CANADIAN ACCOUNT OF THE "BATTLE OF TROUT RIVER."

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 162, 16 July 1870, Page 2

CANADIAN ACCOUNT OF THE "BATTLE OF TROUT RIVER."

About 8 o'clock it was discovered that a large body of Fenians had entrenched themselves near Ilolbrook's Corner. A detachment of the Rifle Brigade, including Prince Arthur's company, with 250 volunteers and 150 of the Independent Corps, were immediately sent forward to dislodge them. The Fenians opened a brisk fusilado, which was responded by the Rifle Brigade in a terrible manner. The bullets literally rained down upon the barricade ; and no human force could have lived for tcu minutes. With a faint whoop the enemy vacated their shelter, dodged in and out among bushwood, and on reaching the clear ground rau with a velocity which none but Fenians could equal. Their flight was most ludicrous. Knapsacks, overcoats, rifles, and the Fenians' constant companions whiskey flasks, were thrown away iv the steeple-chase; big Fenians full over little Fenians, and little Fenians fell over big Fenians, officers jostled sergeants, and generals jo3tled privates, and away they rushed helter-skelter without as much as one solitary " Erin go Bragli." It was a miniature Bull Run. Fleetest among the _ fleet wa9 an officer in a bran new uniform, with a fiercelooking plume of green feathers in his shako. He must have been at Bull Ruu. He galloped antelope-like over fences, kangaroolike over stumps, and on open ground ho was equally unapproachable. Of him may it be truly said, in the words of Murk Twain, " None ran that day with more vigor, yet there was much running and a great deal of vigor." About one hundred and fifty yards from the American side the runners halted anl pretended to rally, but the sight of the Rifle Brigade followed closely by the Independents, was overwhelming^ arid once more they went on their way. The scene after the skirmish was a strange one. It might have been thought, without any great stretch of imagination, that the contents of cvci'y pawnbroker's shop in Montreal had been sown broadcast on the field. Long-tailed blue coats, with United States army button 0, powder horns, tobacco boxes, and clothing of every description were strewed wholesale over a two-acre field. As the Rifle Brigade were returning leisurely from the Fenian chase they fell upon a Fenian acting the corpse by the side of a log. A loud moan betrayed his presence, and when it was ascertained that he was not dead but scheming, he was lifted up tenderly by the collar and questioned as to his intentions. He bitterly protested that he was no "Faynian, but a dace.it, well-raised boy, wid no harm In me at all at>ll." Cross-examination revealed tho fact that his veracity was not spotless, and he was placed under arrest, with the comforting assurance fi'om a burly sergeant of ihe Riflc3, " that ho would be blown from the caunon's mouth immediately after dinner." Tho enthusiasm when His Rojal Highnesj Prince Arthur appeared in front of his company was unbounded. Cheer after cheer rent the air, and when they died away strong lung* pealed forth that grand old anthem, " God Save the Queen." The Prince acknowledged the compliment in a graceful manner, and was apparently much affected ot tho oiroumstanoe. Ha looked remarkably well in his uniform, and was anxious a3 his comrades for a fight. When the Fenians turned tail he joined with all his heart in the loud roars of laughter and hurrahing which greeted their hurried departure.