the right. It was but a moment's work for them to leap the fence and extend, which they did with an enthusiasm and precision that could not have been excelled ; Colonel Fletcher, assisted by Major White, leading in person the right division, Colonel McEachern taking charge of the left. Of the 69th, Captain Mansfield's company extended on the road, and the remainder, under Major Smyth, followed as a reserve in quarter distance column. Capt. Doucet, with his company of the Artillery, crossed the bridge and proceeded up the left bank as ordered, with the intention, if possible, of flanking the enemy. Capt. Hatt's company was stationed at the bridge to guard it, and the remainder of the Artillery and Engineers fol- lowed as supports under the command of Col. McKay, and Major Kennedy, but were afterwards ordered back to the bridge, on the removal of Capt. Hatt's company. Such was the disposition of the force. To the Borderers had been assigned the post of honor by Col. Bagot, because, as he said, they had to fight for their homes, and therefore had the best claim to have the first oppor- m 54 tunity of mcctin<^ tlie enemy ; and their gallant conduct fully justified the confidence that had been placed in them. The firing was begun by the Borderers on the right, who, as thev advanced at the double, poured their fire into the bush and hop-yard, about 500 yards in front of them, which was occupied b\- the advanced pickets of the Fenians. These returned the fire of the volunteers Init once, and then fell back to their entrench- ment. On the left Col. McEachern reserved the fire of his men till they had cleared Mr. Holbrooke's house and the out-houses adjoin- ing, when, on his giving the word of command, a volley was let fly in front of them. Soon after Capt. Mansfield's company received the same order. From this time a continuous fusilade was kept up by the volunteers, who fired as they advanced. When within about 400 yards of the entrenchment the Fenians delivered their first volley, which went whizzing over the heads of the volun- teers, but caused not the slightest wavering in the ranks. On they went at the double, through the fields and over the fences, firing with as much regularity as if it had been merely a parade ; and yet, for aught that they knew, the next volley from the enemy might have laid half of them dead on the field. Two irregular ^■<)lleys followed the first, and then, just as our men emerged from the hop-yards and enterqd on the open fields that lay between them and the barricade, they saw the enemy start up and run for the houses and bush beyond, disappearing suddenly behind the shelter which they afibrded. Mortification and anger at the villains escaping them so easily, quickened the steps of the volunteers. The portion of ihe barricade across the road, necessarily less secin*ely fastened than the rest, owing to the hard nature of the ground iitidcrneath, was scattered in a moment by some of the 69th, and through the o])ening thus made, or over the other parts, poured our men. But, ([uick though they were, the Fenians, \eterans perhaps of l^ull's Run or Fredericksburg, were still <|uicker. Rifles, knapsacks, ammimition, everything that impeded the flight of the imfortunate ones in the rear, were thrown to the winds, and a bee-line taken for t' protecting arms of Uncle Sam. Indeed, so rapid was their disappearance that Col. Bagot ordered the woods on the left to be searched, unde'" t' conviction that many were hiding there. This was perf n- i promptly and efticienth' by a company of the Artillery una ' apt. Hatt, assisted by Captain and Adjutant Baynes and Lieur. Fitz-George, ^vho iiad been made conversant with the Brigadier's plans. N«t a single green-coat, however, was seen — all had fletl. Our men advanced as far as tiie iron pillar which marks tiie boundary, when Col. J^agot ordered the bugle to sound "cease liring," and tiie men came to the halt. Col. ISlcEachern wasverv > o o C 7: 67 anxious to be allowed to chase the Fenians to their camp, and 75 men of his battalion offered to dress in civilian's clothes and fol- low them up, but Col. Bagot was decided, and refused to allow it. Three rousing cheers were then given by both volunteers and regulars, and, after a short rest, all were marched back to llul- brook's Corners. Here the Borderers were stationed, but the 69th proceeded about a mile further back, to the farm of Andrew Donnelly, where they pitched their tents in a field near the river. Shortly after the hring had ceased, the Huntingdon Home Guards, numbering about 30 men, all armed with breech-loaders, arrived on the ground, under command of Mr. Shanks and Mr. Delaney. Having been unable to start as soon as the column, they had made a very hurried march in the hope of arriving in time for the action, and were much disappointed in finding it over. One poor, miserable fellow was taken prisoner by a civilian while passing through the woods. He had his rifle loaded and was in uniform, but as soon as he noticed that he was seen he tlirew away his gun and begged for mercy. The volunteers were very anxious taat. he should be handed over to them for summary execution, but Colonel Bagot interfered, and delivered him to a guard of the 69th for safe keeping. His name is James Moore. He is a discharged private from the American Army, j'^pers to that effect having been found on his person, which are .low in possession of Major Smyth. After the fight was over, a great crowd gathered from all directions at Holbrooke's. Most of tnem were the friends or relatives of persons in the 50th, and loud were the congratula- tions and compliments received by that fine corps. Between the Montreal volunteers and their friends, the tele- graph, which had been repaired early in the morning, on the arrival of the column, now became the medium of communica- tion, and a great crush of despatches was forwarded to that city with assurances that all was well. As the excitement began to subside, much speculation was indulged in with regard to the result of the fray, and many were the stories circulated of Fenians being seen to fall or become of a sudden lame ; pools of blood were also said to have been noticed behind the barricade, and the number of rifles, knapsacks and uniforms found scattered over the fields showed clearly the fright they had received. From information gained afterwards, however, from the Americans, the truth seems to be that only one of the Fenians was killed and one wounded. The name of the one killed was Dennis Duggan, of Troy ; and of the one wounded, Michael McCann, of the same place . When we consider how sheltered the Fenians were, and the short time the engagement lasted, this short list of casualties is hardly to be wondered at. On our side the only casualty was a slight wound received in 68 1 i the forehead by a person named Moniquy, belonging to Captain Feeny's company of the Borderers. It was supposed to have been occasioned by a splinter from a bullet. Both the barricade and the hop-poles, on examination afterwards, gave proof of the excellent firing that had been made by our men. Many of the top bars of the former were riddled by the bullets and the hop- poles were broken and stripped. The firing of the Fenians was much too high and very wild, and several of the rifles picked up on the field had never been used, indicating that their cowardly possessors had fled without even firing a single shot. Among the trophies that fell into the hands of our men was a pouch and valise belonging, apparently, to one of the commanding officers. In them were found many important papers, several articles of clothing, a packet of neatly cut sandwiches, with the other little etceteras usually found in an officer's kit. They w^ere handed over to Major Smyth of the 69th, by whom they were retained as an interesting memento of the engagement. One of the papers was headed, "General Orders, Camp O'Neil, May 27th." It would seem to have been begun just as the approach of our column was descried, and the finishing of it to have been prevented by the hurry that then ensued. Such are the principal particulars of the action at Trout River Lines. Too much credit cannot be given to all connected with it. No regiment of the line could have behaved more regularly or steadily than did the Huntingdon Borderers, and everything in which the Artillery or Engineers were engaged, evinced how gal- lant their conduct would have been had the honor of leading the advance fallen to them. Of the regulars, both officers and men, we would only say that they behaved like British soldiers, which is as high a compliment as can be paid any body of troops. Neither would we forget the efficient services of the patrols under command of Lieutenant Butler, to whom the Colonel was chiefly indebted for his knowledge of the enemy's strength and position. It is but proper also to mention, in connection with these, that Lieut.-Col. Rogers, with six companies of the 52nd Battalion (Hemmingford Rangers) had, by order of Colonel Fletcher, travelled all the night of the 26th, in order to reach Huntingdon in time to form part of the Brigade advancing on Trout River Lines. Col. Bagot, however, seeing the strength and splendid appearance of the corps already in column, decided that the Rangers should remain at Huntingdon, and form, with the Beauharnois Voltigeurs, a reserve corps in support of the advanced column. After the battle, many particulars of the Fenian doings in camp were obtained from the more respectable Americans resid- ing in the neighborhood, who flocked towards the lines as soon as the firing had fairly ceased, and expressed great pleasure at 59 the defeat of the rough horde. Several civilians also, from the Canadian side, hearing that the Fenians had decamped, crossed the lines, and visited their camp, among whom was the Editor of the Huntingdon Gleaner^ who has given a very able descrip- tion of what he saw and heard. From the time of the arrival of the first batch at Leahy's farm, on Monday evening, until the time of the fight, there was a constant stream of Fenians pouring into the camp from all (quarters, specially from Malone. Wag- gons loaded with boxes of arms, ammunition and stores, that had lain in concealment in the cellars and barns of neighboring sympathizers, were incessantly arriving, till the amount was sufficient to equip ten thousand men. '' It passes all belief," says the Editor of the Gleaner^ '■' the quantity of stores of every kind which hatl been accumulated, and we think we are below the truth in stating that a quarter of a million dollars would not pay for all that was sent to the frontier. There were boxes of rifles, i)Oxes of bayonets, boxes of water bottles, boxes of knapsacks and haversacks, boxes of belts, and boxes of clothing; besides these, there were barrels of pork and hard tack. In ^ iOrt, the most wonderful part of the movement was the compl'. lChcss and extent of the preparations, for all of which, we hold, the United States (iovernment is responsible. To say that such a quantity of stores and arms could be prepared and sent to the frontier without its knowledge is absurd. The New York Tribune^ and other papers, laughed at the Fenians as an army without a commis- sariat ; but the truth is, it was a splendid commissariat witliout an army worthy of it." Notwithstanding this preparation, however, many of the I'^enians arriving were far from satisfied with the look of things. They had been induced, they said, to go to the front by the most positive assurances that ten to fifteen thousand men were encamped at Trout River Lines, and were accordingly much disappointed at not finding even hundreds. The state of discip- line in camp also was very bad, and petty quarrelling was con- stantlv going on, not onlv among the men themselves but often between the officers and the men, much to the weakening of the authority of tlic former. Even at best, houever, the ofiicers had but little power to enforce their commands, and many of tlu- men, when told to do things which did not suit their convenience, would either answer tartly back, telling the officer to do it him- self, or say that if made to do so they would return home again. Such a state of affairs was very discouraging to the more respectable among them, for all were not roughs and blackguards, as one might suppose, judging from the desperate and piratical nature of their enterprise. Alany were respectable laborers and mechanics, whose enthusiasm, iired at the thouglit of in some wav freeing Ireland from the .Saxon rule, had overridden their ? i •0 judgment, or who, having long been connected with the Brother- hood, had been urged forward to the step by a fear of shame, lest they should be accused of cowardice if they now shirked action. These were the minority, however ; the greater part were the off-scourings of city populations, adventurers, rowdies and ne'er- do-wells, who had been lured by the prospect of plunder, and were only restrained, during their short stay in camp, by the fear that excesses or outrages there might bring down upon them the American Government, an event they were very anxious to avoid. Many of the officers, too, were thorough scamps ; but a few were more respectable, among whom we would mention Colonel Thompson, of Albany, who was particularly active in prevent- ing any flagrant misdemeanor either on the American or Canad- ian side. In such a motley gathering the ideas that were entertained about the invasion were necessarily the most vague and chimeri- cal. Little or no fighting seems to have been expected till within sight of Montreal. When near there the Irish population in the city were to take up arms in their favor ; the Victoria Bridge, and the canal and railway near Cornwall, were to be destroyed, and Montreal, thus isolated, was, in a few days, to be at their mercy. This once in their possession, the subjugation of the rest of the Dominion would speedily follow, and Canada would then become the base for carrying on still more important operations against England itself. Such was the general programme ; but each one had his own variations, and there were few who did not look forward to the acquisition of much personal plunder. Until the night before the battle, no preparation seems to have been made to receive our troops, nor had they apparently the least idea of their arrival in force at Huntingdon. That night, however. Brigadier Starr arrived in camp, bringing the news of the departure of the troops from Montreal, and at an early hour the following morning a council was held to consider the propriety of an immediate advance into Canada. Afi'^r a long discussion, and much bickering, the meeting broke up without arriving at any decision ; each one resolving to do as he thought best. Those who were in favor of the advance, to the number of about 200, started at once under command of General Starr, crossed the lines, and took up their position about 600 yards on this side, where they immediately began to entrench them- selves. Many who were against the movement at first, when they saw that it would go on, followed them, until about 300 altogether had passed to the front. The first warning they received of the approach of our men was the appearance of the column as it descended the little rise in the ground past Holbrooke's. The sight took them much by surprise, and all worked with redoubled vigor to complete their I-' 61 entrenchment before they could be attacked. This they succeeded in doing. Colonel Bagot*s rapid advance, however, much discon- certed them, and left no time for consideration. In less than twenty minutes from the time they first caught sight of our men, they beheld them rushing over the fields and along the road to attack them, with an energy that declared plainly they meant work. Three volleys were fired while our troops were yet in the distance, and then General Starr gave the order to retreat, and himself led the way, making splendid time. At the boundary line they were met by those who had remained behind in the morning, and who had now come forward at the double to reinforce them, under the command of Col. Thompson, and an attempt was made to rally them, but to no effect, and soon reinforcements, as well as those who had advanced, were retreating at the double along the road to Malone. No halt was made at the camp ; few stopped till they reached Malone, where they arrived about noon, weary, disheartened and footsore. For several hours not a Fenian was to be seen round the camp ; but in the afternoon, when they learned that our troops did not cross the lines, many emerged from their hiding places, and again occupied the camp. When the Editor of the Gleaner was there, some forty Fenians were present, some lounging round, and others busy collecting together their stores, and nailing up the boxes, most of which, during that night, were again restored to places of conceal- ment, ready to be used on some future occasion. All the volunteers remained at Holbrooke's till past noon, when orders were issued for the Garrison Artillery and Engineers to march about a mile further back from the lines, and encamp alongside of the 69th, on Andrew Donnelly's farm, while the Borderers were to take up their quarters around Holbrooke's Corner, and, assisted by a picket of the 69th, were to maintain a patrol to the lines. On arriving at their camping ground, a large barn, which stood a little way back from the road, was assigned to the Montreal Volunteers as their barracks. Here, by means of a little ingenuity and arrangement, they soon succeeded in making themselves very comfortable. Cooks were appointed in each of the companies, and, under the directions of Colonel McKay, and the superintendence of Quarter-Master McCoy, who had remained at Huntingdon, good bread and fresh meat soon took the place of biscuit, which the nen were now thoroughly tired of. In front of the barracks stood the brick dwelling-house of Mr. Donnelly. This was vacated, as far as possible, by his family, and the room thus made was occupied by Colonel Bagot and staff' while they remained. The dining-room of the house served as the officers' mess-room, and an out-house adjoining the barn was cleaned out, strewn with straw, and used as their sleeping apartment. w 62 ( At but a short distance from either of the camps lay the river, aflbrding a pleasant and convenient bathing place, a luxurywhich, (hiring the hot weather that ensued, was appreciated by all. Some of the more dexterous, also, after a prolonged expenditure of time and patience, succeeded in catching a few small fish ; but most of those who tried their hand at the sport soon abandoned it as an operation that didn't pay. About 7 o'clock, Stevenson's Field Battery arrived from Hunt- ingdon in fine trim, and pitched their tents and parked their guns l>y the side of the 69th. They had left Montreal on the afternoon of the previous day, and, travelling all night, had i*eached that place in the morning, shortly after the departure of the column under Colonel Bagot. There they had remained a few hours to rest their horses, which were too much exhausted to follow imme- diately, and had then pushed on as rapidly as possible to the front. It was a matter of much regret with all of them that they had been unable to be present at the morning's adventure, and still more disappointment was expressed on learning the small hope there was of the Fenians renewing the attack. Wearied by theexcitement of the day, the volunteers at an early hour turned into barracks, and >vere soon enjoying the sleep of which, during the past few nights, they had been much deprived. At Holbrooke's Corners most of the 50th obtained billets on the houses in the neighborhood ; but as the sleeping accommodations were necessarily very limited, many were the tricks resorted to during that and the following evening, by those whose turn it was to sleep on the floor, in order to obtain beds at the expense of their more fortunate comrades. One story was told of some of the bandsmen who had been quartered at the same house with a number of the scouts. Beds, as usual were scarce, and for two nights the scouts had managed to secure them all for themselves. The third night, however, the bandsmen determined to have what they deemed their just share in the mat- ter, so, after all had retired for the night, one of the buglers sounded an alarm, a short distance from the house. The rusc was successful, the scouts awoke, and suspecting nothing made a rush for their arms, when their beds were quietly occupied by the bandsmen, who kept them for the night in spite of all the etibrts of the scouts to dislodge them. About half-past ten the Colonel received information that a reinforcement of 400 Fenians had arrived at Malone, and that the whole were again re-organiz- ing for another attack. Orders were accordingly issued for a general parade at 3 o'clock next morning, and for all to hokl themselves in readiness to turn out if necessary during the night, at a moment's notice. Every one was at parade at the hour ordered ; but as no more information had been received, and nothing had occurred f- 1 ■ iil: 'Ml lI * 6 r; •> iM: t;5 to cause alarm, the parade was dismissed. At 6 o'clock, a com- pany of the Garrison Artillery was posted about a mile east of the Trout River Lines, by Captain Fitz-Gcorjj;c, to prevent any surprise on the rij^ht rear ; but tlie precaution was needless, and the order was soon countermanded. That morning, after breakfast, Colonel Hapot, accompanied by Major Smyth, Major Grey, Captain Fitz-Georj^je, A.D.C., Captain Mansfield and Lieutenant Burton, all of tiie 69th, visited the scene of the skirmish. On their way they met the 50th IJattalion on parade, and Colonel Hafjot took the opportunity to make a very stirring speech, complimentinnian encampment there. Several other parties also , followed a little later in the afternoon, among whom were Assistant Quartermaster McDonald, Sergeants Alio and Beers and Gunner Mcintosh, of the Garrison Artillery ; Dr. Fuller, and one or two others of the Field Battery, and a 'party of the Bor- derers. ' -^ On their return, late in the evening, the parties from the 68 m , k'lj I ' '4 «: Garrison Artillery made their report to Colonel Ferrier, the princi- pal particulars of which were the following : — The number of the Fenians in and around Malone was from twelve to fifteen hundred. Everywhere they were to be seen on the road, loung- ing round street corners, crowded in the bar-rooms of the hotels, or congregated in small groups out in the fields — all looking disheartened, and many very destitute. That afternoon General J. H. Gleason, of Richmond ; Dr. E. Donnelly, Pittsburg ; Colonel Robert Cullen, Colonel W. H. Lindsay, Chief of Stafi", New York, and Captain E. J. Mannix, >! alone, had been arrested by orders from the District Marshal, and were then under a guard of United States soldiers in the Skating Rink.- All the arms in their camp had been seized by United States troops ; but as these amounted only to a hundred stand, it was supposed that the rest had been stored away by the Fenians in convenient places of concealment. Great ill-feeling existed on the part of the men towards their generals ; nor did 'i.'^:.^y hesitate to express it openly. Shouts of " hang him !" " shoot him !" were heard on all sides when Gleason was arrested, and many said that if O'Neil ever showed his face again at any of their meetings he would be lynched on the spot. Father McMahon had arrived from Chicago on Friday evening, and on Saturday joined Gleason in his efforts to incite the men to some fresh attempt ; but, on the arrest of the generals in the morning, his ardor had cooled very suddenly, and all that after- noon he had been much more mindful of his character as a spiritual adviser. The United States troops in the place numbered about 500 ; but nearly half of these had arrived within the last 24 hours. General Hunt was in command ; Generals !Meade and McDowell, with their stafis had arrived the previous evening, remained over the night, and left for Ogdensburg by the noon-train that day. Strict orders had been given by them, before leaving, for the arrest of the officers and the seizure of all Fenian arms and stores, so that no further movement on Canada was now appre- hended. Disappointed and starving, the Fenians vsere now all anxious to get to their homes again, and the people of Malone, who by this time were thoroughly cured of tiicir Fenian sympathies, just as heartily reciprocated their wisli. The difficulty was the return fare on the railways, which few of them were able to pay for themselves. At first it was expected that the Federal Go-, ern- ment would advance the money as they had done in 1866; but General Meade, on being asked, had said that this it positively would not do. Recourse was then had to the town, and on being refused there also, aiDplication had been made for assistance to (rovernor Hofiltnan and Mr. Tweed and the Mavor of New 69 York, all of whom it was thought would be ,la(l of the oppor- tunity to obtain favor with the Irish pop, '.it on. Their answer had not yet been received. Malone itself ^•> ,.s now under martial law — no liquor of any sort was allowed to l)e sold or given to the Fenians, and all night the streets were patrolled b}' a guard furnished by the citizens. The report was received with much interest by the officers, and Colonel Ferrier at once telegraphed the more important items of it to Montreal. Next morning Colonel Ganeswort and Major Randolph, of the United States Artillery, visited the camp from Malone, and wevo entertained by the officers of the various volunteer corps. During their conversation they informed Colonel Ferrier of the escape during the night-time of Captain Mannix, Head-centre at Malone. He had leaped from a window in the guard room, fifteen feet above the ground, as soon as the sentry inside had turned his back, and unchallenged by the sentry outside, who was evidenth^ a Fenian, ran up the street to a friend's house, where he obtained a horse and waggon and drove off. The Marshals were in search of him. but as yet no clue had been discovered leading to his whereabouts. That morning, they also said a detachment of troops had been sent to Fort Covington, to guard a large lot of arms and ammunition which had been seized near Hogansburg, by Mr. Blunt, Collector of Customs, and to bring them for safe-keeping to Malone. Thev told the story also of Gleason and his telegram, which caused much amusement in Malone on Saturday evening. Shortly after he had finished his harangue to the Fenians on the parade ground, in the afternoon, he received the following tele- gram from ome acquaintance in Ottawa : — How are you oft' for soap ? here. — Come on. Ottawa, May 28th, 1870. We have a herring and potato ibr you R. Lano. This roused his temper and going among some newspaper reporters he said : — '' Sec what an insult this is. To-morrow I will blov,' up Huntingdon for it." Unfortunately for this assertion, whatever might have been his intentions, the next morning he was in the guard-house, and this morning was to be brought before United States Commissioner Brennan for examination, along with the other prisoners. Before leaving, Colonel Ganes- wort and Major Randolph were taken through the catnp, and the guns belonging to the Field Battery shew n to them. They spoke in the highest terms of the magnilicent physique and soldierlv bearing of our volunteers, and expressed much admira- tion of the field-pieces, The\ remained till about tlirc;, and on returning w^ere escorted to the lines by many of our officers. --'1 TO I i: i;: During the afternoon, Major KennecU', Captain Rutherford and Lieutenant Hutchinson went over to the battle-ground and took some excellent sketches of Holbrooke's store, the bridge, the barricade, and the buildings near the lines. That evening a treat was afibrded all by the band, which played for about an hour in front of the officers' quarters. After they finished. Sapper Walker, of the Engineers, read, at request, apiece of poetry on the Fenians, which he had composed during the afternoon, and was loudly cheered by all. Now that the Jiasco seemed nearly ended, the volunteers began to be impatient for their return home. Many had left important situations, where their services were much required, and others had been obliged to close their offices and suspend business altogether, and, should their return be long delayed, serious loss might result. The excitement, too, of the first few days had subsided into the weary monotony of an idle camp life, which already began to prove irksome to the more active, and many were the hopes expressed that night that the morrow might see them on their road homewards. About half-past two the following morning, the camp of the Garrison Artillery was startled by hearing the sentry stationed on the south side of the barn challenge three times and then fire. Captain Hatt, wiio was on duty at the time, immediately ran with the rest of the guards to his support, and in a minute the whole force, roused by the report of the rifle, were up, out and equipped. Colonel Ferrier, who had been informed at a late hour the previous evening by IMajor Whyte, of the 50th, tliat the United vStates troops at Fort Covington had been overpowered by Fenians, the arms which had been seized on the 38th retaken, and that the Fenians were now marching down upon our camp, and might be expected at daybreak the f(^llowing morning, at once gave the order to sound the " assembly." Major Kennedy, of the Engineers, ]Major Cole, and Major Dowi-,er, of the Artil- lery, were despatched with companies in difiercnt directions to ascertain if there was any ground for alarm, and a thorougii search was made of the fields behind the barn, where the sentry said he had heard a sound, first, as if of approaching footsteps, and afterwards as if a rail in the fence had given way beneath the weight of some one crossing. Nothing was discovered, how- ever, to justify any alarm. When day broke, a young calf was seen grazing in the fields, and was supposed to ha\e been tiie cause of all the trepidation. The report that Major Whyte had given Colonel Ferrier proved false, and aftairs accordingly soon assumed again their previous monotony. One unfortunate acci- dent, however, occurred in the confusion. Sapper W^ilker, who had read the poetry on the previous evening, in his haste, got his foot entangled in some tent-ropes, and, falling heavil}-, broke the 71 small bone of his leg near the ankle. It was promptly attended I' 1 r^^'lc'y. and as soon as tiiey reached Montreal he 7onXt^ut TnH ^""'"'^ "^^^"^^^^' ^'^'''^ '^^ ^-^« made very comroi table, and soon recov^ered. In the afternoon word was received that His Royal Highness Prmce Arthur intended to yisit Huntingdon on the morrov^ and presen the 50th with their new colo?s, and shortly afterwards he welcome order came for the whole volunteer fofce to re urn all was S°" ''f '""""^- ^"^ '''' remainder of the afternoon all was bustle and excitement in camp. About 4 o'clock, Mr. Gilmore, the photographer, arrived from Huntingdon, and took ^eryTelf " '''" "'"^^' ""' its surroundings, which kirned out Sharp at 6 o'clock, the Montreul volunteers were ready for the march. Soon afterwards the 50th made their appearance on the road from Holbrooke's, and the journey homew nil wa com- menced much to d.e joy of all. The Field Battery led the way In Malone the Fenians still remained in considerable numbers, much to he terror of the inhabitants, who were in constant drelui of some disturbance or outrage taking place. On Monday morn- ing arrangements had been made with the Railway Company for he conveyance home of the Fenians at half-fares, and large posters to that e lect were stuck up round the streets. All those, iccord- mgly, xyho were able to pay for themselves, or could borrow money from friends, left in the afternoon ; but these were only a small portion of the whole. The following day agents of several of the blanches of the Brotherhood arrived with money to pay for the return of those from their own districts, and next morniiii the men were drawn up in companies, and the tickets distributed by the agents who were very careful to see that they got into the hands of the right parties. By these means some 400 were furnished with tickets, and left for their several destinations in the afternoon. During the evening Colonel Levenck, of Governor Hoifman s stad, arrived from New York, with instructions from hun anc the Hon. VV. M. Tweed, to pay the return fares of all Lccordinirly, about 600 lett for their homes on the different trains next d by the following moi ning. At Budalo refreshment ly, and the remainder nished those who had to travel still f „^,., .,, ,,„ ^^^,, whose thoughtfulness will doubtless be well repaid ])v Irish at the next election. Dui in Battalion or Victoria Riilks : Staff — Lieut. -Col. Hethune ; Major llandysidc ; Lieut, and Adjutant Ilatton. Staff Surgeon Sevveil and Qiiarter-Master llird. Company Onicers— Captains Whitehead, Stanley and Beers; Lieuts. Yates, Evans, and Taylor; ICns-'gn Andrews. 5TH Battalion or Royal.-^ : Staff — Lieut. -Col. G ant; Major Campbell. Assistant Staff Surgeon Rogers M.D. Company OfTicers — Captains Walter Scott, Jas. Esdaile and P>edk. Mackenzie. Lieuts Wm. Rose, Ostell. E. J. Major, Whitney, and Mathewson, and Ensign Geo. Major. 6tii Battalion or IIochela(;as : — Staff — Major Martin ; Lieut, and Adjut. David. Assistant .Staff Surgeon David. Company Officers — Capts. H. H. Geddes, Robt. Gardner, jun. and J. C.Sinton; Lieuts. D. Seath, W. D. Dupont and Ensign Geo. Seebold.